Chapter 3

Ava's POV

"I'm leaving the pack, Alpha Vance."

The words hung in the air, simple and absolute.

Vance frowned, the lines on his forehead deepening. "Did Cole... did he do something again?"

"He's my mate," I said, keeping my face blank. "But I can't force him to not be an asshole."

Vance sighed, leaning back in his leather chair. He looked tired. Dying. "Give him time, Ava. He's young. Stupid."

"He humiliated me in front of the entire pack last night," I cut in. "He told everyone I was just a placeholder. I'm done, Alpha. Grant my request, or I go Rogue."

Vance hesitated. He knew losing a Beta bloodline member was bad for the pack stats, but he also knew his son was a disaster.

"Actually..." Vance slid a heavy, cream-colored envelope across the desk. It bore a wax seal-a wolf crowned with thorns. The Royal Crest.

"I received a decree this morning." Vance's voice dropped to a whisper. "Alpha King Kaelen demands a bride from the Bloodmoon Pack. Specifically, a daughter of the Beta line."

My stomach turned over.

King Kaelen. The Butcher. The rumors about him were the stuff of nightmares. They said he was cursed by a witch coven-brutal, heartless, and destined to die before his thirtieth birthday. They said his last three fiancées vanished without a trace.

"He wants a bride," Vance continued. "Lexi is the only unmated female in your family. Gordon is... losing his mind."

I stared at the seal. The Butcher King. A death sentence.

Or... an escape route.

"Lexi would never survive a day with him," I said softly. "She's too fragile. Too spoiled."

"Gordon refuses to send her," Vance admitted. "He's threatening war if we force her."

"I'll go."

Vance's head snapped up. "What?"

"I'll marry King Kaelen," I said, my voice hardening. "I'll take Lexi's place."

"Ava, he's a monster. You could die."

"I'm already dead in this pack," I replied. "At least this way, I leave with a crown."

The Ashford Estate smelled of lemon polish and hypocrisy.

My father, Gordon, sat stiffly in his armchair, a glass of scotch sweating in his hand. My stepmother, Janice, was pacing the floor in a silk robe, wringing her hands.

"What?" Gordon's voice thundered when I delivered the news. "You? You'll marry the Butcher in Lexi's place?"

"Yes," I said, standing tall in the center of the room.

"Why?" Janice squinted at me, suspicious. "I thought you were obsessed with Cole."

"I realized I have better taste," I deadpanned. "But I have conditions."

Gordon narrowed his eyes. "You're in no position to bargain, girl."

"Actually, I am. You can either send your precious, perfect Lexi to the monster, or you can send the spare." I took a step forward. "But if I go, I want Mom's inheritance."

Gordon froze. "What inheritance?"

"Don't lie to me!" I slammed my hand on the table. "Ten million dollars. The trust fund Mom left for me that you hid in your offshore accounts. I want it. All of it. Today."

"You ungrateful little-" Gordon started to rise, his face purple.

"Ten million to save Lexi's life?" I laughed, a cold, sharp sound. "That's a bargain, Dad. Unless you think she's cheap?"

Janice grabbed Gordon's arm, her nails digging into his jacket. "Gordon! Pay her! If Lexi goes, she'll be eaten alive! Pay the girl and get her out of here!"

Gordon gritted his teeth, his jaw working furiously. He looked from his weeping wife to me-his "failure" of a daughter who was suddenly holding all the cards.

"Fine," he spat, chugging the rest of his scotch. "I'll transfer the money. But once you leave this house, you are dead to us. Don't come crawling back when Kaelen rips your throat out."

"Don't worry," I smirked, turning on my heel. "I wouldn't dream of it."

I walked out of the study and nearly collided with Lexi, who was lurking in the hallway, eavesdropping. She looked pale, terrifyingly relieved.

"You're... you're really going?" she whispered.

I leaned in close, my lips brushing her ear.

"You're welcome, sister," I hissed. "Enjoy my leftovers. I'm going to be a Luna Queen."