CHAPTER 4: Defiance

“I accept the marriage alliance with the Blackwood Pack…”  

The words felt heavy the moment they left my lips. 

I didn’t even need the time my father had given me to prove my mate bond with Soren. That alone was embarrassing enough, but what made it worse was how he didn’t question me at all, as if he had already expected this outcome. 

Silence stretched across the line before his reply finally came. “I’ll send word to Alpha Derrick immediately. The marriage will take place in three months.” 

I swallowed, gripping my phone a little tighter. “Can I ask what you’re getting in return for this alliance with the Blackwood?” Before he could shut me down, I added, “I have a right to know, given that I’m the one being offered.” 

He let out a quiet breath. “We needed their security. In exchange, the Blackwood Pack will be permitted to use our land in the southern part of Hollow.” 

I fell silent at that. The Hollow Pack had always been rich in land, a vast territory that many envied and sought to claim. It made us powerful… but also dangerously vulnerable. Just as he had told me yesterday, he had no rightful heir. 

“Understood,” I murmured. 

“There’s more,” he continued. “Alpha Derrick expects a grandpup as soon as you marry Lucian. I’ve already informed them that you’ve been accepted into the Lycan Academy. However, if you become pregnant while you’re still studying, you’ll have to stop and reside at the Blackwood Pack house.” 

“Why would I get pregnant?” I shot back, heat rushing to my face. 

“Because that’s part of marriage and mating, Gwen,” he replied bluntly. 

My cheeks burned even hotter.  

“In any case, I’d like to ask one thing, that no one outside of those who need to know hears about this arrangement. I don’t want it turning into school gossip. Can you agree to that?” 

“Alright! I’ll pass that along to the Blackwood… Anyway, take care of yourself. Let me know if you need anything,” Dad said. 

I ended the call, my grip tightening around my phone as something bitter curled in my chest. 

A sharp urge rose within me to humiliate Soren, to witness the exact moment his expression breaks when he finally realizes that whatever we had means nothing to me now. 

I turned to head back inside but froze. Rumi stood in the doorway, eyes wide with surprise. 

“Alpha Conrad has arranged you to marry into the Blackwood?” she asked, her lips parting in shock. 

I nodded. “I’m going to marry Alpha Derrick’s first son.” 

“What? To his forbidden heir?” The shock hadn’t left her face. 

“Forbidden? What do you mean?” 

“Well… you know how gossip spreads around this school. I heard that the Blackwood Pack’s first heir was cast out. From what I know, he’s not even allowed to set foot in their territory.” 

My lips pressed into a thin line. Of course, Dad would arrange a marriage with someone who had no position, someone considered a disgrace in his own pack. The ache in my chest was sharp, but complaining wouldn’t change anything. 

Rumi must’ve noticed the shift in my expression. 

“I’m sure your future husband is still a Blackwood. That’s probably just a rumor. Why would Alpha Derrick arrange a marriage with the Hollow if his son had no rights? It would make the whole alliance meaningless.” 

I let out a quiet breath. “And besides, it’s better to be someone’s wife than Soren’s mistress.” 

Her face darkened instantly. “Forget him and his scumbag friends!” 

The resolve settled somewhere quiet and firm inside me. “I’ll finish my managerial course at this academy, Rumi. No matter what, I’ll see it through.” 

She was right. I couldn’t let my emotions control me, not when I had the chance to study in this academy. If there was one thing I could still hold on to, it was this. 

I was heading back to my dorm when I ran into Soren and his chosen. I had every intention of walking past without a word, but Soren spoke first. 

“Gwen,” he said, stopping me in my tracks. “I want you to meet my mate.” 

Something inside me went still. 

I turned to face him, and I made sure there was nothing in my expression worth reading. Whatever he was hoping to see, he wouldn’t get it. 

Not anymore…

His next words froze me in place. “This is Muriel Vane, daughter of Derrick, from the Blackwood Pack.”

The realization hit me hard; she was going to be my sister-in-law.