The morning sky over the North End was dark and cold. Lyra drove down the snowy roads, her car winding through the dense woods of the Lightfall Pack's territory. The trees cast long shadows on the ground. She was alone, with no escorts or visible signs of power, but her eyes burned with anger and determination while her only target was Akira.

By midday, Lyra arrived at the Lightfall Fortress of the imposing headquarters of the ruthless Alpha Thane. Despite his fearsome reputation, Lyra calmly went through security and was led to the meeting room where Thane waited.

Alpha Thane sat beneath a crown of wolf-bone antlers, his sharp gray eyes immediately narrowed at her approach. His hair, streaked with silver, fell loose over broad shoulders. He was a man untouched by sentiment, hardened by the laws of power.

"Lyra, I thought you Roy wolves prided yourselves on independence." He said, his voice cut the air like steel.

Lyra knelt immediately.

“I come not as a Roy, but as a mother. One seeking protection and alliance.” Lyra muttered.

That piqued his interest.

“Go on.” Alpha Thane exclaimed.

Lyra straightened, her voice steady. “You know of Alpha Aurora’s death. And now the bastard we brought home stands to inherit but she is unmatched....and weak. An alliance with your pack will distance her from us. In return, I offer her in marriage to your son, Kieran, and a strength alliance with the waterfall pack as you've wished.”

Alpha Thane rose slowly from his seat. “You offer your daughter’s rival to my heir? I don't get it. Thought you have to princess”

“No, just one. The first one wasn't my daughter, she is just a puppet we saw abandoned in the bush and raised alone…. Just carrying our name but not biologically ours so you're free to use her as you pleased. She's not just good on bed but house chores too” Lyra explained, her expression filled with determination.

He chuckled. “And you believe Kieran will accept this match?”

Lyra's smile was thin. “He will if you command him. Just as I’ll ensure Akira complies.” Lyra responded, with a serious expression.

Thane turned away, silent. Outside, the wind howled like wolves mourning their dead. Then, after a beat, he spoke.

“Very well. I’ll prepare the terms. Your daughter will be wedded to my son under full moon rites. But if she resists or this was just a sweet talk, I'll make sure that the entire waterfall pack was wiped out.”

“I will handle her.” Lyra promised.

Thane’s expression darkened with something unreadable.

“Then we have a deal.” He said finally.

Lyra bowed low and within the hour, she was gone riding hard under the cloak of evening, a wicked triumph simmering in her chest. Soon, Akira would be out of her life forever. Trapped, humiliated and forgotten in a marriage that would swallow her like winter’s cold.

Back in the fortress, Alpha Thane moved with purpose toward the western wing of the stronghold. He stopped before a steel door carved with runes, knocked once, he entered immediately without waiting.

Inside, Kieran stood in front of a large desk, shirtless and battle scarred from morning training. Liam, his brother, sat casually near the hearth, sipping wine.

Kieran looked up, surprised.

“Father?” He exclaimed.

Alpha Thane tossed a scroll onto the desk. “You’re getting married.” He uttered, his voice cut like a blade leaving the room into a stunned silence. Liam straightened while Kieran’s brows furrowed.

“Excuse me?” Kieran finally uttered.

Thane’s voice was firm as he responded with a sharp gaze at Kieran's face. “You’ll wed Akira Roy before the next full moon. Prepare your things.”

“I don’t even know her.” Kieran’s jaw tensed. “And the Roys are enemies, or have you forgotten?”

“This isn’t about love,” Thane said flatly. “It’s politics. The Waterfall Pack grows stronger. If we don’t secure our hold now, they’ll overtake us within a year. With the Roys under our thumb, we’ll ascend in rank. You don’t need to like her. Just claim her.”

Kieran’s eyes darkened. “She’s Aurora’s daughter. I’ve heard she’s headstrong. Dangerous.”

“All the better, break her or tame her but she will be yours.” Thane replied.

Kieran turned to Liam, who looked equally rattled.

“This wasn’t how I imagined proving my worth,” he muttered.

Liam exhaled. “You disappeared for three years, Kieran and most thought you were dead. This is your chance, don’t waste it.”

Thane nodded. “This marriage seals your return. It puts you back in the succession line. If you want to wear the Alpha crown one day, this is the first step.”

Kieran fell silent. There was no love in his eyes, only the chilling calculation of a man cornered.

Finally, he gave a curt nod. “Fine. But I won’t play the doting husband.”

“You won’t have to, Just make sure she kneels.” Thane said with a smirk.

As the alpha turned to leave, he paused.

“I’ll have a wedding gift prepared. Something... unforgettable.” Alpha Thane said finally and turned to leave.

As the door shut behind them, silence returned to the room.

Liam stood and crossed to Kieran. “Are you alright brother?” He asked.

Kieran’s gaze was distant. “I’ll use this marriage to rise. I’ll use her. But love? She’ll get none, only loyalty to my ambition.” He scoffed.

Liam frowned. “That’s dangerous. Women like her don’t bend easily.”

“I won’t ask her to bend, I’ll break her first.” Kieran whispered.