Bound by moonlight

Chapter One The Price of Peace "Marry him?" Raven Blackwood’s voice sliced through the war room, sharp enough to draw blood. "You can’t be serious." The five Elders of Shadowfang sat in grim silence, their expressions like stone. Her Beta, Marcus, stood beside her, arms crossed, his usual easy smirk nowhere to be found. That was the first sign this wasn’t a joke. Elder Aldric, the oldest and most unshakable of them all, folded his hands on the table. "This is not a discussion, Raven. It is a decision." Raven’s pulse pounded in her ears. She wanted to laugh, to throw the absurdity of it back in their faces. Instead, she gripped the edge of the wooden table so hard it creaked. "You expect me to marry Killian Thorncrest? The man who’s spent the last five years trying to take everything from us?" Elder Miriam, the only woman on the council, gave her a measured look. "We expect you to do what’s necessary to protect this pack." "And apparently, that means selling me off like some bargaining chip." Aldric exhaled, his lined face betraying a flicker of something—sympathy? Doubt? It didn’t matter. "The rogue packs are growing bolder, more organized. They’ve attacked our borders three times this month alone. If we don’t unite with Silverclaw, we won’t stand a chance." Raven shook her head. "We can fight. We have fought." Marcus shifted beside her. "And we’ve lost, Raven." His voice was quieter, but it landed harder than any Elder’s decree. "We’re outnumbered. If we keep going like this, we’ll be wiped out." Raven swallowed the lump in her throat. She hated this—hated that they were right. She had spent her entire life protecting Shadowfang, fighting to keep her people safe. If she said no, she was signing their death warrants. But to say yes? To marry Killian? Her wolf snarled at the thought. She forced herself to breathe, to steady the fire burning inside her. "And Killian agreed to this?" Elder Aldric nodded. "Reluctantly." She let out a humorless laugh. "That makes two of us." There was a long pause. Then, finally, she let go of the table and straightened. Her shoulders were stiff, but her voice was steady. "Fine. I’ll do it." But as she turned to leave, her hands clenched into fists. This isn’t a marriage. It’s a war in disguise. --- Three Days Later – The Wedding The Silverclaw estate was as cold and impersonal as she’d expected. Marble floors, towering glass windows, chandeliers that gleamed like icicles. Everything about it screamed power, but not the kind that made people feel safe. The grand hall was filled with werewolves from both packs. Their faces were unreadable, but she could feel the weight of their stares pressing down on her. Watching. Judging. Waiting. She stood at the front, dressed in black. It wasn’t traditional, but she wasn’t here for a love story. She was here for a deal, and deals didn’t require white dresses. Then he walked in. Killian Thorncrest was every inch the cold, untouchable Alpha she remembered. His black suit was crisp, perfectly tailored, not a thread out of place. His dark hair was neatly combed back, and his icy blue eyes were unreadable. For a long moment, they just stared at each other. The last time they had stood this close, it had been in battle. Now, they were about to be bound together for life. Killian’s voice was low when he finally spoke. "I expected you to run." Raven lifted her chin. "And let you win? Not a chance." Something flickered in his gaze—amusement, maybe? But it was gone before she could be sure. The officiant cleared his throat, dragging them back to reality. The ceremony began, but Raven barely heard a word. The air felt thick, charged, like a storm waiting to break. Then came the vows. "Do you, Killian Thorncrest, take Raven Blackwood as your mate and Luna?" He didn’t hesitate. "I do." The words sent an unwelcome shiver down her spine. The officiant turned to her. "Do you, Raven Blackwood, take Killian Thorncrest as your mate and Alpha?" Her throat tightened. Everything in her screamed to say no. To run. But then she looked past Killian, saw her pack standing behind him. Watching. Depending on her. She clenched her jaw. "I do." The officiant smiled. "Then by the laws of our kind, you are now bound—" Killian took her hand, lifting it to his lips. The room fell silent. It was a show, a calculated display of unity. But when his breath brushed against her skin, something inside her shifted. She snatched her hand away. The crowd erupted in applause. She barely heard it over the pounding in her head. This wasn’t a wedding. It was a battlefield. And the war had only just begun. --- The First Night The door to their shared wing slammed shut behind them. Raven spun on him. "Let’s get something straight, Thorncrest. This is a marriage on paper. Nothing more." Killian unbuttoned his suit jacket, casually shrugging it off. "I’m aware." His calm only infuriated her more. "Then stay out of my way. I’ll run my pack, and you’ll run yours." He tilted his head, considering her. "That’s not how this works, Blackwood. Our packs need to believe in this union. If they see us at each other’s throats, this alliance crumbles." "So what, you expect me to pretend?" "Yes." Raven let out a sharp laugh. "I don’t pretend well." Killian smirked slightly, undoing the top button of his shirt. "Then you’ll have to learn." She stiffened. His casual indifference made her want to throw something, but she wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. Instead, she turned sharply, striding toward the adjoining bedroom. "Fine. But don’t think for a second I’m playing the happy little Luna for you." He didn’t stop her. But just before she slammed the door behind her, she heard his voice, quiet but firm. "I wouldn’t expect you to." Raven leaned against the door, closing her eyes. This wasn’t just a marriage. It was a game of survival. And the first to let their guard down would lose.