The Alpha’s Bargain

The mist was still clinging to the village gate when the first hoofbeats broke the quiet. Sophie's hand tightened on Ella's arm. “They're here," she whispered. Ella adjusted the frayed edge of her cloak, pretending the wool didn't itch. The thud of boots on hard ground grew louder. Alpha Gilbert's soldiers emerged from the fog, steel polished, eyes fixed ahead. They didn't bother with greetings—men like these didn't need to announce themselves. One of them stopped in front of the girls. His gaze ran over Ella like he was measuring grain. “You're the one. Step forward." Sophie moved first, fussing with Ella's hood. “She's ready. The cloak's thin, but—" “You're lucky," the guard interrupted, “being called before the Alpha. A packless Omega doesn't usually get… an invitation." Ella's lips stayed pressed together. Lucky. Right. They walked her toward the waiting carriage. Sophie's hands didn't leave her shoulders until they reached the door. Then Ella turned, pressed something into Sophie's palm—a rough wolf-tooth necklace, worn smooth at the edges. Sophie's breath caught. “Ella…?" “It was Liam's gift to you, wasn't it?" Ella said quietly. “He chose you. It belongs with you now." Before Sophie could answer, a shadow detached from the corner of the gatehouse. Liam. His jaw was tight, eyes sharper than she remembered. He closed the distance in three strides, ripped the tooth from Sophie's hand, and shoved it against Ella's chest. “I don't take back what's mine," he snapped. The sharp edge of his voice dug under her ribs. For a moment, the world tilted—shouts in the dark, chains on wrists, the taste of iron. She had thought she'd buried all that. “Liam, I—" Sophie started, but he cut her off. “You wear it," he ordered Ella, low and cold. “And you remember." The carriage door swung open behind them. Alpha Gilbert sat inside, back straight, one hand resting on his knee. His eyes were cool, his mouth curved like he was privately amused. “If you gave her away, don't tug the leash," he said to Liam. “It's embarrassing." Liam's face flushed, but he didn't move. “Inside," Gilbert said to Ella. Her fingers closed over the tooth. She stepped up without a word. The door shut with a hollow thud, wheels churning over frozen ruts. For a few seconds, the only sound was the rhythm of the horses. “You don't speak much," Gilbert observed. “I speak when there's something worth saying," she replied. He studied her like she was an unfamiliar weapon—examining balance, weight, flaws. “And the necklace? Sentimental?" “It's a reminder." “Of what?" “That I won't make the same mistake twice." A flicker—approval? amusement?—touched his face before it was gone. “Good. Sentiment gets people killed." They rode in silence. Outside, the fog thinned, revealing the frost-silvered road to Greenland. --- The village gate faded into the distance. Ella glanced back once—just once. Liam stood exactly where she'd left him, Sophie beside him, the necklace's absence a ghost in her palm. Inside the carriage, Alpha Gilbert leaned back, expression unreadable. “From today," he said, “you're under my protection. That means no one touches you without my word. Not even him." She didn't thank him. Protection, possession—too often they were the same thing. Instead, she asked, “And what do you expect in return?" His smile didn't reach his eyes. “We'll discuss that in Greenland." ---