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“I want to leave the pack.” “There’s a human man willing to marry me.” The words hang in the air between us. For a moment, Alpha Gareth’s carefully controlled expression slips, revealing genuine surprise that quickly transforms into what looks suspiciously like relief. “Leave?” He leans back in his chair, and I swear I see the ghost of a smile. “And go where, exactly?” “There’s a human man willing to marry me.” My voice remains even despite my racing heart. “Someone who wants me.” Now he does smile, but there’s nothing warm about it. It’s predatory and mocking at the same time. “A human.” He says it like he’s savoring the words. “How fitting.” I wait, unsure what response he wants. The silence continues, and I can feel his satisfaction radiating across the desk. “You understand what this means?” His voice takes on an almost pleased tone. “If you leave to marry a human, you renounce all ties to this pack. You will never be allowed to return. Not for visits, not for emergencies, not for anything.” “I understand.” “Your mother’s bloodline dies with you. Any claim to pack heritage, any rights you might have had—gone forever.” My chest tightens at the mention of my mother. At the way he says it, like he’s relishing the idea of erasing every trace of her legacy. “I said I understand.” He stands abruptly, moving to a window that overlooks the settlement. “Your grandfather thought he was so clever, you know. Using his strength to protect his daughter’s dirty little secret.” Gareth’s back is to me, but I hear the venom in his voice. “He should’ve handled the problem when you were born.” My blood turns to ice. Problem. That’s what I’ve always been to him—not a person but a problem that should have been eliminated. “My grandfather is dead,” I say quietly, my hands clenched at my sides. “You don’t have to drag him into this.” “Yes, he is.” Gareth turns to face me, and I see the cold, contented look in his gray eyes. “And now, his last mistake finally removes itself from my territory.” The casual cruelty in his words hits me like a physical blow. I’ve always known he despised me, but hearing it stated so plainly makes my heart break. “You’re certain about this human?” “Yes.” “Does he know what you are?” This is where I pause. If I reveal that Andrew is aware of our kind, he will be killed. “No.” Gareth nods slowly, his satisfaction evident. “Then I suppose there’s nothing more to discuss.” Returning to his desk, he pulls out a piece of official pack stationery with more enthusiasm than the situation warrants. “You have until the end of the week to gather your belongings and get off my land.” “That’s it?” The words slip out before I can stop them. He looks up from the paper, his expression sarcastically surprised. “What did you expect? A tearful goodbye?” Heat flashes through me. “I expected...some acknowledgment that I’ve served this pack faithfully for years. That I’ve risked my life gathering herbs nobody else would dare collect.” “Served?” He laughs humorlessly. “You’ve been a drain on pack resources since the day you were born. The herbs you collect barely cover the cost of keeping you alive.” “That’s not true—” “Isn’t it?” He leans forward, his tone turning vicious. “How much do we spend on your pathetic little cottage? On the minimal food allowance? On tolerating your existence when any sensible alpha would have put you out of your misery years ago?” I swallow, my careful composure cracking. “I’ve gone into those woods when no one else would—” “Because you’re expendable.” The words are like a slap in my face. “If something kills you out there, it’s no great loss. That’s the only reason we send you.” The silence that follows is deafening. “Now, you’re doing me the favor of removing yourself voluntarily,” he continues, sounding cheerful now. “Saves me the trouble of finding a more permanent solution.” I blink, then turn to leave. “End of the week,” he adds as I reach for the door handle. The threat in his voice is unmistakable. I walk out of his office with my head high, past Henrik and George, who smirk as if they know exactly what transpired in there, through the pack hall, and into the evening air. My hands don’t start shaking until I’m halfway home. Five days. I have five days to escape before Alpha Gareth decides I’m too much trouble to let me live. Five days before he changes his mind about letting me leave voluntarily. Forty-eight hours pass in a blur of packing and planning. I don’t have many belongings—a few changes of clothes, my mother’s journal, some basic supplies, and the small stash of coins I’ve managed to save. Everything fits into one worn travel bag, which somehow makes leaving feel both easier and more depressing. Luna follows me everywhere, as if she senses something is changing. She has never liked being left alone, but now she practically glues herself to my side, her amber eyes watchful and worried. I prepare some dried beef for her, as I’ll be bringing her with me. She rarely leaves my cottage, but I’m not leaving her behind. I spend most of my time in the forest, gathering herbs for the journey ahead. Andrew won’t return from Millbrook for another three days, but I can wait for him in the human town. The thought of seeing his face when I tell him “yes” makes my heart flutter with hope. But more than anything, it is the idea of gaining my freedom that has me floating on cloud nine. However, things very rarely go my way, and I should have anticipated that they wouldn’t. I’m returning from the Wyvern Woods, my basket heavy with medicinal plants, when I see the folded paper tucked under my door. Frowning, I pick it up and enter my home. After setting down the basket on the coffee table, I unfold the message. Daciana’s hurried handwriting is unmistakable. Leave. Now. Don’t ask questions. Just go. My blood turns cold. Daciana never leaves notes for me; she comes in person, barging through my door like she owns the place. For her to risk putting something in writing... “What the hell?” I whisper, reading her words again. The ink looks fresh, like she wrote them recently. Luna meows anxiously at my feet. I scoop her up, my mind racing. Leave now? But I still have three days before Gareth’s deadline. What is going on? I decide I’m not going to wait around to find out. I swiftly empty the herbs into a sack and put Luna in the basket. After rushing to the bedroom, I’ve just picked up my bag when a sharp knock at my front door makes me jump. Three loud, authoritative raps that make my stomach drop. “Astra Lakan. Open up.” I recognize Henrik’s voice. My hands shake as I fold Daciana’s note and shove it deep into my pocket. “What do you want?” I call back, trying to sound unruffled. “Alpha Gareth wants to see you! Open the door before we break it down!” I look around my cottage wildly. Should I run? Where would I go? It’s no use. They’d track me down. “I’m coming,” I say, setting down my bag. But even as I say it, dread pools in my stomach like ice water. I open the door to see George and Henrik standing there, their expressions dark. I don’t even get to step outside before they grab me by the front of my shirt and pull me out. “What are you—Get off me! Let me go! I can walk!” When they begin dragging me away, I kick Henrick in the back of his knee with my good leg. It doesn’t matter how strong he is; it’s still a weak spot, and he stumbles forward, releasing his grip. I scramble backward, lifting my hands, palms out. “Let me walk, damn it!” Henrick snarls at me, and I see the deadly intent in his eyes. However, before he can lunge at me, George stops him, shaking his head. “This isn’t the time. Get moving, then.” The last part is aimed at me. The walk to the pack hall feels like a death march. Henrik and George flank me. Other pack members stop to stare as we pass, their expressions ranging from curious to pleased. A few actually smile, like they’re being entertained. I doubt any of them know what’s happening, but it’s obvious that I’m in some sort of trouble. That’s enough for them. When we reach Gareth’s office, Henrik doesn’t bother knocking. He pushes the door open and gestures for me to enter. The scene inside stops me in my tracks. Alpha Gareth is seated behind his desk, his expression cold and calculating. Beta Leroy stands to his right, arms crossed, looking grim. But it’s the other two figures that make my heart plummet. Harper sits in one of the chairs facing the desk, her beautiful face streaked with tears. Her golden hair hangs in tangled waves around her shoulders, and her hands shake in her lap. She looks like she’s been crying for hours. And beside her, pale and sick-looking, stands Daciana. Her dark eyes meet mine for just a second before she looks away, guilt written across her face. “Sit,” Gareth commands, gesturing to the empty chair beside Harper. I move toward his desk but remain standing. “What’s going on?” “There’s been a change of plans,” he says, his voice deceptively calm. My stomach clenches. “What kind of change?” “The Blue Crest Pack has agreed to the exchange. One female from our pack will be sent to mate with one of their warriors.” His gray eyes fix on me with evil pleasure. “That female will be you.” The words stun me. For a moment, I can’t breathe. “Me?” My voice comes out as a soft squeak. “But—but the decree said the strongest female. I don’t have any abilities. I can’t even shift.” Alpha Gareth’s smile is cruel. “That’s not my problem.” The room spins slightly as understanding begins to dawn. “You can’t do this. The royal decree specifically—” “The royal decree says we must send a strong female.” He leans back in his chair, looking pleased with himself. “And I’ve decided to send you. You’re strong enough.” He’s going against the royal decree! Can he even do that?! “I won’t go.” The words burst out of me before I can stop them. Harper’s sob rings out in the air. “Astra, please!” She reaches for my hand, her tear-filled eyes desperate. “They’ll torture me! They’ll kill me!” I jerk my hand away, shocked by what she is saying. “And you think they won’t do the same to me?” “That’s different…” Harper starts before trailing off. Disgust fills me. So much for the kind and benevolent façade she puts on. She’s just like the rest of them. I’m nothing in her eyes. “How?” My voice rises. “How is it different? Because I’m not the Alpha’s daughter? Because I have a latent wolf? Because my life matters less?” Harper looks to her father, tears streaming down her face. “Papa, please. Tell her—” “Harper is a beloved member of this pack,” Gareth says coldly. “She has value here. You, on the other hand, can make this sacrifice.” “Sacrifice?” I scoff. “You mean you can throw me away, and no one will care.” “Precisely.” FREE in Kindle Unlimited! 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