Chapter one:The Price of Obedience

Evelyn Grey stood in front of the full-length mirror in her lavish bedroom, staring at the woman reflected back at her. Layers of ivory silk and lace clung to her slender frame, the delicate veil draped over her dark brown curls like a shroud. The diamond tiara perched atop her head glittered under the golden glow of the chandelier, mocking her. She should have felt like a princess on the happiest day of her life. Instead, she felt like a prisoner walking to the gallows.

The weight of her impending decision pressed on her chest, making it hard to breathe. The heavy, floral-scented perfume her adoptive mother had chosen for her was cloying, choking her almost as much as the corset tied too tightly around her ribs.

"You look stunning, Evelyn," cooed her mother, Patricia Grey, as she stepped into the room. Her perfectly coiffed hair and designer dress screamed sophistication, but the hard glint in her eyes betrayed her true nature.

"Marcus is going to adore you."

Evelyn flinched at the mention of his name. Marcus Halloway. The man she was supposed to marry in less than an hour. He was rich, powerful, and devastatingly handsome—but cold as ice. Every interaction with him had felt like a business transaction, a calculated move in his quest for control. And now, she was just another acquisition in his empire.

"Isn't this what you've always wanted for me?" Evelyn asked, her voice brittle. "To marry a man who only sees me as a pawn in his game?"

Patricia's smile faltered, and her sharp tone cut through the air like a blade. "Don't start this nonsense, Evelyn. Marcus is saving us. Without this marriage, do you have any idea what will happen to this family? We will lose everything—our home, our reputation, everything your father and I built for you."

"For me?" Evelyn let out a bitter laugh, tears stinging her eyes. "You're doing this for yourselves. You don't care about me or what I want."

Patricia's expression hardened. "What you want doesn't matter. This is your duty to this family. You owe us."

Evelyn's stomach twisted. That word—duty—had been drilled into her head since the day they'd adopted her. They had reminded her constantly how they had "rescued" her, taken her in when no one else wanted her. But it wasn't love that had motivated them. It was appearances, the desire to complete their perfect image.

And now, they were cashing in on her life.

"I can't do this," Evelyn whispered, her voice trembling.

"You will do this," Patricia hissed, stepping closer. "Because if you don't, Marcus won't just ruin us—he'll ruin you. You'll have nothing, Evelyn. Now stop this foolishness and get ready. It's time."

The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Evelyn alone with her reflection. She stared into her own amber eyes, her hands trembling as she clutched the edge of the vanity.

"No," she whispered to herself. "I won't let them control me anymore."

The decision came in a rush of clarity, and her pulse quickened with adrenaline. She didn't have a plan, but she knew she couldn't stay. Not another second.

Evelyn tore the tiara from her head, flinging it onto the vanity with a clatter. She kicked off the heels that pinched her feet and ripped the veil from her hair. She glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the window. Her bedroom was on the second floor, overlooking the expansive gardens that led to the woods beyond.

It was risky, but it was her only chance.

She grabbed a simple pair of flats from her closet and a plain coat to cover the wedding dress. Without another thought, she yanked open the window and hoisted herself onto the ledge. Her heart pounded as she lowered herself onto the trellis, the cold metal biting into her palms. The world seemed to hold its breath as she descended, her movements clumsy but fueled by desperation.

When her feet finally touched the ground, she didn't hesitate. She ran.

The soft grass gave way to dirt as Evelyn reached the edge of the estate, the towering gates looming ahead. She cursed under her breath, realizing they were locked. But she couldn't turn back now. Adrenaline surged through her veins as she scanned the area for another way out. Her eyes landed on a small gap in the hedge to the left.

Without hesitation, she squeezed through, ignoring the scratches from the thorns that tore at her skin. She emerged on the other side, breathless but free.

The sound of laughter and music drifted from the mansion behind her, a cruel reminder of the wedding that was supposed to be happening. Soon, someone would notice she was gone.

She sprinted toward the woods, her instincts screaming at her to keep moving. The forest loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, but it called to her in a way she couldn't explain.

Branches clawed at her dress as she pushed deeper into the trees, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. The soft glow of the moon filtered through the canopy above, illuminating her path just enough to keep her moving.

Her mind raced with fear and uncertainty. She had no plan, no destination. All she knew was that she had to get away from Marcus, from her parents, from the life they had forced upon her.

The forest seemed endless, the shadows growing thicker with each step. But just as doubt began to creep in, she heard it—a low growl that froze her in place.

Her breath caught in her throat as she turned slowly, her heart pounding in her chest.

A pair of glowing golden eyes stared back at her from the darkness.

Evelyn's knees threatened to give out as the massive wolf stepped into the moonlight. Its fur was midnight black, its presence both terrifying and strangely captivating.

She wanted to run, but her legs wouldn't move. The wolf's gaze held her in place, its eyes filled with an intelligence that sent a chill down her spine.

And then, to her utter shock, it stepped back and bowed its head.

Evelyn blinked, her fear giving way to confusion. Before she could process what was happening, the wolf turned and disappeared into the shadows.

She stood there, trembling and unsure of what to do. Her instincts told her to keep moving, but something deep within her—the same instinct that had driven her into the woods—told her to follow.

Summoning her courage, she took a step forward, then another. The forest seemed to shift around her, guiding her along a winding path she hadn't noticed before.

Minutes felt like hours as she walked, her heartbeat gradually slowing. She couldn't explain it, but the terror she had felt earlier began to fade.

Eventually, the path opened into a clearing bathed in silver moonlight. At its center stood a man, tall and imposing, his dark hair gleaming like the wolf's fur. He was dressed in a simple black shirt and pants, but there was an air of power about him that made Evelyn's breath catch.

He turned to face her, his piercing golden eyes meeting hers.

"You're safe now," he said, his deep voice calm and steady.

Evelyn stared at him, her mind reeling. She didn't know who he was or how he had found her, but one thing was certain.

Her life would never be the same again.