Chapter 5

Kristoff

"Let me go!! DO YOU KNOW WHO YOU'RE DEALING WITH!!!"

I shouted at the men who were detaining me. They remained silent, completely ignoring my demands. This only fueled my fury, as they intentionally ignored my authority as a Jarl.

"Are you out of your mind!? I am a Jarl—the future Alpha of the great Iron Flame pack! How dare you ignore my commands!" I raged on, desperately trying to make them see reason.

One of the men finally responded with a calm voice, "We are well aware of who you are, Jarl Kristoff. Nobody here disagrees with everything you have said. However, our loyalty still lies with the Ironwolf and our pack. It is our duty to bring you back to the Ironflame safe and sound, just as your father wants."

I screamed out of frustration, "BUT HAVE YOU REALIZED IT IS MY WEDDING DAY!!? You have ruined the most precious day of my life!!"

Their silence continued as they dragged me away, leaving me feeling devastated and helpless. It was supposed to be a joyful day, a fairy tale-like wedding between two families who were once close friends. Instead, it had turned into a betrayal between our parents.

I couldn't understand why my father would do this to his most loyal friend, Alpha Eirik. Did their friendship mean nothing to him? These questions swirled in my mind, but I couldn't confront my own father due to his men's interference.

As we walked in silence, I suddenly heard a familiar voice, a desperate cry for help. It was my mate's voice! It was Ari's!

Panic surged through me as I realized the urgency of the situation. I became desperate to help her, and in that moment of urgency, I shifted into my mighty wolf form, startling the men who were dragging me. Seizing the opportunity, I pinned them down and rushed towards where the reception was. My wolf, Ivar, was growling like a mad wolf inside of me. My mind started to imagine multiple versions of horror that Ari might be experiencing now, and I could never forgive myself if something bad happened to her.

But before I could reach her, I felt a sharp sting on my side, and an overwhelming drowsiness took hold of me.  

I began feeling extremely tired. It was like a heavy tiredness that made my movements slow down. Each step I took became harder like I was carrying something heavy.

I turned to see Rolf, the Ironwolf's most loyal guard, standing with a tranquilizer in his hand.

"I apologize, Jarl Kristoff. This was necessary for your safety," he said.

I tried to resist the sleepiness, but it was too strong. My vision got blurry, and it felt like my body was moving very slowly, as if it was hard to control. The world around me started to look strange, and I sank deeper into sleep, unable to fight the strong effect of the tranquilizer.

And then, it was all black. 

When I finally woke up, I found myself in my own room, and it was as if my memories rushed back to me. My heart raced with worry, and I couldn't help but cry out, "Ari!"

Desperation filled my every thought as I tried to push myself out of bed, but the room spun, and pain shot through me. The guards surrounding me remained watchful and resolute. 

Rolf stepped forward, his voice filled with regret as he said, "I'm sorry, Jarl Kristoff, but we can't let you leave. You're on house arrest for now. We have no choice but to follow the Ironwolf's orders."

Determined to see Ari, I mustered every ounce of strength to rise from the bed, pain coursing through me. I glared at the guards and issued a stern ultimatum, my voice edged with anger, as I turned to Rolf. 

"You have a choice, and it's a simple one: let me go peacefully, or face the consequences of your stubbornness. Think carefully, Rolf."

My growl conveyed the seriousness of my intent, but the guards were torn between my demands and their loyalty. Rolf, in particular, seemed indifferent to my threats, standing resolutely by his duty.

As tension hung in the air, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the room. All heads turned, including the guards, as the imposing figure of the Ironwolf entered. The guards, including Rolf, immediately paid their respects, lowering their heads in deference to the powerful Alpha of Ironflame.

"He won't listen to you, Rolf. He inherited my stubbornness when I was his age," my father remarked, acknowledging my anger with a knowing look.

"We are sorry that we failed you, Alpha," Rolf said, his voice laden with regret as the guards continued to bow their heads.

"It's not your fault. Now, can you please leave us alone and give me and my stubborn Jarl some alone time?" my father requested.

"Most certainly," Rolf replied. The guards curtsied one last time before exiting the room, leaving my father and me alone.

As we looked at each other, a mix of emotions rushed through me. I saw my father, the man I had always respected and followed, now standing between me and the woman I loved. It made me feel angry, sad, and like he had let me down on what could have been the best day of my life. But deep down, I also wanted to talk, to understand his reasons for what he did. My father was not foolish and irrational. I was just hoping that whatever his reasons were, they would somehow justify what he did to my bride's family and pack. Though, honestly, I felt that there would be none.

We just stood there, waiting to see who would break the silence and say something.

And then, it was me who first surrendered to the silence.