Pledged to the pack

I can hear my sister outside of the cabin, listing off who will and won’t be going into battle today. Some of my friends make the list, including Kita who is only two weeks older than me. I can’t help but feel bitter, as I stand there cleaning the dishes left over from breakfast. The previous chief was laid back, he was fairly well know for bending the rules. Not that it had gone over well. But his time caught up with him, he passed peacefully in his sleep a month ago, at the ripe old age of 96. Now Sila, my sister, was the chief.It was undeniable that she won the alpha tournament. She’d out maneuvered each of the pack’s favorites and pinned them on their backs, dominating them. Not to mention everyone else who chose to go for the title. But I still couldn't believe it, each morning since I woke wondering if it was all a dreamYou would there’d be some perks to my sister being in charge of the pack, like being allowed to fight with my brethren a mere week before my coming-of-age cerem

It feels odd sneaking around my home, dodging guards and servants as I make my way. My black silk bag is beginning to grow heavy on my arm, causing it to ache. Though I manage to avoid being spotted, it seems like hours before I get outside. I half expect the guards to be waiting for me, sure that someone must have spotted me and alerted them. They seem normal, so I quickly cower behind a stack of crates, as the merchant who owns them speaks with an arriving knight.I spot a wagon nearby, the high quality fabric it carries belongs to mother's favorite fabric shop. I think of mother, how worried she will be and feel a stab of guilt. "I'm sorry." I whisper back at the castle, I just can't stay with thing as they are. I want to be free.When the coast is clear, I hurry to the wagon and bury myself beneath the smooth fabrics inside. I feel nervous when the driver returns, but he doesn't notice me and climbs up to take the reigns. The horses neigh when he urges them to move, but they compl

*Irellia's POV*It didn’t take me long to learn the reason for Ghost’s name, his smooth and quiet gait.He carries me through the thick brush without slowing his graceful trot, plants tickle my leg, left exposed by my riding skirt. I frown down at the unfashionable brown color, but quickly cast my eyes back up at the passing scenery.Tall, healthy trees stretch up toward the sky, as though reaching for the setting sun, a cool breeze causes the weaker branches to sway in a lazy wave. The Wind bats me in the face with my own hair, but I don’t dare raise a hand fight it. I tighten my lips, trying to keep the silky strands from slipping in.The sound of his hooves meeting the ground is drowned out by the melody of birds singing high in the canopy. Their sweet chrips bring a smile to my face. I feel like they’re encouraging me, silly as it might sound.Wild flowers, pale shades of yellow and blue, peak out at me from the shrubbery as Ghost whisks me deeper into the forest. I notice the sof

Abden snorts, a wet sound seeming to beg for a tissue, before he replies, “Then let it be lost, we will survive. No spectacle should be needed to tie us, a hundred years of hand holding is enough.” “Yes, a hundred years,” Ufari starts, his voice carrying a laugh, “Yet how often does our kind mingle with theirs? It’s rare to be sure.” He paces the wooden floor, the sound of his footsteps falling in tune with his thoughtful hum. “I believe there have been a total of three marriages between us, aside from those forced by the pact.” “What’s your point?” Abden demands, making a show of crossing his arms. Ufari raises his index finger, winking at the man, “It’s quite simple really; the tentative acceptance between us would shatter without this marriage.” “You’re leaping. A marriage alone does not put an end to hate,” Abden looks around the room, clearly expecting some show of support. He finds none, at least not openly. The devious smirk Ufari wears tells

*Arken's POV*Over the days Ellia had become less grumpy which meant my fun had begun to run out. Her reactions and overall human oddness had kept my mind off things, now… well now my guts churned. Sila was pissed, no doubt about it, and by now the council would have either disowned me from the pack or sent hunters after me. And honestly, I'm not sure which would be worse.Losing my home and my sister, my friends and mentor? The very idea felt like someone was chiseling away at my heart. Yet belonging meant obligations, marriage. Having my freedom all but ripped away and my feelings about it were clearly inconsequential in Sila's grand plan for the pack.On the other hand, if she had sent hunters to fetch me than if I didn't surrender… Sila's cunning. It's not like she'd send Abden or Cyd, or someone else I'd be happy to take a bite out of, she'd send at least one person I'd hesitate against, maybe even Balt himself. Even I'm not dumb enough to think I'd win that battle.It's like I'm