THREE

Sage's pov

My heart literally dropped to the ground as my name echoed through the air. What?? Did I hear her wrong? Everyone's eyes steered in my direction, and from the look on their faces.

I didn't hear her wrong.

It felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me.

My eyes locked onto Eleanor's smug face,“What if she takes my place or should I say her rightful place?” she glanced at me, and my stomach curled as the fear crept up my spine like a chill, making my skin crawl.

This couldn't be happening. No. It shouldn't be happening. This was her fate not mine. I felt sick to my stomach but even more helpless.

“Think about it, it would be the most sensible thing to do, seeing as she's your true daughter. That way we can still avoid the war, and I'm sure Princess Sage wouldn't mind sacrificing herself for her lovely family, after all, it's her role as Princess.”

Bitch! She's turning my words against me.

I couldn't summon words. I just stared blankly at her, feeling the rage burn through me.

“Isn't that right, Sage. I mean, isn't that how it should be, Princess?” she folded her arms, cocking her head to the side.

My heart began hammering hard against my ribcage as the horror filled my entire body. No. No. No. No. This couldn't be happening right now. I glanced at the rest of them—mother, father, and my brothers. They were all staring at me, and clearly considering what she had just said.

I needed to do something, say something, anything that would dissuade them from choosing me but I was also beginning to doubt that such a thing existed.

Eleanor had always had their favor so what could I possibly say or do that would make them not consider what she was saying. I couldn't think of one thing.

I had suffered enough already, and I wanted a better fate. But getting married to an ogre of an enemy nation? It sure as hell didn't sound like a better fate to me. I shook my head, letting it all sink in.

“No. No, father, please. You cannot do this to me,” tears welled up in my eyes. This cannot be my fate.

Silence. Deafening silence. I could feel the erratic beating of my heart as my gaze landed on one to another. I could feel myself shrinking before their gaze. I was helpless. 

“Please, Mother,” I whispered, groveling at her feet, “Don't give in to Eleanor,” I turned around, “Regan, Alastair, please, don't give me up. I'm your real sister. I'm family. You can't let me marry the ogre instead,” and for the final, I faced the Alpha King, “Father, please. Don't give in.”

Perpetual silence. It was killing me.

“So? Who's it going to be?” The Alpha King asked, “We don't have much time to waste, the Lycan will be here at any moment so who is it going to be. Eleanor or Sage?”

“I choose….” Alastair began, glancing my way. He hesitated and I felt a glimmer of hope build inside me. Maybe, just maybe. “I choose…”

I shut my eyes, dreading the name that was about to leave his lips. I hope it's not mine. Please, let it not be mine.

“Sage,” he said, and I couldn't fight back the tears as they rolled down my eyes and I opened them to see Alastair. I knew he was going to choose Eleanor but still for a moment there—

“Sage,” Regan said. More tears. Sixteen years of being lost in the wild without a family, eight years of being treated like shit in my own home, and now this—”

“Sage,” Mother said, and my heart felt like it was being stomped to death. It was heavy.

The Alpha king turned to me, “Get ready, Sage. I guess you'll be our saviour then,” he said.

I smirked, “Saviour?” I wiped my face, “Don't say it like it is anything honourable. Don't say it like you're not just throwing me away!” I yelled as tears ran down my cheeks.

My gaze shot Eleanor, this was all her fault. It was all because of her. She did this to me. I felt an unbridled rage course through me, and I couldn't hold back anymore.

Just this once. I wanted to unleash my anger.

“Ah!” I screamed as I lunged at her, my fingers, ready to unleash my wolf. If this was my fate, then I'll make sure to take out my anger on her. To burn my hate on her skin in some way.

My legs buckled beneath me, caving. Huh?  I crashed to the ground helplessly, falling at her feet instead. Something was wrong but I couldn't place it. What was it?

My wolf. I couldn't. I couldn't feel her.

The familiar surge of power, the thrill of her presence, It was gone. I felt...human. Vulnerable. No. No. No.

Had I worn the collar for too long? No, that couldn't be it. It was supposed to suppress my wolf, not strip me of it. Wasn't it? What was going on?

“What's wrong?” Eleanor asked smugly as she came down to my eye level. A clean smirk caressing her face.

She leaned closer, whispering into my ear, “You seem pretty weak. Is something wrong with your wolf?” She pulled back catching my eyes and something about the glint in her eyes clicked.

“Youu?” I cocked an eyebrow, feeling the panic steer inside of me, “What did you do?”

Her eyes sparked.

“Alpha King,” One of the guards interrupted, and all our gaze swung to the door, “The Lycan King has arrived,” he announced.