THE DEBT OF THE MOON 🌛

The first thing Elara noticed was that her father wouldn't look at her. That was how she knew there was something wrong. He stood at the far end of the dining hall, his hands clasped behind his back staring through the tall floor to ceiling windows at the dark forests beyond the castle. His shoulders were rigid, his expression unusually grim. Elara slowed as she entered. “Father?” Nothing . She frowned “Alpha Adrian?” That finally made him turn. But the look in his eyes made her stomach tighten Fear. Not anger.not disappointment. Fear. Elara closed the distance between them. “What happened?" . Her father glanced towards the door. That was when she noticed the two guards standing outside. Her pulse quickened. " Why are there guards at the door?” . “ Come inside Elara.” “I am inside.” “Sit down.” She didn't move. “Father, what is going on?” His jaw tightened. For several seconds neither spoke. Then he said quietly, “the Blackthorn’s are coming." Elara's breath hitched, and her heart skipped a beat. The blackthorn pack. Everyone in the silver moon knew that name. They were powerful, wealthy, and feared. And their Alpha, Ronan Blackthorn, was said to be one of the most ruthless Alpha's in the northern territories. Elara folded her arms. “Why would they be coming here?.” Her father looked away. “Because of the debt." Her brows drew together. “What debt?" Silence. Then something cold settled in her stomach. " You're joking.” “I wish I were.” Elara stared at him. She had heard whispers about an old agreement between Silverwood and blackthorn, but she'd never paid much attention to them. Her father had always assured her that the matter had been settled years ago. " You told me that the debt was taken care of.” “It was supposed to be.” “Supposed to be?.” Her father's eyes finally met hers. “We don't have what they are demanding.” Elara's anger began to rise. “Then give them something else. Territory. Gold. Livestock. Anything." “We have nothing left to give." She stared at him. Her father's voice dropped. " Except you.” The room seemed to stop breathing. Elara blinked. “What?." Her father swallowed. " Elara…” “No.” She took a step backward. “No. Whatever you're about to say, don't.” “Your marriage to Ronan Blackthorn would settle the debt.” For a moment, Elara couldn't understand the words. Then she laughed. A short, disbelieving sound. " You're serious.” Her father said nothing. “You're actually serious." " Elara–” “You're giving me to him?.” Her voice cracked across the room. Her father flinched. She stared at the man who had raised her, searching his face for some indication that this was a cruel joke. There was none. " You're selling your daughter.” “We are not selling you." “Then what would you call it?" . Her eyes burned. “You owe them money, so you hand me over instead?” “Elara, this will save our pack.” “And what saves me?" Her father had no answer. That was when Elara understood. Her life had already been decided. She wasn't being asked. She was being given a choice. She was the price. And somewhere beyond those mountains alpha Ronan was coming to collect his debt. Elara stared at her father, unable to believe the words she had just heard. “How long?” She finally asked. Her father frowned. “What?" “How long have you known?" His silence answered her. Elara's chest tightened. “You've known about this." “Not everything was certain." " But you knew.” “Elara–” “You knew they were coming for me.” Her voice trembled with anger. Her father moved towards her, but she immediately stepped back. " Don't.” He stopped. For the first time in her life, Elara looked at her father and didn't see her Alpha. She saw a stranger. “You're my father", she whispered. " How could you agree to this?.” His expression hardened with pain. “Because I am also the alpha of this pack." " And apparently being alpha matters more than being my father.”..... " That is not fair.”..... " Neither is being handed over to a man I've never met!" Her voice echoed through the hall. Outside the guards shifted uneasily. Her father lowered his voice. “If we don't settle this debt, Blackthorn will take our territory.” Elara froze. “Our territory?." “Everything. The eastern lands, the farms, the hunting grounds. They could challenge my authority and take control of the silvermoon." " And you think giving them me is better?.” “I think losing you is better than losing thousands of lives." The words struck harder than she expected. Losing you……. Not sending you away. Not marrying you off. Losing you. Elara's eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. “So that's what I am?” She whispered. “A sacrifice?” Her father looked away. “Don't worry, father. I understand.” She turned towards the door. “Elara.” She stopped. “You will be treated well in Blackthorn." She slowly looked over her shoulder. “I'm sure that's what every father tells his daughter before giving her away.” Then she walked out. Her mother was waiting in the corridor. The moment Mira saw her face, she rushed forward. " Elara.” Elara didn't stop. Her mother caught her hand. “Please.” “Did you know?" Mira's eyes filled with tears. That was enough. Elara pulled her hand away. " You knew too.” “We had no choice." " There is always a choice." " Not when an entire pack is at stake.” Elara turned towards her. “And what about me?." Mira's lips trembled . " You are my daughter.” “Then you should have fought for me." Her mother's tears finally fell. Elara immediately regretted the words. But the hurt inside her was too fresh. “I didn't ask to be born an Alpha's daughter,” she whispered. " I didn't ask to carry your debts.” Mira reached for her again. This time Elara let her. Her mother pulled her into an embrace. “I am sorry." These three words nearly broke her. Elara buried her face against her mother's shoulder. For a few minutes she allowed herself to cry. Then Mira whispered " Ronan is coming tomorrow.” Elara pulled away. " Tomorrow?” Mira nodded. " His warriors are already on their way.” Elara wiped her cheeks. " Good.” Her mother looked surprised. “Good?" " If I'm going to be handed over like some piece of property, I might as well get it over with.” “Elara, please don't speak like that." “How should I speak?" Her eyes hardened. " Should I be grateful?” Mira had no answer. Elara turned away. Tomorrow. She had one night left as Elara Vale. Tomorrow, she will belong to the Blackthorn pack. That night, Elara didn't sleep. She stood beside her bedroom window, staring into the darkness. The forest was unusually quiet. Her wolf stirred restlessly inside her. Something is coming. Elara frowned. “What?” Her wolf didn't answer. Instead, it pushed against her consciousness again. Restless. Almost excited. Elara shook her head. “Don't start.” She had no intention of thinking about wolves, mates, or anything else tonight. She had bigger problems. She was twenty-two years old. She had never been mated. She had never even been in love. And now her father had decided that her first marriage would be to the most feared Alpha in the region. She wondered what Ronan Blackthorn looked like. Then immediately scolded herself. It didn't matter. He could be ugly. He could be handsome. He could be cruel. He could be kind. She was still being forced to marry him. Elara climbed into bed. But sleep remained far away. The next morning, the sound of horns woke the entire pack. Elara sat upright. Her heart began pounding. They were here. She dressed slowly, choosing a simple dark dress rather than anything that made her look like a bride. When she stepped outside her room, her mother was waiting. “You look beautiful.” “I don't want to.” Mira's smile disappeared. Elara immediately softened. “I'm sorry.” Her mother reached out and adjusted the strands of her hair. “Whatever happens today, remember who you are.” Elara swallowed. “Elara Vale.” Her mother smiled sadly. “For now.” The words sent a strange chill through her. Before Elara could ask what she meant, another horn sounded. They had arrived. The courtyard was filled with Blackthorn warriors. Their black uniforms made them look almost identical, their expressions cold and disciplined. And then the crowd parted. Elara saw him. Ronan Blackthorn. He was taller than she'd expected. Much taller. He wore black from head to toe, his broad shoulders making the dark coat seem almost too small for him. His black hair was slightly tousled, and his sharp features gave him an intimidating beauty. But it was his eyes that caught her. Steel-gray. Cold. Unforgiving. His gaze moved across the courtyard before landing on her. Elara's breath caught. And something inside her shifted. Her wolf suddenly slammed against her ribs. Mate. Elara froze. No. She couldn't have heard that correctly. Her wolf practically howled inside her. Mate!! Elara stared at Ronan. His expression had changed too. For the briefest second, his eyes widened. Then his face became unreadable. Ronan's wolf was reacting too. Elara's heart pounded. No. Absolutely not. This couldn't be happening. Ronan stepped forward. Her father approached him. “Alpha Ronan Blackthorn.” “Alpha Adrian Vale.” They exchanged formal greetings. Elara barely heard them. Her eyes remained on Ronan. He looked at her again. This time, his gaze was different. Almost wary. Then his jaw tightened. Her father turned toward her. “Elara.” She didn't move. “Come here.” Elara forced her feet forward. She stopped several steps away from Ronan. Silence stretched between them. Her father cleared his throat. “Ronan, this is my daughter.” Ronan's eyes remained fixed on her. “I know.” Elara's brows drew together. His voice was deep. Calm. Controlled. She hated that she noticed. Her father continued, “As agreed, Elara will accompany you to Blackthorn.” Ronan's jaw tightened. Then he finally looked at Adrian. “You're certain?” Elara's eyes widened. Her father nodded. “I am.” Ronan's gaze returned to her. Elara suddenly felt angry. She stepped forward. “I am standing right here.” Ronan raised an eyebrow. “And?” “And you could at least pretend I'm a person instead of an object being transferred between two Alphas.” Something flickered in his eyes. Surprise, perhaps. Her father looked horrified. “Elara.” Ronan lifted one hand. Adrian immediately fell silent. That irritated Elara even more. Ronan looked at her. “I didn't ask for you.” Elara's heart stopped for half a second. Then anger burned through her. “Neither did I ask for you.” Silence. One of the warriors coughed and quickly looked away. Ronan's lips almost curved. Almost. But the expression vanished before Elara could be certain. He stepped closer. Elara refused to retreat. His scent hit her. Something dark. Warm. Wild. Her wolf practically lost its mind. Mate. Elara clenched her fists. Ronan's eyes darkened. He could smell it too. The bond. The realization passed silently between them. Neither said the word. Neither wanted to. Ronan leaned slightly closer. His voice dropped so only she could hear. “This changes nothing.” Elara's eyes narrowed. “Good.” She stepped past him. “Because I have no intention of making this easy for you.” For the first time, Ronan actually smiled. It wasn't warm, it wasn't kind, it was dangerous. “Get in the carriage, Elara.” She turned. “Don't order me around.” His eyes flashed silver. Elara's wolf whimpered. Ronan's voice became colder. “Then consider it a request.” She stared at him. She hated him already. At least, she told herself she did. Elara climbed into the carriage without another word. Moments later, Ronan followed. The door slammed shut. The carriage began moving. Elara looked through the window at her home slowly disappearing behind her. Her mother stood in the courtyard, crying. Her father stood beside her, expressionless. Elara's throat tightened. She turned away. She didn't know what awaited her in Blackthorn territory. She didn't know what Ronan intended to do with her. And she certainly didn't know why her wolf was so certain that the cold, arrogant man sitting across from her was her mate. But one thing was certain. She had been taken from her home as payment for a debt. And Elara Vale had no intention of allowing anyone to decide what happened to her next.