"Good day, Alpha of Fangspire Pack," the elders said, bowing to him.
He paid no attention to their greeting before he sat in the chair facing the entrance.
I could feel the weight of his arrogance, even without speaking to him.
I started shaking, and my heart beat so fast.
He was not looking at me, but was commanding his warriors on what to do. But I could feel the gravity of his presence all over the room.
His aura radiated authority in a way that doesn't need a response before action. Just by standing there, everyone obeyed him like a god.
His jaw was tight, eyes ravaging with hatred when he finally turned my direction. As if one was plotting for his prey.
I opened my mouth to speak to him...
But he turned his face towards his warriors' direction again.
He kept me waiting.
I already wanted to test my fate immediately.
Minutes dragged, and we hadn't left yet.
The room became quiet all of a sudden, and he dismissed all the elders and his warriors after the welcome speech.
"Anabelle Aiden..." he echoed, teeth clenched.
He walked closer to me, each step was measured. He didn't stop until I could smell a dark, coated fragrance, towering the scent clinging to him.
His gaze moved from up to down, assessing and calculating my every move. As if he was assessing a piece of object he did not remember ordering.
I stood in that position, not letting his aura intimidate me.
No warmth. No welcome. Just calculation!
"Anabelle Aiden, he said loudly." Even the wall could feel the weight of how he called my name.
"I was sent a political inconvenience last week. And I thought what the fated mate everyone is talking about would look like, or perhaps I never cared." He said.
"I'm supposed to be honoured by your people for taking their daughter in...." He said in a sarcastical tone.
My stomach tightened, his arrogance alone turning me off?
"Guards, prepare everything. Let's leave," He ordered.
"Good, my lady. Till we see again.
Trust me you can do this." Mira hugged me.
"Goodbye Mira, please watch over my father's things and take care of yourself." I said
And immediately we bid them farewell, the horses began to run through the wall leading to the border.
And just like that, I bid Kam kingdom farewell.
Immediately, we reached the Fangspire Pack; everywhere was busy. It was like a different part of the world itself.
Wolves gossiping as we passed...
"Ooooh, the presumed only daughter of the Kam kingdom has been sold to Alpha of Fangspire." one of the wolves whispered.
"I heard she was betrothed to him since birth. She doesn't know what she signed up for." They laughed out loud.
Immediately we entered the house I was welcomed by their glare, nothing here felt like home. Everyone was after their lives and nothing else.
I continued staring at the building, well-organised layers filled with golden rocks and woods, the ceiling properly aligned and colored. One thing I know about the Alpha of Fangspire Pack was surely organised.
He walked into the castle before me.
"This fangspire pack, do not cause any trouble to my people," he said.
"You're a mere object and you should behave that way! He voiced out.
That statement pierced my heart, but I maintained my boldness.
"I didn't choose to come here, alpha Roman," I said.
"But you came anyway." Roman voiced out.
"I came because I have no option..."
"I came for a reason best known to me."
"I came... because we are bonded by destiny even before we were born. "
"Don't ever say that again. I'm not destined to be with any woman, nor you, Anabelle."
So know your place in my castle, He raised his voice!
"Remember you aren't here for your council but because they have no option but to give you a way."
"What was your use to them anyway?"
His words struck me deep, more than the humiliation I faced in my uncle's hands.
"Anabelle Aiden ... a mere object," my inner wolf cried silently.
"Let me make one thing clear," I don't want any Luna. I won't love you, talkless of marrying you.
"So... whatever reason that made your people offer you to me." it's pointless, my dear.
I couldn't breathe, hearing his words, which means my uncle has won.
But one thing I know, I would rather become a slave to an unknown man than my dad's favourite person.
"This Kam kingdom where rules must be followed, no one is favoured, regardless of where you are from. No special treatment. No protection." He said.
His words were clear and precise, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"My warriors would tell you the structure, what you are allowed to do and not."
And everything they tell you must be followed accordingly, do not let this kingdom regret picking you.
"Survive here if you can," he said. "No one would help you." Immediately he moved out of the room without glancing at me.
I stood there staring at his back, what kind of man is this? This trap is deeper than I thought.
A warrior brushed through my hands.
No response. No sorry. Just an awkward look.
"I won't let these people get to me," I whispered.
"Follow us lady," one of the warriors said.
During the orientation, I overheard Alpha Roman speaking to his other guards.
"She wouldn't last here for a week, talk less of five years." That's never possible.
Maybe that was what he believed.
That was the pack thought.
But I have survived a council that wanted me gone, an uncle who maltreated me.
I would survive the Fangspire pack, too.
Even if it gets me killed!
I would know I fought for my father's legacy till my death.
I'm ready to counter Alpha Romans' words.
Ready to take anything he throws at me.