Chapter 3: A Promise of Death

Isla’s POV

“Father!” I screamed.

I turned,my  heart slamming hard against my chest as I saw that Bastian had already gotten to his side before me. I brushed his hands, snapping at him as I said, “ Don't fucking touch him! You caused this.”

“ I'm fine, Isla. Don't fight.” He said as I helped him, I helped him sit on the throne as I handed him a cloth to wipe his mouth. My eyes darkened as I asked, “ How are you fine? You just coughed up blood?” I screamed at him.

“ Father, I know this is affecting you but you are not in the right health to pass a decree such as this.” I screamed.

He shook his head, “Isla, you are a princess and you can't always be this head strong.” His face was covered with a soft but sad smile.

“ No.” I screamed in my head, I looked back at Bastian and I could see the cocky look on his face.

I fell to the floor, a sharp sound echoed in the room as a rough cry escaped my lips. “ Isla.” My father cried.

I didn't stop there, I crawled to him in a dramatic, one that I let out a sob, reminding him of the promises that he had made to my mother and I. I reminded him of my brother, what my brother would have done if was still alive.

I crawled to his front, I bowed deeper as I began hitting my head on the ground, I felt skin tear open while blood gushed out of it, tremendously. But I didn't stop, I just begged him, “ Father, please. Rethink your decisions.”

I looked up at him with a tear stained face, while the blood gushed down the cut on my forehead. Then he extended a hand towards me, helping me off the ground as he said softly,

“ Isla, there's no going back. You would be wedded to Bastian even if I have to drag you down to the wedding arena myself.”

My heart paused, eyes widened in shock as I couldn't believe what he was saying.

I hurriedly skipped the stairs, holding my gown up as I rushed out of the room. I ran straight to Kellan’s room. I locked the door behind me, bursting into tears as he stood so fast that he knocked the table down.

“ What's wrong?” He asked, fear inherent in his voice.

He had never seen me this way, me neither. I felt like I was being suffocated under water as I pressed my hand to my chest, turning to him as I said slowly, “ I'm being married off.” Another round of tears poured as he pulled me into his arms.

“ You won't. Calm down.” He said.

He wiped off my tears, pressing my head against his chest as I heard his rhythmic heartbeat. It was comforting, as I snuggled deeper into the warmth.

“ I would do whatever I can to stop even if I have to challenge the alpha.” I heard him say as I slipped into sleep on his chest.

I smiled.

He carried me back to my chambers, placing me in bed personally. He caressed my hair, asking me to be fine and not break down in such a way.

I didn't sleep after he left, I was kept awake by the thoughts of being the wife of Bastian. I didn't know if there was a possible end to this nightmare.

Could I not be his wife?

Then there was a knock, my father was calling me to his private chambers. I nodded, arranging my dress before I left for his chambers.

My arrival was announced to him and he asked that everyone leave, we were the only ones in the room and I noticed how pale he had become, his lips were bluish and he couldn't even maintain eye contact with me.

“Father.” I called out.

I was standing over his bed, my hand knitted tightly on the other. He said with a shaky voice, “ Come, sit beside your father.” My steps were slow and dull, I sat on the bed as he made space for me.

“Do you know why your mother named you Isla? In the old stories, an Isla was the last piece of land left standing after the great wolf wars. It was surrounded by enemies, yet it never fell. Your name was never meant to belong to someone who lived an easy life. It belongs to a woman who stands where others cannot.”

My eyes teared up, this was the first time that he told me about my mother. His shaky hands held mine, he looked at me as he said, “ Please, Isla. This is your father's dying wish. For the sake of our people, just do this one last thing for your old man.”

I cried.

I looked at him as I said, “ You are not dying! Not now or ever! Stop saying that.”

He laughed, but it was followed by a cough, “ Isla, please.” I looked down at my father, contemplating if I could get married to the man that I hated the most in the world, but I couldn't let my father down and deep down, I knew that he had a few months left to live.

I couldn't let another war start during the last days of his life, hecjad to enjoy it to the fullest.

I broke down into sobs, burying my face into his shoulder as I said with a trembling voice, “ Why must I do the worst things, Father? I hate this.”

“ I hate it, too, Isla.” He said, his shaky wrinkled hands moved to my face, gently wiping the tears off my face.

I sniffled, letting out a dry laugh as I looked into his hopeful eyes. Then he said softly, “ You aren't letting your brother down, he would be happy to see you so mature.”

“Yes.”

The words slipped out of my mouth, my father turned to me in shock and asked, “ What did you just say?”

“ I said yes I will get married to Bastian.”

“And I will be the death of him.”