Isabella
I opened my eyes so wide that a cold sensation pricked at my pupils, as though air was seeping into them. My vision blurred with tears, the sting too much to ignore. Marrying the beta of which pack? I thought, my mind reeling. The Crescent Pack?
No, he had to be kidding. The Crescent Pack—the very name sent a wave of dread crashing over me. They were Lucian's greatest enemy, the source of his constant headaches. I didn't care for politics, but I knew the dynamics of the four regions well: the North, South, East, and West. Each region had territories for both wolves and humans, and in every wolf territory, one pack ruled supreme. Lucian's pack dominated the North. I didn't know much about the East and West, but in the South… the Crescent Pack held control.
The Crescent Pack was no ordinary rival. Lucian and their alpha had been enemies since childhood. Their blood feud had persisted, passed down through the generations, until it became a war of survival. The two packs never crossed paths without blood being spilled. Humans in the area felt the tension, too—everyone knew the northerners hated the southerners, and vice versa. The enmity ran so deep that crossing into the other's territory was a death sentence.
Then came the news: the alpha of the Crescent Pack had died, though the cause remained a mystery. His son had taken his place, and while the pack remained strong, rumors circulated that Lucian saw an opportunity to take control of the South once the new alpha fell.
But the beta? I didn't want to know. I certainly didn't care about him, and I had no intention of stepping foot in their territory. The Crescent Pack wouldn't hesitate to kill me, especially once they learned I was Lucian's least-favorite daughter.
Even without that, I couldn't accept it. I was turning eighteen soon. I would meet my wolf and, hopefully, my mate. The idea of being sold to the Crescent Pack was an impossibility. My mate was my only hope of escaping this nightmare. He was my fantasy, my saving grace. I imagined him—how he'd look, how he'd kiss my worries away, how he'd take me far from here.
My heart pounded, and I raised my head, opening my mouth to speak. In this place, I couldn't speak without permission. I wanted to voice my outrage, but I had to tread carefully.
Derek, however, acted like he hadn't seen my reaction. He continued, his tone indifferent. "Although our dear princess is going away, there will be no ceremonies. The groom's side requested that everything be handled quietly, out of respect for the recent unfortunate events surrounding their pack."
He paused, and the room erupted in discontent. It wasn't about me, of course. No one cared about me. They were upset because the Crescent Pack had denied them the chance to throw a celebration. To them, my sale was nothing but another reason to drink and party, as it was a rare occasion under Lucian's strict rule.
"Advisor Derek, I'm sure you've already informed them of our customs," Elder Samson spoke up, his voice booming in the room. "Although Isabella is an omega, she is still a princess of this pack. We must follow the proper procedures. How can a bride leave her pack quietly?"
I flinched at his words, the bitter irony not lost on me. My worth had been reduced to that of a mere object, something to be bargained for in exchange for treaties and alliances.
"Ahem, Elder Samson," Derek cleared his throat, trying to diffuse the tension. "We are still in negotiations. It's not promising, but the Crescent Pack is firmly against it."
"Preposterous!" Elder James interjected sharply. "If they want to be allies, they must respect our wishes, just as we are respecting theirs. Alpha, if word gets out that we yielded like this, smaller packs may start undermining us."
My father stirred at that—anything that threatened his power always did. He turned his gaze to me, his eyes cold and unfeeling. I kept my head raised, waiting, but when our eyes met, I immediately ducked, bracing for whatever would come next.
"Derek," my father's voice rumbled, low and commanding, "mention it again in the negotiations. Let the pack members have what they want."
It was always about them. Always about the pack. Never about me. I was nothing but a pawn, a thing to be traded. I didn't matter.
"Yes, Alpha," Derek responded quickly. But before he could continue, Maria spoke up.
"Eh, honey," she began in her sickeningly sweet voice, "although I love Isabella, do you really think it's wise to risk the hard work you've put into this treaty for a measly celebration? I mean, the pack still has another princess. When she mates with her fated one, we can throw a grand celebration for that. Isabella, darling, think of the greater good. Your father has worked tirelessly to bring this treaty to the table—do you want to see it all fall apart over something so trivial?"
Her words were a calculated move, attempting to shield my father from any guilt and discontent from the members. But there was no shield for me. I knew exactly where I stood in this twisted family dynamic: nowhere.