Cassia's POV
Weak by the previous night's events, I sat in the council chamber's corner. The dull pain in my side reminded me of the rogue attack, and my arms were bandaged. The pack council's looks were far from consoling, even though I should have been thankful to be alive.
Seated in a circle, the council members' faces were unreadable and grim. As usual, Blake sat at the head of the table with a chilly expression. I didn't want to look at him.
With a voice full of authority, Elder Rowan announced, "The decision has been made." His sharp eyes scanned the room before settling on me. "Cassia, to ensure the safety of the Autumn Pack, you will marry the leader of the rogue alliance."
My heart fell. "What?" With a trembling voice, I whispered.
"You heard him," Blake said without emotion, leaning back in his chair. "The rogues have been attacking our borders for weeks. This alliance will bring peace."
"This can't be real," I said, standing up abruptly. Are you requesting that I wed a rebel? following everything that has transpired?
Elder Rowan firmly responded, "Cassia, it's not a request." It's a directive. This is the best option for the pack."
I felt like the air had been knocked out of my lungs. "Why me?" I asked, my voice rising. "Why do I have to be the one to make this sacrifice?"
"Because you've already been rejected," Sienna said, stepping forward from the shadows of the room. Her voice was sweet, but her eyes glimmered with malice. "You have no position here, Cassia. You're not a Luna, and you're not even fit to be part of this pack anymore. Consider this your chance to be useful for once."
"Sienna!" I snapped, glaring at her. "You don't get to speak to me like that."
She smirked, crossing her arms. "I think I do. After all, the council listens to me now."
The realization hit me like a lightning strike. Sienna had always wanted Blake for herself. Of course, she would take advantage of my rejection. She must have been whispering in the council's ears, pushing them to get rid of me.
"You did this," I said, my voice quivering with wrath. "You manipulated them."
Sienna's smirk deepened. "Oh, Cassia. Don't act surprised. You've always been too weak to hang onto what's yours. Someone had to take over."
I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. "You'll regret this," I muttered, my voice low but filled with rage.
"Enough!" Elder Rowan barked, silencing the room. "The decision is final. Tomorrow morning, you will depart for the renegade camp. This conversation is done.
I wanted to fight back, to scream, to make them see how unfair this was, but I knew it was pointless. Blake wouldn't stand up for me. No one would. I was truly alone.
The next morning, I stood at the edge of the woodland, the rogue territory towering front of me. Two guards flanked me, their features blank of emotion. They were there to guarantee I didn't run.
The journey was silent, and the further we went, the heavier my heart felt. Here, the trees were thicker, the air was cooler, and the forest appeared darker. I felt like I was stepping into a trap, but what option did I have?
The guards abruptly stopped. "This is as far as we go," one of them replied, his voice rough.
I scowled. "You're leaving me here? Alone?"
"The rogue leader will meet you up ahead," he added, turning to go. "Good luck."
With uneasiness in my gut, I watched them vanish into the forest. I inhaled deeply before I began to move.
I froze at the sound of rustling leaves. I looked around, my heart pounding, but I saw nothing.
A deep, gruff voice shouted out from the darkness, "Cassia."
I whirled, my gaze sweeping the area. "Who is present?"
A man with dark, nasty eyes and a disfigured face emerged from behind a tree. I knew him right away.
I muttered, my blood growing icy, "Ronan."
Many people dreaded Ronan since he was a legendary rogue. Growing up, I had heard tales about him, but I never imagined that I would confront him in this way.
He took a step closer, grinning. He mockingly remarked, "So, you're the offering."
I stepped back. "What are you looking for?"
"Just a little chat," he remarked nonchalantly, but it was clear that he was threatening. "As you can see, I've been looking forward to this moment for a while."
I scowled. "What are you discussing?"
Ronan's grin vanished, to be replaced by an expression of utter loathing. "Your folks. Cassia, do you recall them?
I gasped. "How about them?"
"They betrayed their country," he growled. "I made sure they paid for their betrayal of the pack."
My heart stopped beating. "What?"
Ronan declared in a voice full of ruthless delight, "I killed them." I was indifferent to their pleas for their lives. And it's your turn now.
"No!" I backed away and yelled. "You're telling lies!"
He drew a dagger from his belt and asked, "Am I?" In the faint light, the blade glinted. "The whole truth will never be revealed to you. But it makes no difference. This is where it ends.
He was too quick, so I turned to run. With the dagger cutting through the air, he sprang at me. A great ache went through my body as I felt the blade pierce my side.
I collapsed on the floor, struggling to breathe. My vision became blurry as blood gathered beneath me.
Ronan squatted next to me, his face near mine. He mumbled, "Goodbye, little wolf."
I made an effort to resist and to hang on, but I was losing strength.
I heard footsteps coming softly as the darkness grew. The haze was broken by a woman's voice.
Calm but firm, the voice ordered, "Get away from her."
Ronan snarled but took a step back. "Who are you?"
The woman remained silent. Her presence was tremendous, even if I couldn't see her face.
Her voice was soft as she knelt next to me. "Cassia," she said. "Want to survive?"
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out.
"Are you seeking retribution?" She asked in a tone that made me tremble, her voice now frigid and sharp.
For a minute, the pain in my side was forgotten as I pushed myself to nod.
Then, with her eyes gleaming dimly in the darkness, she murmured, "Make a deal with me."
Her hand reached out, and everything around me disappeared.
Who was this fascinating woman? And what type of deal was she offering? I didn't know, but deep down, I felt that my life was going to change forever.