Chapter 5: The Price of Saving Them

Violet

I watch Darius's warriors disappear into the forest, wishing I could tear their stupid announcement into a thousand pieces. Three days. That arrogant bastard has decided I'm going to marry him in three days, whether I agree or not. And now, with my father injured in prison, I have even fewer options than before.

My mother is still holding the scroll when another commotion breaks out near the entrance of the cave.

"More warriors?" I mutter. "Does that man ever leave us alone?"

One of our surviving guards approaches, looking confused.

"Several wagons have arrived. They're carrying food, blankets, and medicine."

My mother immediately looks up.

"Food?"

"Yes, ma'am. Enough to feed everyone for several days."

We exchange bewildered glances before following him outside.

I stop in my tracks.

At least four wagons are parked near the trees, surrounded by warriors wearing Darius's emblem. Men are unloading sacks of flour, baskets of fruit, fresh meat, thick blankets, and wooden crates filled with medical supplies.

For a moment, I can only stare.

We've spent almost two weeks wondering whether there would be enough food for another meal, and now enough supplies to feed the entire pack are being piled in front of us.

"Who sent all of this?" my mother asks.

"Alpha Darius," one of the warriors replies. "These supplies are being delivered as an advance on the benefits of the agreement between your packs."

I let out a bitter laugh.

"How generous of him. Did he suddenly remember that people need food to survive?"

The warrior gives me a warning look.

"Those are the Alpha's orders, miss."

"Of course they are. Everything seems to be his order."

"Violet," my mother whispers.

I cross my arms, trying to control my anger.

Darius could have sent these supplies days ago. Instead, he allowed children to go hungry while their parents struggled to keep them alive. And now he expects us to be grateful because he's finally decided to help?

But my anger falters when I notice a little girl running toward one of the wagons.

"Grandma! Look! They brought bread!"

It's Emma.

She's been complaining about hunger for days, and the excitement on her face makes my throat tighten. Her grandmother kneels beside her, crying as one of the warriors hands them a loaf of bread.

Around us, the other survivors begin gathering. Some laugh, others cry, and several immediately start carrying supplies into the cave.

For the first time since the invasion, I see something other than fear in their eyes.

Hope.

And I hate that Darius is the one giving it to them.

I approach the warrior supervising the deliveries.

"I want news about my father."

He turns toward me.

"I was only instructed to deliver these supplies."

"Then contact someone who knows what's happening in that prison. Your Alpha's messenger told us my father was injured, but nobody will explain how badly."

"I'm afraid I don't have that information."

"He's my father!" I snap. "I'm not asking you to release him. I just want to know if he's going to survive!"

My mother approaches, her eyes filling with tears.

"Please," she says quietly. "I'm his wife. We haven't seen him since the invasion. We need to know whether he's receiving proper treatment."

The warrior hesitates before giving a small nod.

"I'll deliver your request to the castle."

"And when will you bring us an answer?" I demand.

"I can't promise anything."

He walks away before I can argue further.

I watch him leave, my hands clenched into fists. It's infuriating how everyone around Darius seems to believe that following orders excuses every cruel thing they do.

"Come, sweetheart," my mother says, touching my shoulder. "Let's help distribute the food."

I want to refuse. I want to scream that we shouldn't accept anything from that monster.

But then I see Emma happily eating her bread.

And I realize refusing the supplies would only hurt the people I'm trying to protect.

The following morning, I wake up to something I haven't smelled in almost two weeks.

Fresh bread.

For a moment, I think I'm dreaming.

Then I open my eyes and find several women preparing breakfast near the entrance of the cave. Someone is laughing, and the children are already gathering around, waiting for their portions.

Even the wounded seem more comfortable. The healers finally have enough medicine to treat their injuries properly.

My wrists still hurt, but the burns have started healing. One of the healers changes my bandages and assures me that my wolf should recover her strength soon.

"Just don't try shifting yet," she warns.

"Believe me, I have no intention of getting another silver chain wrapped around me."

She smiles sympathetically before leaving.

I find my mother organizing the blankets we received yesterday.

"Any news about Dad?"

Her smile immediately disappears.

"Not yet, sweetheart."

I sit beside her, frustrated.

"That warrior promised to ask."

"I know."

"What if Darius refuses to answer again?"

She doesn't respond.

I grab one of the blankets and begin folding it, more aggressively than necessary.

"Two days," I mutter.

My mother looks at me.

"What?"

"Two days until that bastard makes me his wife."

Her eyes fill with sadness.

"Violet..."

"I know what you're going to say, Mom. I know everyone needs this agreement. I can see how much things have improved since the supplies arrived."

"Sweetheart, nobody wants you to suffer."

"Then why does it feel like everyone is waiting for me to sacrifice myself?"

She puts the blanket aside.

"Because we're desperate. But that doesn't mean what he's doing is right."

I look at her, surprised.

My mother takes my hands carefully, avoiding my injured wrists.

"If I could take your place, I would. Without hesitation."

Tears blur my vision.

"I'm scared, Mom."

"I know."

"What if he hurts me again? What if I make him angry and he decides to punish me?"

She pulls me into her arms.

"I wish I could promise that nothing bad will happen. But I won't lie to you."

I bury my face against her shoulder.

That answer hurts, but I appreciate her honesty.

For the rest of the day, I stay close to her, helping distribute blankets and organize the remaining supplies. I even manage to laugh when Emma proudly announces that she's going to eat three pieces of bread for dinner.

And for a few precious hours, I almost forget about the wedding.

Almost.

On the afternoon before the ceremony, another messenger arrives.

The moment I see Darius's emblem on his clothing, I hurry toward him.

"Did you bring news about my father?"

He looks surprised by my question.

"Yes, miss."

My heart nearly stops.

"Well? How is he?"

"Alaric is alive. The prison healer confirmed that he injured his leg during the escape attempt, but he's recovering."

Relief hits me so hard that I have to lean against the cave wall.

"Thank the Goddess."

My mother covers her mouth, tears immediately filling her eyes.

"Is he able to walk?" she asks.

"The healer expects him to recover, ma'am."

I close my eyes for a moment, silently thanking the Moon Goddess.

At least my father is alive.

"Can I send him a letter?" I ask. "Please. I just want him to know we're safe."

"I'm not authorized to receive correspondence."

My relief quickly turns into frustration.

"Seriously? You can't even take a letter to an injured prisoner?"

"Those are my instructions."

I want to argue, but my mother gently squeezes my hand.

"Thank you for telling us he's recovering," she says.

The messenger hands her a folded document.

"These are the instructions for tomorrow. An escort will arrive early in the morning. Alpha Darius has ordered that all preparations for the ceremony be made at the castle."

I stare at him.

"So I don't even get to choose my own wedding dress?"

The man looks uncomfortable.

"Everything has already been arranged, miss."

"Of course it has."

He bows slightly before leaving.

I watch him disappear, feeling that familiar anger rising inside me.

Darius has chosen the date, the location, and probably every ridiculous detail of a wedding I never wanted.

The only thing he hasn't managed to control is how I feel about him.

And that isn't going to change just because he puts a ring on my finger.

That night, my mother insists on staying beside me.

We sit together beneath our blankets, talking about the life we had before the war. She reminds me how I used to sneak into the kitchen and steal freshly baked pastries, and how my father pretended not to notice even though he always knew.

I laugh through my tears.

"He used to save the biggest ones for me."

"He still will, sweetheart."

Her voice trembles.

I look at her, wishing I could believe that everything will eventually return to normal.

"Mom?"

"Yes, my love?"

"When Dad gets out, promise me you'll both take care of yourselves."

"Violet..."

"Promise me."

She gently cups my face.

"We'll be all right."

"And if Darius doesn't keep his word?"

Her expression changes.

I swallow the lump in my throat.

"Then you have to promise me you won't do anything reckless. I don't want either of you getting hurt because of me."

My mother begins crying.

"Oh, sweetheart."

She hugs me, and this time I don't try to hide my tears.

I don't want to leave her.

I don't want to live in that castle.

And I certainly don't want to marry Alpha Darius.

But tomorrow, I'll climb into that carriage because the alternative could cost my family their lives.

I stay awake for hours, listening to my mother's breathing, trying to memorize the feeling of being close to someone who loves me.

When I finally fall asleep, dawn is already approaching.

"Violet."

Someone gently touches my shoulder.

"Sweetheart, wake up."

I open my eyes and find my mother kneeling beside me. Her face is pale, and tears are streaming down her cheeks.

My stomach sinks before she even speaks.

"They're here."

I slowly sit up.

"Already?"

She nods.

For a moment, neither of us moves.

Then she helps me get dressed in one of the few outfits I still own. My wrists remain bandaged, and my hands tremble as I tie my hair back.

I look down at my simple dress.

"Do you think he'll be angry because I look like this?"

My mother takes my face between her hands.

"You're beautiful, Violet."

"That's not what I asked."

"I know."

Her voice breaks, and suddenly I'm crying again.

"I don't want to go, Mom."

She pulls me into her arms.

"I know, my love."

"What if I never see you again?"

"Don't say that."

"But what if..."

"We'll find a way to see each other again," she insists, although I can hear the uncertainty in her voice.

Before I can answer, footsteps approach.

Three warriors stop near the entrance of the cave. The man standing in front carries a dark cloak over his arm.

"Violet, daughter of Alaric?"

I wipe my cheeks and nod.

"By order of Alpha Darius, we're here to escort you to the castle. The wedding ceremony will take place this afternoon."

He offers me the cloak.

"We need to leave."

My mother hugs me one last time, holding me so tightly that I never want her to let go.

"I love you," she whispers.

"I love you too, Mom."

She kisses my forehead before reluctantly releasing me.

I take the cloak and follow the warriors outside.

A carriage waits near the trees, surrounded by armed guards. Several survivors have gathered to watch my departure. Some look at me with pity, while others thank me for what I'm doing.

An elderly woman approaches and takes my hand.

"May the Moon Goddess protect you, child."

I force myself to smile.

"Thank you."

Then I climb into the carriage.

My mother remains near the cave entrance, crying as the horses begin moving. I press my hand against the window, watching her grow smaller until the trees finally hide her from view.

Only then do I allow myself to break down.

I've spent my entire life dreaming about the day I'd find my fated mate. I imagined falling in love, choosing my wedding dress, and standing beside a man who actually wanted to make me happy.

Instead, I'm being taken to marry the Alpha who destroyed my home and threatened to kill my family.

I wipe my tears and stare at the road ahead.

By this afternoon, I'll be Darius's wife.

His Luna.

A prisoner inside his enormous castle, even if he refuses to call me one.

But there's something that arrogant bastard needs to understand.

He may be able to force me into marriage, but he can't force me to love him.