The Alpha Who Never Marked Me Begged Me Back

Chapter 4

Lila's POV:

That evening, Father came while I was checking the last trunk.

He looked at the wedding gown folded beside the bed and sat down. "Is there anything you haven't packed?"

I shook my head. "I've got everything."

He took my hand. "Are you sure?"

"I am."

Father was quiet for a moment, about to speak, when an argument broke out beyond the door.

"Let me in. I need to speak to Alpha!"

Ian pushed into the room. He didn't even look at me before striding straight to Father.

"Please cancel the alliance marriage."

Father released my hand. "I have already answered you."

"The Northlands want grain and the trade road. We can negotiate both. Why do we have to send someone there?"

"The agreement was finalized two months ago."

"But Daphne doesn't want to go!" He stepped closer. "Have you seen how much she's cried these last few days? She's your daughter too!"

Father's face turned grim.

Ian suddenly turned to me. "Lila, say something too. She leaves tomorrow."

Father blocked his view of me. "Did you come to beg me, or to force her?"

Ian faltered. "I didn't mean it like that."

"How many times have you come here these past few days? When have I ever refused to hear you out? But other than demanding I break the agreement, what solution have you offered?"

His lips tightened. "Then let me go north to negotiate. I'll leave now. Tell the carriage to wait—"

"Enough."

Father called the guards. "Take him to the west tower. Release him after the bridal party leaves tomorrow."

Ian jerked his head up. "Alpha!"

"Spend tonight thinking about what your position requires."

The guards seized him by the shoulders. He struggled once, still looking at me.

"Lila, talk to him. You know she can't go somewhere like that!"

"Take him away."

When the door closed again, the room finally fell silent.

Father looked at me and sighed wearily. "Get a good night's sleep. Dad will see you off tomorrow."

At dawn, Poppy did my hair.

The trunks had already been loaded, and the guards assigned to escort the bride stood in formation outside.

Father came for me himself and helped me down the stairs.

Daphne stood in the hall. When she saw me in my wedding gown, surprise flashed across her face, then a smile tugged at her mouth.

"So you're the one going north, Lila. Why didn't you say so sooner? You had me worried for days."

I didn't answer.

She smiled again. "Then I wish you and my new brother-in-law a long, happy life. The Northlands are so far away. You'd better take good care of yourself."

"Daphne!"

Father cut her off sharply.

Her smile vanished. "Dad, I only came to see Lila off."

"Go back to your room."

She seemed ready to argue, but Father's cold expression made her bite her lip and leave.

Father took my hand and led me outside.

The high priestess was waiting before the bridal carriage. Everyone there stepped aside.

She looked at me and asked one final time, "Lila, are you ready to sever your fated bond?"

Father's hand tightened around mine.

I squeezed it gently, then let go and walked to the priestess. "I am."

A silver basin was brought before me. I took the silver blade and laid its edge against my palm.

(End of Lila's POV)

*****

The lock on the west tower door clicked twice.

Daphne pushed the door open with a key in her hand. "Hurry, Ian. I came to get you out."

Ian sprang up from his chair. When he saw her, he stared. "Why are you here?"

Daphne smiled and took his hand. "I don't have to go."

"Alpha canceled the marriage?"

"No. Lila is going in my place." At last, she couldn't stop herself from laughing. "She agreed to it. She even signed the contract herself."

Ian's hand went rigid.

The winter clothes folded beside Lila's bed, the half-packed trunk, and the look in her eyes rushed back to him at once.

"What if I were the one going north?"

How had he answered her then?

He had told her not to say things she didn't mean. Not to make trouble at a time like this.

Daphne was still pulling at his hand. "Now you can stop worrying. Lila wanted to go, Dad agreed, and we—"

"Where is she?" Ian asked, his voice low and raw.

Daphne didn't notice anything wrong. "Outside. The procession is about to leave. Ian, we can be together now!"

But in the next instant, Ian flung her hand away and raced down the stairs.

"Ian!"

Daphne chased him a few steps but couldn't catch him.

Ian tore through the corridor, nearly bowling over several servants. He didn't stop. He flew down the steps and finally saw the bridal party outside.

Lila stood beside the carriage, her white veil falling over her shoulders as she placed the bloodstained silver blade back on the ritual tray.

"I, Lila Sinclair, reject Ian Rhodes as my mate."

His breath caught.

"No—"

"Moon Goddess, sever the bond between us."

Pain tore through his chest.

Ian staggered against a column, his vision going black. He reached desperately for the familiar pull, but he only felt it tremble one last time.

Then it was gone.

*****

Lila's POV:

Beside the carriage, Father steadied me.

After the pain passed, I took the handkerchief Poppy offered, pressed it against the cut in my palm, gathered my skirts, and climbed into the carriage.

The guards mounted their horses. The wheels began to turn.

Ian finally fought free of the pain and stumbled down the steps.

"Lila!"

My hand stopped on the window ledge for a moment.

As he watched the carriage pull away, panic finally broke through his voice.

"Lila, don't!"