The Engagement
1451 Words
Athena’s POV:
The Alpha of the White Silver Pack, George Toler, entered with his three sons, carrying an air of quiet authority.
Each of the three brothers was breathtakingly handsome―Damon's sharp features were like a cold, unforgiving blade. He was the eldest brother and the future Alpha of the White Silver Pack.
The second brother, Sebastian, was like a ghost, his brooding, distant aura creating an unsettling tension in the air. Meanwhile, the youngest brother kept his emotions hidden behind a perfectly unreadable mask.
Together, they made it impossible not to feel their raw power and dominance, reminding everyone in the room why the Toler family was so revered—and feared.
I felt my heart race.
This time, Damon's loathing burned deeper when his gaze shifted to meet mine. There was no warmth in those eyes, only hatred.
I knew I couldn't back down as they all took their seats around the living room. This wasn't about fear—it was about survival. The time for hesitation was over.
Forcing myself to keep calm, I cleared my throat. "I would like to marry you."
The entire Toler Family stilled for a moment.
And then, under the scrutinizing gaze of my father and stepmother, I added with a small, almost defiant smile. "All three of you."
My father stared at me in disbelief, but before he could shout at me in front of everyone, I glanced at Veliciah innocently, "Isn't that right, stepmother?"
She froze, blinking in shock as she shared a startled glance with my father.
Damon, Sebastian, and Zion blinked in disbelief. It was as though the sheer absurdity of my proposal rendered them speechless. But it didn't last long.
Alpha George, their father, narrowed his eyes in a cold, calculating manner. He didn't speak, but the silence that followed his gaze was oppressive.
Then Damon's voice cut through the tension like a knife, low and lethal.
"What did you say, Omega?" his voice dripped with venom, sending a chill down my spine. I had never felt such raw hatred, not even from my father. Damon's gaze moved down to my attire, and a flicker of disgust passed across his face. Did I offend him simply by some tomboyish clothes?
I would have laughed if my fate was not on the line.
"I want to marry you three," I repeated with the same small smile.
Sebastian, who had been silent until now, glared at me. His eyes, glowing with an unnatural blue light, bored into mine as though he could see through my soul. I instinctively stiffened, my resolve wavering for a moment.
"We aren't here to joke," he said softly, with a calmness that made his next words even more terrifying, "So keep your mouth shut before I rip it off."
My throat tightened.
"Please, calm down," my father finally interjected, his tone firm. "As you must know, this matter is of the utmost importance, so let's discuss this properly."
Sebastian's eyes lingered on me for a few more agonizing seconds before he averted his gaze. I let out a sigh, but I could still feel Damon's hateful gaze burning on my skin.
The disdain was as thick as the tension in the room.
"Forgive my daughter's sudden proposal," my father said, turning to Alpha George with a forced smile.
"I heard the High Priestess passed away recently," George said after a pause, his voice low and thoughtful, "Is this related to that?"
"Yes," my father confirmed, his voice grave. "Even we were shocked by her sudden death. But before she passed, she left us with a final divination that directly affects the future of both our packs."
I noticed how he purposefully said 'both' even though Godmother had mentioned no such thing. It was important for him to lie, or why else would the Toler family care?
George raised a brow, waiting for further explanation.
My father's gaze briefly flicked to me, and I felt cold dread settle in my heart. He looked at me as one would see a lamb ready to sacrifice as if I were nothing more than a pawn.
Perhaps I wasn't.
"The High Priestess," my father continued, "said that my daughter must marry into your family, Alpha George. That is the only way to ensure peace between our packs and avoid a dire fate."
George's face remained impassive, but his sons reacted differently. Damon's mouth twisted into a sneer while Sebastian's expression darkened.
Even Zion's gaze turned hard as he shared a glance with me, and I felt my heart sink a little.
"Do you really think a crippled Omega can become Luna of our pack?" George's voice broke through the thick silence, his eyes narrowing as he assessed me.
Damon's smirk returned, his arrogance unbearable. But before I could retaliate with my own words, my father's laughter interrupted the growing tension.
"What are you talking about, Alpha George?" My father's voice was light, but it had an edge. "We all know the Toler Family has their fair share of troubles."
Sebastian glanced at him darkly.
My father's smile instantly vanished. There were rumors about the second son of the Toler family having a curse so deadly that all who came too close met a fateful end.
The White Silver Pack was greatly powerful; they were envied and respected. But the curse Sebastian bore was a dark stain that made most keep a distance―and making alliances was most important for all packs.
Veliciah calmly added, "The High Priestess would not have suggested this if there were any other choice."
The room fell silent again, the tension building once more.
A High Priestess' death alone was considered a bad omen. Who would dare to so easily challenge her last words? But then again, the tensions between the Red Moon and White Silver pack have also been there for a long time.
Finally, George let out a cold, humorless laugh. There was a hint of suspicion clear in his gaze as he responded, "If the Moon Goddess demands it, I suppose we have no choice. My sons will marry your daughter."
I blinked, not sure if I heard it right. 'Sons? You were not supposed to take that seriously!'
My father visibly relaxed, "Shall we have the engagement on the next full moon, then?"
Before George could respond, Damon shot up from his seat, his voice filled with fury. "Are you serious, Dad? You expect me to marry her?" His gaze burned into me, "Look at her! She's not fit to be anyone's mate, let alone ours!"
Before I could retort, Sebastian added coldly, "I don't care about any divination. I won't be part of this absurdity."
The pure hatred they emitted almost made me shiver―and hopeful. Damon may eventually agree to his father's commands when his anger cools down.
'I'll just have to make sure that never happens.'
Zion let out a resigned sigh before standing with his brothers. "I'm sorry, Athena." That was all he said before dragging his brothers out of the room.
Hiding my satisfied smile, I rushed out after the brothers. 'This is perfect. If I can't break the engagement, I'll have them do it instead!"
As they reached their car, I called out, my heart racing as I reached for Damon's arm, my hand grasping his tightly. The warmth of his skin felt like fire against mine as I managed my sweetest smile.
He froze, his expression twisting with disgust. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice laced with irritation.
I forced out a laugh, not caring to hide the mocking tone, "That was so funny, Damon! You know you can't go against your father, and yet you put up such a show."
I had to make this work. Damon Toler might be the only one who can convince his father, and I had to ensure that I was not blamed when this engagement failed.
Damon's gaze darkened, "Get away from me."
"Tomorrow," I leaned closer, masking my desperation with a confident smile, "We're going on a date. All three of you must come to Glimstone Cafe at 5 o'clock."
He blinked, "What?"
"We should get to know each other," I said with a shrug.
Damon pushed me away without even a second glance. He headed towards the car, and his two brothers followed him. I turned to look at Damon, and he paused for just a moment before glancing back and showing me his middle finger.
"You dream too high, Omega," he sneered, "You aren't even worthy of my glance."
Then, with one last infuriated glare, the car doors slammed shut. My smile vanished as I watched the brothers disappear.
- Writer
