Emilia entered the alpha's office, carefully closing the door behind her. The air felt thick and suffocating. Her eyes scanned the familiar faces staring at her. Despite the warmth of the decor and its grand opening, today it felt foreign, if not dangerous. Panic rose in her chest, but she kept her steps steady. Her purple ball gown dragged on the ground, and her heels clicked resoundingly with every steady step.
"Sit, child," Alpha Camfrey commanded, his voice emptied of affection. Unlike Luna Camfrey, who doted on her sons with a visible favoritism, the alpha cared so little. He was more interested in who would be his heir, and so far, Mark was the only one fitting up to the standards of the young alpha. He was the choice of the closest to the people and the ways of the land. Deep down, she feared his position would hinder the alpha's decision, but Emelia's trembling hands pulled a chair out. Her legs shook so badly she could barely sit still by the man she hated most.
"If she doesn't want the wedding, call it off. I don't have all day," a cold voice echoed from the shadows. Her heart froze. In the darkest corner of the room, half invaded by shadows, sat a man dressed in black. Only a glimpse of light touched his face, highlighting the tincture of red in his eyes. She didn't need an introduction.
Fredrick Camfrey… a man who commanded rooms and crowds. The infamous elder son. The playboy, who danced and dwelt with destruction, and kissed danger. His name alone silences rooms. The red eye is a sign of a rare and ancient bloodline, only seen in alphas born to rule. But he was born cursed, with power and rebellion. They had barely met in the past, but now he was here? She thought this couldn't be a good sign, but focusing on the pressing issues soon distracted her from the forbidden heir.
"Stop this now," Mark hissed beside her, squeezing her hands hard beneath the table. Pain sliced through her veins as his claws dug deep into her flesh, but Emilia didn't flinch. Blood dripped from the cuts, but not a sound escaped her slightly trembling lips. He had introduced her to pain, and now she was getting comfortable in it.
"How can I stop now, Mark?" She said softly. "I'm barren; I can't bear children for this lineage and the pack. I don't want to be unfair to you or the people. This marriage can't go forward." Her voice trembled, her words choked just enough to perfect the lie. Her gaze settled on Mark, her eyes glittering with unshed tears.
"I love you," she added, her lips quivering. "But the circumstances… they're beyond my control." She watched the confusion rip through Mark. His eyes glanced over at everyone, but Emilia remained pitiful and calm. "My hands are tight," she concluded.
This was not the woman he knew. Emilia had always been obsessive, commanding, and protective of what she claimed as hers. She was loyal to a fault, loved blindly, and was devoted without questioning to him. But then, the woman beside him was calm, cold, and in a way… calculative. He wanted to scream, to drag her out and force the truth from her lips, but he couldn't… not when his parents watched. And not him in the room.
"Our bond is fated," Mark said, turning to his parents. "The moon goddess never makes mistakes," but Emilia knew better. She wished she could scream and get in his face. "You are having an affair... You poisoned me. You killed me, and now you dare talk about fate?" But then her words couldn't make their way out.
The moon had undoubtedly mismatched him; otherwise, she would not have perished from the poison he had supplied. He was the one to kill his mate, and now here he preached of love like a saint. He was willing to marry her while waiting for the perfect chance to bring in his mistress. Emelia did not want to be the third party in this life. She was willing and ready to cut him loose.
Alpha Camfrey and Luna exchanged glances. Emelia had her hands crossed, but deep down, her heart pounded so hard, she feared others could hear it. She had never been one to crave power and wealth. All she ever wanted was Mark, but now she craved escape from him more than anything in the realm.
"You can't be barren and be Luna," Alpha Camfrey announced, his voice stern and decisive. Emelia gulped down a lump. "Two options," his piercing gaze settled on her. There were two possibilities. Admit she lied and go through with the marriage. Or be reduced to a concubine... someone powerless... disposable. Neither offered survival.
Everyone began speaking all at once. Opinions flew here and there, and voices echoed. But none was about her. She sat still, her head banging with questions and strategy. She needed a way out, a survival route. Without further thought, Emilia stood. A wry smile played on the corner of her lips.
"Since I can't escape marriage," she said firmly, her voice slicing through the noise like a double-edged blade. "Then I'll use it to my advantage." Silence.
When all heads turned to her, she raised her chin. Mark opened his mouth, but no words came out. "I will marry Fredrick Camfrey," she announced.
But the man in the shadows has never been an easy one to play with. He leaned out, his face coming out of the dark. His eyes more portend digging holes within her soul.
"Marrying me might save you." He said calmly, "But who will save you from me?" Emilia chuckled bitterly.
"Who said I need saving?" She turned fully, facing him.
"You will be my groom."