Chapter 5

Savvy It was the darkest day of my entire life. The eve of my wedding. A day that was supposed to be the most memorable, Happiest day of my lifetime. Nine days had passed by without a response from Terona Silver and I can guess much already. He wouldn't be helping me. My interaction with the outside world has been limited to very little. My cellphone was taken away and I have been under surveillance. Irene has been a great help. A young lady I believe I can never repay for her kindness. The Winter Tribe has been locked up for the whole days, and Phoenix had given his words he would only be releasing them after the wedding ceremony was completed. His mother, whom I tried to plead with, only shrugs and tells me to obey the Alpha. That night, I sat on the bed, staring blankly into space, when the door opened gently. Irene walked in with the food basket I had her secretly taken into the dungeon. " They won't accept it, Ma'am. Everyone in your tribe ... They rejected the meal you sent, " Irene says to me softly, trying so much to make me feel better, and I nod. It is expected of them to hate me already. I put them in the loophole. I should pull them out as well. " You should get some rest, Ma'am. I will try to make your dinner and ... " Irene was still speaking when the knock came. My maid quickly got up to answer the door, but before she got to it, the door opened wide, and Sapphire appeared. Her presence suffocating. She have a big, taunting smile on her face, and I felt my hands clenching into a fist. " Hi, Concubine. Sorry, I couldn't visit you all these days. You know, accompanying the Alpha out on his business trip can be tiring and carrying his unborn child is one thing altogether... " " What do you want? " I cut her off as I was not in the mood for her games. I know Phoenix Prince wasn't bluffing when he said he would reject me if I ever hurt Sapphire again. " You will be coming down to the living room with me " " Why? " " Our wedding dresses have arrived, and you, as the concubine, should choose the dress you will wear. However, the designer said since your status is lower, we should shove whatever your way, but I said no. Oh my goodness, you are the only daughter of Beta Winter. Your dad was a very important person in the Werewolf world. He was best friends with Alpha Royal, so come on out. Lets do this " It takes a lot from me before I can suppress my anger. Slowly I look up to Sapphire and shake my head. " No. Tell the designer to keep anyone for me " " That's not gonna do. I insist you come on now. What if Phoenix heard you won't accept my kind gesture? He might think you are plotting to murder his unborn child once again " A cold chill ran down my spine, and I saw Irene flinch in fear. We all know the gravity of what would happen. Helplessly, without a choice, I found myself getting up from the bed and heading out with Sapphire. It was a humiliating reversal of roles. With Sapphire wielding an unsettling control over me, while I felt reduced to a mere puppet. We appeared in the living room in no time, and I saw the dresses hanging on the dresser. The wedding flowing dress I had personally picked out for my wedding was set aside, and I saw Sapphire walking to point at it. Kathleen, Phoenix's mother, is also seated, and it feels as though she is mocking, too. " Phoenix told me you picked this for your wedding. It's a pity you can't wear it anymore because you will be just a concubine. However, some simple dresses suit your lower status. How about this? " From the corner of my eyes, I saw Sapphire picking up another dress, less Fancy, less beautiful, but my gaze was on Phoenix Prince all along. He hasn't shown up before me since the incident nine nights ago, and setting eyes on him now makes me realize where he stands in my life. I have said I didn't dislike him the other night, but now I despise him, and the moon goddess bears me witness; killing him won't be enough to satisfy my anger towards him. I was lost in hatred for a man I have loved all my life when a guard rushes forward to whisper into Phoenix's ear. Immediately after the information, I saw my Mate's featured changes, and he got up from where he sat in awe. " What happened? " Phoenix's mother asked in curiosity, and the Alpha of the Royal pack nodded ahead. Couples of footsteps came sounding and gasps filled the air. From where I stood like a dummy, I felt the atmosphere change and the wind swirls, giving me cold. I have only heard the rumours that the last Silver Wolf didn't go around without tangible reason, and wherever he goes, his presence is felt through the divine wind that sets him all apart from other normal werewolves. I turned slowly, my eyes fixed on the entrance, and that's when I received the shock of my life. The guards of the Silver Moon pack arrived, standing at attention as they awaited the emergence of their Alpha. And then, he appeared. My heart skipped a beat as I beheld him, the infamous Terona Silver, the last of his line. He was the epitome of male perfection, radiating an aura of unbridled confidence and captivating charm. Clad in a simple yet stylish outfit consisting of tailored trousers and a long-sleeved T-shirt, he exuded a sense of understated elegance. His long, dark hair framed his chiselled features, while his hands were a canvas of intricate, eye-catching tattoos. A sleek silver bracelet encircled his wrist, an unmistakable symbol of his esteemed status and true identity. I had never anticipated his arrival, but here he was, and I watched with bated breath as he strode towards Phoenix with effortless elegance, his every step commanding attention " Terona Silver. I can't believe you are here, " My Mate mutters in utter disbelief, and Sapphire quickly rushes forward for an introduction. " Oh, please, meet Sapphire Lake. She is going to be my Luna tomorrow " " Hello " Sapphire greeted, but Terona only had his eyes fixed on Phoenix, his expression unreadable. At last, he speaks, his voice having me swoon in thought. Low and husky. " I didn't come here to exchange pleasantries, Phoenix Prince but I should congratulate you for your ascension. You did well " Phoenix nodded his head in response and then asked eagerly. " Have you come for business purposes then? We can talk in my office and ... " He stopped speaking when he noticed Terona Silver wasn't listening. His gaze was on me. This compelled Phoenix Prince to make the introduction. " Please, Terona. This is Savvy Winter. My Mate. Now if you will... " " She's even more breathtaking than I imagined, " Terona Silver murmured, his gaze fixed intently on me before he strode towards me. Each deliberate step sent my heart racing with anticipation. When he finally stood before me, the intoxicating blend of his cologne and natural scent wafted up, leaving me spellbound. I couldn't help but wonder how one man could embody such perfection as if the very gods had conspired to create a being of unyielding beauty. " Hello, " He said, his deep voice low and smooth, as he extended his hand in greeting. I placed my palm against it, and he gently lifted it to his lips, his eyes locking onto mine as he kissed the back of my hand. " I received your letter, " He began, his voice dripping with amusement, " And I must admit, I was taken aback by your audacity. Yet, I'm also intrigued. I had intended to respond immediately, but then I received word that you were being held captive in your quarters. Realizing that you would never receive my response, I decided to deliver it in person. " Goosebumps overwhelmed my skin, and I could barely breathe when Terona Silver took the letter from his man from behind and extended it to me. His piercing grey eyes met mine, and with a subtle nod, he encouraged me to take the letter. I did, my fingers trembling slightly as I broke the seal and unfolded the parchment. The message was brief, yet its significance was palpable. ' Be My Luna for half a year, and I will grant you your deepest desire ', It reads. As soon as I finished reading, I lifted my gaze to meet Terona's, and I swallowed hard, my throat constricting with emotion. " Forgive me, but I won't be granting you more than a minute to consider your decision, " He announced, his voice firm and unyielding. " Your time starts now. " I gulped again, feeling the weight of his words settle upon me. The air was thick with tension as I struggled to gather my thoughts. My gaze darted back and forth between Terona and Phoenix, and I felt a sob well up inside me. Phoenix, sensing my distress, took a step forward, his voice laced with concern. " Savvy, what's wrong? Are you... " But before he could finish, Terona's commanding voice cut him off. " Shhh... She's making a choice. " It was clear. I have no life anymore with Phoenix Prince. Everything we had was lies, and the faster I got out of his pack, the better. I turned my gaze back to Terona, and I asked him, my voice barely above a whisper. " How can I trust you? How will I know you would keep to your end of this bargain? " Terona's expression to my question remained unreadable, but a hint of a smile played on his lips. " Because we will be signing a contract, " He declared, taking a step more closer to me. " A contract that explicitly states no one touches you, no one looks at you, without my permission for six months. You will be mine. My Luna " His eyes locked onto mine, burning with an inner intensity as he continues. " If you agree to this I vow to worship you, to treat you with the reverence and adoration you deserve. And your tribe, the Winter... they will never want for anything "