Georgia's POV
I stood there, paralyzed, my eyes fixed on the elder's lips as he spoke the words that would determine my destiny.
"Georgia, do you accept Theophilus Rylan as your mate and Alpha, pledging to love and honor him until death?"
Did I really have a choice?
Whether I said yes or no wouldn’t alter the reality that this union was a farce, a snare.
Theophilus had claimed it would be a one-year marriage, but that year loomed ahead like an endless stretch of time.
“Yes, I do,” I replied, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Theophilus beamed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.
Once I exact my revenge on Benjamin, Theophilus would be next for the role he played in my parents' deaths.
I didn’t trust him at all; his motives for aiding me were a mystery, especially since he was supposed to hate me.
I wouldn’t hesitate to take him down before he could turn the tables on me.
“Alpha Theophilus Rylan, do you take Georgia Lector as your mate and Luna, pledging to love and protect her until death?”
“Yes, I do.”
The atmosphere was thick with tension, the fragrance of blooming flowers mingling with the soft murmur of chants, creating an almost dreamlike setting.
I nodded, my heart heavy with the knowledge that I was ensnared.
I felt no affection for Theophilus; in truth, I could barely stand him. But I needed his power and position to fulfill my quest for vengeance.
“With the authority granted to me as the first elder of this pack, I declare you husband and wife. You may now present your rings before the initiations,” the elder announced, and the crowd cheered once more.
Just as we were about to exchange rings, chaos erupted at the edge of the clearing.
Benjamin charged in, his face wild and his hair a disheveled mess.
"Stop! You can't go through with this, Georgia!" he shouted, pushing his way through the throng.
Theophilus growled, rage flashing in his eyes. "Benjamin, do you have any idea whose pack this is? You're ruining my mating ceremony! Guards, seize him!”
Benjamin paid him no mind, his focus solely on me as he fought with the guards.
"Georgia, you need to listen! I know you hate me but please, Theophilus is manipulating you! He's been around for centuries and has made a deal with a demon to prolong his life. You're the key to his survival! He's going to kill you, just like he did your parents!"
A wave of confusion washed over me, my thoughts spiraling with the weight of his words. What was Benjamin saying?
Theophilus snarled, his teeth bared in rage. "You're nothing but a fool! Is this the best you can do? Gosh, I even thought you were smart. So, you really got nerves huh? I'll make you pay, Benjamin, and I'll tear you apart!"
The guards moved in to subdue Benjamin, but he fought against them fiercely.
"Georgia, don't trust him! He's just using you! Use your head! You're his next target, I know you don't want to die, but you'll have to kill him first! Grab the sword of authority from the table and stab him! You've always wanted revenge for what he did to your parents! You don't have time! Do it now before it's too late!”
My heart racing wildly, I seized the sword, feeling its reassuring weight in my grip. Theophilus's gaze was fixed on mine, his demeanor calm and soothing.
"Don't let him get to you, Georgia. He's just trying to mess with your head. How would you believe a man who betrayed you over a man who is trying to save you? He is just exploiting your vulnerability, don't pay him any heed”
But I was already in motion, my wolf's instincts roaring a warning in my mind. I lifted the sword, and with a swift motion, I drove it into Theophilus's chest.
His blood splattered across the pristine fabric of his suit, and he staggered back, gasping for breath. "No...Georgia...why?" Theophilus murmured, his eyes brimming with betrayal.
I stood there, frozen, the sword still embedded in him. "I don't love you," I hissed. "I don't want you. You're a vile monster!"
Suddenly, the pack warriors rushed forward, grabbing my arms and forcing me to the ground. I fought against their grip, but they overpowered me effortlessly.
As the pack members began hurling objects at me for killing their Alpha, Benjamin's voice rang out across the clearing, filled with mockery and triumph.
"Since you decided to show your stupid face in my life again! I manipulated you to take a life with your own hands. Enjoy your time in prison for the rest of your wretched existence for killing a Lycan."
The roar of his car speeding off was the final sound I registered before the guards seized me, tossing me into a cold, shadowy cell.
