Three

Arin

The party still roared behind me, laughter and clinking glasses echoing off marble walls, but i was no longer a part of it. I was escorted quietly to a smaller, more private wing of the palace, and there my heavy ceremonial robes were exchanged for a sheer, gauzy nightdress of ivory silk.

The fabric clung to my skin like cold water.

My long black hair had been brushed out. Perfumed oils dabbed behind my ears. I looked like a bride ready for her groom.

But inside i felt like i was being prepared for sacrifice.

I sat at the edge of a long, cushioned chaise, back straight, hands folded neatly in my lap to stop them from trembling. The maid who had led me here bowed and left wordlessly, closing the chamber door behind her.

For a few blessed seconds, i was alone.

Then it opened again, and Alpha Oswald stepped in.

Father.

His presence hit me like icy water on a warm summer's day. I stood quickly, nervously and watched as he walked further into the room, his presence oppressive. My breath hitched, and when i gripped the back of the chair i realized that i had unconsciously backed away from him.

"What was the meaning of that?" He demanded, his voice sending a shiver of fear down my spine.

"F..father," i stammered and cowered from the blinding rage in his eyes. "He cannot stand me."

"How he feels is inconsequential, you are the queen, so act like it!" he thundered angrily.

"I don't want to be here," i whispered in between sobs. "Take me back. Please, Father. Please."

He said nothing at first. He simply stood there, watching.

"I can't do this," i continued. "He humiliated me. Everyone saw it. And now, now they want me to go to his bed like I'm nothing more than a piece of meat to complete a ritual."

"Take me back to the North," I whispered desperately. "We can say the bond failed. Or that I was unfit. Anything. I'll run if I have to. But I can't—I can't stay married to him. Not like this."

Finally, i looked up at him and my heart dropped to my belly at the expression on his face.

"You are weak," he spat with scorn. "You should have died. I have no doubt that Nova would not have been so disappointing."

My heart slammed into my belly and i felt my knees go weak. My father knew exactly what buttons to hit to bring me to my knees and right now, on this most humiliating day of my life, he brought the most painful part of my life to remind me once again that i was useless.

"You have no other choice," he interrupted. "The mating bond has already been sanctified by blood. By the old laws. To sever it now would risk war between the Northern Pack and the Crown. Roan's enemies would pounce. Our allies would fracture. Everything i have built, all the blood i have shed for unity it would fall apart."

I swallowed hard, chest heaving.

He smoothed my hair back, his gentle hands in conflict with the menace in his voice. "The future of the North lies in your hands, you can't disappoint me Arin."

My throat burned with the tears that i was struggling to keep at bay.

A knock on the door made both of us freeze.

It opened before any of us could speak.

Usera stepped inside, regal and elegant in deep crimson silks. Her eyes, so similar to Nova's, raked over the scene with obvious distaste.

"How touching," she said. "But the king awaits his bride."

Father straightened up and looked down at me. "I know you will make me proud." he said with a note of finality before leading Usera out of the room.

As they went out, i noted how gentle father was with Usera.

The moment the door shut behind them, another maid entered, head bowed.

"His Majesty is ready to receive you," she said softly.

I could barely move. My feet felt anchored in place.

But i took a breath, lifted my chin, and followed like a lamb to the slaughter.

The corridor was dim, lit only by flickering wall sconces and the pale light of the moon streaming through the stained glass. The king's chambers lay at the far end, behind towering oak doors flanked by guards who stepped aside wordlessly as the maid led me to the threshold.

My heart pounded in my chest like a war drum.

The maid opened the door for me, bowing deeply.

I stepped forward.

And stopped.

What i saw would be etched into my bones for the rest of my life.

Nova.

Naked. Glorious. Writhing atop Roan's lap like a creature made of silk and sin.

Roan.

Bare-chested, sitting on the edge of the bed. His hands gripped Nova's hips, his head tilted back.

I knew they sensed me, they knew i was here.

His eyes opened.

And locked with mine.

For a moment, neither of us moved.

My breath caught. My lips parted, a soundless gasp of disbelief. Horror, shame, and a numb kind of agony crashed over me in waves.

I thought i had seen the worst that could be done to me but apparently, it was just the beginning.

And Roan…

He didn't stop.

He didn't speak.

He didn't move her off him.

He just stared at me, expression unreadable, like i was the one intruding. on my wedding night when i should be in his embrace.

Nova looked over her shoulder then, and when she saw me standing there—frozen, broken—her mouth curled into a satisfied, cruel smile.

She moaned louder, slow and deliberate.

Something cracked inside me.

I turned and ran, the door slamming behind me, the image burned into my mind like a brand. I didn't know where i was going, only that i had to flee this hell.

Down the corridor, barefoot now, my nightdress billowing like ghost's cloth behind me. The guards called my name, but i didn't hear them.

Only the roar in my head.

Only the truth i could no longer ignore.

I was not Roan's queen.

I was not his mate in anyway.

I was a pawn. A shield. A name in a book to fulfill a prophecy or please the council.

And he would not love me.

Not ever.