BLOOD ON THE BORDER

I would be a liar if I said I wasn’t happy the wedding was disrupted.

My boyfriend and best friend had ruined me, embarrassed me, and betrayed me, and they deserved anything but a peaceful, happy ceremony.

The Bloodridge pack, headed by the ruthless Alpha Darius, had taken all of us by surprise.

They were the strongest pack, and even with all five packs of our kingdom united, we Didn’t stand a chance against them.

“Selene,” my mother said, wrapping me in an embrace. “I was worried I had lost you in the chaos”

“I’m fine, Mom,” I replied half heartedly, wondering what business they had disrupting the wedding.

The warrior wolves from the Bloodridge pack had the hall surrounded; we were all seated, waiting for what came next.

Alpha Darius looked exactly as dangerous as he was said to be.

He sat on the stage, the seat reserved for the groom and alpha, with Kael standing before him.

“I came bearing a gift,” he said coldly, holding out a paper, seemingly a contract.

“The Darkmoor pack owes my pack and me, and instead of paying what is due, you gather your resources for a wedding.” His voice echoed throughout the hall.

“Instead of paying, you chose to strengthen your pack by marrying from another strong pack,” and with that, it made perfect sense.

Kael wasn’t with Lyra out of love; her pack was the strongest in the kingdom, unlike mine.

It made perfect sense for him to marry her and merge packs.

The hall was dead silent; no one dared to speak.

Kael looked pale with embarrassment, and I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

“Come forward,” his cold voice cut through the silence.

Everyone turned to look at me at the sound of his voice.

Some looked at me with pity, while others watched with fear evident on their faces.

“Guards,” he said, his voice more dangerous now. “Bring her to me”

Before the guards could reach me, I was already on my feet, walking towards the stage.

I had spent this whole week enduring humiliation; what was the worst that could happen?

My mother was already visibly shaking, trying to hold back her tears.

My father pulled her into his arms, trying to console her.

I offered her a reassuring smile, while deep down I was trying to reassure myself.

“Who are you?” He asked, a cold mocking smile playing on his lips.

“Don’t mind her…” Kael started, but was cut short by the Alpha.

“You only speak when spoken to,” he yelled, and Kael winced.

I couldn’t help it; I let out another awkward little laugh.

“I am Selene Stormborne, heir to the Stormborne pack.” I was nervous, but I didn’t show it.

“The weakest pack,” he replied, stifling a yawn.

“You are wrong, Alpha Darius,” I continued a little too passionately.

“We tend to do things differently over there, but we are not the weakest pack”

My courage seemed to have caught his attention.

A faint smirk appeared on his lips as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

“Tell me more”

I didn’t know if he was genuinely interested or making a laughingstock of me, but I paid him no mind and continued.

“We don’t believe in unnecessary war; we fight only when necessary. The lives of our pack members and fertility of our land matter more than the title to us”

I may have forgotten to mention that we didn’t have enough warriors to form an army, which is why we avoided war altogether.

“My pack has no interest in continuing business with them,” He said, pointing at Kael.

“We would rather extend our dealings to a pack that understands the value of a true alliance”

“They are weak,” Kael started.

He had the same look he had on his face the night he rejected me.

“Their Alpha is weak, and the heir…” he glanced at me, an evil smile tugging at his lips. “She is wolfless”

Gasps filled the air.

A second round of humiliation.

Alpha Darius smirked. “That makes it even better.”

I didn’t know if that was good or bad, but it didn’t matter in that moment.

The arrogant smile was slapped off Kael's face, and terror filled his eyes.

“But… but…” Kael struggled to find words; he didn’t believe it.

It was finally my turn to let out a smile.

“Stormborne,” Alpha Darius called out, rising from the chair.

Kael quickly lowered his head in a bow; I’m unsure if it was an attempt to appease the alpha or out of fear.

Alpha Darius nodded, and his guards stepped forward and moved Kael.

He turned to face me, his expression cold.

“Prepare your people for me. I am coming”