C2

Eloise Hollowmere POV

“Are you crazy, girl?” Beta Corwin yelled. “Nobody talks to Alpha Lord Lucan like that!”

“I’m not crazy,” I said firmly. “I’m very serious. Look at me. Choose me.”

Lucan Ashcroft’s deep, commanding voice filled the air. “Eloise Hollowmere. You have a lot of courage.” He turned to his beta. “Corwin, give me her file.”

“Here, Alpha. She’s a human from the Hollowmere Moonfang Pack.”

“Good,” Lucan said. “Let’s go inside the Moon Goddess Bond Hall. I say yes to you.”

My heart nearly exploded. “You really mean it? We’re getting married right now?”

“Yes.” His tone left no room for doubt. “We sign the papers. It’s done.”

We entered the hall and signed the ancient book. In minutes, I held the official mate papers in my hands. I was now the wife of the most powerful Alpha Lord in the territory.

Rowan would regret throwing me away for Meredith.

“Lord Lucan,” I said as we stepped back into the sunlight, “can I have a few minutes of your time?”

He studied me for a moment, then nodded. “Get in the truck.”

Inside the massive vehicle, Lucan leaned back like a king on his throne. “What do you want to say?”

“We’re married now, but I don’t want the packs to know yet,” I said, looking down at my hands. “Please keep it a secret.”

His eyes turned ice-cold. “Why?”

“I have some bad things to fix first. I need to deal with the Silverhowl Bard Guild. It won’t take long.”

“Fine.” A scary smile curved his lips. “I’ll give you three months. But tomorrow, my wolves will come to pick you up.”

“Pick me up?” I asked, surprised.

“You are my wife now,” he said, glancing at the papers. “Husbands and wives live under the same roof. Do you agree?”

“I agree.”

I stepped out at the corner and watched his truck disappear. For the first time in years, I felt like I was flying.

Inside the truck, Lucan looked at his phone. “Corwin, tell High Alpha Osric I’m married today. Also, dig into what happened to Eloise Hollowmere.”

“Why care about a human girl, Alpha?”

“She was the top singer in the guild two years ago,” Lucan replied. “Then she stopped to help Rowan Blackthorn. I want to know why she chose me now.”

Back at my place, Rowan pounded on the door. “Why can’t I get inside? Eloise, open this door right now!”

“Go away, Rowan,” I called, keeping my voice calm. “I’m packing my bags.”

“You changed the magic lock code!” he snapped. “What are you hiding?”

I cracked the door open. “Why are you here? I thought you were at the hospital with Meredith.”

“Meredith is too hurt for the Moon Trial Chamber tonight,” he said, studying my face. “You need to wear a wolf mask and take her place for the singing test. The elders will never know it’s you.”

“Are you stupid?” I asked, fire burning in my chest. “The news already reported her crash. How can she suddenly perform?”

“I fixed the story. She got hurt helping your family. You’d be mean not to help save her spot in the Silverhowl Bard Guild!”

I hid my rage behind a sweet smile. “Fine. I’ll go.”

“Good.” He turned and left quickly.

“Selene, pick up,” I said into my phone the moment he was gone.

“What did that bastard want?” my best friend screamed.

“He wants me to wear a mask and sing for Meredith tonight.”

“Is he insane? Your voice is nothing like hers! The elders will know instantly.”

“I know,” I said coldly. “That’s exactly why I’m going.”

“You want to get caught?” Selene asked.

“I want everyone to see my face. Call the Moon Herald Keepers. Tell them the top human singer has a huge secret to reveal tonight at the performance hall.”

“Are you sure, Eloise? You’ve been quiet and sweet for four years because you loved him.”

“I was a fool,” I replied. “They used my human heart. Tonight, I’m exposing the covenant law papers Rowan forced me to sign with the guild. I’m going to burn his entire pack business to the ground.”

“I’m with you,” Selene said fiercely. “Go get them.”

That night, the Moon Trial Chamber was packed. I stepped onto the stage wearing the wolf mask, heart steady for the first time in years.

The crowd murmured as I removed it slowly, revealing my face.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

Rowan and Meredith sat in the front row. Their faces drained of all color when they saw me.

I smiled at them sweetly, then turned to the elders.

“Tonight, I have a story to tell—and proof of how the Silverhowl Bard Guild has been manipulating its artists.”

The hall erupted. Cameras flashed.

In the shadows at the back, a tall, powerful figure watched with dark, unreadable eyes.

Lucan Ashcroft had come.