Chapter 6
1065words
"Gracie," Ryan begged, pounding on my door one evening, "what must I do to earn your forgiveness?"
"I need proof," I said coolly, leaning against the doorframe. "Proof that I'm truly your choice, not just a convenient political alliance."
"Name it," Ryan said eagerly, desperation evident in his voice. "Anything."
"Perform the blood bond ritual with me on the night of the full moon," I said, meeting his gaze steadily. "Declare before both communities that I am your eternal mate. That's my price."
Ryan blanched. The blood bond was sacred and irreversible—a commitment that transcended even death. More significantly, it would grant me partial wolf abilities, including enhanced strength and senses—power Ryan had never intended me to have.
"Fine," Ryan finally agreed, swallowing hard. "If that's what it takes."
I smiled, victory singing in my veins. "Then it's settled. Three nights from now, at Moon Lake, under the full moon."
Barely an hour after Ryan left, Rosie stormed into my cottage without knocking.
"Are you out of your fucking mind?" she hissed, her eyes wild with fury. "Do you have any idea what the blood bond means? Once completed, you'll be tied to Ryan forever—and he can never bond with anyone else!"
"Isn't that exactly what terrifies you?" I taunted, enjoying her panic. "That Ryan might actually choose me over you?"
Rosie's face contorted with rage. "Enjoy your moment of triumph while it lasts. When Ryan no longer needs you, you'll wish he'd just killed you quickly."
"We'll see who's still standing when this is over," I replied with perfect composure.
The night of the full moon arrived, bathing the forest in silver light. At Moon Lake, members of both communities gathered in a solemn circle, torches flickering against the darkness.
I stood by the water's edge in a white silk gown, my hair adorned with white flowers. The moonlight transformed me into something otherworldly, and murmurs of appreciation rippled through the crowd.
Ryan approached in traditional ceremonial furs, his face solemn. Before the assembled witnesses, he knelt at my feet—the mighty Alpha humbling himself before a human.
"Gracie," he declared, his voice carrying across the silent gathering, "before the Moon Goddess and these witnesses, I pledge myself to you alone. I will protect you with my life and cherish you with my heart until my final breath."
I smiled down at him, my face radiant while inside I sneered: what pretty lies from such a practiced liar.
"Ryan," I responded, my voice clear and sweet, "I accept your pledge."
Hand in hand, we waded into the lake. The water seemed to glow around us, charged with ancient magic as the moon reached its zenith.
Just as Ryan raised the ceremonial dagger to complete the blood bond, a voice shattered the sacred silence.
"STOP!" Rosie burst through the crowd, waving a parchment. "This ceremony is a sham! I have proof that Ryan plans to murder Gracie after the ritual! Here's his letter promising to make me his true mate once she's gone!"
Gasps and murmurs erupted from the onlookers. All eyes turned to Ryan, whose face had gone deathly pale.
"Rosie, have you lost your mind?" Ryan snarled, water dripping from his ceremonial robes. "I wrote no such letter!"
"No?" Rosie thrust the letter forward. "Then explain your personal seal! Only the Alpha can use this mark—or are you claiming someone stole it?"
Ryan stared at the familiar seal, his confidence visibly crumbling. "That's... that's impossible..."
I gasped in horror, tears filling my eyes—the perfect picture of betrayal. In truth, I had carefully forged that letter myself, stealing Ryan's seal while he slept. I'd made sure it would find its way to Rosie just hours before the ceremony.
"Ryan," I whispered, my voice breaking, "is it true? Were you planning to murder me after gaining my family's alliance?"
"No! Gracie, I swear on my life, that letter is a forgery!" Ryan grabbed my hands desperately. "Someone is trying to destroy us!"
Damian pushed through the crowd, his face thunderous. "Enough lies, cousin! Your true nature is exposed for all to see. You're unfit to be Alpha, and you're certainly unworthy of Gracie!"
The gathering dissolved into chaos. Wolf elders conferred urgently while human representatives demanded explanations. The sacred ceremony lay in ruins.
I watched the pandemonium with inner satisfaction. Ryan's reputation was crumbling before my eyes, his authority questioned by his own pack. Even Rosie had damaged herself with her public outburst.
Suddenly, something flashed in the torchlight—Rosie had drawn a blade and was lunging toward me with murderous intent!
"This is all your fault, you human bitch!" she shrieked, her face contorted with rage. "He was MINE before you came along!"
I twisted away, my reflexes honed by months of preparation, but the blade still caught my arm, slicing through silk and skin.
"ROSIE, STOP!" Ryan roared, leaping between us. "Have you lost your mind?"
In the struggle, Rosie's blade arced toward Ryan's throat. He caught her wrist, twisted—and suddenly the dagger was buried in Rosie's chest instead.
"Ryan..." Rosie gasped, staring in disbelief at the hilt protruding from her chest. Blood bubbled from her lips as she collapsed.
The crowd fell silent, horror-struck by the sudden violence that had defiled the sacred ceremony.
Ryan stood over Rosie's body, blood dripping from his hands. His face showed no remorse—only cold calculation. "She attacked my mate. I had no choice."
I stared at the scene, chilled by Ryan's ruthless efficiency. He hadn't killed Rosie to protect me—he'd silenced the one person who could expose all his secrets.
"My God, Ryan!" I cried, backing away from him. "She loved you! She was misguided, but she loved you!"
"I did what was necessary to protect you," Ryan insisted, reaching for me with blood-stained hands. "She would have killed you without hesitation."
I recoiled from his touch, genuine revulsion mixing with my performance. "No, I see you clearly now. You don't know what love is. You only understand power and control. I will NEVER be your mate!"
I turned and fled through the stunned crowd, feeling Ryan's gaze burning into my back. In that moment, I knew I'd seen his true face at last—and it promised death to anyone who defied him.
