Chapter 4.

Dane’s POV

My gaze swept over the meeting hall from my seat at the head table, registering every familiar, displeased, and grumpy face of the Elders. Their jaws were all clenched, and their eyes observed each other, looking for who would first dare to repeat the same old topic of five years. The Elder Council of Blackburn Pack were constant demanders who plagued themselves with century-old traditions, acting as enactors of these customs no matter how old, cruel, or barbaric they might be. But today they gathered for me, their demand clear in their hard gazes.

"Alpha Dane," Elder Deron's voice, dry as ancient parchment, filled the council chamber. "Tonight marks five years since you’ve held the Alpha’s seat. It’s time for the next step."

"Yes, Alpha," Elder Maeve, her voice a soft whisper that belied the steel in her eyes – gentle only in comparison to her grumpy twin, Deron – added, "You’ve repeatedly postponed this for five long years, but the Council stands today to demand you follow the ways of every Alpha of Blackburn."

I pulled my head back, my eyes lowering as my muscles hardened. These Elders’ bickering stirred a simmering anger in my blood – a relentless tide of traditions and expectations.

Elder Deron continued, his gaze unwavering. "We need an heir, one who will hold claim in both Packs, granting us access to their resources. A bride was chosen for you at your childhood, Alpha. The alliance with Moon-door is long overdue."

My jaw tightened. These damned Pack politics. It was the same cold calculation that had dictated my father's marriage with my mother. I had witnessed first-hand how lifeless a loveless marriage could be, with me caught in the middle. Every Alpha of Blackburn before me had married a princess, regardless of affection, regardless of a true mate. If his mate wasn’t one, he must reject her and take a chosen mate instead; a Princess of another Pack. This has been Blackburn Pack’s secret strategy for power. It is inscribed in the consciousness of all Alphas: love is a weakness, a distraction from duty.

"And what of... feelings, Elders?" I finally asked, my words loud and rough. Immediately, their eyes fell to the floor as the intensity of my voice commanded their wolves into submission. "Do you not consider the woman you wish to force to spend the rest of her life with me? I have no desire for this... Princess Natalie."

Elder Gaius, his face a rigid mask of disapproval, finally spoke. "It is surprising that you of all people, Alpha, try to convince us you care about the feelings of this woman when we know the only thing you love, and can ever love... is control."

Elder Maeve scoffed softly. "Love is a fanciful notion, Alpha. An Alpha’s personal feelings are irrelevant to his duty and I’m sure she understands. Produce an heir, secure the alliance. That is all that matters. The late Alpha Marcus of Moon-door, her own father, practically begged for this union. We don’t force anyone, Alpha Dane. They grovel to us for the honor."

"There will be no more delays," Elder Deron reiterated, his voice firm as stone. "The continuity of our Pack as the strongest has demanded it from every Alpha for generations, and now, Alpha, it’s your turn to uphold this responsibility."

My teeth ground together, but a low hiss escaped my lips, my mind finally made up. I’ll grant them their desire. After all, in the grand scheme of things, it didn’t truly matter. I would never need to love her or give her my time. Once my heir was born, I’d have her transferred to the Queen’s Keep.

"If this is what you want for this innocent girl," I said, my gaze hard, "then it will be granted. Respond to Alpha Liam’s message." Anticipation flickered in their eyes. "I will be in Moon-door Pack this weekend."

***

I stared at her. Her oval face, her delicate nose, her full, round lips. This was Princess Natalie? The girl I vaguely recalled from memory was completely gone, replaced by a full-grown woman. Her presence stole the breath from the hall for a second, and I felt my throat tighten. Her long, full hair was rolled and clipped, yet it cascaded down her high shoulders like a silken waterfall, framing her face with an almost otherworldly elegance. My gaze quickly registered her eyes – dark brown, large pupils like smooth, wet gemstones, gleaming with emotions even my instincts could not decipher.

As she came closer, each step a wave of feminine grace, her scent entered my nose. It was nothing like the heavily perfume-tainted smell of most other she-wolves, no. It was subtle, a natural fragrance like a garden of wildflowers blooming in the midnight forest, and a hint of a sweet smell akin to burnt chocolate.

Never in all my years since I’d hit puberty had a woman seized my breath before. Largely due to the unexpected transformation though. Her beauty commanded a stillness in the room, and Adriana’s face wrinkled with jealousy. If she wasn't Liam’s sister, I would have said I saw lust flicker in his eyes. Thinking about the papers I’d just signed, a strange pity stirred within me. It was a damned shame she was being stuck in a loveless marriage... with an Alpha like me. Could she tolerate my unstable persona? No. Could she calm my rage? Certainly not. The demons I fight need no partners, and I was not willing to drag anyone into the bottomless pit of my soul.

"Alpha Dane," her voice, soft as the rustle of silk, parted her lips, and her eyelashes fluttered. She stared into my eyes, as if searching for a soul she couldn’t find, before snapping her gaze down.

"Princess Natalie," I acknowledged her with a curt nod.

"Anor— Nat... Natalie," Liam cleared his throat, his eyes darting nervously between us. "Go ahead and make a spin for Alpha Dane to have a full look at you."

"Hurry up!" His Luna, Adriana, yelled, glaring at her with unmistakable bitterness. "Be useful for once in your pathetic life." Adriana’s venomous tone sent a surge of anger through my veins.

"Stop," I ordered, seeing she was about to obey their humiliating command. My fist clenched, and my eyebrows arched, unveiling my fury directed at Liam and his so-called Luna. How dare they? In my presence?

My wolf, Riot, snarled inside me, his eyes simmering with rage.

From his guards to his beta, and Alpha Liam himself, every face turned pale with fear, their breath trembling as I stared down at Adriana. "Do not raise your voice at her." Then, turning to Liam, I added very calmly, "Never again dare to objectify her, whether in my presence or not. It doesn’t matter whether our marriage is to be simply a transaction, she will be Luna of Blackburn. Unless you want this arrangement cancelled, and my wrath upon your Pack."

"I-I... Alpha Dane, I apologize. We didn’t mean to offend you."

"Don’t apologize to me," I growled, my eyes shifting to her innocent-looking yet clearly intimidated face. I could feel her pulse quicken beneath my gaze. She was terrified of me, just as much as everyone else in this pathetic hall. She’s likely never seen Alpha Liam cowed before. How then would she stand to face me? Fear follows me everywhere like a canopy. It was my weapon—one I constantly sharpen. "Apologize to her."

"Excuse me?" Alpha Liam stuttered, his face a mask of confusion. I did not repeat myself. A single, subtle movement from Elijah, my beta, and understanding dawned in Liam’s eyes. He swallowed hard, his hand gripping tightly on his Luna’s arm.

Princess Natalie clutched her dress nervously, her knuckles white. Her eyes flickered with anxiety, and her breath hitched as Alpha Liam grudgingly faced her.

"Umm, I’m sorry, Natalie," Liam mumbled, his tone anything but sincere. Her lips parted with a gasp she couldn’t suppress. Turning his angry gaze, he beckoned to his beta, Stannis. "Get all of her things. Especially her IDs and photo albums."

IDs and photo albums? Hmm, my right brow furrowed.

That was when my eyes caught the markings on her neck. Red handprints on her delicate, milky skin, as if she’d been... strangled?

"Who did this to you?" I snapped, a fresh wave of rage surging from my instincts.

"Oh, that is a... a training mark," Alpha Liam quickly interjected, his voice too casual. "My sister, your bride, is a gamma. She even trains in the gamma academy."

Just two hours with Alpha Liam, and I could already tell truth was a stranger to his lips. What a joke of an Alpha. However, I didn’t bother to dwell on the lie. She didn’t try to counter him either.

“It’s true,” Adriana added, then fell silent under my gaze.

My eyes narrowed on Princess Natalie, “Is that so?”

She nodded, with her gaze downcast. My rage is a beast I must control. So, I offered her my hand, and her touch sent a jolt through me. Pain and innocence swam in her dark, big pupils.

I sighed inwardly, already tired of this place and its wolves.

She looked at me again, her sparkling, bulging brown eyes like a disorienting mirage of colors threatening to swallow me whole. Her muscles were strained with tension, and her fear, though subtle, tainted her lovely scent. She looked like her delicate skin was barely holding back a volcano of secrets, and anxiety was slowly consuming her. I didn’t need to know anything personal about her, so long she isn't an Omega. This marriage I was bound to by duty, a contract of power for alliance… I wondered... was she bound even tighter?

“Elijah,” I sharply turned to my beta, my voice clear and decisive. "Finish up, and bring her with you to the cars in five minutes. Our business here is done."