Chapter One: A Bride To Be

“We have received a missive from the King of Wolves.” My father began, each word precise, as my siblings and I stood before him in his library. “He has decreed that one of my beloved daughters is to wed the Beast of Northshore.”

A sharp collective intake of breath followed his words.

My own breath caught in my throat as I remembered all the whispered rumors I'd heard about the Beast of Northshore.

They said he was one of the three princes who had gone feral during the war, brought back by magic or sheer will, but never quite the same afterward.

Some whispered that he was stuck in a half-wolf transformation, locked away in his castle where no one dared approach him.

Others claimed he was a monster, his presence alone enough to drive humans mad and wolves feral.

I flinched when my father's gaze slid toward me, and I immediately lowered my head.

“Raven, you will go as a replacement for your sister as the Beast's betrothed.”

I felt as though I'd been punched in the gut.

The room spun around me, my vision blurring at the edges as my father's words sank in.

Kaden shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his eyes darting between our father and me. Mirabel's face had gone pale, her hands clenched tightly in her lap.

She was the one who was supposed to marry the prince.

Not me.

“But Father—” Kaden began, his voice hesitant.

My father's hand sliced through the air, silencing him.

“You will do as you're told, Raven. You'll disguise yourself as a woman, which I'm quite sure wouldn't be hard for you to do.”

His voice dripped with disgust.

A surge of humiliation burned through me, but I kept my face expressionless.

Danica was the only one who dared speak. “What is the point of this, Father?”

Lord Dierna narrowed his eyes at her.

“Those vile creatures have no respect for our customs or traditions. Even our very lives are being controlled. Why, then, should we honor theirs?”

His eyes settled on me again. “You shall be his bride, and that's final.”

My siblings seemed to be holding their breath, waiting for me to react.

But I couldn't.

I just stood there, frozen in shock.

“If the King were to discover your identity before the wedding, he would slaughter us all to set an example. Do you understand the gravity of the role you play in this?”

My father's voice was cold. Detached.

I nodded, my throat constricting with fear.

“Yes, Father.”

He waved his hand dismissively.

“Pack your things. The king has sent an escort to take you to the palace. You will be wed within the week.”

His gaze swept over me again, disgust evident in his eyes.

“Never reveal you're a boy. Do not try to run. I'll make sure you regret it.”

I knew all too well that he meant every word.

Danica's voice came as a low murmur.

“And after? What happens when the Beast wants to claim what's his?”

My father shrugged, his expression indifferent.

“The king can do as he likes. We've fulfilled our part. We were asked to provide a bride, and we did. Whatever happens after the wedding is none of our business.”

He paused. “If the king decides to see it as a betrayal, then Raven will be on his own.”

Like she was being controlled, Mirabel suddenly spoke.

“Stop this,” she whispered fiercely, her knuckles white as she clenched her skirt.

My father sneered at her. “Would you rather take his place? I hear the Beast adores virgins the most. The taste of something unripe and pure would appeal to him more.”

She flinched, her eyes dropping to the floor.

“Leave my sight. All of you.”

The words were low, menacing, and brooked no argument.

We hurriedly exited the library, the doors closing behind us.

For several seconds, no one spoke, then Kaden's laughter broke the silence.

It was low and bitter, a stark contrast to the concern he'd shown earlier.

“Guess it's your turn to be the sacrificial lamb, little brother.”

His eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and resignation.

Ricky's grin was unmistakable, his eyes lighting up with a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

“You're the Beast's next snack, Rav.”He chuckled, but his voice wavered slightly.

Calani, my attendant, had been waiting for me outside. She nudged me gently and whispered in my ear. “Ignore them. We need to get ready.”

Trembling like a leaf, I gently extracted myself from their presence.

My legs felt weak, my heart thumping painfully in my chest as the weight of everything they'd said finally crashed down on me.

In the hours that followed my father's decree, Calani decided it was her turn to add to my sorrows as she helped me pack.

“They say his eyes glow red during the full moon.”

Her voice dropped to a whisper, her breath tickling my ear.

“And he turns into a terrifying creature. His wolf's head is as big as a lion's, and his jaws are wide enough to snap a man in two.”

The words painted a vivid picture in my mind.

The shadows on the wall seemed to twist into snarling beasts, and I suppressed a shudder.

“How fascinating,” I muttered. “The better to maul me with.”

She was more than happy to supply more information. “I heard his manhood is as thick and long as a horse's.”

I slowly turned to look at her. “Oh, that's great. His wife would be a happy woman.”

My sarcasm was impossible to miss.

Calani giggled. “Don't you worry. I'll go with you. I took an oath to be by your side forever.”

I sighed.

“Thank you. I don't know what I'd ever do without you.”

———

Hooves clattered against the cobblestone, announcing the arrival of my escorts.

I peered out from beneath my veil, the delicate fabric a poor shield against the fate that awaited me.

My escorts waited outside.

Their piercing golden eyes were the only giveaway beneath their human-like attire.

Wolves. Every one of them.

“My lady,” one of them spoke. “If you please.”

He gestured toward the carriage.

I looked behind me, hoping, praying, that even one member of my family had come to say goodbye.

But I saw none, only servants stood gathered outside to witness my departure.

Calani nudged me gently, urging me toward the carriage.

With one last look at the castle I'd grown up in, something inside me finally broke.

I realized I was truly unloved and alone.

I climbed into the carriage.

As it began to move, my palms grew slick against the seat, my mind racing with images of sharp teeth and clawing hands.

And that by the end of the week, I might be dead.