6. Opportunity

Callista.

Farris says, trying to appear sincere. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Callista, especially for a stealer. If these were the old times, you would already be dead! I could barely believe that the King was willing to do it, you should consider yourself really lucky that he has a feral brother. Think about it, you will be the Alpha King's sister-in-law! The second most powerful female after the Luna. A coveted position that will guarantee you a very comfortable life, filled with titles, and wealth, all for the small price of marrying a Prince.”

Farris walks closer, a greedy light in his eyes. "You will be Princess, Callista. Can't you see how generous I am, gifting you this? You ought to be grateful to me for this." 

"Grateful," I repeat. Who is this man, this Alpha, standing in front of me? I thought Farris was a good man, an honourable one who would never stoop into underhanded tactics like this. I wonder if this whole tale is even true. It seems too much like a delusion to be. The Royal pack? The Alpha King? Yeah right. Most likely, he had found some other pack with a feral wolf to take me in and wanted me to go without complaining. I can't believe I loved this man, thought he was the one who I wanted to spend my whole life with. 

He dares ask me for my gratitude when he lies!

“No!” I retort. I don't want to call him out on his lies, I don't want him to get violent on me. After last night's display, from which I still have bruises, I've learned my lesson. I'm going to make him confess to his lies. “Are you even hearing yourself? The Alpha King is the most ruthless man in all of North America, how can you even think of sending me to him? Do you think he would treat me, a stealer, as you say, kindly?”

Murder, torture, brutal beatings, and hard punishments. The Alpha King of the Rexellen pack was a beast, even Farris had been reluctant to meet him before this. I knew how scared he sounded, talking about him before. He was notorious for being merciless and unyielding, the most powerful man in this part of the world. His laws were strict, his justice and vengeance equally swift. Many said he was a fair King, but not a kind one. His very name ignited fear in the masses.

I suppose that one had to have such a reputation to rule over a species like werewolves. None of us are known for our pacifist ways. But still, what kind of a ruthless man must one be to be the King? 

I did not want to find out. I am perfectly content being a low-level wolf in a pack like this, away from any watchful eye of the royal pack or the Alpha King. 

Which is more the reason for this whole thing to be a farce. No King was coming for me. 

“Stop being dramatic, Callista, he’s just a man.” Farris scoffs.

“You once told me you’d rather eat nails than talk with him.” I remind him of his hypocrisy. "Not even fingernails, but toenails."

“And you told me you loved me. Look how that turned out.”

“But I do!" Not as much as I did yesterday, but I'm willing to forgive after a lot of groveling. As long as none of this crazy plan follows through. "You’re the one denying me. I still love you with all I am.”

“Enough of this deception!” He cuts me off, “I’m being far too kind to you, any other Alpha would have banished you from the pack for the liability that you are, and don’t you understand? You will be grateful for this opportunity, and you will treat your mate with respect and love, as much as a stealer can.”

“What about finding my true mate?” I question, my sorrow giving way to anger, “You told me yesterday we needed to find my true mate.”

“Do you honestly expect to waste all my time trying to find your true mate? He could be anywhere, Callista, hell, he could even not be an American. No, this is the best way. I have gotten you the best prospect. You’re fair game to everyone, you hear me? I could've gotten some no-good, ancient widower to mate you and you could not have done anything about it.”

Those words sent a chill down my spine. How dare Farris see me as a property to be pawned off? Did this man ever care for me? Was all his gentleness from before yesterday a lie? He must have always been capable of doing things like this, and had none of this stealer business happen, I'd never have known it. 

“So you’re trading me off like I’m some unwanted thing? Like your property? You are not allowed to do that.”

"The laws apply for normal werewolves. You are far from normal." Farris sneers. "You seem to be forgetting how I'm actually doing you a kindness here, Callista-"

“THIS IS NOT KINDNESS!” I bang my fists on the bars, glaring at him. He flinches. The Alpha flinches because of me. I want to grin at it, manic. I am so angry it hurts my head. I promised him that I would not go down fighting this, and I had no plans to be the subservient little werewolf. Not anymore, not when my freedom was in jeopardy. I had done nothing to deserve this. “This is betrayal. This is cheating. You’re ripping my whole life away from me for being something that I don’t even understand, much less even believe is real. This is illegal, this is atrocious, and this is getting out of hand. Release me from this cell at once, Farris, and let me go. If you don't like me in your pack so much, let me leave. I'd rather live in exile than be under an Alpha with such blatant disregard for his pack members!”

“You’re so goddamn stubborn,” My ex-lover sneers at me, throwing his hands in the air. “So blinded that you can’t see how much of a favor I am doing for you. I'm making you royalty!"

“I refuse to be fooled by your lies,” I state, steel in my voice., “At least try and tell me the truth if you're willing to be that much of a bastard, Farris. I know you're a coward, but you don't have to act like that."

"I'm telling the truth, the Alpha King himself is coming to get you!"

"Again with the lies. This is not going to happen. I refuse to be traded off like your property. My life is mine, my destiny is mine to control.”

The laugh that escapes Farris echoes in the empty cells. I stare, disbelieving his cruelty. How could he? How dare he?

“You think you have a choice, stealer? With your new scent? It entices men, and they will come for you. They will mate with you, forcibly. That’s your destiny. Anyone can have you, anyone. Do you want that fate, Callista? Do you want to be a plaything for any man that looks your way?”

“I can handle myself and anything that comes my way," I mutter stubbornly.

"You weren't handling it that well last night."

I grit my teeth, biting my tongue against the onslaught of curses begging to be released from my tongue. 

Farris smiles tauntingly. "What, you don't have a response to that then?" 

For a moment, we stare at each other. Thoughts swirl in my head. I wonder what my parents are doing now. What Ruelle is up to, what Esther is doing. What Dana must be thinking. I wonder if Farris had already told them that I was a stealer.

I wonder if he had turned the whole damned Leighwen Pack against me. 

“Does it mean nothing to you?” I ask, meeting his eyes, wanting to know the truth before I start seeing him completely as a monster. “The things you said to me? The way I loved you? I gave you my all. Everyone hated me for it, but I brushed it off, for you. I never lied to you, I never knew I was a stealer. Don’t you feel anything for me? Least of all mercy?”

“Oh, Callista,” He shakes his head, “Not only you are stubborn, but hopelessly naïve. I’m done with this conversation,” He turns, “Get ready to meet your new mate.”

With that, he leaves me once again, but this time, I don’t let him have the right word. 

"I will never be his mate! You can pawn me off to them, Farris, but I will not let them or you use me like that! I won't, you hear me, I won't!"