Chapter 2

My feet pounded on the hard-packed dirt of the lane. My heart sank as the clan house came into view. A sleek black car idled in the curved drive. It was real. It was time. 

"Madison!" Clan Master Bryant stood on the broad stairs leading into the clan house, his round, doughy face a mask of concern. He wasn't concerned for me. He was concerned I would act out and the coins that changed hands would decrease. 

I knew better though. I knew my worth and my place. The last two years had been a crash-course in Engagement protocols. My place in the clan was bought out, like I was a business transaction and not a person. 

My Husband paid a handsome fee to replace the taxes I would have afforded the clan by remaining and working. The money would presumably line the clan's vault. I doubted it though. The Clan Master was a greedy sort. 

Men bought and sold my flesh to pad their back accounts. Well, maybe not flesh. I would likely be inseminated. Wouldn't want one of the Weres to sully themselves by laying with a human. 

The marriage might be in name only. I wasn't sure. The Brides never returned to their clans. They were cut off from their people, forced to carry the next generation of Supe. 

'But what if they aren't forced?' My mind supplied unhelpfully. Maybe I was the only Bride to be so angry at their station. Maybe other Brides saw their duty as something to look forward to. Not begrudge. Unlikely. I couldn't imagine anyone being happy with being a broodmare. 

I slowed to a stop, sucking in lungfuls of air to catch my breath. I really needed to exercise more, jeez. 

"Madison Timms, this is Beta Rhys." The Clan Master introduced a dark man at his side. Was this my Husband? 

He stared at me curiously, hands in the pockets of his designer jeans. Rich kid. Awesome. Nothing like a pretentious prick to set the mood. 

I knew I was being unfair. But still. I might not know him but he didn't know me either. So why marry me? 

"He will be escorting you to Lunis. Your Husband is waiting."

"So, this isn't my Husband?" I was confused.

"No, Ma'am." Beta Rhys chuckled. "Only Alphas qualify for the breeding program. The rest of us make do." 

"All good and well. Madison, your things have been packed and will be sent along afterward." The Clan Master was real choked up. His brittle smile was a reminder that I was just a tithe to our benefactors. One of the faceless. The nameless. The Brides. "So, have a speedy journey and represent your clan well."

Code for keep my head down and pop out squalling brats. Awesome. 

~*~*~*~*~*~

The back seat of the dark car was all slick leather and plush padding. I was so used to the faded armchairs and threadbare couches in the clan house that I actually sighed in relief as I slid in. 

"Are you comfortable?" Beta Rhys glanced at me in the mirror, his honey eyes concerned. I felt a flush crawl hotly up my neck, flaming my cheeks. 

"Does it really matter?" I met his gaze. "In the grand scheme of things, honestly? I'm here for one purpose."

His eyes narrowed. "I think you might have the wrong idea–"

"And I think I have been over the Accords enough that I have exactly the right picture." My words were bitter. I swallowed around the choking lump of grief and anger in my throat. I didn't want to pretend that everything was fine. That being sent off to 'wed' a wolf was anything other than whether or not I would be on the flat of my back for the rest of my life. 

Of course, I was a consenting adult. I had to be. This was the only purpose I had now. 

The car slid smoothly from the curved drive, and I settled back into the supple seat. There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but I was too bitter to put them into words. 

Lunis was a few hours drive from the clan house, and I spent that time wondering what my Husband would be like. Rhys attempted to draw me into conversation but I ignored him. No reason to make nice with the help. 

The world outside flowed from the clan lands into farmland, and finally into forest. Ancient moss-covered trees stood as silent sentinels on either side of the road. 

Sunlight dappled through branches, and I rolled my window down. Air swirled into the stuffy vehicle, fresh and cool. I could almost be happy here, if I wasn't headed off to be a baby factory. 

All too soon, we pulled down a side road. The lane was narrow, the trees looming closer. Branches arched above the car, forming a tunnel. Gloom gathered, the forest outside my window reflecting my mood. 

The covering of trees ended abruptly, revealing a huge plantation house. It had to be at least four stories tall, with columns ranging from the bottom of the wrap-around porch to the roof. Ostentatious. Downright gaudy. Not really, but I didn't want to give the old house any compliments, even in my own head. 

We pulled around the circular drive, and I got my first glance of the wide stone staircase that led onto the porch. A man stood on the steps.

He was beautiful. That was the only way to describe him. From the tailored suit that strained to cover his broad chest and shoulders, to the tangle of dark hair that spilled across his forehead. 

My breath caught in my chest as we slowed. Was this another Beta waiting to usher me in to meet the Alpha? 

The car pulled to a stop and Rhys sprang out. He hustled to my door, pulling it open before I could. I shot him a glare. I wasn't helpless. 

I edged out of the car, muscles stiff from sitting so long. The man on the steps looked like he wanted to spring down to me. His eyes were full of something that made my insides flutter dangerously. No, chick, not today. 

Rhys closed my door behind me. "Madison Timms, I present you your husband, Alpha Xander Cross. 

Oh. Oh! Oh crap! He was sex-on-a-stick and I was in deep trouble.