The betrayal clung to me like a bruise that wouldn’t fade. I spent the next morning holed up in my room, lying on my bed and staring at the sunlight cutting through the curtains.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, over and over, but I ignored it. I didn’t want to hear anyone’s pity or gossip about the mess my life had become.
A soft knock broke the silence. "Saffire? It’s Dad."
I sat up reluctantly, pushing my hair out of my face. "Come in."
The door opened, and my father walked in, his usual commanding presence slightly dimmed. There was a heaviness in his expression I hadn’t noticed before. He shut the door behind him and sat at the edge of my bed.
"How are you holding up?" he asked quietly.
"How do you think?" I muttered, hugging my knees to my chest.
He sighed, his jaw tightening. "I know it hurts, but we can’t dwell on it. The pack is restless, Saffire. They’re questioning us."
I looked away, guilt coiling in my stomach. "Because of me."
"No," he said firmly. "Because of Harvard’s betrayal and Amelia’s schemes. Don’t put their choices on yourself."
The mention of Amelia’s name made me feel sick. She wasn’t just another pack member. She was family—my cousin, practically my sister. We’d grown up together, shared everything. And now, she’d shattered everything we’d built.
"How long?" I asked, my voice barely audible. "How long have they been planning this?"
Dad hesitated, and that pause told me everything. "Months. Maybe longer. I’m still figuring it out."
Months. All those times they smiled at me, acted normal—had it all been a lie?
"It’s worse than betrayal, Saffire," Dad continued grimly. "They’re aligning with the Blackthorn pack."
I blinked at him, disbelief thick in my throat. "The Blackthorns? The same pack that’s been trying to destroy us for years?"
He nodded, his face etched with frustration. "Harvard thinks joining forces with them will solidify his position. And Amelia… she’s been feeding them our weaknesses."
My fists clenched. "How could she do this? To me? To us?"
"I don’t know," he admitted. "But we can’t focus on why. We need to figure out how to stop them."
I stood, pacing the room. "What’s the plan? Do we call them out? Strengthen the borders? There has to be something—"
"There is," Dad interrupted.
I stopped mid-step, his tone sending a chill down my spine.
"You’re not going to like it," he said, meeting my gaze.
I frowned. "What is it?"
He let out a long breath, rubbing a hand over his face. "We need an alliance. A strong one. And there’s only one family with enough power to protect us right now—the Lancaster."
The room seemed to tilt. "The Lancaster?" I repeated, my voice almost a whisper.
Dad nodded. "Their influence is unmatched. If we join forces with them, it’ll send a clear message to the Blackthorns—and Harvard—that we’re not weak."
I laughed bitterly. "And by join forces, you mean me, right? You want me to marry one of them."
Dad didn’t answer, but his silence spoke volumes.
"No," I said firmly. "Absolutely not. The Lancaster are monsters, Dad. You’ve said it yourself. And Sebastian—"
"Alpha Sebastian Lanaster of Ashenvale is not a monster. He's in vegetative state," he cut me off sharply. "He once a man trying to lead his pack through impossible circumstances. And you’re strong, Saffire. Together, you two could save the Hawthornes."
I shook my head, disbelief bubbling up in me. "You can’t just hand me over like some pawn. I’m your daughter, not a bargaining chip!"
"This isn’t just about you," Dad snapped, his voice rising. "This is about the survival of our pack. Of our family. Do you think I want this? Do you think this is easy for me?"
Tears stung my eyes, but I turned away, unwilling to let him see them. It wasn’t fair. None of this was fair.
That night, I wandered the pack’s borders, needing air, needing space. The cool breeze did little to calm the storm raging inside me.
As I walked, a familiar scent drifted on the wind—one that made my blood boil.
"Amelia," I growled, stepping into a clearing where she stood, her arms crossed.
She turned, her expression unreadable. "Saffire. Didn’t think I’d see you here."
"Cut the act!" I snapped. "I know what you’ve been doing. I know everything."
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "Do you? Or are you just guessing?"
My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, my claws itching to break free. "Why, Amelia? Why betray your own family?"
For a moment, something flickered in her eyes—regret, maybe? But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
"You wouldn’t understand," she said quietly.
"Try me."
She exhaled slowly, taking a step back. "You had everything, Saffire. The title. The respect. Harvard’s love. And what did I have? Nothing. I was always in your shadow."
"That’s not true," I said, though her words cut deep.
"It doesn’t matter now," she said coldly. "What’s done is done. If you’re smart, you’ll let it go. It’s the only way you’ll survive this."
With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, shaking with anger. If marrying Sebastian Lancaster the cursed prince was the only way to save my pack, then I will do it!
