The Offering
1040 Words
Aurelia
For reasons unknown, the dean dismissed classes five hours early.
Five.
I almost groaned aloud.
Going back to the packhouse early meant more chores. More humiliation. More chances of running into Kade and his pack of loyal idiots.
But there was no arguing with authority.
I said a quiet goodbye to Cole and began the long walk home, dread pooling heavier in my stomach with each step. Even the trees lining the narrow path, the birds chirping overhead, the soft sunlight filtering through the leaves—none of it eased the knot in my chest.
I did not want to go back.
Especially not early.
If Kade was waiting…
I quickened my pace.
Instead of using the main path, I circled around the side of the territory and slipped toward my cabin through the bushes. The old wooden planks creaked if stepped on wrong. Maintenance was rarely done on the servant quarters. If something broke, I either begged for it to be fixed or tried to repair it myself.
Today, I wanted to avoid being seen.
If no one knew I was back, maybe I could hide. Sleep. Breathe.
I stepped lightly through the shrubs—
And froze.
My name.
I heard it clearly.
Not shouted.
Spoken.
From Alpha Lucian’s office.
My father.
I crouched instinctively, heart pounding. If they were talking about me, it could not be good.
Carefully, I crawled closer through the bushes until I reached the back wall of the office. The shrubs partially blocked my view, but sound carried clearly through the open window.
“This cannot be happening. We are not ready,” Luna Valerie said sharply.
My father’s voice followed, tight and uneasy. “I know. He was meant to arrive in two days, but I just received word. He is already on his way.”
On his way?
Kade spoke next. “What does he want from us?”
“I don’t know,” my father replied grimly. “And that concerns me. Having him on our side is crucial.”
My pulse quickened.
Him.
There was only one man who inspired that tone.
“The rogue attacks are escalating,” my father continued. “Several neighboring packs were hit last week.”
“Perhaps he simply wishes to inspect the territory,” Kade added smoothly. “We are one of the strongest packs in this region. Naturally, he would want to speak with you.”
Alpha Lucian smiled at him.
A warm smile.
One I had not seen directed at me in years.
“I heard the Lycan King has grown restless,” Luna Valerie whispered. “He wants to see everything himself.”
Lycan King.
The air left my lungs.
Luna Valerie moved closer to my father. “We must pacify him. If he turns his ire on us—”
My father took her hand and kissed her knuckles.
I swallowed back bile.
Kade stepped forward. “What if we offer him something? A tribute.”
My father turned toward the window. I ducked lower, barely breathing as shadows shifted near the glass.
“He is the Lycan King,” my father muttered. “He has wealth. Power. Influence. What could we possibly offer him?”
There was a pause.
A look passed between Kade and Luna Valerie.
I recognized that look.
It never meant anything good.
“The Lycan King has a keen eye for beauty,” Kade said lightly. “And Aurelia could pass for beautiful… if dressed properly.”
My blood ran cold.
Before my father could answer, Luna Valerie seized the opportunity.
“What a brilliant idea,” she praised, touching Kade’s arm. “You will make a magnificent alpha one day.”
Then she turned to my father.
“Aurelia brings nothing but embarrassment to this pack. Remove her. Your secret remains safe.”
My heart cracked.
Still—
Still—
A foolish part of me hoped my father would refuse.
“She is worthless, Valerie,” Alpha Lucian said flatly. “The Lycan King would not be impressed.”
Tears burned my eyes.
Worthless.
“She is beautiful,” Luna Valerie pressed. “Young men look at her. Offer her to the Lycan King and he will leave satisfied. He will not dig into finances. Or governance.”
My father stiffened slightly.
So that was it.
Debt.
Fear.
Leverage.
“You think he would accept?” my father asked quietly.
Valerie stepped closer, touching his face gently. “An alpha’s daughter offered freely? Who would refuse? No one knows she is illegitimate. We say your first mate died. That you found me after.”
She smiled sweetly.
“She becomes our solution.”
Solution.
Not daughter.
Not person.
Solution.
I bit down on my fist to keep from sobbing.
The Lycan King was rumored to be ruthless. Fierce. Cursed without a mate. A ruler who did not tolerate weakness.
I did not want to be thrown at his feet like meat.
Had Luna Valerie not already destroyed enough?
But she wasn’t finished.
“Can you think of a better plan, Lucian?”
Before my father could speak—
Kade did.
“I didn’t want to say this,” he began solemnly. “But I can’t hide it anymore. Aurelia has been… inappropriate.”
My head snapped up in disbelief.
“What?” my father demanded.
Luna Valerie rushed to Kade’s side, wrapping an arm around him protectively.
“This morning,” Kade continued, lowering his gaze as if ashamed, “she ran into me on purpose. Kissed me. Said we’re step-siblings so it doesn’t matter.”
Lies.
All lies.
“When I rejected her, she threw a dumbbell at me.”
Luna Valerie gasped dramatically. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I didn’t want Father to think I was slandering her,” Kade murmured. “I tried to give her another chance. But she keeps cornering me. Threatening to accuse me if I don’t agree.”
The world tilted.
I pressed a hand to my mouth to stop the scream clawing up my throat.
He was turning it around.
He was turning everything around.
I waited.
Desperate.
Horrified.
Waiting to hear if my father would defend me.
Or condemn me.
- Writer
