C2

Eloise Hollowmere POV

"Are you crazy, girl?" Beta Aide Corwin yells. "Nobody talks to Alpha Lord Lucan like that!"

"I am not crazy," I say. "I am very serious. Look at me. Choose me."

"Eloise Hollowmere," Lucan says. His voice is very deep and loud. "You have a lot of courage. Corwin, give me her file right now."

"Here is her paper, Alpha," Corwin says. "She is a human from the Hollowmere Moonfang Pack."

"Good," Lucan says. "Let us go inside the Moon Goddess Bond Hall. I say yes to you."

"You really mean it?" I ask. "We are getting married right now?"

"Yes," Lucan says. "We sign the papers. It is done."

My heart goes so fast. I can barely breathe. We go inside and sign the book. Now I am his wife. I have the pack paper in my hand. Rowan will be so sorry he threw me away for Meredith.

"Lord Lucan, wait," I say when we walk out into the big sun. "Can I have a few minutes of your time?"

"Alright," Lucan says. "Get in the truck."

"What do you want to say?" Lucan asks. He leans back on the seat. He looks like a great king.

"We are married now, but I do not want the packs to know," I say. I look down at my hands. "Please keep it a secret."

"Why?" Lucan asks. His eyes get very cold.

"I have some bad things to fix first," I say. "I need to deal with the Silverhowl Bard Guild. It will not take me a long time."

"Fine," Lucan says. He smiles a scary smile. "I will give you three months. But tomorrow, my wolves will come to pick you up."

"Pick me up?" I ask. I feel very surprised.

"You are my wife now," Lucan says. He looks at the paper in my hand. "Husbands and wives must live under the same roof. Do you agree?"

"I agree," I say.

I get out of his big truck at the corner. I watch him drive away. I feel like I am flying in the clouds. I am married to the biggest Alpha leader. I take a car to go back. I have so much work to do.

Inside the big truck, Lucan looks at his phone.

"Corwin, tell High Alpha Osric that I am married today," Lucan says. "Also, go find out what happened to Eloise."

"Why do you care about a human girl, Alpha?" Corwin asks.

"She was the top singer in the whole guild two years ago," Lucan says. "Then she stopped singing to help Rowan Blackthorn. I want to know why she wants me now."

"Why can I not get inside?" Rowan yells through the wood. "Eloise, open this door right now!"

"Go away, Rowan," I say, keeping my voice soft. "I am busy packing my bags."

"You changed the magic lock code!" Rowan snaps. "Why did you do that? Are you hiding something from me?"

"I am not hiding anything," I say, opening the door just a little bit. "Why are you here? I thought you were at the pack hospital with Meredith."

"Meredith is too hurt to go to the Moon Trial Chamber tonight," Rowan says, looking at my face to see if I am mad. "You need to put on a wolf mask and take her place for the singing test. The Moon Trial Elders will never know it is you."

"Are you stupid?" I ask. "The news bards already told the whole territory that Meredith is in the hospital. How can she be at the trial?"

"I already told her Moon Gift Guardian to fix the news," Rowan says, shaking his head. "Meredith got hurt because she was helping your family. You are so mean if you do not help her save her spot in the Silverhowl Bard Guild!"

"You really think I should go?" I ask, hiding the big fire in my chest.

"Yes, you must go on time and do not mess up!" Rowan says.

"Fine," I say. "I will go."

"Good," Rowan says, turning around fast. "I am going back to the hospital now."

"Goodbye, Rowan," I say, closing the door hard.

"Selene, pick up the phone," I say into my small cell. "Rowan just left my place."

"What did that bad wolf want?" Selene screams so loud I have to pull the phone away. "Is he still trying to use you?"

"He wants me to wear a mask and do the Moon Trial for Meredith tonight," I say.

"Is he crazy?" Selene hits her desk. "Meredith sings like a sick bird! If you sing with your beautiful voice, the elders will know it is not her right away!"

"I know," I say. "That is why I am going."

"You want to get caught?" Selene asks.

"I want everyone to see my face," I say. "Selene, call the Moon Herald Keepers. Tell them the top human singer has a huge secret to share tonight at the performance hall."

"Are you sure about this, Eloise?" Selene asks. "You have been so sweet and quiet for four years because you loved him."

"I was a fool," I say. "They used my human heart. Tonight, I will show everyone the bad covenant law papers Rowan made me sign with the Silverhowl Bard Guild. I am going to break his pack business down to pieces."

"I am with you," Selene says. "Go get them."