Chapter 3

Silver

The ride here felt like it was never going to end and honestly I wished it didn’t because being stuck in a car with all those girls was like being forced to sit inside a pit full of snakes. They kept glancing at me with that same look people always give me in Star Snow Pack.

Like I was dirty or diseased or something beneath mud. They didn’t say anything because the handsome man that dragged me here more like lifted me like I weighed nothing and dumped me inside the car and told them to behave.

But their eyes were screaming insults and the way they shifted away from me on the seat like I stank made my chest tighten. I already knew they were pack members from some other pack and I was just the leftover servant girl that somehow ended up in the wrong place and got dragged along.

They didn’t stop though. They didn’t need their mouths to bully me. They kept whispering to each other loudly about how excited they were to impress the Alpha King.

One was bragging that her aunt once met him at a ceremony, another said she heard he only likes girls with curves, another one even giggled that maybe if he doesn’t choose a single mate, she could be a harem member.

They were all so happy like this was some festival and at some point they started arguing about who would be prettier standing beside him. I kept my eyes on the window but I was listening because I don’t know how not to listen.

Then one of them said something about Ella being upset that she got mated just when the Alpha King finally decided to take a mate. And someone else said it must have bruised Ivo’s pride too because he has always wanted Ella.

Hearing his name again made my throat tighten. My chest hurt so bad I had to rub it. I thought I was done crying over him but it was like the rejection was still carved into my skin. It still burned and I hated that it still did.

I shouldn’t care. I shouldn’t want someone who slapped the soul out of me. The only good thing is that I accepted the rejection before leaving Star Snow or else I think I’d still be feeling the bond tearing me apart.

When we arrived at the castle (yes actual castle not pack house) I thought they brought us to the wrong place. I didn’t believe someone like me could step on ground like this. The girls practically tripped over themselves preening and fixing their dresses and patting their hair.

I stayed behind them praying I wouldn’t faint from how big and beautiful the place looked. They pushed us into a room and gave each of us clothes. Dresses with real embroidery and beautiful stitching. I had never seen anything like it.

I held mine like it was going to disappear and stared at the girls stripping confidently in front of everyone. Their bodies were perfect with soft skin and curves everywhere, they were glowing.

And me I was all bones and scars from overworking and starvation. So I hid behind a large folding screen and wore my dress as fast as I could.

Maids came back and lined us up and walked us through some long hallways until we got to a huge dining room. They said the Alpha King and the Queen Mother were waiting. I heard a few girls squeal like puppies. My heart did this weird thing in my chest because I had never seen royalty before not this closely anyway.

When the doors opened I thought I imagined him. The Alpha King was sitting at the head of the table looking like uh I don’t even know how to describe it. He was so handsome it almost annoyed me.

His hair was messy and falling into his face like he hadn’t shaved or brushed in days but somehow that made him even more handsome. And then those eyes dark and deep and intense. They landed on me for only a second but I felt it straight in my stomach. I looked away quick because I didn’t want to embarrass myself.

The Queen Mother spoke first addressing all of us with this grand voice. The Alpha King didn’t say anything. He looked tired and bored and angry. I couldn’t really tell. I kept my eyes low until the food came because the smell hit me like a punch.

I don’t even remember picking up the spoon. I just started eating. I ate like I hadn’t eaten in weeks because honestly that’s exactly how it felt. I didn’t even care what anyone thought.

The girls around me were picking at their plates like they were afraid of food. Some were even whispering and laughing at me but I didn’t stop. I was starving and everything tasted too good to waste.

When the meal was over everything changed.

The Alpha King pushed back from the table and for the first time I noticed he wasn’t standing. He wasn’t sitting on a normal chair. He was on a wheelchair!! My breath caught. I didn’t know what to feel. Shock? Sadness? I swallowed hard because I didn’t expect it. He wheeled back slowly so everyone could see him clearly.

His voice was flat when he spoke.

“I’m permanently disabled. I won’t ever be able to walk again. If you can’t handle that, you should leave. Right now.”

One girl choked as another whispered “no way!” under her breath. Then one by one they all started standing up. Even the ones that claimed they were head over heels for him minutes ago. They left! Some walked out fast like they were escaping something frightening.

I stayed sitting and I didn’t know why. I didn’t know if it was my place to stay. Maybe it was stupid of me. Maybe it was fate or maybe my head was empty from hunger but I stayed. I lifted my chin and looked at him and his eyes met mine like he couldn’t believe I was still there.

The Queen Mother turned to me her eyebrows raised. She looks exhausted from everything happening and she didn’t even bother to hide it. She probably just want the best for her son and the people.

“And why didn’t you leave? Why do you want to marry my son?”

“I uh I just want to marry him.” I opened my mouth and the words rushed out before I could think.

I didn’t know why I said it maybe because there was nothing left in my life anyway. Maybe because I had nowhere to go and I was too tired to run again. Where would i evem go? I'm never going back to Star-snow pack.

The Queen Mother smiled like she just won some secret war.

“Perfect! You wont ever regret this! Now go get ready. You’ll sign the marriage certificate shortly. The wedding night will also be tonight.”

My breath hitched at the last sentence but I nodded anyway.

“Okay.”

I wasn’t sure if I meant it but I said it.