Chapter 5

As the search for my mother and sisters continued, I tried to stay calm, pushing back the constant wave of worry threatening to drown me. But whenever I was alone, the tears would come, unrelenting, no matter how hard I tried to hold them back.

How could I not worry? The people I loved most in the world were missing, and I had no idea if they were even alive.

Seated among the remaining of my pack, the air around us was heavy with grief. Everyone here had lost someone, their parents, siblings, mates. The weight of our collective sorrow pressed down like a suffocating fog.

“We can’t keep living in another pack’s territory when we have one of our own,” a voice broke through the silence. One of the older warriors stood, his tone firm as he addressed the group.

I understood his frustration. Our pack had been decimated during the attack, our warriors killed, our homes burned. We weren’t strong enough to stand on our own, not yet.

“I know,” I said, trying to reason with him, “but we need their help. There’s nothing we can do right now.”

My words met resistance. Sad, hollow eyes turned toward me, silently disagreeing.

“We can’t just wait,” the man pressed, his voice low and wary. His gaze darted around, as though he feared unseen eyes and ears.

Something about his demeanor unsettled me. He was one of the strongest warriors left, yet he had survived an attack that claimed so many. The suspicion I’d been trying to ignore stirred again.

“Princess…”

The murmurs died as the Beta of the host pack, Kai, entered the circle. His presence commanded immediate attention. Towering and imposing, much like his Alpha, Ashvin, Kai’s very presence seemed to unsettle my pack members. Tension filled the air as all eyes turned toward him.

I stood and stepped toward him, refusing to let my shorter frame diminish my authority.

“As you can see, we’re holding a meeting. What are you doing here?” I demanded, crossing my arms.

Kai’s lips twitched slightly, and for a moment, I thought he might smile. But his voice was all business when he spoke. “You can’t hold a meeting like this in our territory. It could be seen as a threat.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, his words igniting a spark of defiance in me. But before I could respond, my attention was drawn to someone standing in the distance, watching us.

It was him.

Ashvin, the Alpha of this pack, stood with his arms crossed, his piercing eyes locked on mine. Fury rose in me, hot and sharp, as I brushed past Kai and strode toward Ashvin, my anger dragging me forward.

“What the hell are you doing trying to stop me from meeting with my people?” I demanded, my voice trembling with rage as I came to a halt before him.

Ashvin regarded me with a calm intensity, the flicker of interest in his gaze only fueling my irritation. “You should know better, Princess. We can’t allow another pack to gather like this on our land. You know how these things are perceived.” His voice was smooth, but the undercurrent of authority was unmistakable.

A shiver ran down my spine at the sound of his voice, and I hated the way my body reacted to him. His presence unsettled me in ways I couldn’t explain.

“Are you cold?” he asked, stepping closer.

“No,” I snapped, but my voice betrayed me as a shudder escaped when his hand briefly rested on my shoulder. The contact was fleeting, but it left a burning imprint, a longing I didn’t want to acknowledge.

“Oh, this is ridiculous,” I muttered under my breath, hating the war inside me.

Before he could say more, a servant approached, bowing slightly. “Alpha Ashvin, Princess Zahra-Rose, you’re needed. The former Alpha and Luna wish to see you.”

I turned without another word, walking away from Ashvin, determined to regain my composure.

The tension in the room was palpable as I sat across from Ashvin and his parents. Kai stood silently nearby, his presence a constant reminder of the delicate situation we were in.

Ashvin began, his voice firm and commanding. “We’ve received reports about the Dark East. Their actions are suspicious, and we have every reason to believe they’re behind the attack on your pack.”

My hands clenched into fists at his words. My father had warned me of the Dark East’s ambitions. Their Alpha had once sought to strengthen his hold by demanding a marriage alliance with my family. My father’s refusal must have been the catalyst for their aggression.

Ashvin continued, “We’ve sent scouts into their territory. We’ll catch them off guard and free your people.” His assurance was steady, his gaze meeting mine with an intensity that made it impossible to look away.

I nodded slowly, my heart heavy with both hope and uncertainty.

The former Alpha cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention. “If we’re to stand against the DarkEast, there’s something that must be done.”

The room fell silent as he turned his gaze to Ashvin, then to me. “You two must marry.”

My breath caught, and my eyes widened in shock. “Excuse me?” I exclaimed, the words spilling out before I could stop them.

“This isn’t a suggestion,” the former Alpha said firmly. “It’s the only way to unite our packs and strengthen our position. Together, you’ll be unstoppable.”

I turned to Ashvin, expecting him to argue. But he simply nodded, his expression unreadable.

“I understand,” he said, his voice calm.

I stared at him, anger and disbelief boiling within me. How could he agree so easily? Did this mean so little to him?

“This isn’t fair,” I whispered, my voice shaking.

Ashvin’s gaze softened slightly, but his tone remained resolute. “This isn’t about fairness, Zahra-Rose. It’s about survival.”

As his words sank in, I felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. My people needed me. But was I ready to sacrifice my freedom, my future, for them?