BENITA.
I had blacked out after being dragged by the moment I opened my eyes, I expected to see a cage or something but instead I felt the heaviness of silk. The second was the smell of roses.
I looked at my body and I realized I was putting on a white dress. My wrists were bare, but I could feel the bruises beneath the clothes of the gown they'd forced me into.
A gown the color of surrender.
"Good," a voice sneered from the corner. "The little bride is awake."
I sat up slowly. Three women stood by the mirror, their Bloodfang crests glinting on their collars. They were dressed in red, the color of victory. Mine.
"Where am I?" My voice was hoarse, dry.
"In your new home," one of them said, her tone mocking. "The Alpha wanted you prepared before sunset."
"I'm not marrying him." The words tasted bitter, but I spat them out anyway.
The tallest of them smirked. "You'll say that until he marks you. Then your mouth won't matter anymore."
I clenched my fists. "Touch me and I'll rip your throat out."
They laughed. It wasn't kind. It was the kind of laugh people made when they knew you were powerless.
"Pretty threats for a broken Luna," another taunted.
Luna. The word stung. It didn't belong to me, not like this. Not forced.
I swung my legs off the bed, standing tall as the gown spread across the floor like a bedspread. I saw myself in a mirror, pale face, tangled hair, eyes still swollen from crying.
This wasn't me. This was someone's prisoner wrapped in silk.
"Leave," I said, voice low.
The tallest woman tilted her head. "You're not giving orders here, sweetheart. The Alpha wants you downstairs before the moon rises."
"I said leave."
There must've been something in my tone, my wolf's edge, maybe because they hesitated. Then, muttering under their breaths, they left.
As soon as the door shut, I exhaled shakily and stumbled to the window.
I pressed my hands against them, testing, hoping. The metal didn't even budge. Beyond them stretched the Bloodfang compound, cold stone towers, firelit courtyards, guards everywhere.
And the moon pale, indifferent hung low over the forest.
My eyes burned. Lucas…
A knock split the silence. The door swung open before I could answer.
Fred stepped in.
This time around, he was casually wearing a black shirt and trousers, as his sleeves were rolled up effortlessly like this was a normal evening for him, not the night he was forcing a marriage.
"You look stunning," he said, his voice soft, mocking. "White suits you."
I glared at him. "I'd rather die in it."
He chuckled, stepping closer. "Careful what you wish for. I can make that happen."
"What do you want from me?"
He stopped in front of me, his shadow falling across mine. "You know exactly what I want."
"I'll never be yours."
His hand shot out, gripping my jaw, forcing my eyes to meet his. "You already are."
I tried to jerk away, but his grip only tightened. "You killed him," I hissed. "You killed Lucas. You call that love?"
"Love?" He laughed quietly. "No, little wolf. This isn't about love. It's about power. About showing the world that the Silvercrest line bends to Bloodfang."
"You'll never have my pack."
He leaned in, voice brushing my ear. "I already do."
He released me suddenly, and I stumbled backwards.
"Get ready," he said, turning for the door. "The ceremony begins in ten minutes."
"I won't stand beside you."
He paused, half-smiling. "Then I'll start with your sister."
My breath caught. "What did you say?"
"Sweet little Maia," he said casually. "Silver hair, blue eyes, lives with the humans near the border now, doesn't she? It took my trackers a single day to find her."
I froze, every bone in my body locking. "Don't touch her."
I was glad she was still safe at the moment and if Fred dared to lay hands on her. I would kill him myself.
"That depends," he said smoothly, "on how well you behave tonight."
I could barely breath as anger curled up inside of me.
Fred smiled like he could taste my fear. "Good. Now you understand."
For the sake of my sister, I swallowed my pride and walked down the bloodfang hall reeked of incense and smoke as soon as he left. I already lost Lucas, I can't lose Maia also.
Wolves lined the stone walls, their whispers like knives.
"That's her?"
"The Silvercrest Alpha's daughter?"
"She looks fragile. No wonder he wanted her."
I walked stiffly beside Fred as I catched up to his pace, every step a humiliation. The gown brushed against the cold floor, my bare feet silent.
On the dais ahead, an elder waited, the Bloodfang priest. His expression was neutral, practiced.
Fred's hand rested on my back, as he carefully guided me forward like a perfect groom but to me it felt like a bondage.
"Smile," he murmured. "Wouldn't want your pack to think you're unhappy."
I didn't smile. I looked up into his eyes and said lowly but enough to ensure he heard me "I hope you choke on your victory."
He grinned. "Oh, I intend to savor it."
The priest began the ritual chant,his voice audible yet barely audible as I didn't hear the words, just the heartbeat of my heart, the pounding of fury in my veins.
When Fred turned to me, his eyes gleamed with possession. "Kneel," he ordered.
"I won't."
He leaned in. "Maia's throat, or your pride. Choose."
My knees hit the stone.
The priest continued, his voice growing louder, faster. Then came the moment, the mark.
Gripping my neck roughly, Fred's hands pushed it to the side. I tried to pull away, but his claws dug in, forcing stillness.
His fangs sank into my skin.
The pain was sharp and deep, it wasn't just physical, it penetrated deep into my soul, creating a soul bond. My wolf screamed inside me. The bond burned, leaving behind something that wasn't love, wasn't belonging, just ownership.
When he pulled away, blood trailed down my shoulder.
Applause erupted. Cheers. Whistles.
"Trophy Luna!" someone called.
"Bloodfang's new pet!" Another added.
Laughter filled the hall.
I kept my eyes down. I wouldn't give them the satisfaction of tears.
Fred turned to the crowd, motioning for them to keep quiet, "My Luna," he declared. "Bound by blood. Loyal by force if not by choice."
The room roared again.
Then he looked at me, really looked and something cruel lingered in his gaze.
"Take her to my chamber," he told his guards. "I'll join her later."
The crowd howled their approval.
But when I was thrown into his room, the door locked behind me, Fred didn't follow.
He appeared hours later not to touch me, not to speak. Just to stand in the doorway, eyes cold, distant.
"You're mine now," he said quietly. "But don't worry, I don't need to claim what already belongs to me."
And then he left.
The door closed with a loud bang and I was left alone again.
I pressed a hand to my marked neck, the wound still bleeding slightly.
I closed my eyes, talking to the darkness, "You may have broken me, Fred Cole… but you will never own me."