Marrying a Warhound (Cassian) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1

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I pictured Cassian Valemont stepping over the bodies of his four wives. Did they scream? Did he linger to relish the sound, or stride on, already hunting bride number five?

“Atasha, the council assured us that this marriage is done to appease the young lord. It is nothing but formalities,” my mother’s voice brought me back from my stupor.

Marriage.

Yes. A marriage with Cassian Valemont himself.

I pressed two fingers against the unmarked skin over my heart and tried, one last futile time, to feel even a flicker of fur beneath. Nothing. Empty, the same as yesterday, the same as every day since my sixteenth birthday.

Wolfless.

The word echoed with the thunder hammering the council–hall roof. Each rumble felt like the place chanting the verdict I’d lived with for four years: useless, weak, expendable.

If my wolf had awakened that night, would they still send me north as Cassian Valemont’s fifth bride?

I dragged my eyes back to my parents. Both of them were silent, both waiting for me to say yes.

My father broke the silence first. “If you refuse, the treaty dissolves. Nightfall will stand alone. The Alpha King will not protect us when Fang Demon marches.”

Genevieve, my mother, spoke next. “Think of your sister. Celeste is the future of this pack. We cannot let her marry that man. The north is too far away from our pack. How could she travel—” she paused. “Atasha… you are different. You must marry the lord in her stead.”

I looked at the face that used to glow with pride. “Lord Cassian has been married four times,” I said flatly. “Three of them died on the wedding night. The fourth lasted a week.” Marrying Lord Cassian would be marrying my own killer. How could they send me to my death?

My mother didn’t flinch. “He is widowed now,” she replied quickly. “The envoy swore this union is in name only. You will not remain at his castle. After the ceremony, you can live where you choose. Far from him. Peace, Atasha. Freedom. This is what you want.”

Peace. The word rang hollow.

Four years had passed since my sixteenth birthday, since I failed to awaken, and every day since had proven how little they valued a daughter without a wolf.

Now, thunder rolled again.

My father bent over parchment, quill scratching out the final terms. My mother leaned close. “This bargain saves Celeste and secures the pack. You will finally be free of any duties. This is the freedom that you want.”

Freedom. A life near the border, maybe. Somewhere no one would bother whispering the word “human.” But

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Chapter 1

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how could they use the word freedom after trying to convince me to marry Lord Cassian? Right. Nothing says ‘freedom‘ like signing myself over to a bride–killer.

But if I don’t marry him? Who will? Celeste?

I pictured Celeste in white beside the Alpha King. Yes, Celeste should be the one standing next to the Alpha King, not to the King’s crazed brother.

If marrying Cassian Valemont meant protecting Celeste and securing Nightfall, I’d do it. Even a wolfless daughter could still be of use.

I would save Celeste, even if it cost my life. My hand trembled on the quill, then I willed it still and signed in neat strokes–Atasha Genevieve Black.

No applause followed. Deals like this didn’t deserve it.

Near the doors, Celeste caught my eye as she mouthed two words. Thank you.

I simply gave her a nod. This wasn’t her fault. This wasn’t anyone’s fault. I knew that we were both victims of the circumstances and that, if given a choice, Celeste would never let me marry that beast.

“Cassian Valemont will arrive tomorrow night,” my father said. “He will come to get the bride. Prepare your things. We will ensure that your dowry is sufficient. You do not need to think of anything else.”

I nodded as the rain slammed the roof harder.

As the ink dried, I straightened my back. Then I left the room without another word.

A marriage to Cassian Valemont.

The Cassian Valemont. The Alpha’s brother. The one who didn’t follow the council, didn’t answer to the King. The one who led the King’s Army like a warhound let off the leash. The man who killed every bride they gave him. Perhaps my dream of living by the borders was nothing but a fairytale. So maybe I wasn’t destined for a life on the border after all.

Reaching the top of the stairs, I turned right.

My room was in the attic. It used to be a storage space.

When Celeste asked for the larger room on the second floor, no one argued. I was quietly told to move upstairs. I never complained, Complaining was pointless when you didn’t even have a wolf.

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