Silver Oath

Chapter 4

LYRA

Without a second thought, I dropped on my knees.

I have to escape this. If I have to die? I can't die in the hands of my pack.

The stone floor was cold but I care less, my life is currently hanging on a thread line. The floor was biting through the thin soles of my shoes but I barely felt it. My body moved before my mind could catch up, before the fear could talk me out of survival.

“If you let me go,” I screamed, the words ripping out if my throat “I will bring you Kael Draven’s head.”

I'm insane!

I'm going to kill who?

I heard guards behind me gasping like I just uttered a forbidden word.

“Lyra!” My father barked but I ignored him.

What I just uttered sounded crazy to me, I'm weak, how will I kill an Alpha? But I couldn't take it back. I'm desperate.

I need..to be free.

I'm tired but now, I don't think I'll ever be free again because I had just promised to give the Voss pack the exact thing it wanted.

The councilwoman stared at me as if I'd grown a second head.

My heart slammed so hard against my ribs, in a way I thought it might burst through. My palms were already slick with sweat, the silver thread under my skin was flaring faintly like it was listening.

“I'm mark-less,” I blurted out, forcing the words out before fear could choke them. “I don't know what this glow is but I swear to the moon goddess, that I'm not a danger to this pack.” My voice cracked, but I still pushed, I must not stop.

“I know what you're afraid of,” I said, lifting my head, meeting the eyes of my father, the Alpha of the pack and that of Hesa, the councilwoman. “You're afraid Kael Draven asks for me because he wants our land, which is true. This marriage is a conquest disguised as peace. You know this.”

The word “conquest” hit them hard. I knew it from the way the guards stiffened and the way the council woman's fingers curled slowly at her side.

“That's what he does,” I went on while trying so hard to conceal my shaky breath. “He's a monster, a bloody one. He takes territory, intimidates the smaller packs and he doesn't care who gets hurt.”

There was a sudden silence in the corridor, it was quiet but heavy. I could feel it.

“If you let me go,” I said again, my voice was now lower and a little bit steady. I was getting my confidence back. “I will kill him. I will take his land. And I will bring it back to the Voss pack.”

My father surged forward with anger and disbelief written on his face. “Enough!” He barked. “Lyra, you will be silent-”

I twisted towards him “No.”

My whole body froze for a second. Did I just say No to him?

The word surprised both of us but I gulped trying not to think about what I just said to my father whom I had never looked directly in the eyes “I will not be silent.” I clenched my fist. “You were willing to trade me like a sack of grain, you were willing to watch them strip me. So, listen to me now.”

Suddenly, the corridor felt too small for my voice, my knees burned, my throat ached but I stayed there not willing to stand until it's confirmed that I'm not dying today.

“I will prove my worth. Not as a bride but as a weapon, I will become a powerful weapon for you to use.”

Hesa didn't speak for a long moment. She studied me with keen eyes “Would you challenge the Silver-Marked Alpha?” She asked in a slow calculative way.

“Yes.”

“And die?”

My heart skipped a beat “Probably, If it's needed.”

I heard murmurs rippled through the guards,nHesa’s lips pressed into a thin line “Get up.” she ordered.

I did without any questions.

“Take her to the courtroom,” she said, turning sharply. “Now.”

The guards seized my arms in a very firm way. My father followed behind us, with his silence louder than any shouting.

The courtroom smelled like dust and old power. Torches lined the walls with a steady flames, the elders say in a half-circle, their faces carved from age and authority.

Councilwoman He's a step forward and spoke. She told them everything without missing a beat.

When she finished, the room erupted.

I knew it would! I was expecting it.

“You cannot allow this-”

“This is an impossible mission.”

“She's mark-less.”

I stood there while they argued over me like a broken tool for minutes. I felt my legs trembling and my palm burned badly.

Finally after what seems like forever, the eldest raised a hand.

The entire room fell silent instantly. “You propose treason disguised as loyalty,” he said to me.

“I propose survival. A way for us to be set free instead of slaving away for another pack.” I replied, staring at each and everyone of them seated before me including my father.

He studied me for a while before saying anything. “You would marry him.”

“Yes.”

“And kill him?”

“Yes”

“And if you fail?”

“Kill me.” I blurted out without thinking and I almost regretted it.

There was a long pause and the elders exchanged glances.

Elder Toie, another elder the pack respected, cleared his throat and stared at me “If you fail, you and your family will die.”

What? I didn't plan to bring my family into this.

I swallowed hard and glanced at my father, but he was at the other side with his face expressionless.

“Deal.” I agreed. I'm better off dead anyways.

But what about my family? I guess failure is not an option then.

“Bring the agreement,” Hesa ordered.

A parchment was placed before me with an ink and a blade.

The terms were clear; I would marry Kael Draven, I would not make an attempt to flee before the dawn which is the ceremony time.

I would not reveal the council’s knowledge and if I fail? My whole family would die with me, and not just that, the Voss pack would forfeit claims to the contested land.

I looked at my father but he didn't look at me, he didn't say anything. I asked for a pen and signed the agreement.

I walked back to my room alone, I closed the door behind me and whatever strength I had left collapsed.

I slid to the floor and sobbed until my chest hurt. I am an i***t.

A big one. A foolish one.

I don't know what I was thinking and now, I have become a mark-less girl with a mission to kill her husband-to-be.