Chapter 2

Elsie's POV 

As if the news from last night wasn’t enough to rot my soul, the next morning brought a fresh disaster. Oliver showed up at our front door, acting like the most dutiful son-in-law in the world.

I watched him from the shadows of the hallway. He was dressed in a clean, pressed shirt, his hair slicked back, and a fake, charming smile plastered on his face. I knew it was all for show. I knew exactly why he had agreed to this arrangement. It wasn't love, and it certainly wasn't respect. It was because I was the only female in this entire pack who didn’t give a damn about him or his status as the Alpha’s son.

Every other unmated girl spoke about him with hopeful sighs, dreaming of catching his eye. But not me. I had seen him treat people like dirt since we were pups. I was certain there was a sick satisfaction he was getting out of this. He wanted to own the one thing he couldn't charm. But was that really enough to bind himself to me forever?

Completed mate bonds are no joke. Once the ceremony is done and the marks are exchanged, they cannot be broken unless you stand before a council and give a reason so grave that the Moon Goddess herself would approve the separation. It was a life sentence, which was all the more reason why I had to fight this with everything I had.

Oliver was currently seated at the dining table, laughing heartily at something my father said. My father, usually so stern, looked relaxed and happy. He had no idea he was inviting a snake into our family.

"Elsie!" my father’s voice boomed, echoing through the house.

I took a few seconds to compose myself before stepping out from the corner of the passage. I hadn't bothered to brush my hair properly, and I was wearing my oldest, most worn-out tunic and trousers. I knew it would infuriate my father because he would have wanted me to come out looking pretty and soft in a dress. But Oliver didn’t deserve that. He didn't deserve to see me as anything other than the warrior he was trying to cage.

I forced a sweet, sugary smile onto my face—the kind that usually meant I was planning someone’s demise.

"Oliver!" I chirped, my voice dripping with fake enthusiasm. "It’s so nice to see you."

My father and brothers looked at me warily, sensing the hidden edge in my tone, but I kept the act up. I stretched out my hand toward him. Oliver stood, took my hand, and brought it to his lips for a lingering kiss. I resisted the urge to shudder in revulsion. His skin felt clammy.

"The pleasure is all mine, Elsie," he said, his eyes scanning me with a possessive glint. "Same here."

My father finally relaxed, leaning back in his chair. "I am glad to see you two getting along so well. I know it’s short notice for a mating ceremony, but the Alpha suggested we move quickly, and I agreed. No point in waiting when the future is so certain."

I could have bet my left leg that Oliver was the one who had whispered the idea into his father’s ear. He wanted to lock me down before I could find a way out.

"It’s perfectly fine, Gamma Willow," Oliver said smoothly. "I’ve actually had my sights on Elsie for a long while. I am beyond excited to be mated to her tomorrow."

I sat down across from him, staring at his throat. I wasn't listening to his words anymore; I was busy thinking of all the ways I could kill him. Poison? No, I didn't know enough about herbs to guarantee it would work. Stabbing him in his sleep? Too obvious; I’d be executed before sunrise. Drowning? Maybe, if I could lure him to the river.

"Elsie? Are you listening?"

I snapped back to reality and focused on my father. "Yes, Father?"

"I want you to go with your mother today to the dressmaker," he said, his expression softening. "Your ceremony dress has been ready for a long time. I’m glad you’ll finally put it to use."

I forced another painful smile. "Yes, Father. I'll go."

Eventually, the charade ended. Oliver made some excuse about pack business and left, probably to go drink or bully some younger pups. As soon as the door closed, the air in the house felt lighter. I followed my mother obediently to the dressmaker’s shop in the village square.

While I sat on a plush bench, waiting for the seamstress, my mother sat beside me and took my hand.

"It will be okay, Elsie," she whispered, her voice gentle. "The mate bond brings people closer. You’ll see a side of him you didn't know existed."

I snorted and pulled my hand away. "The bond only amplifies feelings that are already there, Mom. It doesn't manufacture them out of thin air. Only fated mates are drawn together like that."

My mother smiled sadly, her eyes looking far away. "You know, I didn't want to mate with your father at first. I did it because my parents told me it was my duty. And it turned out fine, didn't it?"

I looked at her, really looked at her. My mother was like a ghost in this house. She moved quietly, she spoke softly, and she never disagreed with my father.

"No, it didn't," I said, my voice tinged with frustration. "He treats you well and he provides for us, sure. But he doesn't love you, Mom. He loves his Gamma title, and he loves having a quiet house. You gave up everything for him."

My mother’s face crumbled. For a second, I saw a flash of deep, hidden pain in her eyes, and I suddenly felt like the biggest jerk in history. I reached out to take back my words, to apologize for being so blunt, but the dressmaker stepped out from the back room holding a garment bag.

"It's ready," the woman said.

My mother quickly wiped her eyes and regained her composure. She gave me a gentle push toward the changing room. "Go on, Elsie. Let me see how it looks. We need to make sure it still fits."

I sighed and took the bag. Inside was an emerald green dress made of heavy silk. It was actually beautiful, the color of the deep forest. I slipped it on, the fabric cool against my skin. It fit perfectly, hugging my waist and flowing down to the floor. When I emerged, my mother let out a small breath of approval.

"You look beautiful, my child," she said, her voice steady again. "It will be fine, okay? Just give it a chance."

I just nodded. There was no point in arguing anymore. There was also no need to mention that as far as I was concerned, no ceremony would be happening tomorrow.

After my mother paid, we left the shop. She headed back home to start preparations for the feast, while I took the dress and headed for the woods. I needed to be alone.

I found my usual spot near a small stream and hung the dress bag on a low-hanging branch. I sat on a mossy rock, listening to the water and mourning the life I was about to lose.

I hadn't been there long when the silence of the forest was shattered.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

The loud, rhythmic banging of the square drums echoed through the trees. My heart skipped a beat. That sound was only used when a high-ranking guest entered our territory.

Suddenly, a massive grey wolf burst from the bushes, lunging straight at me. My instincts took over before I could even think. I rolled to the side, sprang up, and delivered a lightning-fast, bone-cracking kick directly to the wolf's snout.

The wolf let out a pathetic whimper and tumbled back. As it scrambled to its feet, it shifted back into human form. It was Theo. He was clutching his nose, his eyes watering.

"Dammit, Elsie!" he groaned. "You almost broke my face!"

"You shouldn't have tried to sneak up on me," I snapped, though I felt a bit bad. "I thought you were a bad guy."

"I was trying to catch you off guard to see if your training was slipping," he huffed, rubbing his nose. "But that's not why I'm here. There's a messenger in the square. He came from the Iron Hold."

My breath hitched. "The Lycan King?" I whispered. No one ever heard from the Lycan King unless something terrible was happening.