Chapter One: The Secret I Wasn't Supposed to Hear

I had just finished my training for the day. 

I was headed to the kitchen when I heard my father’s voice coming from the half open door of his study. I stopped. I could here him talking about something important. His tone was low and deliberate—the kind he only used when speaking of power, politics, or enemies.

Against my better instinct, I peeled my eyes on the small crack between the doors and listened. 

“…the marriage is settled,” Father said, his voice low but firm. “Alpha Malrick wants her, and I have no reason to refuse. It is a bond that will strengthen our pack.”

My breath caught. Malrick Voss?

My father wants to marry me off to Alpha Malrick Voss the alpha of y knees became weak. The name alone was enough to make my wolf—Liora—let out a low, growl inside me.

"He’s… older than her. Cruel, even for his reputation." Beta Rowan’s spoke, hesitant, as though even he feared speaking the truth.

"She has no choice.” Father snapped. “The contract is signed. Alpha Malrick will have her. This union will secure Silverbane’s future. Malrick’s wealth and power will make us the strongest pack in the northern territories. My daughter will play her role. She will be silent, obedient, and grateful."

My chest burned. My father didn’t just decide my future—he sold it.

"And if she resists?" Rowan asked carefully.

"Then she will learn obedience," my father hissed. "She is nothing without my name. Nothing without my protection. She is my daughter and she'll do what I ask. No questions asked.”

I covered my mouth, my hands trembled to stop the gasp that tried to escape my throat. No. This can’t be happening. I had known my father to be stern and unyielding, but to trade me off like a bargaining chip? To Malrick of all people? It made me weak.to my bones. 

I ran without looking back. 

Liora’s voice erupted in my mind the moment I closed the door. “We cannot stay, Aria. He’ll send us to that monster, and Malrick will kill us—piece by piece.”

“I know,” I whispered aloud, pressing my back against the door. “I know.”

Tears rolled down my checks. My father’s words weren’t a shock, not really. I had always been a pawn in his games, but hearing it—hearing how he casually condemned me to a lifetime with that cruel and evil Alpha made bile rise in my throat.

I slowly got out of my room and crawled until I was in the small curve of the house where my Aunt Luma stayed. Her lamp was still burning but the light was dim. Her room smelled of dried herbs which I could smell from the door post.

I opened the door without knocking. “Aunt,”

She looked up from the worn book she's been holding, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the worry on my face. “Aria? What’s wrong?”

I heard him,” I whispered, slamming the door shut behind me, shaking. “I heard Father.”

Her eyes sharpened. She set the book aside and rose slowly. “What did you hear?”

“That he’s…he’s giving me to Alpha Malrick.” My voice broke on his name. My hands flew to my chest to steady myself. My heart was breaking into pieces, all I wanted was to hear that it's all a lie. A bad joke, although I already knew the answer. “Tell me Aunt Luma. It's not true right? Father must be joking.”

Her silence confirmed it.

I couldn't control my tears anymore. I let them fall. “No. No, tell me they’re lying. Tell me this is just—just some horrible misunderstanding.”

Aunt Luma heaved a heavy sigh. She came closer and held my hands. She squat before me, looking at me with something in her eyes—pity.  “Aria,” she said softly, “it’s true.”

The words hit me harder than any blow. I staggered back, shaking my head furiously. “No! Father can't do this to me! Not to him! That man is a monster, everyone knows it. I won’t.”

I wept bitterly as I sank to the floor. The ground was cold but I was too overcomed by pain to notice. 

“Why?” I cried. “Why would he do this? I’m his

daughter, not some pawn on his chessboard. How can he throw me to Malrick like… like I’m nothing?”

Aunt Luma bent down beside me, smoothing my hair with a tenderness I hadn’t felt in years. “Because to your father, power is everything. Malrick’s alliance will secure his position but he doesn’t see what it  will do to you, child. He doesn’t want to see it.”

Her words made my blood boil with anger. The fury and devastation clashd inside me like a storm. 

“Aunt Luma,” I grabbed her hand desperately. “Please, help me! I can’t marry him. I’d rather die than be chained to Malrick.”

Her face softened but it vanished in a second. I could tell she was trying to make up her mind, to pick a side. Her brother, my father or the love she has for me. She drew a slow breath, her gaze looking toward the door as if she was afraid the walls themselves might be listening.

“Aria,” she whispered. “You don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I do!” I held her hands tight. “You’re the only one that I trust. If I stay, it'll be over for me. I'll be shipped off to Alpha Malrick. Please, Aunt, I don’t want my life to end before it begins. You have to help me escape.”

Her face turned into a frown. She studied me for a long, agonizing moment, and in that silence I could hear my heart beating loud in my ears. 

Finally, she exhaled. “You foolish, brave girl…”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “You will help me?”

There was resolve in her eyes. She nodded, once. “Yes. I’ll help you.”

I wept once more. Not in pains but relief. I jumped on her and hugged her tight.” she stiffened, then softened, hugging me back. Her arms were warm and firm around me, and for a moment, I felt safe, protected. Safe in a world that had almost crushed me. 

“Thank you,” I whispered against her shoulder, my voice cracking. “Aunt Luma thank you. I'll do whatever it takes I swear it. I will not forget this.”

She pulled back, cupping my face with her rough hands. “Don’t thank me yet. What lies ahead will not be easy. If you truly want freedom, you are going to fight harder than you’ve ever fought before. Do you understand?”

I nodded, tears still spilling but determination was slowly beginning to rise in my heart.  “I understand.”