Novel & Cerita I Volunteer As Tribute

"We can't have her making trouble on the way. Roric's guards are not to be messed with." They shoved me roughly into the back seat like a piece of cargo. My consciousness drifted. But I could clearly hear Blake's fawning voice on the phone. "Mr. Silas, the tribute is on its way. Her appearance, her scent… she's a ninety-percent match for the late Luna. The Alpha King will definitely be satisfied." Tribute. In their eyes, that's all I was. A tribute to decide their pack's fate. The city lights blurred past the window, finally stopping in front of a skyscraper that pierced the clouds.

Isabella sat across from Velis at a table large enough to seat thirty, the distance between them measured and deliberate. Her plate held beef—rare enough to still bleed, but recognizably bovine. Civilized. Velis's plate told a different story. "The tribute system has been quite successful," he said, cutting into his steak. The meat was pale, marbled with fat, unmistakably human. "Your people have been... cooperative." Isabella's grip tightened on her knife. "They had little choice in the matter." "Choice is a luxury for the victorious." Another delicate cut, another bite. "Though I must say, Your Majesty's personal contribution has been particularly... generous."

After his death his son now looks after the NGO. “Thanks to your donations. If it weren’t for you then it wouldn’t have been a NGO but a supermall. And these orphans and elderly people would have nowhere to go” Mr. Callisto said in an indebted voice. “I just did what anyone would have done. Anyone would save his home. I did the same. My first home is HOME. And because of this I got a sweet family.” Chris said with a smile. Then he continued, “I’m indebted to Mr Judas for bringing me here. He’s like my grandfather. May he rest in peace” He said the last words being sad. “You turned out to be a great gentleman, your mom and dad must be proud of you,” Mr Callisto said. “I hope so too,” He said.

“I offer to be a tribute in place of my sister.” The vampire guard paused, confused. “No one has ever volunteered before.” His eyes narrowed. “Are you attempting to deceive us some way? That will not work.”

“Was it an accident? Did someone force you into it?” My stomach twisted painfully. I should have lied. It would have been easier. But exhaustion stripped away too much tonight. So instead, I looked directly at him and answered honestly. “No one forced me.” Orion went completely still. The fire crackled sharply between us. I forced myself to continue even as my throat tightened. “I volunteered.” Shock crossed his face instantly. “You what?” “I signed myself into the sacrificial ritual willingly.” Orion stared at me like he genuinely thought he misheard.

I saw that people were gathering and Beta Heimdall was standing on a raised platform while several of the Omegas from our pack were bringing out the tribute items. Beta Heimdall inspected the items and seemed to be satisfied. He got to the end of the list and ordered the maids from his pack to store away the tributes. "I expected you to show your appreciation to Devil Claw Wolfpack for receiving this tribute from you and not taking extreme measures against you despite the fact that you're a loser." He told my father and walked towards him. He stood before him and forced his head downwards to bow. He made him keep that position for several minutes and by the time he was released, father had n

"This is going to be a massacre. We are all going to die. You don't outrun Clan Serenity. Those freaks will hunt every one of us down and kill us or worse." "And this is all your fault!" the other girl joined in. "You are the one who defied them. Everything was fine until you stopped offering them tributes." "Tributes." Angelica blinked slowly, feeling tears gather at her ducts. "Those tributes are people. People with lives we've been sacrificing for our own safety and way of life. It wasn't fair. The system wasn't fair. We had an opportunity to fight back and destroy them, so I took it—"

I feel like even if i don’t want to do this for me, then i owe it to them. “If it’s anything, I heard Mira was looking for you. She said something about having things in place in the next thirty minutes.” I nod. It’s almost time. Tria gets up with me and we give each other confident nods. “Thank you again Tria. You and all the other women who helped bring such smiles to the faces of the people attending today. You’re the reason for the pack’s pride.” I watch her nod and curtsy. I curtsy back, because I owe her that honor.

A warning. She ignored me. Walked toward Vane like she owned the hallway. "I'm the acting Luna of Darkmoon. I manage the affairs that Cain's mate would handle, if he had one." She smiled. It didn't touch her eyes. "You must be the girl they've been talking about." Vane looked at Monica, then at me, then back. Her expression didn't shift. "I'm a tribute. That's all." "A tribute who spent the night in the Alpha's bedroom. Twice, I hear."

I wash the blood from my hands in the icy stream, watching as crimson swirls dissolve into clear water. If only the stain on my conscience could be so easily cleansed. The tribute. A sterile word for a monstrous practice—sacrificing a newborn cub to the Slavers each year to keep our pack safe. A tradition older than I am, passed down through generations of Alphas, each bearing the weight of this terrible choice. Until now, I've convinced myself it was necessary. Unavoidable. The price of our continued existence. But Lyla's voice echoes in my mind, challenging everything I thought I knew. Everything I've done in the name of duty.