Chapter 3 3

Rosalyn Ashbane

Everything had been prepared.

White flowers. Moonstone silks. An altar dressed in blood and silver. The NightMoon Pack spared no detail-because this wasn't just a wedding.

It was a transaction. A sacrifice.

And I was the offering.

My father smiled brightly as he walked me down the aisle, his arm firm around mine like we were some loving family. His steps were confident, proud-as if marrying me off to a stranger wiped his sins clean.

But I knew better.

> This isn't for me.

This is to gain favor. To form power. To get rid of me.

I'm just the cursed daughter finally being handed off.

I didn't lift my gaze.

Not until I had to.

At the altar stood a man-tall, powerful, still as stone.

Valentino Dante DeLuca.

The Alpha King.

The one they all feared.

The one I was being tied to.

His presence swallowed the entire room. He didn't even move, but the tension in the air curled around my lungs and made it hard to breathe. His eyes-those cold, merciless eyes-locked with mine.

And I saw it.

The look. The same one I'd seen in every face since I was a child.

Disdain. Disgust. Contempt.

He looked at me like I was already a burden. Like I was dirt beneath his boot. Like this was an inconvenience he was only tolerating.

You're nothing. You're weak. You don't belong here.

That was what his stare told me.

And yet, I kept walking.

Not because I was brave.

But because I had no choice.

My heart thundered in my chest, each step echoing like a drumbeat of surrender. My fingers trembled slightly as I clutched the bouquet-more like shackles than flowers.

The Moon Priest stood between us, draped in ceremonial robes, a leather-bound book of ancient vows in hand. His voice echoed across the sacred hall.

"We gather under the eye of the Moon Goddess to unite the BloodHowl Pack and the NightMoon Pack in sacred bond..."

His words were empty to me. I barely heard them.

I felt eyes burning into my back. Some pitied. Most watched with quiet interest. And a few... smiled, pleased that the unwanted daughter had finally been sold off.

The Moon Priest continued.

"Alpha Valentino Dante DeLuca, do you accept Rosalyn Ashbane as your mate and wife, by law and bond, under the Moon Goddess?"

Valentino didn't hesitate.

"I do."

His voice was flat. Cold. Icy enough to send a chill down my spine.

"Rosalyn Ashbane," the priest turned to me. "Do you accept Valentino DeLuca as your mate and husband, by law and bond, under the Moon Goddess?"

My throat tightened.

"I... I do."

"Then let the bond be sealed."

As the guests clapped and murmured their approval, Valentino leaned in close.

His breath brushed my ear.

"I don't care who you are or what deals you made with your father," he whispered, low and sharp. "But I'll make sure you regret every decision that led you here."

I didn't flinch.

Inside, I was already gone.

The ceremony ended.

I stood beside him like a statue while the guests approached with rehearsed smiles and empty blessings.

My father appeared, practically glowing with pride.

"My beautiful daughter," he beamed, taking my hand like we were family. "You've done well. The Alpha of BloodHowl as a son-in-law... finally, our name means something."

My stepmother came next, her arm slipping around my shoulders like we were close.

"We'll miss you so much, Rosalyn," she said sweetly, loud enough for everyone to hear.

I didn't speak.

Then my father turned to Valentino, his tone shifting-lower, calculating.

"Now that our packs are joined, I trust BloodHowl no longer sees NightMoon as a threat?"

Valentino gave him a tight, unreadable smile.

"Of course not. This alliance ensures peace."

Then he looked at me.

"Let's go, wife."

As we turned, a hand snatched my wrist.

Seraphina.

"Don't ruin this for us," she hissed. "If you embarrass the family or this arrangement, I'll end you."

My father stepped closer.

"Don't think for a second I won't finish what your mother started. You're only breathing because you're useful to me now."

I looked at both of them and gave a thin smile.

"Don't worry, Father. I won't mess up your transaction."

Outside, Suzu was waiting near the black car, her eyes puffy from crying.

"Everything's packed," she said quickly. "Your clothes are already in the trunk. I'll be riding behind you with the convoy. I won't let them take you completely alone."

Valentino stood by the SUV, door open-not out of kindness, but to remind me I was his now.

Without a word, I stepped inside.

Suzu disappeared into the second car, guarded by BloodHowl wolves.

My father waved like he was proud.

My stepmother wiped fake tears from her face.

"Oh, my daughter," she sniffled. "I'm going to miss you so much..."

I said nothing.

The door shut.

And with it, the last of whatever freedom I thought I had.

Hours passed.

The sky had gone dark by the time the car rolled into unfamiliar territory. I had dozed off somewhere along the road, but the sudden change in atmosphere stirred me. I blinked awake and sat up straighter, pushing away the weight of sleep.

The BloodHowl territory was nothing like NightMoon.

Even at night, the streets gleamed under warm golden lights. Their buildings were clean, structured, modern. There was order here. Power pulsed beneath the surface - silent, obvious. Wolves moved in formation. The air smelled of discipline, iron, and old money.

And then... the pack house.

It was massive - a looming estate of black stone and silver glass that towered above the trees. Lit from within, it looked like something torn out of another world. Regal. Cold. Impossibly beautiful.

The car came to a stop in the circular drive.

Valentino stepped out first. He didn't say a word. Didn't wait. He just walked inside, his tall figure vanishing into the doors like he'd already forgotten I existed.

Before I could even open my door, someone else did.

A middle-aged woman stood there, firm and composed in a dark uniform. Her scent marked her as BloodHowl. Rank unknown - but her posture suggested she was someone important here.

She gave a slight nod.

"Lady Rosalyn. I'm Marla. I oversee the residential quarters. Please, come with me."

Her tone was flat. Not unkind, but not friendly either.

I followed without a word, too drained to argue. My legs felt heavy beneath the weight of the dress.

Inside, the house was no less breathtaking. Marble floors, sweeping staircases, walls that whispered wealth. I didn't belong here.

We reached the room in silence. She opened the door.

"This will be your quarters. You are not permitted to leave unless the Alpha gives you permission to do so. You will be informed of his summons. Until then, rest."

I nodded.

Moments later, Suzu arrived with the rest of my belongings. I didn't know how she had gotten here so fast, but the second she stepped in, I rushed into her arms and buried my face in her shoulder.

She hugged me tightly.

"You're not alone," she whispered.

We said nothing else.

We just collapsed onto the bed like survivors after a storm.

---

The next morning came with a knock.

Sharp. Three times.

A young maid entered with a lowered gaze. "The Alpha has summoned you. You are to present yourself immediately."

I was still wearing my wedding gown. Wrinkled. Dirty at the hem. I hadn't changed. I hadn't cared.

My throat was dry. My hands, cold.

Without protest, I stood and followed her.

She led me through unfamiliar halls until we stopped before a set of tall black doors. Guards flanked both sides. One of them opened the door without a word.

Inside, the Alpha sat behind a wide obsidian desk, reviewing a document.

He didn't look up.

"Come in. Shut the door."

I obeyed, slowly stepping inside. My feet sank into the thick rug. The door shut behind me with a quiet thud.

Valentino finally lifted his gaze.

Unbothered. Sharp. Distant.

He stood and walked toward me, holding a folder. I tensed, but said nothing.

He handed it to me.

"Read it."

I opened it. A contract. Clean, printed, signed.

A divorce agreement.

I looked up, confused.

He stepped closer, voice like frost.

"This marriage is a transaction. You are nothing more than a temporary arrangement."

My stomach turned.

"You will not call me your husband. You will address me as my Lord. Nothing else."

I couldn't breathe.

"You are not my wife. You are a political convenience. After one year, this contract will be activated, and I will be free of you."

I stared at the paper, then at him.

"You've already signed it..." I whispered.

"I am the law here," he said, tilting his head slightly. "And you belong to me until I say otherwise."

He took another step forward. We were inches apart now.

"I don't care what lies you traded with your father. I don't care what kind of broken little girl you are. Cry, sulk, scratch the walls if you want - it changes nothing."

His voice lowered. A threat wrapped in silk.

"Obey my rules. Stay silent. Cause no trouble."

He leaned in.

"Because if you do... I won't hesitate to kill you."