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 voice, my own breath caught in my throat, remembering all the rumored whispers I'd heard about the beast of Northshore. 

They said he was one of the three princes who went feral during the war, brought back by magic or sheer will, but never quite the same. Some whispered he was stuck in a half-wolf transformation, locked away in his castle. Others claimed he was a monster, his presence enough to drive humans mad and wolves feral.

I flinched when my father's gaze slid to mine, and I immediately lowered my head. "Raven, you will go as a replacement to your sister as the beast's betrothed."

I felt like 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 was pale, her hands clenched into fists 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, the sound cutting through the tense silence like a whip. The scent of old books and leather bindings seemed to intensify, heavy with disapproval. “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.

I felt a surge of humiliation, but I kept my face expressionless. Danica's voice was the only sound in the room, her words dripping with sarcasm. "What's the point of this, Father?"

Lord Dierna narrowed his eyes on her. “Those vile creatures have no respect for our customs or traditions, even our very lives are being controlled. Why then should we honour 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 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, the 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 he meant his words.

Danica's voice was a low murmur. “And after? What happens when the beast wants to claim what's his?”

He 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 of no business to us, if the king decides to see it as a betrayal then Raven will be on his own."

Like she was being controlled Mirabel spoke up. “Stop this,” she whispered fiercely, her knuckles white as she clenched her skirt.

    He 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 going to the ground.

“Leave my sight, all of you.” The words were low, menacing, and brooked no argument.

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

Kaden's laughter 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 mix of amusement and resignation."

Ricky's grin was unmistakable, his eyes lighting up with a mix of excitement and nervousness. “You're the beast's next snack, Rav.” He chuckled, but his voice wavered slightly.

Calani—my attendant, who had been waiting for me, nudged me gently as she whispered in my ear. "Ignore them, we need to get ready."

Trembling like a leaf, I gently extracted myself from their presence, my legs weak and heart thumping in fear as the weight of all their words 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,” Calani's voice dropped to a whisper, her breath tickling my ear. “And he turns into a terrifying creature, his wolf's head as big as a lion's, jaws wide enough to snap a man in two.” 

The words painted a vivid picture in my mind, the shadows on the wall seeming to twist into snarling beasts, I suppressed a shudder. “How fascinating.” I muttered. “The better to maul me with.”

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

  “Oh that's great, his wife would be a happy woman.” I answered, the sarcasm clear in my voice.

 “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 on the cobblestone, announcing the arrival of my escorts. I peered out from beneath my veil, its delicate fabric a poor shield against the fate that awaited me.

My escorts waited outside, their piercing gold eyes the only giveaway beneath their human-like attire. Wolves, every one of them."

   “My lady.” One of them spoke up. “If you please.” He gestured at the carriage. I looked behind me, hoping even just one member of my family had come to say goodbye, but I saw none, the servants were the only ones gathered to witness my spectacle.

Calani nudged me gently, urging me towards the entrance of the carriage, with one last look towards the castle I grew up in, I realized I was truly unloved and alone.

As the carriage moved, my palms slickened on the seat, my mind was racing with images of sharp teeth and clawing hands.

It was a terrifying reminder that by the end of the week, I might be dead.