Chapter 3: The sacrifice

The tears had dried. My face felt stiff. 

When I finally stood, my legs nearly gave out beneath me. The bond still throbbed with every move, dull and heavy in my chest.

I pushed the door open and stepped into the hallway. The pack house had gone quiet. 

Distant music and laughter drifted from the main hall. Lucien and Selene were probably celebrating without me.

I walked slowly. Discarded white flowers lay trampled on the floor. Someone had already started cleaning up the mess from the ceremony.

“Seraphina.”

Aunt Helena’s voice stopped me near the elder chambers. She stood with two elders. Elder Marcus gestured for me to come inside. I followed. What was the point of fighting?

The room smelled of old wood and fireplace smoke. A fire crackled in the corner. It still felt cold.

“You overheard us earlier,” Elder Marcus said. No sympathy in his voice. 

“The situation is dire. Your rejection has created cracks we cannot ignore. Neighboring packs are watching. Weakness invites attack.”

I stared at my hands. The ceremonial dress still pinched at my waist.

Aunt Helena leaned forward. “This is your chance to make things right. The Lycan King needs a bride for a political alliance. We are offering you.”

I looked up slowly. “Offering me.”

“Yes. A contract marriage. It will secure our position and stop the bleeding from today’s disaster. You can still be useful to this pack.”

Useful. Not daughter. Not family. Just Useful.

“So that’s all I am now?” I asked. My voice came out steadier than I expected. “A peace offering to buy safety?”

Elder Marcus didn’t flinch. “The Lycan King does not make requests lightly. Refusing him could mean the end of Black Hollow. His forces are unmatched.”

I thought about the stories. Packs that crossed him disappeared. Mothers used his name to scare children into obedience.

“I don’t want this,” I said.

Aunt Helena’s eyes narrowed. “Want has nothing to do with it. You stood there today and let Lucien reject you in front of everyone. This is the consequence. At least now you can serve the pack instead of dragging it down.”

The door opened. Elias slipped in with a small tray of water and bread. He set it near me.

“You should eat something,” he said quietly.

“The bond backlash takes strength.”

I gave him a weak nod. He had always been kinder than the rest.

Elder Marcus continued. “The contract is simple. You go to the Obsidian Citadel as his wife in name. In return, we gain protection and trade routes. It is already in motion.”

I took a sip of water. It tasted flat.

Footsteps approached outside. Lucien appeared in the doorway. He paused when he saw me.

“Seraphina is leaving?” he asked.

Nobody answered right away. He looked at me. “Tonight?”

Aunt Helena nodded. “It is decided. The arrangement will stabilize everything.”

I looked away. For the first time in years, I didn’t care what expression was on his face.

Elias touched my arm lightly. “I’ll help you pack a few things later. If you want.”

His words eased a small piece of the loneliness. I nodded.

The conversation moved on. Details about travel, the Citadel, warnings about Kael’s temper. I listened but didn’t absorb much. Servants brought plain clothes. I changed out of the white dress and left it folded on a chair.

Night had fallen when engines rumbled outside. Heavy vehicles rolled up the drive. Black and armored. No markings.

I stepped out with the elders, a small bag in hand. Pack members gathered, faces pale. The vehicles stopped. Doors opened. Tall men in dark uniforms emerged. They moved with sharp precision.

One of them stepped forward. “The Lycan King has come to collect his bride. We leave immediately.”

Aunt Helena placed a hand on my back. The shove nearly made me stumble. The guards looked me over once. No warmth. Just efficiency.

I glanced back. Lucien stood near the entrance. Selene hovered beside him. 

Elias gave me one last nod from the side.

The night air bit at my skin. 

I walked toward the lead vehicle. Each step took me further from everything I knew.

No one stopped me. No one fought for me.

The guard opened the door. I climbed in. The interior smelled of leather and metal. 

The engine started. I watched Black Hollow disappear into the dark. 

I didn’t know what waited for me at the Obsidian Citadel. Only that it couldn’t hurt more than the place I had just left.