Chapter Three

IVARA

The air left my lungs in a cold rush, I slowly sank back into the bed. My father...he wouldn't... He was desperate but to sell me to humans? To be harvested? Was the wedding really a sham?

"You're lying," I growled, my nails digging into my palms as tears threatened to blur my vision. "My father would never do such a thing to me!"

"Why do you think he came back to you, Ivara?" He asked, leaning in closer. "Your mother died, yet he never cared. Until one day...boom, he suddenly appears. I never lie to what's mine, Ivara,"

"I don't believe this, for all I know this could be a sham! A lie just to use me against them! How can I trust a dead man? You vanished into thin air all of a sudden! This bond is a fake and I won't acknowledge it!"

He gripped my chin, forcing me to stare at him directly in the eye. His grip was rough, but not enough to bruise. "Look at me directly in the eye, Ivara. I won't lie to you. And make no mistake, little wolf. You're mine, the moon didn't make a mistake when she tied our souls together. She just waited until you were old enough to handle the fire."

He inched closer, but not to kiss me. He did something worse. He pressed his forehead against mine, letting his heat radiate into my skin, Indira roared in desperation as the contact, eager to shift and take his claim. His scent marked me more effectively than any physical brand. My body betrayed me completely, I leaned into him, my hands clutching his vest for support, Indira was still purring a rhythmic, vibrating 'yes' that I couldn't silence.

"I hate you," I breathed against my lips.

"I know," He murmured, a ghost of a smirk playing on his lips. "It makes the bond so much more interesting."

A sudden howl, a chilling lament ripped through the quiet house. Silas stiffened, his head snapping towards the window. Immediately, a guard entered, his head bowed.

"Pardon me, Alpha, but we have incoming intruders."

"Let me guess," Silas's voice was low and dangerous. "Lucian and his army."

My heart began to beat a frantic rhythm in my ribs, like a caged bird.

The guard nodded. "Affirmative, Alpha. What are your orders?"

Silas turned his piercing blue gaze back at me, then to the guard. "Take her to the main palace, down to the inner sanctum," He commanded the guard. "If she tries to run, pin her. If she bites, bite back. But do not- under any circumstances let her out of your sight or worse- get hurt."

"Silas, wait!" I reached out as he began to turn away, my fingers struggling to catch the edge of his coat. "Where are you going?"

He looked back at me, his face a mask of cold, regal dominance. The softness and conflict in his eyes were gone. In his place stood the King of Rogues, not Silas.

"I'm going to remind your fiancée why he should have stayed in the nursery instead of playing puppet King."

Silas was a blur, vanishing from the room before I could even process his threat. As soon as the door clicked shut, the guard approached me, his movements fluid and efficient. He bowed, then looked up, his expression grim. "I apologize for what may happen next, my lady. Forgive me."

Before I could protest, he scooped me off the bed, tossing me over his shoulder like a sack of grain. My ruined wedding dress tangled around my legs, the lace scratching my face as I hung upside down. "Put me down, you brute!" I yelled, pummeling his armored back with my fists, but he merely grunted, immune to my flailing.

He strode out of the room and into the open night. The cool air bit at my exposed skin, but the world was a dizzying kaleidoscope of stone and shadow from my upside down perspective. He spoke a harsh, guttural language to the other guards stationed outside, who nodded sharply. Then, with a burst of binding speed, he began to run.

The jarring motion, combined with my stomach being unceremoniously squashed, made my head spin. Every stride was a fresh wave of nausea, the night sky blurred into streaks of black and grey. I clamped my eyes shut, trying to control the bile rising in my throat, praying for unconsciousness. Just as the edges of my vision began to grey, he stopped.

He gently, almost reverently, lowered me to the ground. My feet hit the earth, and I stumbled, making a beeline for the nearest bush, emptying the meager contents of my stomach, the bitter taste burning my throat.

"I'm sorry, my lady. Forgive me." The guard said, his voice laced with genuine regret but I couldn't care less.

"Just shut up!" I rasped, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, still heaving.

After I was done, I straightened up, finally noticing my surroundings. We stood in a meticulously kept garden, its dark hedges and silent statues bathed in the moonlight. A massive palace loomed behind us, built of dark, rough hewn stone that seemed to absorb all light. Guards were stationed at every corner, while few workers moved quietly in the courtyards.

"Where is this place?"

"The main Rogue territory, my lady. An ancient palace that is immune to all forms of attack," he gestured towards the palace. "Please, let's go inside."

He escorted me through a grand guarded door and down a winding corridor until we reached a massive bedroom. It was lavishly furnished, already prepared for someone, complete with a roaring fire, and a four poster bed draped in dark velvet.

"This is your personal chamber, my lady."

"I-" before I could process my words, he bowed and walked out, someone stepped in almost immediately.

A petite young girl with bouncy orange curls, whose green eyes widened upon my presence. "Pardon me, my lady," She said with a deep bow. "I'm Lyra, your assigned maid."

"Just how long has Silas been planning this kidnapping? He even got me a royal chamber and a maid?" I muttered under my breath, more to myself than Lyra who stayed silent, her head still bowed low, clearly accustomed to such outbursts.

"Draw me a bath then." I commanded, gesturing vaguely at the ruined mess of my wedding dresses.

Lyra nodded, left and returned with three other maids who proceeded into the adjoining bathroom, their movements quiet and efficient. After the bath, I was given a set of Royal robes in deep emerald green, surprising my size. Food was brought, but I rejected it, my stomach was too roiling for anything but water.

Just as I wanted to step out of the bedroom, the guard from earlier- whose name I learnt was Kael, Lyra had informed me- blocked my path. "I cannot allow that, my lady. The Alpha gave specific instructions not to let you leave."

"Well, he's not here," I fumed. "You can't keep me in this place forever."

"Until the Alpha returns, I cannot do that my lady." He said, remaining unyielding.

I huffed, frustrated, as he stepped out, closing the door gently behind him. I didn't know how long time had passed, but when I woke up again, the room was bright with morning light. To my utter shock, by my side laid Silas, propped on an elbow, staring at me looking utterly flawless.

"You're pretty when you're awake," he murmured, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips.

"And you're a disgusting pervert," I retorted, scrambling upright, pulling the velvet covers tighter around me. "What happened out there? With Lucian?"

"I took care of him."

My eyes widened. "What do you mean 'took care of him?"

"I didn't kill him," he clarified, sitting up, his powerful frame radiating heat even through the bedclothes. "However, he won't be a threat for now. In fact, he's currently being held in my prison as we speak. Alongside your father."​