Karl’s POV

I shouldn't have done that.

That was the only thought in my mind as I stared at the girl lying beside the fire.

I sighed. “What have I done?”

Liam, my bodyguard more like my best friend, poked the fire with a stick.

“You tell me, Alpha. You just saved the enemy’s enemy. Do you even know what that means?”

I rubbed my face.

“Yeah. It means I’ve officially lost my mind.”

Liam scoffed. “You think?, You just wage a suicidal war.”

He wasn’t wrong. Claiming her in front of all those wolves… it was suicidal. The Nightbane pack already hated me for my bloodline.

But I couldn’t just stand there and watch them kill her.

Something about her eyes or the way she looked at me, made me move before I even thought.

“This is bad,” Liam said again, as if I didn’t already know.

“ Can you please tone it down and let me think.” I said as I stared at her again for some few minutes until Liam interrupted again.

“What would you do with her? You know you can’t keep her, alpha. She’s a warlock. You know how this will end. If the council finds out…”

“I said I’ll handle it.”

He sighed and leaned back on the chair. “Fine.’

I ignored him and picked up the pouch beside me. I pulled out a handful of silver coins and dropped them near her side.

“This should last her for a month,” I said quietly.

I grabbed another cloak and gently placed it over her shoulders. “No one in this territory will touch her as long as she’s wearing this. The service crest is on it.”

After a moment, I stood up. “Let’s go.”

He hesitated, glancing at the girl. “You’re leaving her here alone?”

“She’ll wake up soon. When she does, I believe she’ll know what to do.”

He didn’t argue this time. We stepped outside and headed home.

By the time I reached I was a few hours late for the council meeting.

My father was already waiting by the council hut. His face was pale, his hair seemed to get grey everyday.

“Karl,”

He studied me for a moment. “You were gone all night.”

“I went for patrol,” I said.

“With who?”

“Liam.”

“Hmm” . he nodded as he cleared his throat.

“ Remember you would be getting married tomorrow and the council would come in the evening to finalise the marriage” He said calmly, as if I had already agreed to the marriage.

“ And I have told you countless times that I would do no such thing.”

“Karl…”

“I said no! I won’t marry her.”

His expression hardened. “Can you stop being unreasonable and listen to me. You think the pack would allow a half-breed rule without an alliance?”.

“ Half breed” I scoffed

“This half breed has fought in more wars than any of them,” I said. “I’ve won battles they were too scared to fight. I don’t need a wife to prove I can lead the pack.”

“Okay lets say you don't need an alliance, don't you plan on getting married” he snapped.

“In a few weeks time you would be the alpha of this pack and you need a Luna to rule by your side.”

“I will figure something out.”

“ Can you stop being unreasonable, marrying Aurora is your only option.”

“I would rather lose everything than marry Aurora,” I snapped. “She kills warlocks for sport. Do you want me to sleep beside someone who would have slit my mother’s throat?”

“Can you stop being unreasonable.”

“No,” I said again, quieter this time.

He sighed deeply, as if coming to the conclusion that arguing with me was futile.

“Either way you are getting married tomorrow, if not her , then bring the girl you desire.” He said as he walked away.

I scoffed as I walked outside because right now the marriage didn't bother me, but the girl I saved, I didn't know if she was safe.

I stepped out heading to see the girl.

“Leaving so soon, Alpha Karl?” it was Aurora

I turned around slowly. She stood there in her white cloak, arms crossed, her posture straight as always. Her eyes studied me with the same look people give when they are measuring an enemy’s weakness.

“Shouldn’t you be in the elders’ council meeting?”

“I was,” she said. “But I wanted to make sure you were ready.”

I scoffed. “Ready? For what? "

Her lips twitched, but not into a smile. “Our wedding,” she said.

“In your dreams,” I muttered and tried to walk past her.

She moved, blocking my way. “You don’t have a choice, alpha. You know what’s at stake for this pack.”

I met her gaze. “And that is not of your business."

She continued. “You know I care about balance. And as Luna, I’ll make sure things are set right.”

“Set right?” I frowned. “You mean get rid of every warlock who breathes?”

“If that’s what it takes.”

I stared at her for a moment. “Then tell me something, Aurora. Why do you even want to marry me? You’ve hated me since the day I was born.”

Her chin lifted slightly. “Because as Luna, I’ll have power beyond the council. Close to the Alpha. I’ll be able to wipe them all out. Every last one of your kind.”

“You sound confident,” I said. “But what makes you think I’ll let that happen?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Because you don't don't have a choice."

I leaned forward slightly. “We would see about that tomorrow."

“You are just bluffing." She said her vioce a little shaky.

" You can’t disobey the council, alpha. Not without consequences.”

I took a step closer until only a few inches separated us. “Then they can keep their consequences. Because I’ll marry someone else.”

Her brows drew together. “Who?”

“A warlock,” I said. “The very being you hate.”

I gave her one last look, then turned away. “See you at the meeting, Luna.”