Chapter 2: The Price of Peace

(Bastian’s POV)

“Alpha Bastian Ravencross.” The servant announced as I stood outside the hall.

The door was pushed open, I got to see the throne room and a chair was casually placed there. I believed it was for me, I walked in, kicking the chair to the side as I sat down with a cold, direct look on my face as I looked directly at the cowering Alpha on the throne,

“Alpha Corwin Thorne.”

He looked up at me, trying to maintain a dignified expression but I noticed the way he shivered and shook. It looked like it was true, the alpha was down with a sickly ailment.

Things were getting interesting, I crossed my legs as I stared at the Alpha and asked, “ Aren't you afraid?” I leaned closer, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips as I asked, “ Like your daughter had said, I take the pack from the inside.”

His eyes burnt with fury, he slammed his hand on the throne. The sound echoing in the room as the smile on my face was wiped off, my eyes went cold as I asked, “What do you want?”

Then he said, “ A truce.”

I leaned back in my chair, chuckling, my fingers dancing in the air as I asked, “ My peace bought with what? Acres of land? Women? Silver?” My voice rising after every word I had mentioned then he asked,

“ Aren't you tired?” He asked.

I went quiet, stunned for a second as his voice came through, “ Twenty years of killing. Twenty years of bloodshed. Twenty years of losing all the people we love.”

“ Aren't you sick of it? Because I am.” He said, the sadness in his eyes couldn't be missed.

“If you aren't tired, then our people are tired. A truce is the best thing that could be offered. Let both sides stop. Become allies.” He suggested, I nodded. He was stunned for a second, he didn't believe that I would just agree then he said immediately.

“ It needs to be sealed in blood. A mating arrangement.” And I said, “ Not just any woman, I want your daughter, Isla.” His eyes widened in shock, he didn't believe what I had said and I could see the reluctance.

He muttered under his breath for the people, he waved at the servant, directing, “ Get Princess Isla, immediately.” The servant nodded, scurrying away.

There was silence between the both of us while we waited when Isla came into the room. She walked in, that same fiery look in her eyes as she held her head high and didn't spare a glance towards my direction.

“Father.” She said softly, curtsying in front of him. He showed her a warm smile, as she continued, “ You called for me.”

“ Yes, my darling daughter. I have something to say to you before Bastian.” He said, his eyes flickered between I and her. He didn't say it immediately, almost like he was reconsidering his decisions as my hand on my sheath tightened.

‘Could this be a setup?’I thought.

He said, “ Isla, you will be getting married to Bastian before the next full moon.” I watched her silently, as her expression changed from surprise to shock then anger, “ No! I refuse,father.” She screamed.

She looked livid, her eyes turned to me as she charged straight at me but I managed to dodge then she asked, “ Was it him, father? Did he place you under a spell?”

The Alpha was silent.

He just watched her, she was shaking in her place as she said, “ Father, you know that I can't do this. My brother would roll in his grave if I was to ever get married to this monster.”

She grew more desperate seeing that her father wasn't responsible so she turned to me, asking in a scowl, “ What did you do to him? What did you fucking do to my father?”

Her eyes burnt with tears, her lips trembled and nose scrunched upwards as she lost her composure. Her father said softly, “ You are still a princess, hold yourself together.”

“ Father!” She yelled, the tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Her voice tore through the room, the windows rattled like they were about to be broken.

Then she pointed straight at me with hate in her eyes, “ Father! Look at him, he killed your son. Your only son. My brother.” She complained bitterly but he didn't still stir in his seat.

“ Isla, you will get married to him.” The Alpha said.

Isla stepped forward, rushing to him and pulling on his clothes as she said in between her tears, “ Father, you are risking everything. You aren't thinking clearly because you are ill. I can't get married to our enemy, we will be mocked.”

“ Father, please I beg you.” She cried bitterly but he had his head faced the other way. He didn't even look at her face.

Then she said with a desperate cry, “ Are you so eager to push your daughter into the lion’s den, father?” She cried, she was reminding him how dangerous I actually was. The Alpha looked at me, resigning to his faith as he muttered softly,

“ Isla.”

But she didn't listen, she shook her head as she muttered over and over again, “ No. No. No. I can't.”

And she said, looking him dead in the eyes, “ I will slit my wrist and kill myself, father! I will do it right now.” She told him, there was no hesitation in her eyes as she turned and began walking to the door.

Her steps were indignant, her neck was straight and her back filled with despair. I looked between the father and daughter, one fighting for their loved one while the other fought for the kingdom.

“Isla! Don't you dare walk out on your king.” He roared.

“Isla.” This time his voice sounded like that of a father.

He called her, his voice getting weaker as he tried to stand up, he staggered to his feet, stretching his hands but he buckled over and spat out a mouthful of blood, collapsing to the ground,

“ Alpha!” “Father!”