Chapter 4: The Lycan King’s Proposal

**Eirian's Pov**

He wasn't what I expected.

Not that I knew exactly what I had imagined. The stories about Vorath Kane were always told in low tones. Mothers used them to frighten misbehaving pups, and over the years, those stories grew scarier and more dramatic.

One tale claimed he had once held a rival Alpha by the throat until the man's entire pack swore loyalty just to make it stop. Another said he ended a war between three Lycan clans in a single night without drawing a weapon.

Then another said, any woman who shared his bed never lived to see the next day.

It was even heard that his own council feared him more than death itself. But right now, he seemed unfazed by the stories, only mildly bothered by them.

He was impossibly tall. His presence alone demanded attention; his broad shoulders made the ranked warriors around him seem smaller somehow. His face was hard and unreadable. Sharp eyes scanned the crowd with an expression that wasn't cold, only completely unimpressed.

Unlike everyone else, he wore no ceremonial clothing. Just a dark coat with a simple design. Nothing about him suggested he had come to celebrate. 

He was here for a different reason.

The whole pack held their breath as he strode past. Thalorion still clutched his marked arm; the silver crescent could be seen on his skin. As Lycan Vorath walked past him, he quickly straightened. The pain vanished from his face, replaced by forced composure.

"Uncle," Thalorion said, bowing his head to him.

Vorath didn't even spare him a glance. Rather, he stopped before the Moon Guardian, who, to her credit, held her ground and met his gaze without hesitation.

For a short while, neither spoke.

"Tell me what happened," Vorath commanded, breaking the silence.

The Moon Guardian narrated the whole incident. Her voice remained calm throughout. When she finished, Vorath said nothing.

On the contrary, he turned to me. I had spent most of my life trying not to be noticed. Usually, I was very good at it, but under his piercing golden eyes, disappearing was impossible. His gaze roamed over me slowly, not with disgust, as I was used to. But with total indifference, like I was just an insignificant speck of dust floating through space.

I dropped my gaze to the ground, my cheeks burning, heart pounding so loud that it drowned the whispers from the crowd.

"There is an agreement in place," Vorath finally said, addressing the elders. "A political alliance between my territory and this pack. It was signed six months ago to be sealed by marriage."

"My lord," Elder Cormain replied, stepping forward. He was the oldest member of the council and had survived more difficult discussions than anyone else. "That is correct. The Hale family would be honored to fulfill the agreement, my lord," he continued cautiously. "But given tonight's… unfortunate event, perhaps we could revisit the terms at a later date."

“No!” Vorath thundered. "The divine mark on my nephew creates a window of approximately forty-eight hours before the Goddess's punishment worsens." his tone left no room for debate. "If the bonded female enters a new arrangement that fulfills the Goddess's purpose, the mark disappears. If not…” He let the silence speak for him. “Every Elder who witnessed the rejection and failed to act will share the consequences.”

Uneasy looks passed amongst the council members.

“You do not want those consequences,” Vorath added quietly. “I have seen them.”

No one spoke, and I could see the fear on their faces.

"Serelith Hale," Elder Cormain cleared his throat and finally called out. "Step forward."

Serelith widened her eyes in horror before lifting her chin and walking gracefully into the center of the clearing. She stood before the Elders and waited. 

Then Thalorion interrupted, his voice wavering from the pain of the mark. "The omega is already bonded to me. Even after my rejection, the bond still exists in a damaged state. The Goddess's purpose was fulfilled through her, not through Serelith." He looked up and glanced at Serelith, who offered him a small smile in return. "If the goal is to satisfy divine will," he continued, "then the omega should fulfill the arrangement. Not her sister.”

Omega this, omega that. Don't I have a name? I wanted to scream, the fury burning hot in my chest.

With the way he looked at Serelith, it was obvious he wanted her as his mate, but the Moon Goddess had cursed him by giving me to him instead. 

My parents still refused to look at me while I was being discussed like an object and offered up like a prize. I placed a trembling hand to my ribs where the broken bond still ached like an open wound.

Vorath remained silent for a long time, as if he were contemplating whether I was worthy as a bargaining chip. Then he turned to the Elders. “Cormain. What is your position?”

The Elder hesitated, glancing between Thalorion and Serelith. “The pack supports Prince Thalorion’s proposal,” he said at last. “The omega should fulfill the alliance.”

Of course, what was I expecting? Even in this, I was the sacrifice.

My throat tightened painfully. I stared at the roots beneath my feet, fighting the sting behind my eyes. Nearby, I heard Serelith quietly release a breath of relief.

Vorath looked at me again. His gaze lingered longer on me this time. His sharp eyes found the healing cut on my forehead, the bruises on different parts of my body that the dress couldn't hide, and something unreadable flashed across his face, gone before I could understand it.

Finally, he directed his attention to Thalorion. "Fine." He faced the pack. "I'll take the omega.”