Davina POV:
The King's command settled over me like a lead shroud. The tense atmosphere in the hall dissolved into a strange, settled quiet.
The nobles now looked at me with a new mix of pity and the morbid excitement of watching a train wreck.
Kaelen strode up to me, his voice a low, triumphant hiss only I could hear. "Congratulations, Miss Ramsey. You got the 'sole' mate you wanted."
His breath, hot and sickeningly sweet, ghosted across my face. "My uncle hasn't been with a woman in three years. I hope you... survive his bed."
The vicious curse made my stomach clench, but I just stared at him, my face a cold, blank mask.
I knew any reaction would only feed his disgusting ego. I chose to meet his childish cruelty with silence.
He seemed disappointed by my lack of response, letting out a small huff before turning on his heel and stalking away, a preening rooster who'd won a fight.
The ceremony was over. The nobles dispersed in small groups, still chattering about the day's drama.
I was left standing alone in the center of the vast hall, an abandoned offering on a cold altar.
I had no idea what would happen next. Would they drag me straight to that crippled Alpha's manor? Would my foster father, Preston, even show his face?
My maid, Zoe Foster, scurried to my side. She was an Omega girl from the countryside like me, and her face was pale with terror.
"My lady, what are we going to do?" she whispered, her voice trembling on the verge of tears.
I patted her hand, forcing a calm I didn't feel. "Don't be afraid, Zoe. It's not the worst it could be."
I said the words, but I had no foundation for them. In this world, I was utterly alone.
Just as I was about to lead Zoe away from this suffocating place, the sound of steady footsteps approached from behind.
I turned to see a middle-aged man in the formal attire of a royal attendant. His face was impassive, his eyes empty.
He stopped before me and gave a slight bow. "Miss Davina Ramsey."
I noticed he had no wolf scent, no presence in that way. He was a wolfless. In this world, those born without an inner wolf were often relegated to specific servant roles within the palace, unable to participate in the pack's core abilities like the mind-link.
"I am Jasper Reynolds, attendant to the Alpha King," he introduced himself. "I am here on His Majesty's order."
He held a scroll bearing the royal wax seal.
My heart skipped a beat. So soon.
Jasper unrolled the scroll and read in a flat, emotionless tone. "Alpha King's Command: Davina Ramsey is to depart immediately for Blackwood Manor to complete the pairing with Hartwell Monroe. There will be no delay."
An Alpha King's Command. It was the highest decree, carrying the force of law. To defy it was treason.
Jasper rolled the scroll back up and handed me a small, lumpy cloth pouch. "Your dowry. Elder Ramsey had it sent."
I took the pouch. It was pathetically light. My dear foster father was truly generous.
Jasper gestured towards the grand entrance. "The carriage is waiting. Please, Miss Ramsey. You have no choice."
His words were calm, but they held the crushing weight of absolute power. This was monarchy.
Zoe gripped my arm, her body trembling.
I took one last look at the gilded, treacherous hall, then turned my back on it for good.
Stepping outside, the bright sunlight made me squint. A plain, black carriage stood at the bottom of the steps, flanked by two stone-faced guards.
This was my wedding carriage. No flowers, no blessings. Only a cold command and an unknown fate.
I took a deep breath and walked down the steps, each one feeling like a step onto a blade.
I had to go face the legendary crippled Alpha.
