I won't forget

Chapter Four

-Thaelynne-

The great hall erupts into chaos.

And Alpha Ragnar just stands there, staring at me like I’m some kind of creature that crawled out of a nightmare.

"This is impossible," Elysia snarls, rounding on him. "Reject her. Reject her right now."

He doesn't move. We're still staring at each other in shock.

"Ragnar.” Elysia grabs his arm. "You can't seriously be considering this. She’s a slave. She’s from the pack you destroyed. Reject her and finish our ceremony."

Finally, he moves, pulling his arm free from her grip. When he speaks, it's with deep authority. "Everyone out."

"But Alpha—" someone starts.

"Out. Now."

Elysia hesitates, her face twisted with fury. "This isn't over," she hisses and storms away.

Then we’re alone, just me and Alpha Ragnar and the bond pulsing between us.

"Sit down before you fall down," he says roughly.

My legs are shaking so badly I don’t even argue. I sink onto the edge of the dais and put my head between my knees, trying to breathe. This can’t be real. The moon goddess can’t be this cruel.

But she is. She absolutely is.

"I don’t know what to think," he finally speaks. "This shouldn’t be possible. I already had a mate. She died."

The words punch through my anger. He had a mate before. Of course he did. "People can have second chance mates."

"I don't want a second chance." For the first time, I see real emotion on his face. "I wanted her, not some replacement the goddess threw at me out of pity."

"You think I want this?" I surge to my feet, furious. "You killed my family. You destroyed my home. The last thing I want is to be tied to you for the rest of my life."

"Then we’re in agreement." He looks at me, his expression cold. "I’ll reject you and you'd have to accept and then we'd both move on."

The bond constricts painfully in my chest at the suggestion of a rejection. I press my hand over my heart and grit my teeth. "Fine. Do it."

He opens his mouth. Nothing comes out. "I can't," he admits with a sigh. "My inner wolf doesn't want to let you go." He spits the words like they’re poison.

"Then fight it. You’re an Alpha. Act like one."

"Do you think I’m not trying?" His voice rises. "I’ve spent three years rebuilding my life after losing her. Three years learning to function without half my soul ripped away. And now the goddess shoves you in front of me and expects me to just accept it?"

"So reject me," I say again, even though every cell in my body is screaming against it. "I’ll accept. We'll both suffer through the pain but then we’ll be free."

He takes a step toward me. "It’s not that simple."

"Why not?" My blood rises.

"I need you to bear me heirs."

I blink. "What?"

He gestures at himself. "I can’t produce an heir without a true mate bond. I’ve tried everything but nothing works. I faced the butter truth some time ago; My line dies with me unless I have a mated Luna. But with you now, it changes everything."

"So you’re going to use me." My eyes narrow at him. "Keep me as your mate so I can give you children, then what? Discard me once you have your heir?"

"Something like that."

I scoff in amusement but at least he’s honest. "That can't happen. You were just about to reject me."

He shakes his head. "Change of plans. You bear me a son and give me an heir to secure my line. In return, I’ll let you go and set you free. I’ll give you enough resources to start over somewhere far from here."

"I don’t want your resources. I want my family back." My eyes blaze with fury at how nonchalant he sounds.

"I can’t give you that. No one can." His expression softens slightly, just for a moment. "But I can give you a future. It’s more than most slaves get."

My wolf wants to accept, wants to submit. I shove her down ruthlessly.

"How long?"

"What?"

"How long do I have to play Luna before you let me go? A year? Five? Ten?"

"Until I have an heir. A male heir preferably, but I’ll accept a daughter if she’s strong enough to lead." He pauses. "It could be a year. It could be longer. That depends on the goddess."

A terrible idea forms in my mind.

If I’m his Luna, I’ll have access to everything. His trust, eventually. His home. His private spaces. His vulnerabilities.

If I’m his Luna, I can destroy him from the inside.

"I want something in return," I hear myself say.

His eyebrow rises. "You’re in no position to negotiate."

"Neither are you. You need me as much as I need my freedom." I cross my arms. "So here are my terms. I’ll be your Luna. I’ll give you your heir. But while I’m here, you’ll treat me with respect. No more slave quarters. No more serving meals. I want a proper room, proper clothing, and proper training on how to run a pack house."

"Anything else?"

I think of Zaera and her brother, of Larion and all the other Silvermane survivors scattered throughout this place. "The others from my pack. I want their work assignments improved. Nothing that’ll raise suspicion, but better quarters. Better food and no abuse."

"They are slaves, Thaelynne. I can't show them special treatment without people asking questions."

"Then find a way to do it quietly. You’re the Alpha. Be creative." I stare at him head-on. "Those are my terms. Take them or reject me and lose your heir."

He is quiet as he regards me with something like respect in his eyes.

"Fine. We have an agreement."

He extends his hand. I stare at it for a moment, this offering of truce from the man who murdered my family. Then I reach out and clasp it.

The bond flares hot and bright the moment our skin touches. I gasp at the intensity of it. He feels it too. I can see it as his pupils dilate, the way his breath catches.

"We should seal this properly," he says, his voice rougher than before. "The pack needs to see the bond recognized."

"Now?"

"Unless you want Elysia to spend the next week plotting ways to murder you in your sleep. Public recognition will offer some protection." He releases my hand but the bond still pulls tight between us.

My stomach clenches. This is moving too fast. But he’s right. The longer we wait, the more unstable my position becomes. "When?"

"Tomorrow night. That gives me time to prepare the pack and you time to prepare yourself." He starts toward the exit, then pauses. "Your room will be ready within the hour. Third floor, east wing, near my chambers. Maeven, your personal assistant, will bring you appropriate clothing."

"Near your chambers."

"We’re mates, Thaelynne. People will expect us to share our space. I'm not asking you to share my bed," he adds quickly. "But appearances matter."

I nod because I don’t trust my voice. He leaves without another word, and I stand alone in the great hall with the bond humming in my chest.

What have I just agreed to?

 This morning I was a slave in the kitchens. Tomorrow night, I’m going to be Luna of the Were Kingdom.

I'll be bound forever to the man I swore to kill.

How do I kill a man I’m bound to for life? How do I destroy someone when half my soul recognizes him as home?

The bond still pulses in my chest. It doesn't care about my plans for revenge. It doesn't care that he murdered my family. It only cares that he’s mine and I’m his, and nothing I do will change that fundamental truth.

Tomorrow, I become Luna.

 But I won’t forget. I can not let myself forget.