INICIAR SESIÓNThalia PovPeter was dressed in a blue suit. He strode towards us, his face twisted with rage and his eyes fixed on me.For a moment, my breath stilled.I hadn’t expected him to come here or hear my conversation with Jacob. But did it matter? I had stated my intention, and I would stand by it.My fingers slowly clenched at my sides as Peter finally stopped in front of me. I raised my head and met his enraged glare with a calm expression.I refused to cower in front of him or anyone anymore.Silence settled between us.Peter’s gaze hovered on my chin-length hair, and instantly, his jaw clenched and the temperature around him dropped.“Thalia…” he growled, then suddenly grabbed my shoulders, shaking them as he glared at my face. “What have you done to your hair?! How dare you?!”Pain shot through my shoulders. I furrowed my brows and struggled to free myself, but Peter wouldn’t let go. His fingers dug into my skin as he shook me even harder.“I asked a question. Answer me!” he growled,
Thalia PovMy short hair, which reached below my chin, bounced as I walked towards the main house. I could feel the curious gazes thrown at me, but I didn’t bother with them. I had expected people to notice the change, and I no longer cared what they thought.I entered the house but stopped as I set my eyes on the person climbing down the stairs.Jacob walked down the stairs, dressed in a black tuxedo, different from the usual casual styles he wore daily. His Gamma stood behind him, reporting something in a low voice next to his ear while Jacob nodded along. But suddenly, he paused as his eyes landed on me.My shoulders tensed, and the whole place suddenly felt cramped.I hadn’t expected to meet Jacob at this time. Shouldn’t he have been at the pack office or rushing to pick Rose up from her piano lessons?Jacob stopped at a distance. His gaze slowly shifted from my eyes to my hair, and his jaw tightened. He stared at me for a moment, as though he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
Thalia Pov There were other options, but they were all too dangerous. I couldn’t risk putting Lola’s life in danger.The only feasible way was marriage, but how could I go about it?Peter’s face suddenly flashed through my mind.My heart tightened, and anger rose inside me. But after a moment, I let out a quiet breath and pushed the thought away.Peter and I were betrothed mates, and all my life, I had thought we’d end up getting married. He would be the Beta of the pack, while I would take up some position that could help my brother.But that future was no longer possible. Peter hated me, and the feelings I once had for him were gone too.But that still left one problem…I needed to marry someone outside the pack. I didn’t care if he was an ordinary man with no status, as long as marrying him could help me leave this place. But first, I had to find a way to end my engagement with Peter.“What are you thinking about, Young Miss?”I snapped out of my thoughts at Lola’s voice. I raised
Thalia PovThe days after the Alpha King and Soren left were peaceful, which came as a surprise. I don’t know if this was because Rose and Jacob were just lost in their excitement over the potential marriage arrangement given by the king, or if they simply didn’t want to bother with me. But it didn’t matter as long as I was able to live peacefully.The pack members still had scowls on their faces whenever they saw me, but at least they didn’t bully me or give me more work than I could handle. So now, I had more time on my hands.It was afternoon, but it wasn’t obvious as the sun was nowhere to be seen. It was almost the full moon, and only the moon could be seen in the sky, making the weather cool.I carried the washed dress Lola had lent me after I complained that my second shirt was torn. Lola had given it to me in exchange, but I knew she also had very few clothes. Since my torn shirt had been sewn, I should return the dress to her.I stopped by the entrance of the storage room and
Thalia PovOver the next two days, I slowly recovered from my injuries. Thankfully, Rose stayed away, allowing me to rest without having to deal with her or Jacob.This morning, just as the healer finished cleaning my wounds, I received the news that the Alpha King was leaving.For a moment, I went completely still.Was Soren leaving too?My chest tightened at the thought. Before I could ask anyone, I was already being helped to get ready to see the king off. Now, as I stood among the crowd gathered in front of the pack house, watching the king and Soren prepare to leave, I felt lost.It hadn’t been easy getting Soren to agree to leave me behind. An hour ago, he had refused to go, holding my hand and showing through his actions that he either wanted to take me with him or stay here with me. It had taken a lot of coaxing before he finally agreed to leave.I couldn’t help smiling as I remembered how he had refused to let go of my hand, even when the king tried to lead him towards the ca
Alpha King Damon PovI tapped my fingers against the table, watching Alpha Jacob until he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Then I lowered my gaze to the royal token between us.“If I understand you correctly, Alpha Jacob, you wish to exchange the favour I owe your father for a powerful husband for your sister?”Jacob swallowed. His fingers tightened against the table, but he still nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”Silence filled my study again. I leaned back in my chair and continued watching him.“Are you aware that this royal token can grant you only one favour?”Jacob didn’t answer at once. He lowered his head, and I noticed the hesitation on his face.I wondered if Jacob truly understood the value of what he was asking for. This token could have secured my help in a time of danger, even the support of my royal army if MoonApex ever faced a threat it couldn’t handle.Yet he wanted a husband for his sister.I almost found it ridiculous.When I had first been informed of Jacob’s arrival







