Chapter 5

Liana

“You can't do that.” I said immediately.

My voice was filled with fear. 

“Oh please, just shut up. I can damn well do as I wish.” He said proudly.

The priestess looked at him in disappointment and shook her head.

“You don't know what you've done.” She stated.

Alpha Carl got up from his seat and immediately stormed towards us.

“Baylor, you can't do this.” He pleaded.

“I'm sorry, father, but I won't marry her.” His resolve was too strong. No one could change his mind.

“The priestess wants me to mate? Then, I'll choose my own bride.” 

He turned to where my family was sitting.

“Ariana Stark!” He called.

Ariana stood up proudly, her face beaming with smiles. People were whispering as she began walking to the altar.

She walked very elegantly, showing off her dress and shoes. When she stood next to me, she snickered.

“I told you, Liana, This pack is mine.” She gloated.

She took the hand he offered her and stood next to him pushing me to the side. 

But this wasn't supposed to happen. I thought to myself. I was the chosen one.

I couldn't let Ariana take my place.

I quickly grabbed her hand and pushed her to the side. Then, I walked up to Baylor and planted myself next to him. He looked shocked at my audacity. But right now, I didn't care.

I grabbed the knife Baylor had thrown to the ground and quickly cut my palm open. Red liquid spilled and dropped on the altar.

I smiled and turned towards Baylor offering the knife to him.

“You have to complete the rite. It's our destiny.” I said.

He looked at me like I had lost my mind. A surge of strength went through me and I grabbed his hand so I could cut his palm open and seal the mating bond.

Baylor didn't hesitate. His hand struck my face immediately and sent me flying backwards.

I fell to the ground immediately.

“You cannot defy the goddess!” I shouted.

“It seems you've lost your mind.” Baylor cursed. 

He took one of the clothes on the altar and wiped the knife clean.

“You've only managed to taint the ceremonial blade.” He spat in disgust.

Then, he took Ariana's hand again and brought her to the altar.

I noticed my father and alpha Carl whispering to each other by the side. I didn't know what they were saying but I knew deep down that they wouldn't come to my rescue.

I stood up in shame. Everyone was watching in amusement. I saw Sandra's face as she was having a good laugh.

Then alpha Carl walked towards the altar with my father. The priestess stood motionless.

“I know that this was a directive from the goddess, but think about it, Soraya. You can't possibly expect my son to marry an omega. Someone whose existence is worthless to the pack. He is the future king. Is that who we want by his side? How will he rule?” He asked angrily.

“I have only given the directive I received. Whatever you choose to do with it is none of my business but I will not intervene when the consequences arise. Even the goddess will be too angry to be appeased.” The priestess warned.

Alpha Carl looked at me.

“Instead, let's have her be his concubine and breeder. She can be his true mate, but not his wife. She will stay by his side in the shadows while Ariana becomes the face of the pack.” 

I looked at my father in alarm and I shook my head silently pleading with him not to let this happen. Not to allow me to become a breeder for the velaryon’s.

My father looked away because he had already made up his mind. The priestess didn't say anything.

“Even to have her bear me a child is an insult.” Baylor spat.

“I won't let that happen. It will all be just for show.” Ariana said sweetly.

I stood by the side and allowed them to make mockery of me. Then the priestess shrugged in defeat and began the marital rites all over again. I stood behind Ariana like a shadow while the priestess chanted.

Then, she handed them the blade. Baylor took it with a smile and cut his palm clean. Ariana opened her own palm and followed suit, then they joined their hands together allowing their blood to mix.

Baylor let out an exhilarating howl and Ariana did the same. My heart broke at the sight of two of them.

“With members of the crescent moon pack present and under the blessing of the goddess, I bind you both and seal you as mates for life.” The priestess said.

Baylor turned to Ariana and she offered him her neck. He leaned in and bit into her hungrily, marking her.

I looked away as tears blurred my eyes.

“You can now mark your breeder too.” The priestess said.

Baylor looked like he was about to vomit but he didn't decline. He stretched his hand for me to meet him.

“Enough!” A voice bellowed from the crowd.

My hand was already halfway to meeting Baylor's. I quickly stopped and turned to see who it was.

That man from earlier. The one who I had initially thought was the prince. The one who had caught my attention during the council meeting.

He stood tall and stalked forward dangerously, his eyes staring straight into mine.

“Drogo, what the hell do you think you're doing?”

Drogo?

As in Drogo Velaryon? The black wolf?

My heart sank as realization of who he was dawned on me. He was alpha Carl's brother and he always avoided pack gatherings.

Rumors about his cruelty and darkness preceded him and so everyone knew who he was even without meeting him.

Why was he halting the ceremony?

He stepped close enough and offered me his hand. I looked between him and Baylor wondering what was going on.

“Liana Stark. I, Drogo Velaryon, in front of everyone present and under the goddess's blessings ask you to join with me and be my mate?”

“What?!” I shrieked in horror.

My life was doomed.