5. Morning

Callista.

Morning comes. Pale sun rays stream into the cells through small windows that are too high to reach and too small to crawl through. I didn’t sleep last night, how could I? The ground is uncomfortable, and my head even more. My eyes are heavy, my throat raw. I comb my fingers through my hair, trying to feel a little bit sane.

My mind feels blank. I feel like I'd exerted all my available brain cells trying to process everything happening last night. It's all still so bizarre. How can a life change so quickly? This has to be some big misunderstanding, I'm certain of it. I could not be a creature of legend, at least, not such a lousy one. 

Of all the things to be, a stealer? 

“You’re awake,” Farris’s voice comes, making me jump a bit. Bitterness floods my heart immediately. 

His mahogany brown hair catches the light, highlighting the red in it. His handsome face is a mask of indifference, his blue-green eyes staring at me. He is dressed in formal wear, his white shirt tucked into dress pants.

I stare, waiting for him to continue.

“I brought you some food,” He gestures at the floor where I see a tray with a cup and a bowl. I’m so hungry, I haven’t had any dinner last night. The delicious smell of coffee reaches my nose. Yet, I remain where I am, wary. He looks at me expectantly.

“Thank you,” I reply after a beat. I approach the food.

“The elders and I have determined what to do with you,” He begins as I take a big gulp of the coffee, my stomach paining as it welcomes the sustenance. “Given your situation, we can’t allow you to lead your life as before, there needs to be some changes.”

I take the bowl, peering into it to see scrambled eggs. I hate scrambled eggs. But beggars cannot be choosers.

“Look at me, Callista,” Commands the alpha, and I follow his order, “Your true mate is not within this pack, yesterday showed that. Everyone our age found their mates yesterday. Even the men that thirsted after you.”

"If I am a stealer," I state, trying to keep my voice neutral, "and every unmated wolf thirsts after me, why are you there, unaffected? Or did you find your mate too?" 

"I am not unaffected," Farris replies smoothly. "I simply have more self-control than most. I certainly will never let myself be bonded to a stealer of all people like that, no matter how alluring the scent is." 

Right. Of course. I nod. I feel numb to everything, detached. It doesn’t feel like I’m myself anymore.

But I won’t be myself if I don’t protest.

“Farris, can’t you realize how absurd all of this sounds? The reason you’re feeling allured to me is because I’m your mate, not because I’m a stealer.”

Farris looks at me in surprise like he has not seen me before. And then, his expression morphs into one of disgust.

I feel my heart drop to my stomach.

“And so it’s already starting.” He declares. “You’re true nature is starting to show.”

“What true nature? I’m just trying to make you see sense. The only reason fora wolf to feel allured is because the person doing the alluring is their mate, we have learned this when we were little!”

“You’re trying to trick me into believing that you are my mate so I’d keep you here and let your wile stealer self be forever bonded to me. I’ve heard all the stories, Callista, so that won’t work for me. On a lesser man, it would’ve, but I’m an Alpha. Don’t try that with me,”

I can’t help but throw my hands in the air.

“I’m not trying to trick anyone, Farris-“

“Silence!” Farris thunders, and I hate myself for following his command. But there’s nothing I can do, he is my Alpha. When he commands me like that, I have to follow, no matter how reluctant I feel.

I purse my mouth and glare at him. For a moment, we stare at each other. I desperately wish we could go back to yesterday when things at least made sense.

“Now, as I was saying,” Farris’s voice returns to its normal timbre, but his expression is stony as ever, “we have yet to find your true mate, this leaves us with the second option. Lucky for you, I’ve found a way for you to be freed from this cell and make yourself useful.”

Was this the same man who had kissed me with such passion? Was this the same man who’d professed his love to me under the Moon goddess? How strange people were, how fast they changed, how deceiving.

“What is it?” I question, too tired to think. "Are you still going to marry me off to someone, so you can wash your hands off me?"

“Yes." Farris nods shamelessly. I squeeze my eyes shut. This cannot be happening. "You’re being sent to the Rexellen Pack.”

Suddenly, I’m not tired. I stand, abandoning my food.

“What?!” I ask.

"You heard me." 

"Farris, that's the Royal pack," I reply, rushing to the bars Farris takes a step back, grimacing. Is my scent that strong? 

That doesn’t matter. What the heck was he doing, trying to pawn me off into the royal pack? Is he insane? Why is he bothering the frickin king with this nonsense?

"I'm well aware." 

For all I loved Farris, I never did like the condescension he’s capable of when he’s spurred. Especially not when it's aimed at me.

"What on earth does the king's pack want from me?" My mind is reeling too fast for me to think straight. This is absurd. This is huge. 

Goddess, were my parents aware of this? The rest of the pack? Do they actually permit this to happen? Not that the Alpha needs their permission, technically. If Farris claims I’m a stealer, that means I am a danger to the pack. And as such, he gets the right to get rid of the danger in whatever way is fit.

When those rules were written, though, I do not believe anyone had forcible marriage in their thoughts. No Alpha had the right to forcibly marry anyone.

“You forget that I am considered wolf nobility. Just because I don't flaunt it like others, doesn't make the title any less worthy. His Majesty himself graciously accepted to recruit you to his pack as his recently widowed brother’s mate.”

For a beat, there is only silence.

And then, “Do you really think I’m thick enough to believe that bullshit?”