Chapter 1

ELENA POV

"Do you really think this will work?" Rune asks. I pull up the blanket to her shoulders, tucking her firmly into the bed. Her face is sickly pale. The hot ginger and cinnamon tea is already doing its work, spiking up her temperature.

I find her hands under the blanket, holding them in mine. "This has to work, Rune. Or the rest of my life is ruined."

She nods, giving a loud sniff. I'm not sure if it's because of the chili soup I made her drink in ten minutes or if she's actually sick.

Either way, we will need more of that if I'm going to convince my parents to postpone the wedding till my "sick" sister gets better.

I remember throwing open the door to her room at the first light of dawn, standing at the entrance with the spices concoction I brewed last night and my poorly adapted, half-baked plan for freedom.

Sweet little Rune will do anything for me.

It's probably not the best decision, placing my future in the hands of a thirteen-year-old gamma wolf, but Lukas Montclair, the monster who has chosen me to be his mate, doesn't leave room for many decisions.

The next 48 hours of my life depend on Rune's acting skills while I try to escape... again.

"Will you be alright?" she asks, still peering up at me with her huge brown eyes. I push out the hair from her face, standing up with a nod.

"You might not see me for a while, Ru. If this works, I'll be out of the Bloodmoon by tomorrow."

She nods again. Then I know I'll miss her terribly. I feel the tears prickling at my eyes. She is the only good thing that happened to me nine years ago when I was adopted into the Graymoor family. I don't remember much before that.

I hesitate. "If anyone asks you, you threw up twice, have a terrible stomach ache, and it might be contagious... okay?"

I'm barely done speaking when the door bursts open. Our mother whizzes inside, rushing over to Rune's side immediately. "Rune, darling, how are you feeling?" Her heavy brows are knitted in worry.

Rune coughs, managing to a sitting position with exaggerated difficulty. "I think it's the flu, Mother. I should be alright in a couple of days."

"Oh, darling." Mother leans forward, cupping her cheeks. "This is terrible timing." Then she glances back at me, throwing me a nasty look like it's somehow my fault. I step back by default, lowering my head. As an omega, the less seen I am, the better.

"Alpha Lukas is downstairs to see you." Her tone bristles. She wrinkles her nose at my dark purple draped top and faded leather belt. "Don't keep him waiting."

"Yes, Mother." I withdraw from the room, my palms growing sweaty as I reach the foot of the stairs.

Lukas Montclair stands in the middle of the room, talking with Father. His presence fills the small room like in my nightmares. I've only met him twice, and on both times, he had the same silver sword strapped to his side, the same soulless cold eyes.

Now, he stares at me like I might be an interesting piece of relic. I focus on the ground, his polished leather boots, on anything else.

"Alpha Lukas." I curtsey like I have been taught, stopping a few feet from him.

"A lowly omega like you shouldn't be making demands." His voice cuts through like ice. He walks closer. I don't dare lift my head, but every step feels like a countdown.

"I was promised a submissive bride, Elias. Not a reluctant mate that won't go through with the ceremony."

"Please forgive us, Alpha." Father bows.

Lukas hums like he might consider it. His hand reaches up, gripping my chin, his fingers rough as he forces me to meet his eyes. "What is this I'm hearing this time?" he asks, his voice a low whisper.

"I... I..." I can't get the words out. I feel his alpha energy everywhere around me, the natural instincts to drop to my knees and do whatever he wants. His soulless grey eyes seem to see through my lie even before I open my mouth.

I hold my ground, just barely, managing to keep my feet under me. "I need more time. My sister, Rune... she's terribly ill."

"The mating ceremony is tomorrow," he reminds me coldly.

"Just a few days," I plead, my voice getting desperate. "I won't be able to be myself. Rune and I are close. I... I need to make sure she's okay."

The room falls silent. I can feel the blood rushing in my head louder than everything else. His thumb brushes against my lower lip. They say you feel something, a bond, like an irresistible pull in your heart whenever your mate is near.

All I can feel is the trembling in my hands. It's impossible to feel anything else over the fear. This is the same man who conquered the Riverfang pack. The alpha who waged war against the Lycan, who eradicated half of the rogue wolves within a month.

Lukas leans closer, his hot breath against my skin. Then, very slowly, he says, "No one needs you to be yourself tomorrow, omega."

He lets go, stepping back from me. I let out the breath I didn't know I was holding, before the crushing sense of defeat hit me.

It hadn't worked.

It has never been my choice to make. He was going to drag me through the double doors of the grand pavilion whether I like it or not.

"No! No, please." I rush forward as he turns his back to leave. My fingers grip the edge of his sleeve. I drop to my knees.

"Please, Alpha Lukas." His eyes meet mine, a flicker of irritation in his dark iris, but I continue. "Please, we only need a week. I'll do whatever you want. You'll have me to yourself after..."

He pulls his hand away from mine, stalking off. He is at the doorway when he turns back. "Two days."

The doors slam shut. Father spins to face me the moment he is gone. "You stupid girl." He glares at me, shaking his head.

He crosses the room to the stairway, glancing back. "Why would you sabotage your own mating ceremony? Do you want to live like this forever?"

I bite my lip, glancing away. "I won't get to see Rune or any of you again once Alpha Lukas claims me." I pause for what I hope is a sentimental break. "I don't want my last memory of her to be her lying on a bed, her skin pale and burning."

Father doesn't say anything. He can't say anything to that. He stares at me for a hard second, his frown deepening. "Remember that many would die to be in your shoes. Don't ruin it for all of us."

I lower my gaze with a nod.

"Lady Elarion's dress is ready. Deliver it to her before anything else." He pauses, as though he wants to say more, then turns around, walking up the stairs.