Chapter 1: The Bargain Bride

Claudia 

"Why her?!"

The words reached my ears before I even realized I was eavesdropping. I froze mid-step, the pail of water in my hands tilting precariously as I strained to hear more. The Alpha’s deep voice rumbled through the wooden walls of the great hall, its authority unmistakable.

“She’s the eldest,” another voice replied, calm and measured. Likely Beta Rhys, the Alpha’s ever-loyal second-in-command. “Her lineage may not be pure, considering she's your illegitimate daughter but the alliance will outweigh her... deficiencies.”

My blood ran cold. What alliance? What deficiencies? I eased closer to the partially open door, careful not to make a sound. The sound of chairs scraping against the stone floor followed, as if someone had stood.

“This decision is final,” the Alpha said. “It’s for the good of the pack.”

A third voice chimed in, older and raspier, probably one of the elders. “She’s of age. What better use can she provide than to be a sacrifice for the good of our pack. The bride price they’ve offered will secure our borders and provide resources for the harsh winter ahead.”

Bride price? Sacrifice? My breath hitched. They couldn’t mean—

The bucket slipped from my grasp and hit the floor with a loud clang. Water splashed across the stone, and I winced as the voices inside fell silent.

“Who’s there?” the Alpha barked.

My heart pounded as I turned to run, but heavy footsteps approached too quickly. Beta Rhys was the first to step out, his sharp eyes narrowing as he spotted me.

“Claudia,” he said coldly, his tone dripping with disdain. “What are you doing here?”

“I—I was just passing through,” I stammered, backing away.

“Eavesdropping, more like.” The Alpha appeared behind him, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the hallway. His dark eyes bore into me, making it clear that I wasn’t getting away unharmed. He always had it in him to make a statement. A way to show me where I truly belong. 

“Bring her in,” he commanded.

I tried to resist as Rhys grabbed my arm, his grip like iron. “Please,” I whispered, “I didn’t mean to—”

“Save your excuses,” Rhys snapped, dragging me into the room.

The great hall was colder than usual, the heat coming from the foyer doing little to chase away the chill. Three elders sat at the long table alongside the Alpha. Their eyes settled on me with a mixture of disdain and mild curiosity.

“What do we do with her now?” one elder asked.

“She’ll need to be punished,” Rhys suggested. “She knows better than to snoop where she doesn’t belong.”

I flinched as the Alpha’s gaze swept over me. He nodded in agreement. “A lesson must be taught.”

“Wait.” The eldest of the council raised his hand, his voice steady but firm. “A scratch cannot be seen on her body. The Bloodfang Pack arrives in three days to finalize the arrangement. They’ll expect her to be flawless.”

His words struck me like a physical blow. My knees went weak as realization dawned. Marriage. They wanted to marry me off. 

“You’re giving me away?” My voice cracked, the words spilling out before I could stop them. Am I so useless that they are giving me up like a lamb being prepared for slaughter?

The Alpha’s gaze turned icy. “Mind your tongue, girl. You should consider yourself fortunate to serve the pack in this way.”

“Fortunate?” I let out a bitter laugh, my fear momentarily eclipsed by anger. “You treat me like a slave, and now you want to sell me off like a lamb?”

Rhys moved as if to strike me, but the elder’s warning held him back. “Careful,” the elder reminded him. “She must be presentable.”

I stared at the floor, my heart hammering in my chest. This was my life—a life of servitude, degradation, and now, being sold off to secure an alliance.

The Alpha’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade. “You are dismissed. Return her to her duties until she is summoned for preparation.”

Rhys grabbed my arm again, his grip bruising as he led me out of the hall. The moment the door closed behind us, he shoved me forward, making me stumble.

“Know your place,” he growled before walking away.

I picked up the bucket I had dropped earlier, my hands trembling. My thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind as I made my way back to the servants’ quarters.

***

The small, windowless room I called home offered little comfort. It was a complete opposite to the luxurious chambers my stepsisters, Lyria and Talia, enjoyed. As the eldest daughter of the late Alpha’s mistress, I was little more than a stain on the pack’s reputation.

My mother, a mere Omega, had died giving birth to me. The current Luna, My father's wife, had taken me in grudgingly, only to turn me into a servant the moment I was old enough to carry a load. My stepsisters had inherited their mother’s beauty and grace, while I was left with nothing but the scorn of the pack and the endless slavery of household chores.

Now, they wanted to marry me off. The thought churned in my stomach like spoiled milk.

I scrubbed the kitchen floor mindlessly, the bucket of soapy water beside me growing cold. My stepsisters’ laughter echoed from the dining room as they feasted on roasted meat and honeyed bread. My own dinner would be scraps, as usual.

“Claudia!” Lyria’s shrill voice called out. “Where’s my gown? The red one!”

I clenched my teeth. “In your wardrobe, where you left it,” I muttered under my breath, though I didn’t dare say it loud enough for her to hear.

I finished scrubbing the floor and carried the bucket outside to empty it. The cool evening air stung my cheeks, but it did little to clear my racing thoughts. Marriage. To whom? And why me, of all people? The Bloodfang Pack was notorious for its ruthless warriors and cold-hearted Alpha. What sort of man would I be given to? A stranger? A monster? I shuddered at the possibilities. But then, what choice did I have? None. I never had a choice.

***

The next day, preparations began in earnest. I was summoned to the Luna’s chambers, where she stood with a seamstress, inspecting a gown of deep crimson velvet.

“This will do,” Vivian said, her tone devoid of warmth. She turned to me, her eyes raking over my figure with disdain. “Stand still, Claudia. Let her take your measurements.” I obeyed silently as the seamstress worked, her hands quick and impersonal.

“You’ll need to wash that hair,” she added, wrinkling her nose. “And see to it that your skin doesn’t look so...dull.”

I bit back a retort, knowing it would only make things worse. For the next two days, I was scrubbed, dressed, and paraded like a trophy. My stepsisters watched with smug amusement, their whispered taunts filling the air.

“Who’d have thought Claudia would be the one to marry first?” Talia sneered. “Though I suppose no one in this pack would have her.”

“Enough,” Luna Vivian snapped, though her eyes betrayed a glimmer of satisfaction. “This alliance will benefit us all. Do not forget that.” Their words stung, but I kept my head high. I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me break.

The third day arrived far too quickly. As I stood in the great hall, dressed in the crimson gown, I felt more like a sacrificial lamb than a bride-to-be.

The Bloodfang Pack’s delegation arrived at midday, their presence commanding and intimidating. I tried to see if anyone if them would have the courtesy of showing up. It seemed their packs delegation was one of their elders. He introduced himself as Killian, the Alpha's Advisor. An imposing figure with a scar that ran from his brow to his jaw. His gaze settled on me, and I felt a chill run down my spine.

“So, this is the bride?” he said, his voice deep and laced with a hint of amusement.

The Alpha of our pack stepped forward, nodding. “This is Claudia, my eldest daughter. She will make a fine match for your heir.” I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. My future had been decided, and there was no escape. As Killian extended his hand toward me, I forced myself to meet his gaze. Whatever lay ahead, I would face it with the strength my mother had passed down to me. 

“I was expecting more. Let's hope she wouldn't be a waste of our time.”