~SURI & RAGNAR~
~SURI~
"Do you want to see your papa die?" Father looks me right in the eyes and asks that.
Yes!!!!!! I scream inwardly.
The vengeful part of me wants this pack to burn to the ground for allowing this to happen to me, but a more loving part, that instinctual part that secretly loves my people and would want to protect them at all costs, that Alpha part of me that was stolen, whispers calm in my raging heart.
My father's grip on me tightens, his nails digging painfully into my skin. There's a glint in his eyes that warns me. I hate this entire arrangement, and I want to scream and tell the Lycan King that I am not Emily, the beloved daughter. But I'm not dumb enough not to know that Father and Amelia would kill me without hesitation if I exposed them and made him leave with the real Emily.
I look back at the Lycan King, his piercing amber eyes fixed on me. Tears sting behind my eyelids, but I repeat my mantra in my head.
'You are strong, Suri. You are the real princess, remember? You will overcome this, too.'
The terms of the contract are selfish and unbelievable. I will be his queen until I give him an heir, then he will discard me as if I were nothing. I shouldn't expect love, only duty. I shouldn't expect loyalty either, since the marriage is an open one. I can't get pregnant for another man, except for the King.
This isn't the life I imagined for myself. He wants an open marriage, but that still doesn't offer me any comfort. I'm going to the Lycan kingdom straight from here. I don't know anyone there, and from what I've heard, Lycans abhor werewolves. How on earth am I supposed to cope?
I blink back my tears and sign the contract. I've long established that I am born unlucky. Father's grip instantly loosens when I sign. Amelia lunges into her usual display of crocodile tears again. Father then hands me over to the Lycan King. As Amelia weeps and tries to grip my dress, Father holds her back to stop her. She wiggles in his arms.
"My baby, oh, my baby! Your Majesty, please have mercy!"
The King doesn't even glance at them. He turns to leave, beckoning the others to follow. We all trail behind him, but the pain in my back is unbearable. I can't keep up with his long stride. One of his guards places a hand on my back to guide me, and a loud yelp escapes my throat. Every step halts, and all eyes turn to me. Amelia's sobs cease instantly as she stares at me in horror, clearly wondering if their deceit will come to light. Father glares at me.
King Ragnar's eyes shift to me, one brow raised in confusion.
"I...I'm sorry, I think I'm having cramps. It's...it's nothing," I lie, trying not to grimace.
The King studies me for a moment, then resumes walking without a word, but this time, he shortens his strides so I can keep up.
Outside, sleek black cars belonging to the King and his entourage line the driveway. I'm guided into the SUV with him. My entire body trembles as I enter and sit beside him, while omegas load my luggage into the trunk of the other car.
Sitting this close to the Lycan King is new and unnerving. Maybe it's because of the stories I've heard about him. I clutch my trembling hands together and watch my father stand with Amelia and his council members. I'm shocked to see tears well in his eyes as the engine revs up. But as the car begins to roll forward, I catch another glint in his eyes and the corners of his mouth lift in a smirk. His tears aren't of sadness but joy. He really can't wait to see me gone. I let a single tear slip down my cheek, knowing it's the last one I'll ever shed for my father.
The cars move away, and the pack house shrinks behind us until it's swallowed by trees and forest. We ride in silence. I'm acutely aware of the King's massive frame beside me and his sandalwood scent. From the corner of my eye, I glance at his thick arms, arms that look strong enough to crush enemies. I wonder if they're also capable of comforting someone.
The silence stretches for a while as we drive. I have so many questions, but looking at the King's hard profile, I can't bring myself to ask any.
"You were by the river last night," he says suddenly, not quite a question, but he demands an answer. He doesn't look at me.
"Yes," I answer. "You were there too. Makes me wonder how many times you've snuck into werewolf packs unannounced and unnoticed."
The muscle in his jaw flexes, but he doesn't look at me or reply. I don't let that stop me.
"Is that why you don't post your pictures online? So you can sneak into werewolf territories?"
Silence.
"You brought the question up," I mumble, pouting. "I'm just wondering why you suddenly chose to remain—"
My mouth clamps shut when he turns to face me. His amber eyes narrow. I look away quickly, still pressing my lips together.
"For a princess, you're quite talkative," the King says finally, his voice calm but heavy. "Do cramps make you talkative?"
I almost glare at him; if only his sharp gaze were not pinned on me. But oh, I want to bite back so badly. I just do not know if he will throw me out of the moving car if I do.
I'm quite nervous, and I get talkative when I'm nervous. Besides, I need something to fill this suffocating silence that surrounds us, so that I can stop thinking about my father and his cruelty.
I just hope big man here does not strangle me before we get to our destination.
"For someone so young, you sure brood a lot. Don't you think you will get wrinkles before age forty?" I jab back.
The guard sitting in front coughs, clearly fighting back a laugh. The King's eyes flick toward him, and the poor man goes still as a statue.
***
~RAGNAR~
The audacity of this she-wolf truly baffles me.
It is not every day someone dares to speak to me like this. Most people tremble when I walk into a room. Even my own warriors know better than to look me in the eye unless I allow it. But this one, this sharp-tongued little wolf, acts as if I am her equal.
Her last comment is a cheeky dismissal of my serious nature, and it almost makes me smile, but I crush the urge. I am the King; I do not smile at my enemies' daughter, especially when she is only meant to be my disposable means to an heir.
And she will learn that soon enough.
"Wrinkles are the least of your concerns, girl," I say, my voice dropping an octave, making it heavy with warning. "Your concern should be failing to honor the contract. If I brood, it is because I consider ways to survive; a skill you clearly lack, judging by your choice of conversation."
She sticks her nose up, refusing to back down. The nerve of her. I am not sure she even understands what kind of trouble she is in.
"And how is that survival, Your Majesty?" she fires back, glancing sideways at me. "Sniffing out unguarded borders and hiding your face from the public? That seems more like paranoia than strategy."
My head snaps toward her this time. She truly has no filter. I had expected Lawrence's heir to be calm, collected, shy even, and eager to please, not this audacious little wolf with absolutely no regard for my demeanor. No wonder she was at the river instead of enjoying her grand birthday celebration.
"First of all, it's Your Grace, not Your Majesty," I hiss through gritted teeth. "Secondly, watch your tongue," I warn, resting a hand on the console between us. The subtle move is a silent threat. "That tongue belongs to me now, and it will be silent when I demand it."
"Then perhaps you should stop demanding answers from it," she replies immediately, her eyes flashing briefly with defiance before she looks back out the window. "I signed your contract. I know the rules. But I am not a mute possession, Your Grace." I don't miss the biting sarcasm in her use of my title. "You can only buy my body, but not my obedience."
I study her face, trying to decide if she is really very brave or just plain foolish. "All I asked for was silence," I finally state, dismissing her argument. "Learn the difference, or you will learn about true punishment sooner than you anticipate."
"I look forward to that lesson, Your Grace," she murmurs, the cheekiness replaced by a cool, unsettling acceptance, throwing my title back at my face again.
I face the front again, my jaw tightening. This ride suddenly feels a lot longer than I planned. Looks like my little wife will not be easy meat to chew after all.