"Our fathers betrothed us to each other when we were young," Alpha Torrin says, as if that single sentence can make everything right between us again.
My hands clench at my sides as I still refuse to look or even glance at him.
"I'm sorry," he adds. "I don't know if you'll still believe me or not, but the moment I claimed you, I temporarily forgot about Cassandra because of…"
He pauses, either hesitating or trying to find the right words. I expect him to finally admit his illness. Instead, he gives another reason.
"Because of my love for you. Our mate-bond connection is becoming so strong each day that I couldn't stop myself. Moreover, I was desperate to save you from other packs."
He reaches for my hand, but I quickly recoil, making the pain in his eyes amplify.
To avoid an argument, I stride past him and head to the dining area where Harper and Cassandra are already seated at the table, chatting and laughing like old friends.
Harper seems so fond of her, and jealousy twists inside me like a blade.
Alpha Torrin joins us a few minutes later, sitting opposite me. His eyes flick toward me every now and then, still full of guilt and pain. But I avoid them completely.
Dinner drags on slowly. Harper and Cassandra talk about fashion, training, and pack gatherings. From time to time, Harper tries to pull me in, but I only nod and smile weakly.
"I have some free time tomorrow. I'd love to invite you both for a girls' shopping trip. My treat," Cassandra says, winking at Harper and me.
I'm about to decline, coz spending more time near her presence ruins my already unstable peace of mind, when Harper blurts out, "Of course, we'd come!"
Not wanting to leave Harper alone with her, I force a smile and just nod.
When dinner ends, Harper and I stand to leave. But Cassandra's voice stops us.
"I'd like to speak to Alpha Torrin and Harleigh in private. I hope you don't mind, my sweet Harper."
"I don't," Harper replies cheerfully, kissing my forehead before leaving.
Once she's gone, the mood anticipatedly turns sour and harsh. Cassandra's fake sweetness finally slips.
"So," she begins, crossing her arms over her surgically enhanced b.reasts, "I wanna know how loyal you are to the agreement signed by my father and yours."
To my surprise, Alpha Torrin answers without hesitation, "I won't choose you over my fated mate. The agreement was made without our consents. I didn't understand its weight until I met Harleigh. Having said that, I wish to keep our packs' alliance. That's why I'm offering..."
"I decline," Cassandra cuts him off sharply. "Unless it's a marriage offering, of course. My father and brothers expect me to be your Luna. Any other offers are unacceptable."
Alpha Torrin's face hardens, while my heart sinks deeper into confusion and anger.
Cassandra stands up so aggressively that her chair screeches against the marble floor. "If you void that agreement, expect retaliation from my pack for humiliating my father and me."
When she storms away, an oppressive silence stretches between me and Alpha Torrin.
Eventually, I find my strength to break it. "This is another one of the many bad omens that are about to happen. This is one of the reasons why I want to break free from the two-fated-mates' foreboding."
Alpha Torrin says nothing, his eyes stay fixed on the chair Cassandra vacated.
I can't stand spending another minute with him, so I leave him alone, drowning in his thoughts.
That night, I toss and turn endlessly on the bed with my thoughts racing, causing Harper to stir beside me a few times, mumbling softly.
When morning comes, Harper and I prepare to leave with Cassandra, wearing the new winter clothes Alpha Torrin gave us.
My body feels heavy as I walk toward the cars waiting outside. At least several Frostveil Gammas are joining us, since I don't trust the Crimsonbane werewolves.
We travel to the heart of Frostveil's territory, where tall glass buildings shimmer under the weak winter light.
Cassandra leads us into a luxurious boutique lined with gold and crystal.
"Choose whatever you want," she says.
Harper darts between racks of dresses and coats, giggling like a child.
Meanwhile,...
Pain shoots through my heart, but I still force the words out in a whisper. "About last night, I don't want the Frostveil Pack to lose another ally. I'll reject Alpha Torrin tonight. So please…"
"Oh no," she cuts in sharply. "Your rejection could weaken or kill him. If that happens, his cunning and ambitious uncle, Atticus Chandler, will steal his title. Worse? I'll never be his pack's Luna."
Then,...
Her lips twist into a cruel smile. "What I want is to be his wife and Luna, and our children his heirs to the title, while you'll be his mistress, just enough to keep his wolf strong and sane."
My heart clenches in disgust. This woman only wants recognition and approval, not true love.
I will never become like Aiko Lockhart, whom I despise!
"Come on," she continues, forcing me to agree by justifying her twisted logic.
Soon, her words blur together, passing from ear to ear.
Irritation grows within me, that I snap, "Shut up!"
Everyone, the staff and customers alike, gawk at me.
Then,...
Cassandra starts coughing violently when she tries to speak again, clutching her throat desperately.
Horror floods me. No! I accidentally activated the Shadow Bind again!
I move toward her to try to ease her situation, but the Crimsonbane Gammas shove me hard to the floor.
"S-speak," I stammer, unsure yet hopeful.
Finally and thankfully, words spill from Cassandra's mouth again, broken but clear.
Harper rushes to my side and helps me to my feet.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
Slap!
Cassandra's palm viciously strikes my cheek, forcing me to reel back.
She hisses between jagged breaths. "Look. Many want you dead due to the curse you carry. If I become Alpha Torrin's Luna, while you become his mistress, our pack will become loyal to him. Our pack will protect you and Harper the way his pack can. Remember this: Your righteousness won't save you, your practicality will."
She forces a fake smile, then turns to Harper, touching her cheek. "Did I scare you?"
Harper trembles but tries to look unruffled. "A little. J-just don't fight with my sister next time."
Since Harper's earlier excitement has faded, Cassandra pretends to be friendly again. She walks beside Harper, helping her pick out clothes and coats and piling them into her arms, ignoring her discomfort.
After a while, Cassandra pays with her credit card at the counter.
Once everything's bagged, she turns to me and hands me one of the paper bags she's holding.
"This is for you," she says.
Whether it's a peace offering or just a show of her spending ability, I can't refuse. After what happened earlier, I can't risk angering her again, which may put the Frostveil Pack into another conflict.
When we return to the Alpha's mansion, Beta Atticus blocks my path. As usual, his expression is hard and calculating as he towers over me.
"Let's talk privately," he demands, leaving no room for argument.
Cassandra rolls her eyes and walks off, while Harper's worried gaze lingers on me.
I give her a reassuring nod before following Beta Atticus to a quiet corner of the front garden where nobody can hear us.
"I spoke with Alpha Conrad of the Crimsonbane Pack earlier today," he begins. "He told me the reason why he sent his daughter, Alpha Cassandra, here."
My gaze descends to the snow around my boots out of guilt.
"We've already lost the alliance with the Dunebourne Pack. We can't afford to lose another, especially while you and your sister are here. An ambush from other packs could happen anytime."
"So, I have a suggestion for you: Reject Alpha Torrin's claim, then I'll allow you to marry Damian instead."
I love Damian, my wolf wants and needs him. But over the last few days, I realize that my bond with him isn't as strong as the one I share with Alpha Torrin.
My wolf howls within me, I can't say whether she's agreeing or disagreeing with me.
"But rejection will weaken Alpha Torrin. What if he can't recover, or worse, dies?" I ask.
A dark grin spreads across Beta Atticus' face. "Then I'll take over the Alpha title from him."
I lift my chin to meet his eyes, then smirk arrogantly to mirror his unwanted demeanor. "If you think the Crimsonbane Pack will stay loyal to the Frostveil Pack once you replace Alpha Torrin, then you're totally wrong."
But,...
His grin only widens with greed gleaming in his purple eyes. "I'll make Alpha Cassandra my Luna. Alpha Conrad already agreed to that if Alpha Torrin betrays her for you, which I'm sure he will."
My heart drops to my gut, while the world feels like it's tilting.
I can't let them do this to Alpha Torrin! I can't reject him, nor leave him. If his wolf weakens, everything will fall apart for him.
But, what choice do I have left? Accept his claim, and live as his mistress? Can I stomach sharing him with another woman?