Author’s POV
<b>Inside </b>the Study Ebonw Pack
The study was thick with tension.
Kael Vale stood in front of <b>Alpha </b>ric and Luna Zara, his voice rising with disbelief. “Dad, Mom–<b>you </b>know exactly <b>what </b>kind of reputation the Stormridge heir has. How can <b>you </b>still force Riley to marry into that Pack? She’s your <b>blood</b>. Even if you’ve never shown her the same love, how can you send her into something that could destroy her?”
ric mmed his palm on the desk with a resounding thud. “Enough! Watch your tone. What do you mean destroy her! <b>With </b>her background, being epted by Stormridge is a gift. A rare one. She should be grateful.”
Kael stared at his father like he no longer recognized the man. His lips trembled. “Her body’s already broken, Dad. Prison destroyed her health. You’re giving her <b>to </b><b>a </b><b>male </b>known for violence, aggression–and you expect her to survive that?”
<b>Just </b>imagining Riley–frail and wounded–thrown into the hands of a brutal Alpha made Kael’s heart twist with both fury <b>and </b>Jdread.
ric’s expression darkened further. “If she doesn’t go… <b>what</b>, you want Scarlett to marry him instead?”
Kael froze.
He turned his gaze toward the girl standing silently beside them–Scarlett, with her downturnedshes and soft trembling lip. She looked up at him, eyes filled with sorrow, and he flinched.
y to be sacrificed.
He didn’t want Riley
But sacrificing Scarlett?
“I… I just… Kael faltered.
“There is no just.” ric cut him off, his voice a bit calmer <b>now</b>, but no less firm. “In a few days, thend auction at East Borough will begin. Stormridge <b>Pack </b>is hell–bent on acquiring <b>that </b>territory. Even if Ebonw and ckmawbine forces, we still might not outbid them<b>.</b><b>” </b>
He leaned forward, voice heavy. “The regional council has already designated East Borough as a central economic zone. When it’s developed, all majormerce will shift there. Whoever owns it–controls it. And if Stormridge wins it… Ebonw will lose its foothold in Mooncrest”
ric’s jaw tightened as he continued, “We can’t fight the Stormridge Alpha, So we do the only thing we can–we join them. <b>An </b>alliance through marriage is the most direct path.”
<b>Kael’s </b>knuckles were bone white from how hard he clenched his fists. The guilt gnawed at him.
Zara wiped away a tear, voice low and trembling. “Kael… Do you think this is easy for us? We’re not heartless. We haven’t slept. for days thinking about <b>this</b>. But the Pack–ourpany–feeds hundreds of wolves. We can’t afford to be sentimental.”
“I’m her mother,” she whispered. “I carried her for nine months. I know how fragile she is… I love her, <b>Kael</b>. Just as much as you do. But sometimes love <b>means </b>sacrifice.”
“Stormridge might not be as bad as the rumors say,” she added weakly. “Maybe… maybe their Alpha heir isn’t as cruel as they
im
Kael <b>said </b>nothing.
He understood the logic. He understood the stakes. But that didn’t make it right. The silence hung heavy over the room–until Scarlett’s soft sob broke through<b>. </b>
Til go,” she said, voice hoarse. “I’ll marry <b>into </b>Stormridge in Riley’s ce<b>.” </b>The three of then turned toward her.
Scarlett stood with tears <b>pooling </b>in hershes, but she forced a smile. “If marrying him will help the Ebonw Pack then I’ll do it. I’m not even your real daughter. When Riley came home, I should’ve stepped aside.”
Her voice cracked “But I <b>loved </b>you both too much. I <b>couldn’t </b>leave. I know <b>now</b>… I should’ve done something sooner.”
Karl’s heart twisted.
Scarlett smiled again, even as her tears fell freely. “Even if you <b>don’t </b>see me as your daughter after this… I’m <b>willing </b>to do. what’s best for the family.”
Zara broke down, pulling Scarlett into her arms. “Don’t say such things! You’ll always be my daughter, my baby girl. I would never let you marry someone so dangerous. You have a future with Ronan. You’re already promised.”
She stroked Scarlett’s hair gently. “<b>Don’t </b>worry. When the East Borough project stabilizes, we’ll <b>finalize </b>your marriage with the ckmaw heir. You were <b>meant </b>to be his Luna.”
Scarlet blushed, eyes shyly bright with <b>anticipation</b>,
Watching the mother–daughter disy, ric finally smiled. “Go back to Ronan. Spend time with him. Your mother <b>and </b>I need to speak <b>with </b>Kael”
Scarlett and Zara left the room hand in hand.
Kael stood frozen, watching them go.
Riley was to be offered up–again.
She had always been the one who could <b>endure</b>.
She was always <b>the </b><b>one </b>expected to endure.
<b>Kael’s </b>heart twisted painfully
Behind him, ric slumped into his chair and rubbed his temple. “<b>Kael</b>, I know you care for your sister. <b>But </b>this is bigger than you or her. The survival of Ebonw rests on this marriage. None of us have a choice.”
Kael closed his <b>eyes</b>,
“I know…