Chapter Two: A Bargain Already Made

 

Mia’s POV

I turned to the elders, waiting for someone, anyone to step in and shut this down. But they just stared back, dead silent.

“You’re telling me my father arranged my marriage to Kaiden Silver?” I asked.

Elder Jamal shifted in his seat. “It was a political decision. A wise one. The Alpha King’s power grows by the day. We need that alliance.”

“And he’s just now bringing it up?”

“Because the contract stated it would be fulfilled the week after you returned from isolation,” Damaris answered. “Today.”

I took a breath, trying to stay calm. “Where’s the letter?”

Without hesitation, he handed it to me. The seal was already broken. My fingers hesitated at first, but I unfolded it.

The handwriting was my father’s. His seal, his phrasing, his exact signature. Every line was legal and binding.

And it was real.

I stared at the words for a while, tuning out whatever speech Damaris was giving about legacy and peace between packs. My heart pounded in my ears.

This wasn’t how I expected to return. I thought I’d walk back into my home and reclaim what was mine. Instead, I was being handed off like a bargaining chip.

But if I walked away now, I’d lose any chance of leading. The elders would use it as proof I was too emotional, too unstable. And the rogues needed someone. If not me, then who?

I looked up. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

Elder Jamal raised an eyebrow. “You’ll marry him?”

“I’ll fulfill the contract,” I said. “If it means securing the future of this pack.”

They didn’t cheer. They didn’t thank me. They just nodded like a problem had been solved.

I handed the letter back to Damaris.

“When do we leave?” I asked.

“The Alpha King awaits your arrival at Silverfang,” he replied. 

“Then let’s not waste time.”

“We move now,” Damaris said, already turning on his heel like the deal had been sealed with a handshake.

I followed without waiting for permission. The elders could keep their smug looks. I wasn’t doing this for them.

As we stepped out of the elder hall, the late afternoon air hit my face. I noticed two of the Rogue Pack guards silently falling in behind us. 

They couldn’t even give me a proper goodbye. 

The caravan was small with a few mounted warriors, one carriage in the center, and a Silverfang banner fluttering on a spear.

“I’ll ride,” I said as one of the guards gestured to the carriage.

Damaris blinked. “The Alpha King requested…”

“Let him request whatever he wants,” I said, already mounting one of the horses.

He didn’t argue….  Smart.

The journey began in silence. The hooves of the horses beat against the dirt path, and the wind tugged gently at my cloak. I sat tall, eyes forward, ignoring every sideways glance.

Halfway through the hills, Damaris finally spoke. “You’ll find Alpha King Kaiden… different from most rulers.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I replied.

“No,” he said simply. “Only prepared.”

I kept my face still. “Is he old?”

“Thirty-five.”

“Married before?”

“No.”

I hummed. “And what exactly does he want with me?”

“He’s fulfilling a promise. That’s all I know.”

I didn’t believe that for a second.

We reached Silverfang right as the sun began to fall behind the peaks. The palace stood tall in the distance, its towers catching the gold light like fire. Even from here, it screamed wealth and power.

As we approached the gates, Damaris looked at me. “The Alpha King will receive you in the High Hall. The others will be present.”

“What others?”

“The heirs.”

I frowned. “Heirs?”

“You’ll meet them soon.”

Inside the palace, I followed Damaris past golden walls and armed guards who barely glanced at me. The moment we entered the main chamber, everywhere went silent.

Kaiden Silver stood at the far end of the hall, tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark ceremonial robes. His eyes were sharp and cold.

So that was the Alpha King.

“Princess Mia,” he said, his voice echoing. “Welcome to Silverfang.”

I stopped a few feet from him, lowering my head just enough to show respect. 

“Alpha King.”

“I trust your journey was smooth.”

“Eventful,” I said flatly.

A smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He stepped closer, studying me like a wolf sizing up a rival. “You’re shorter than I imagined.”

“You’re older than I expected,” I replied.

To my surprise, he laughed. “Good. I hate boring women.”

Damaris looked uncomfortable, but Kaiden didn’t care. He turned and gestured to two young men descending from the upper balcony.

“They’ll be your company for tonight’s banquet,” Kaiden said. “My sons.”

One had white hair and deep blue eyes, dressed like he already owned the room. The other had soft curls and a lazy grin, his eyes dark as ink and full of mischief.

I blinked at them.

“You adopted?” I asked.

Kaiden smiled. “Only one is, but it doesn’t matter to me. The throne goes to the strongest.”

“Of course it does,” I muttered.

The white-haired one offered his hand. “Lucien.”

The curly-haired one winked. “Orion. Don’t worry, I don’t bite unless asked.”

I didn’t take either hand.

Kaiden stepped forward. “The banquet starts in an hour. I expect you to smile.”

“Right,” I scoffed. “Because that’s what I’m here for.”

“You don’t smile much?” he asked casually.

“I’m not here to entertain.”

He raised a brow. “No. But you are here to charm, at least a little.”

I gave a dry look. “Is that a command, Alpha?”

His smile returned, slow and smug. “I prefer to call it… encouragement.”

“Encouragement noted,” I replied, already turning away.

Before I could fully walk past him, his voice came again, lower this time.

“You know, Mia,” he said, “I’ve seen many women wear a crown and pretend it fits. But you? You don’t even bother pretending.”

I glanced back. “Because I’m not pretending. I came to earn it.”

Kaiden stepped closer, then leaning in, he whispered in my ear.. “Good. Then try not to disappoint me.”

With that he gave me a peck and walked off.