Chapter 1 BOUND BY CHAIN

Elara's POV

I stood by the window covered with frost, tracing my fingers over its glass. The cold seeped through to my skin, but I didn't pull away. Outside, the trees moved in the biting wind, their branches reaching toward the grey sky. They stood tall, unmoved by the chaos that swirled inside these walls. I envied them-their stillness, the quietness they maintained,I wished I could feel the same.

"Elara!" Magnus's voice thundered through the hallway, sharp and commanding. Even from behind the closed door, it made me shiver. His tone wasn't a request; it was an order, like always. My stomach twisted, the knot of anger I kept buried tightening. I took a breath, letting the icy air of my room fill my lungs. Whatever he wanted, I would face it the way I always had: head held high, no matter how much it cost me.

I pushed open the door and made my way toward the grand hall, my shoes making sounds against the wooden floor. The sound echoed in the empty corridor, each step a reminder of the silence that ruled this house unless Magnus chose to break it. The shadowy lights overhead flickered as I passed, casting faint shadows that seemed to shrink under his rule, just like everyone else.

When I entered the hall, I found him pacing in front of the massive fireplace. His presence filled the room, heavy and suffocating. He turned as I approached, his dark eyes looking onto me and I felt the weight of his gaze settle on me.

"You called for me?" I asked, keeping my voice steady. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing any fear in me.

Magnus stopped pacing and crossed his arms over his chest. "Do you know why you're here?"

"No," I replied, moving my head slightly. "But I'm sure you're about to tell me."

His jaw tightened at my tone, but I didn't care. Let him be angry.

"You're to be mated to Kieran Blackridge," he said, his voice as blunt as a hammer.

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating. For a moment, I just looked at him, my mind struggling to process what he'd said. Kieran Blackridge. The name alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine. The infamous Alpha of the Blackridge pack, known for his ruthlessness, his unyielding power, and his cold, calculating nature. And now, according to Magnus, I was supposed to be bound to him.

"You're joking," I said finally, my voice low but sharp.

"This isn't a joke, Elara," Magnus shouted "The alliance with the Blackridge pack is necessary. Their resources and warriors are the only thing keeping Thornwood safe from rogue attacks. This is about survival."

"Survival?" I spat, my voice rising. "No, this is about you. About your pride, your ambition. You're not doing this for the pack-you're doing it for yourself. And you're using me to do it."

Magnus's expression darkened, and before I knew it , he was in front of me. His hand shot out, gripping my arm tightly. "Watch your tone," he growled. "You may not like it, but this isn't up for discussion. You will do what's required of you, Elara. That's final."

I yanked my arm free, my chest filled with rage. "You can force me to stand next to him, but you'll never make me submit," I said, my voice trembling with anger. "You'll regret this, Magnus."

Before he could respond, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the hall. My shoes struck the floor hard with every step, the sound echoing like the pounding of my heart. The air outside hit me like a slap when I stepped out, cold and sharp. I didn't stop walking until I reached the edge of the forest, where the snow was, a blanket of white beneath the tall, silent trees.

I Leaned against one of the trees, I closed my eyes and let the rough bark press into my back. The cold air stung my cheeks, and my breath came out in short, visible puffs. I tried to calm the storm raging inside me, but the anger refused to settle. Tears pricked my eyes, hot and unwelcome, but I blinked them away. Crying wouldn't change anything. It wouldn't undo Magnus's decree or the way he had stripped me of my choice.

"Elara?" A soft voice broke through the quiet.

I opened my eyes to see Lila, my younger sister, making her way toward me. Her dark hair framed her pale face, her eyes filled with worry. She wrapped her cloak tightly around her as she stepped carefully through the snow.

"I heard what happened," she said when she reached me. Her voice was quiet, but it carried the weight of her concern. "Are you okay?"

I shook my head, unable to find the words. Lila stepped closer and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me into a warm, firm hug. Her embrace was steady, calming me in a way I hadn't realized I needed.

"You're stronger than this," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "Magnus thinks he can control you because that's all he knows how to do. But he doesn't understand you, Elara. Don't let him break you."

Her words lit a spark inside me, small but bright. I pulled back slightly, looking into her eyes. "I won't let him win," I said, my voice steadier now. "If Magnus thinks I'll just go along with this, he's wrong. And if Kieran Blackridge thinks I'm some weak little pawn, he's in for a surprise."

Lila smiled faintly and squeezed my shoulders. "Good. That's the Elara I know. Remember, you're not alone in this. No matter what happens, I've got your back."

She gave me one last hug before turning to head back to the house. I stayed where I was, staring into the forest, Magnus might think he held all the power, but he was wrong. I wasn't going to let him-or anyone else-decide my fate.