Chapter 2: Kiss of Death

My legs fail me and my heart squeezes in a vice grip. I feel this is only an illusion; a glitch in my brain because this cannot be happening to me. Not today, not now.  

I stare at Chase in the eye. He's on his feet now, and he's putting his clothes on quickly. I want him to look at me because this cannot be real. He wouldn't dare do this to me on such an occasion. There was nothing binding on our relationship except the words of our parents, but in a few minutes, this will definitely mean infidelity. 

"How dare you, Chase?" I frown with so much venom in my gaze. I want to rip Ruby's eyes out for stealing what is about to be mine. My fists clench at my side and there's a chimney in my ears. 

"Save it, Mare. Don't act like there was ever anything real between us. I just met you a month ago." 

Tear pearls gleam in my eyes as my body quakes with anger. I want to hit the nearest thing next to me and I will. 

Ruby strides up to my side after fitting back into her evening dress. She intends to leave without saying a word to me or explaining the situation. I'm already blinded by fury and so I grab her tawny brown hair and pull her back. Ruby groans. 

I hear Chase's voice next. "Hey! Let her go. Now!" 

He growls and tears us apart, warding me off from Ruby like I'm the enemy and that alone breaks my heart a thousand times more. His broad shoulders aren't protecting me from danger. They are shielding her instead and jealousy pricks my heart like a sewing needle on fabric. 

"Stop this madness, Mare. You can only paint me black if there was something between us. I was never even yours." 

The tears escape and I quickly catch them with my thumb, averting my gaze. I knew Chase wasn't to the moon and back about this union, but my heart had hoped he would learn to love me. I replay and replay how our life together would have been like and I know I've lost a beautiful thing. Nothing prepared me for this moment.

"Chase, I caught you chea—"

"Ruby is my mate and I'm in love with her," he says matter-of-factly, and I choke on my words. The shock rolling off my face is in epic proportions. 

"H-how? It's not possible...Today's about me and my coronation, Chase. You are my alpha!" 

"The only reason I have not rejected you is because of the pact our fathers made." He steps closer, baiting me with his tall frame and intimidating stance. "Now I couldn't have possibly skipped a bloodline silver wolf and chose another because my heart desired it. I have responsibilities as the Alpha of this pack, and mating with you is part of my duty to my wolves." 

"Just a duty?" I repeat, and my lips quiver for a second. Mustering courage, I swallow and say louder, "Not a chance. I'm calling this sham off. I can't continue with this." 

As I steer away from him and head for the door, his hand hooks around my elbow and pulls me back to him. Ruby is long gone. She still has to slip back into the crowd unnoticed and at my father's right hand-side. 

"And if you can't continue with this, what happens next, huh?" 

Our faces stand inches apart. His hot breath on my skin melts me into a puddle, and I can't help it. Chase had only put on pants and ditched a shirt before replying to my question.

"Easy. I will let the wolves of the Red Valley pack know their Alpha is a cheating bastard who can't keep it in his pants." I grit my teeth until it's believable. 

Chase chuckles. "Think about the bloodshed this will cause, Mare. Biting your own hand just to spite me is foolish. Admit it."

I consider his words for a minute, contemplating and weighing my chances like my father will always do whenever he is in a tight spot. 

"No! What is foolish is agreeing to live in your bondage. I will not be a part of this sham." I try to flee again, but he's right behind me with reflex actions. Chase catches my wrist and stops me. I fling myself around, glaring at him and snatching my hand away. "Let me go—"

"Five minutes ago you were so eager to jump into my arms for forever, and now you're calling this my bondage?" 

"Because it is."

"Are you even fit to be Luna?" He accuses. "Mare, you're so selfish you can't see the bigger picture of what will happen if you walk out that door running your mouth carelessly." 

I feel the question in my gut. It makes me stutter and lack the words to punch back. I wasn't much of a word puncher—if that's a thing—but at this moment; I do not have a choice. 

Chase continues. "My pack will raid yours. It will be a war none of us will forget, and whoever lives to tell the tale will suffer from a pain worse than dying. Extreme bloodshed, Mare—I know I don't want that, but the question is, do you?"

Lowering my gaze, I gulp. The cons are far worse than the pros in this situation. My father told me what all of this means for our pack and I must endure it till I take my last breath.

"I don't." My voice comes as a harsh whisper.

He holds my chin and lifts my face. "Look at me, Mare. We are going out there to sell this sham to the audience, and to our father's and families, like it's a fucking blockbuster."

Tears sting my eyes again, and I nod. Chase lets go of my chin and turns away from me. His broad back faces me and I let the emotions burning my throat break free. Sobbing, I dart out of his room and out of his Manor, but I can't go back without him. So I wait and bide time before the enormous doors of the throne room.

Before long, Chase comes over and takes my hand. The doors open and we walk in together. All eyes find us and the crowd roars to life. It's happening. Nothing can stop this moment. I will be Luna and my Alpha's mate forever.

"All hail the Alpha!" Loki spurs the crowd in that deep octave. "All hail his Luna!" 

The crowd goes wild, but it's in a good way. Chase grips my hand tightly as we approach the dais. We do not climb it yet, instead we face the crowd and Chase speaks up, lifting his free hand in the air dramatically. "Wolves of Red Valley. Are you ready?" 

I feel their excitement in my bones, but I dislike the way he has not addressed my pack. In fact, Chase does not plan to.

"Today, I will make this woman my Luna and the Queen of my heart." He stares at me as he says that and the lies are a slap in my face. "To love and to cherish forever. Through every storm we will stick together, protecting our wolves, and in celebration, we will dine at each other's side. Till death do us part, Marelyn Everdeen." 

"Do you accept these vows, Luna Marelyn?" Charles Erikson speaks up from his position.

"I do."

As I say that, midnight strikes on the clock, and Loki brings the crown over. It's settled on a red pillow. Chase picks it up and places it on my head ceremoniously. There is no going back now. I have joined the Red Valley pack, and it's irrevocable. 

Chase raises my hand in the air with his and excitement sweeps through the room like a flood. I'm the only one who has dread soaring in the pit of my stomach. Everyone except me is happy.

He grabs my face and seals the moment with a false kiss and I die a thousand deaths as I taste my tears on my lips.