Chapter three
979 Words
Really?”
My father’s voice rang through the grand hall, rich with disbelief and excitement.
“There is a volunteer?”
Cheers erupted instantly.
Relief swept through the crowd like a warm tide. The tension that had gripped Silverfang for weeks dissolved in seconds. Laughter broke out. Wolves embraced. Even the elders looked as if a great weight had been lifted from their shoulders.
I stood very still.
I didn’t know what I was supposed to feel.
Happy… that doom would not fall upon our land?
Or shattered… that my parents were cheering for my death without knowing?
The hall buzzed with noise, whispers spreading like wildfire.
“Finally!”
“The Goddess has shown mercy!”
“We’re saved!”
Father stepped down from the platform, already responding to questions from the council members crowding him.
“When is the ritual?”
“Is the volunteer from our inner ranks?”
“How soon can we make the formal announcement?”
He looked proud. Relieved. His shoulders were no longer tense.
Political disaster already avoided.
Across the hall, Mother clasped Lyra’s hands dramatically, her voice thick with emotion. “The Moon Goddess is watching over us. She would never abandon our family.”
Lyra tilted her head modestly, playing the part perfectly. “We must all pray for the brave soul who stepped forward.”
Mother pulled her into a tight embrace.
Cassian drew Lyra gently into his arms as the hall slowly resumed its cheerful hum.
“Don’t cry,” he murmured softly, brushing his thumb beneath her lashes as if she were something fragile. “Everything is fine now. No one will trouble you again. I won’t allow it.”
Lyra leaned into him, her fingers curling lightly into the fabric of his jacket. “I just… I don’t want conflict in the family,” she said in a trembling voice that fooled everyone but me. “I want us all to be happy.”
“And we will be,” Cassian assured her. “You have my word.”
My mother approached them with a glowing smile I hadn’t seen directed at me in years. She took Lyra’s hands warmly.
“You two look perfect together,” she said, her eyes shining. “The Moon Goddess truly arranged this union.”
Father stood beside her, nodding approvingly. “Our families will grow stronger because of this bond.”
My brothers joined in, teasing Cassian lightly, clapping his shoulder, welcoming him as though he had always stood beside Lyra instead of me.
They looked like a portrait of happiness.
A perfect family.
Blessed. United. Proud.
I stood at the edge of it all, watching.
Who would believe that my fiancé had been stolen… while everyone smiled as if nothing was wrong?
But the truth was harsher than theft.
He wanted to be stolen.
No one forced Cassian’s hand. No one dragged him away from me. He chose this—chose her while still holding my hand and promising tomorrow.
And what hurt most was not even him.
It was my parents.
The same father who once announced my childhood betrothal with pride. The same mother who said Cassian would protect me forever.
They were blessing him now.
Blessing them.
As if I had never existed at all.
My brothers joined in, their expressions bright.
“Whoever did this has true pack loyalty,” my eldest brother said firmly. “They deserve our eternal gratitude.”
“Yes,” the second added. “A true warrior of Silverfang.”
Cassian stood near them, his posture straight and dignified. “It must be someone deeply devoted to our people,” he said. “Only the most loyal would offer their life willingly.”
Loyal, Devoted, Worthy. That’s all I keep hearing, it’s me I wish I could scream and tell them to their face your daughter is here, she’s going to be dead in a month's time, but then what, not like they will feel remorseful about it.
Father lifted his hand to command attention once more.
“Prepare a ceremony of gratitude,” he declared. “This volunteer will be honored in history. Their name will be carved into the sacred stone beside the Northern Cliff.”
Applause thundered through the hall again.
They spoke of the volunteer like a legend already.
A noble hero.
A savior.
Meanwhile, I stood silent.
Unnoticed as usual.
My fingers tightened around the sacrificial certificate hidden inside my sleeve. The parchment crinkled softly beneath my grip.
Someone from the council called out, “Do we know who it is?”
The servant who had delivered the message stepped forward respectfully. “The identity is sealed, Alpha. It will remain undisclosed until the Blood Moon ritual.”
Father nodded approvingly. “As tradition requires.”
The family murmured in agreement.
Sealed, Protected and Honored.
Mother’s gaze shifted—and finally landed on me.
Her expression hardened instantly.
“You’re still standing here?” she snapped. “If you cannot contribute politically, at least make yourself useful.”
The words were casual.
Almost bored.
But they struck harder than any slap.
Behind her, Lyra’s lips curved slightly.
A faint mindlink pulse brushed through the air—subtle, mocking.
I felt it.
But I could not answer.
Father glanced at me briefly, irritation flickering across his face.
“Go inside,” he said coldly. “Do not embarrass us further.”
Embarrass them. What a joke!!
I lowered my eyes.
The cheering resumed behind me as I turned and walked toward the staircase.
They were still discussing decorations for the gratitude ceremony.
Still praising the anonymous hero.
Still smiling.
My steps were steady.
My breathing is even.
Only when the noise began to fade behind me did the truth settle fully in my chest.
They’re celebrating my death…
And they don’t even know it.
- Writer
