1

NALANI

I hummed my favourite song as I bounced on my way to Esme’s room. We had promised to meet up so we could go to town to see the new festival that was happening in the pack. I finally got my father’s approval to leave the pack house, and I didn’t want to waste any more minutes.

“… is madness. She would never agree to it,” Mom’s voice rang out as I passed Dad’s office. “She is never supposed to leave the pack. What would happen when they find out who she is?”

My legs halted. I knew they were talking about me.

“What use is she if they find out? It’s not like we can make use of her powers. It’s better to let them take her. At least, she will bring us protection,” Dad argued coldly in that tone he used when he didn’t want anyone going against his orders.

Unease curled in the pit of my stomach. I didn’t need to hear the full conversation to know that I wouldn’t like it.

“But we promised to keep her safe,” Mom whispered, defeat creeping into her voice. “How do we even break the news to her?”

“She is not a child, Lysa. She is an Alpha’s daughter, and our pack is dying. The rogues’ attacks are getting relentless. We don’t have enough to fight them. Amil will only give us what we need to defend ourselves against the rogue if she marries Samael.”

“What?” My legs almost gave out. “This couldn’t be what I thought it was.”

“But she hasn’t even met her mate yet. Forcing her into a political marriage…”

“No one has claimed her yet.” Dad shut Mother’s concerns off before she could complete her sentence. “That either means the goddess has forsaken her or her mate is dead. She has a duty to the pack, and mating Samael will help us.”

The door flew open before I realised I had shoved it. “I’m not going to marry anyone against my will,” I screamed as I stormed into the room. “I won’t do it.”

Dad wasn’t surprised by my entrance, but Mother’s eyes widened with alarm. “Lani…” She moved towards me, but I moved back.

“You can’t force me to marry that man. Why do I have to live my life according to your rules?” I yelled. “First, it’s Nalani you can’t ever tell people what you can do. Next is Nalani you can’t ever leave the pack house or wander too far. Now it's marry a monster. What next? I have to sacrifice my life?”

“Nalani, you would watch your tone,” Dad warned with a glare, but my body was on overdrive. I could not stop.

“I’m tired of having my life dictated. I thought I would at least get my mate, but now I’m to be traded off like livestock? I won’t do it, Dad.” My chest was heaving by the time I finished.

Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t move to wipe it. I was tired. Of the rules, the caging, the limited life I was forced to live because I was born with something I didn’t ask for.

“You have a duty to your pack. Besides, it’s already decided. There is nothing you can do to stop it, so stop your tantrums.”

“Tantrums? You call playing God over my life tantrums”? I asked with disbelief. I turned to my mother. “Mom, please. Tell him this is madness.” My voice broke.

She swallowed hard, and this time when she reached out, I allowed her to touch me because I felt like I would crumble if I didn’t use her as an anchor. “Sweetheart, your father won’t change his mind. I tried. The pack is in danger, and we’ve lost three families this month from the last attack. If we don’t secure the alliance…”

“But why must it be me? I thought no one was supposed to know?” I screamed at her, ripping my hands from her hold. “Why?” My voice cracked with the last word.

My father stepped forward, towering over me. “Do you think this is easy for me? You think I want to send my only child to another pack?”

“Then why?”

“Because I am the Alpha, and I must do whatever is necessary to make sure my people are safe. Amil Calgrave is offering the protection we need, and he needs a Luna worthy of his son, and that’s you.”

“I’m sure there are better and stronger she-wolves. Why must it be me?” I demanded. I wasn’t going to waver or give in. This was my life. I had let them dictate it since I was born, but I wouldn’t let them do this to me this time.

“You are the only one worthy of being Samael’s second mate.”

I laughed, the sound strained and bitter. “Worthy?” I scoffed. “A worthy daughter isn’t locked up her entire life. You claimed I’ve been locked up for safety, so now that you need protection, I no longer need the safety?”

His face hardened more. “As the Alpha’s daughter, you have the responsibilities to the pack. This is one of them.”

My eyes burned as the tears rolled down my cheeks. “I hate you for this,” I whispered.

“Lani,” Mother gasped.

I stepped back, shaking my head. “I don’t want to see you again.”

My father nodded. “Tomorrow you won’t.”

“What?” My head snapped to him. “Tomorrow?”

“We can’t waste any more time. Samael will come to the pack tomorrow to escort you to the Bloodthorn pack. Be prepared.”

I looked at my father through my tear-streaked eyes. I didn’t remember the man in front of me. The same man who had always protected me even from the littlest cut was now trading me out like livestock.

“Lani, wait.”

I turned and ran out of the office without looking back. I didn’t stop until I reached the garden behind the pack house and collapsed onto the cold stone.

“What happened, Lani?” Esme’s voice came through the mindlink. “Your mother said I shouldn’t leave you alone. She sounded scared.”

“She isn’t worried, Esi. She just wants to make sure that I’m here when Samael comes for me.”

“What are you talking about? Who is Samael?”

I explained everything to her. “Lani,” she gasped. “That’s… what are you going to do?”

“Nothing” The words choked me with my tears. “I can’t do anything. All I can do is sit and wait for him to come and take me tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow? Just like that?” Esme exclaimed, and a fresh batch of tears ran down my face. “That’s too quick.”

“They don’t care. That’s all I’m worth,” I smiled bitterly.

Samael Calgrave was coming for me tomorrow, and whether I wanted it or not, my life was no longer mine.