Chapter 2 Blood Pact hostage

Aunt Clare was scheming against me. And yet, I still found myself at the border. Even if the pack had treated me unfairly, the fact remained-I had failed to awaken. Maybe that alone was enough to make me unworthy of staying. I needed to think of a way out. At the very least, I couldn't be thrown out of the pack before my mother returned. Aunt Clare thought it was her threats that made me obediently come here. But in truth, I was the one desperate to reach the border. I could barely contain my eagerness-like something vital was calling to me from ahead. As I ran, Dominic Ashford's name and Aunt Clare's chilling smile flashed through my mind over and over. *** At the border, the enemy pack stood in eerie silence, their presence heavy with menace. A man stood at the very front, bathed in moonlight, commanding all attention. Tonight, the moon was bright, illuminating not just his silver hair but also the deep shadows carved across his sculpted face. "Who is the blood pact hostage? Let me see your sincerity." His voice cut through the night, cold and absolute, tearing apart the illusion of peace. He stepped forward casually. And with every step he took, the wolves behind him followed in unison, pressing closer. An invisible force loomed over us, heavy and suffocating. Who was he? And what did "blood pact hostage" mean? "Ashford! It's not time yet! Are you Silverpine wolves breaking the pact?" Young David, the Alpha's son, spoke in anger. The silver-haired man chuckled, as if amused. "Time?" He repeated the word like it was some kind of joke, his lips curling slightly. Then, with a careless shrug, he said, "Oh. I changed my mind." He stopped, his smile vanishing in an instant. With a cold scoff, he said, "It seems you still don't understand the situation. What kind of tricks are you playing behind my back? Hmm?" His dark eyes locked onto David. Without moving a muscle, he simply lifted his hand-and flicked his fingers. The next moment, a warrior at the front was suddenly yanked off his feet by an invisible force. He tumbled twice, crashing into his comrades with a startled yelp. A heavy silence fell over the Silverpine wolves. They stood still. Waiting. As if a single word from their Alpha would send them lunging forward. "You-!" David tensed, his body jerking slightly before he forced himself to stay put. Our Alpha and Beta weren't here. As an underage wolf, he was nowhere near strong enough to challenge Ashford. Leonard, my uncle-the Beta's eldest son-stepped up beside David, his fury rolling off him in waves. With a roar, he shifted into a massive gray wolf, lowering his stance, fur bristling as he glared at Ashford. But Ashford didn't even spare him a glance. He continued his slow, casual advance, voice steady. "Tonight, I will get my answer. One way or another." Or what? Would he start a war? I stayed silent, watching the situation unfold carefully. "Hah." A cold laugh rang out. Vivian took a step forward, tilting her chin up in arrogant defiance. "So this is the infamous Dominic Ashford? Hah-underwhelming." Vivian scoffed, lifting her chin in arrogant challenge. "Vivian!" "Vivian!" David's voice was sharp and commanding. Too late. A furious uproar rippled through the enemy wolves. A challenge against their Alpha was a call to war. Their growls rumbled through the air, eyes gleaming with bloodlust, claws scraping against the ground in anticipation. "Fight! Fight! Fight!" The atmosphere shifted instantly. Ashford's gaze flicked toward the source of the provocation. His expression unreadable, he lazily studied Vivian's aggressive stance. Then-he smirked. Not impressed. Not interested. He scoffed and looked away, as if she wasn't even worth his time. But then-he froze. Slowly, almost deliberately, he turned back... his gaze pinning me in place. What? Why was he looking at me? I felt like a small animal caught in the sights of a predator. My blood ran hot, my entire body frozen in place. And yet, my mind spun wildly with thoughts that made no sense. Had I met this man before? Why did he seem... strangely familiar? No. Impossible. "You..." For the first time, Ashford looked-uncertain. His sharp gaze scanned me carefully, as if trying to confirm something. Then- A force slammed into my back. I staggered forward, out of the crowd-exposed. "We're ready!" Aunt Clare's sharp voice rang out, urgent and unwavering. "This is Aurora. Our chosen blood pact hostage-the daughter of Evelyn Ravencroft!" "Me?" I froze, staring at her in disbelief. My lips parted, but I couldn't form the words. No one gave me time to process it. "Oh? " "Evelyn's daughter?" Amusement flickered in Ashford's voice, but his next words were absolute. "Come here." Behind me, Clare's voice slithered into my ear, low and insidious. "This is your moment to be useful. Think about yourself. Or..." She paused. "Think about Evelyn." The words hit harder than I expected. My mother. She still didn't know I had failed to awaken. She had already sacrificed so much for me. And now, if I wanted to stay in this pack... How much more would she have to endure? Was Aunt Clare forcing me to trade myself for that right? But... a blood pact hostage? A bargaining chip? A sacrifice? How long had Aunt Clare been planning this? How long had the elders known? Had they given up on me only after my failed awakening... Or was it much, much earlier? Could I afford this price? Thoughts stabbed through my mind like needles, sharp and relentless. But in the end, I had no choice. With clenched fists and a racing heart, I forced myself to move. The closer I got, the harder it was to breathe. Ashford waited, watching with apparent amusement. Then, just a few steps away from him-I stopped. I couldn't breathe. His gaze flickered in dissatisfaction. In two strides, he closed the distance and grabbed me. His grip tightened as he pulled me closer. Fingers wrapped around my jaw, tilting my face up toward his. Strands of his silver hair brushed against my ear, his warm breath ghosting over my neck. What is he doing? Is he going to bite me?! I tried to push him away, but my body refused to listen. My heart pounded against my ribs, wild and erratic. But he only inhaled. Slowly. "Half-wolf?" His tone was full of mockery. "Evelyn's child is a half-breed?"