Chapter 3 Now, We Can Both Die Together

DAPHNE

Back to the wedding

I stand face to face with the Alpha, my husband-to-be and I feel so small.

Ezekiel Hawthorne towers over me. Damien wasn't lying, Ezekiel is annoyingly good-looking. He's the kind of man who doesn't have to try to turn heads. Still, I'm not here to be charmed.

His raven hair is neatly styled, like everything about him is planned and perfect. His piercing grey eyes lock onto mine, and it feels like he's looking straight through me. And his lips, unfortunately, are stupidly full, shaped like a heart, but there's no warmth in them. Just the slightest twitch, like he's fighting back... what? A smirk? A scoff?

His gaze slowly sweeps over me from head to toe and back up again.

Then, he snorts, like he's found something amusing.

What is that for? I narrow my eyes at him. Go ahead and laugh now, Alpha. Let's see if you'll still be smiling when I'm the one holding the knife.

The ceremony begins. The officiant, a human dressed in deep blue robes steps forward and speaks about unity. He talks about how this marriage is meant to be a symbol of peace between the witches and werewolves.

Then comes the alliance contract. Ezekiel and I take turns pressing our thumbs onto the parchment, sealing it with magic and blood.

After that, it's time for the vows.

I take a breath and read the words I was told to say. Words about loyalty, trust, and a future together. But deep down, I know the truth, that I don't mean a single word, and I never will.

***

[At Grey City]

Tucked deep inside the forest, we finally arrive Grey City, the werewolf pack, and it's nothing like I expected. Growing up, I was told werewolves lived in the wild because they were animals, and I believed it. But, standing here now, I see how wrong that was. Grey city looks just like any human town. There are houses, schools, factories, even tall streetlights and paved roads. High tech security cameras sit on every corner, mixed with old carved stones. Werewolves walk around in jeans, hoodies and sneakers. Kids chase each other, laughing, just like human children. If I didn't know better, I'd think this was a normal city full of normal people, except it's freezing cold. The kind of cold that sinks into your bones.

A young boy, probably no older than eighteen meets at the edge of the city. He introduces himself as Caelum and tells me he's been instructed to take me to the Alpha's house.

He talks a little too much and smiles a little too easily for my liking, especially when every other werewolf we pass stares at me like I don't belong.

They glare at me like I broke into their world, like I forced their Alpha to marry me.

Caelum takes me round the Alpha's massive mansion, pointing out rooms and hallways like a cheerful tour guide. He shows me my bedroom, the kitchen, the training wing, on and on, he goes but I'm not paying any attention to him. My mind is elsewhere, already planning. I need to find out what the Alpha knows, what he did to Natalie. And if he hurt her, I'll make sure he regrets it.

"This is the Alpha's study." Caelum mentions, his voice breaking through my thoughts.

I snap to attention. The Alpha's study? That's the I can get information.

"Can I take a look inside?"

He shakes his head. "Sorry. Only the Alpha's allowed in there."

"Ah." I glance at the door, noting the simple lock. "Okay." I say with a smile, already making a note to return later, alone.

As we walk further down the hallway, Caelum speaks again.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Can witches really erase people's memories completely?"

"Yes." I reply with a nod. It's one of the natural gifts witches are born with.

Caelum lets out a gasp like I've just told him magic is real for the first time.

"Do you want me to try it on you?" I tease, raising an eyebrow.

"Nope, I'm good!" He blurts, quickly covering his eyes with both hands.

I laugh under my breath. He's too easy and a little too cute to mess with.

We keep walking and Caelum hurries to keep pace with me.

"Honestly, there's a lot I want to know about the witches." He adds, glancing sideways at me.

"You're the first werewolf who actually cares to know." I respond, still walking.

"I've always thought that witches were kind of special."

I stop and turn toward him. I'm about to ask what he means by that when a guard suddenly appears from the corner.

"The Alpha is waiting for you in the dining hall." He annouces.

"We'll talk later." Caelum murmurs before stepping back.

I nod and follow the guard down the hall, trying to steady my thoughts.

The guard opens the door to the dining hall, I step inside. Ezekiel is already there, sitting on the side of the long table. He has changed out of his formal clothes, and now wears a plain black shirt, but even in something that simple, he still looks sharp, too sharp. The kind of man who doesn't need to be intimidating. The moment the door clicks shut behind me, my heart starts to beat faster for no good reason. I quickly remind myself that my knives are still hidden on me. I'm safe. There's nothing to be afraid of.

I walk to the table and take the seat directly opposite him, facing him. As I settle in, my eyes fall on the meal spread between us, it's a full feast like this is a real marriage and not just a peace treaty.

I keep my face blank, but my mind stays alert. This is enemy territory. I shouldn't forget that.

"Why did you stay with the humans even after your term as a collateral ended?"

It's the first time I hear his voice. It's low, smooth, and annoyingly deep. I glance up at him. Seriously? That's the first thing he says to his new bride?

"I see you did a background check on me." I mutter, arching a brow.

"I had to know the woman I was marrying." He replies evenly.

"Oh? Yet you never bothered to show up to any of the meetings I arranged."

"I'm sure my aide explained..."

"That you were too busy?" I cut him off sharply.

He gives a small nod. "Yes."

"Busy with what, if I may ask?"

"Busy with my pack." He answers, his voice strangely calm, like we're chatting about the weather. As he speaks, he slowly undoes his cufflinks on his sleeves, as though I'm not even worth his full attention. "Some of us have responsibilities. Not everyone has time to play human."

My mouth falls open. Did he just insult me to my face?

"Play human?" I echo, leaning slightly forward. "Is that what you think I was doing?"

Ezekiel looks up, his grey eyes are unreadable. "I don't assume. I speak from what I see."

"And what exactly did you see?" I challenge, crossing my arms.

"A witch pretending to be human. Playing house in a world that isn't hers."

I laugh, but there's no humor in it. "At least I wasn't hiding behind politics to avoid a meeting."

His lips twitch again, that almost smile that's more mockery than mirth. "You're feisty. No wonder my father hated your kind."

"Good thing he's dead then." I reply, sweetly.

A flicker of amusement crosses his face, like my words somehow entertained him. "You've got claws, princess."

"And I'm not afraid to use them."

His gaze lingers on me, slow and assessing. "Good. You'll need them where you are."

I raise an eyebrow. "Is that a threat, Alpha?"

"No." He says, reaching for his glass. "Just a promise."

I scowl at him as he takes a slow sip of his wine.

"Let's eat." He murmurs, rolling up his sleeves to his elbows.

My eyes drift for a second to the thick veins running down his forearms, and I find myself shamelessly staring.

"Eat." He repeats, this time it sounds more like an order.

My mind reacts quickly as I tilt my head slightly. Why is he so eager for me to eat when he hasn't even touched his food? That can only mean one thing, the Alpha is trying to poison me. He must really want me dead. Too bad for him, I want the same.

"I'll wait." I utter, keeping my voice calm. "You have to eat first."

He arches a brow, there's a hint of challenge in his eyes. "Why?"

"It's witch custom." I say. "The bride must watch her husband eat before she takes a bite, It's a sign of trust." I lie smoothly. There is no such custom.

"This is Grey city." He points out, setting his glass down. "Your custom don't work here."

I shrug, folding my arms. "Still, I'm a witch. I can't just throw my tradition overnight, can I?"

Ezekiel stares at me for a long second, like he's trying to figure me out, before reluctantly picking a spoon.

I smirk and slide my plate over to him, switching it with his. "Eat."

For a moment, I think he's going to drop the spoon and refuse to eat. But then, he scoops up a bite of food and starts eating.

I narrow my eyes, watching him chew. I expect to see him choke and collapse but nothing happens. Maybe the food isn't poisoned.

Suddenly, a new thought strikes me. What if the wine is poisoned instead?

Just as he reaches for his glass, I snatch it out of his hand and switch it with mine. "Drink this instead."

Ezekiel looks at the wine, then back at me. His lips part slightly as if to speak, but no words come.

One look at his face, and I know I'm right. The wine is poi...

He lifts the glass and drinks the wine.

What? I look down at the food, trying to figure out what I might've overlooked, when a strong hand clamps around the back of my neck, yanking me forward. "What the..."

Before I can finish, his face is already inches from mine. He seizes my lips with rough urgency, prying my mouth open with his tongue and pushing the wine from his mouth into mine.

I try to pull away, but his grip is too strong. I struggle, pushing at his chest, but he doesn't let go, not until every last drop of wine in his mouth is in mine.

Then, just before he pulls back, he bites my lower lip, like he wants me to know who's in control.

"Now," he murmurs, his deep voice like velvet smoke. "We can both die together." And he smiles, like the devil himself.