FAYE
Just like that, it was decided. My fate was sealed.
Images kept flashing in my head of Jason and Sage, tangled together in the bed meant for me. My mate. My sister. And now, here I was, about to be handed over to a man I barely knew, just to keep peace between the packs.
Alpha Wells’s voice broke through my thoughts. “Very well then. We should begin. The guests are waiting.”
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to nod. “Of course,” I whispered, but my voice sounded dull, like it belonged to someone else.
Alexander didn’t say a word. He just watched me with those cold gray eyes. I didn’t want to look at him, but my gaze kept drifting back, searching for something — anything — behind that stone expression. But there was nothing.
They led us outside to the sacred grounds behind the pack house. It was obvious this was rushed, nothing like the ceremony I’d once dreamed of. Guests stood in a wide circle, whispering. Some looked at me with pity; most just watched with curiosity.
The elders stood by the altar, a low stone table covered in white cloth. The ceremonial dagger lay on top, and just the sight of it twisted my stomach.
Alexander stepped closer. His face stayed hard, colder than before, and again I wondered why. “Are you ready?” he asked coldly.
“No,” I wanted to say. But all that came out was, “Let’s get it over with.”
He nodded.
Elder John raised his hands, quieting the crowd. “Tonight, under the eyes of the moon and our ancestors, we bind Alpha Alexander of Blood Crescent and Delta Faye of Silver Hollow. This bond keeps peace and strengthens the ties between our packs.”
His words sounded distant, like they weren’t meant for me. All I could hear was Sage’s voice in my head, “Why shouldn’t it be me for once?” And Jason’s empty stare when he looked at me. My chest felt so heavy I could barely breathe.
“Faye,” Elder John called. “Step forward.”
I forced myself to step up, keeping my shoulders straight, even though every part of me wanted to run.
Alexander took the dagger first. Without hesitation, he drew it across his palm, drawing blood, then he handed it to me.
My hand trembled, but I tightened my grip. The cut stung, but compared to the betrayal I’d felt tonight, it was nothing.
We pressed our palms together and our blood mixed and dripped onto the dagger.
“From this night, you are bound,” Elder John declared. “In strength, in duty, and under the moon.”
Polite applause rose around us, but I barely heard it. My heart felt like it was locked behind a wall I didn’t even know I’d built, one Jason and Sage had helped me build tonight. I’d loved Jason once, trusted him completely, and he’d crushed that trust like it was nothing. I’d never let anyone have that power again. Not Alexander. Not anyone.
Alexander leaned closer, his breath brushing my cheek. “Now say the vow,” he murmured.
I swallowed hard. “I, Delta Faye of Silver Hollow, bind myself to you in duty and alliance.”
His eyes stayed cold as he spoke. “I, Alpha Alexander of Blood Crescent, bind myself to you as mate and Luna of my pack.”
His words were flat, like he was reciting them for duty, not choice.
Elder John stepped forward with a silver goblet. “Drink, and seal the bond.”
We each took a sip. It tasted bitter and metallic, but I forced it down.
The elder lifted his staff. “By moon and blood, it is done.”
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