Chapter 14-You Don't Have a Choice

Elara's POV “What kind of barbaric tradition is that?” I hissed, my voice low but shaking with disbelief. “There’s no way I’m doing that.” I tried to pull away from Thorne on the dance floor, but his arm tightened around my waist like a steel band. He slammed my body flush against his. We kept moving to the slow music, but now every inch of me was glued to him. Heat poured off his body, burning through the fabric of my wedding dress. “You don’t have a choice,” he whispered coldly against my ear, his lips brushing my skin. “So you better listen to me.” “Let go of me, you freak,” I glared up at him, my heart hammering wildly. Thorne scoffed, his silver eyes narrowing. “You actually think I want to touch you? Don’t think so highly of yourself.” “Like I want your hands on me,” I spat back, even as my body betrayed me with another shiver. His grip didn’t loosen. If anything, he pulled me closer, his thigh sliding between mine as we turned slowly on the floor. The friction sent unwanted sparks racing up my legs. Other couples joined the dance around us, but it felt like the whole world had narrowed to just him and me. “Just so you know,” he said, voice low and rough, “there’s no way we’re actually f*****g in front of them. We’re going to give them a good show. We’ll pretend to consummate the marriage. You’ll have to put on a loud performance for them.” My stomach flipped. “How are we supposed to put on a show when they’ll be watching us?” “As much as it’s our tradition, we still respect some privacy. There’ll be a thick canopy covering the bed. They won’t see us naked. They’ll only stay long enough to confirm the marriage is consummated, then they’ll leave.” I felt sick. “Who the f**k came up with this?” “Tradition is tradition,” he replied flatly. “They’re just making sure the lineage is secure. That there will be an heir.” “And what if a child isn’t born after some time?” I challenged. His cold eyes narrowed dangerously. “One step at a time.” Goddess, this was insane. My father would be there. Watching. Waiting. The thought made my skin crawl with humiliation. “This is crazy. My father will be standing right there and you expect me to put on a show of us having s*x… to moan…I don’t even know how to do that.” Thorne’s gaze sharpened. “So you’re a virgin.” My face burned hot. “Well, when you’re busy training to be Alpha, you don’t exactly have time for boys,” I spat in anger. The music swirled around us, but all I could feel was the hard press of his body, the way his hand splayed across my lower back, fingers digging in just enough to remind me who was in control. The tension between us was thick, electric, almost suffocating. Every slow sway of our bodies felt intimate. Dangerous. My n*****s hardened against the fabric of my dress from the constant friction, and I hated how aware I was of him. “Follow my lead tonight and you’ll be fine,” he said quietly. “Of course, sir,” I replied mockingly, but my voice came out breathier than I wanted. The dance finally ended. Thorne kept hold of my hand and led me back to our table like I was some prize on display. I sat down, legs shaky, my mind spinning with everything he’d just told me. How was I supposed to pretend to have s*x with the man I hated more than anything? How was I going to moan loud enough for the entire pack to hear while they stood there watching? It was so embarrassing I wanted to disappear into the floor. I lifted a hand to run my fingers through my hair but stopped myself. It would ruin the fancy style they’d done for the wedding. Instead, I clenched my fists in my lap and tried to breathe. Across the room, Thorne was already talking to a group of Alphas, his face like carved stone. Did his face always have to look that cold? My heart wouldn’t stop pounding as I imagined what was coming later. The canopy. The witnesses. His body over mine. Even if it was pretend, the thought made me want to throw up. Thorne glanced around the room like he was searching for someone, his expression serious as he spoke with Tyler and another Alpha. They looked like they were discussing trouble. A sharp sound cut through the hall…someone tapping a glass. I turned and saw my father standing tall, raising his glass with a proud but tired smile. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please?” Everyone turned toward him. The room quieted. “Thank you all for being here tonight,” my father said warmly. “This union marks peace, strength, and a new beginning for our packs. May the Moon Goddess bless Alpha Thorne and my daughter, Elara.” “Cheers!” the crowd roared, glasses clinking everywhere. I forced a small smile and raised my own glass, but something felt wrong. Across the room, a man was staring intently at Thorne. My stomach tightened. The man moved slowly through the crowd, getting closer. Then I saw it…a silver dagger glinting under his suit sleeve. He was hiding it well, but I’d spent years training to notice things like that. Thorne was still talking, completely oblivious, his back partially turned. I could just ignore it. Pretend I didn’t see. Let the man do what he came to do. Thorne would be gone, and I’d be free from this nightmare marriage. One less monster in the world. The man crept closer. The dagger was almost fully visible now. ‘Ignore him,’ one part of me whispered. ‘He’s your husband,’ another part argued. Damn it. My heart raced. I stood up fast. Thorne’s silver eyes snapped to mine instantly, sharp and questioning. Everything happened in a blur. My hand dove under my dress, fingers closing around the hilt of the dagger I’d hidden there earlier. I pulled it out in one smooth motion and threw it with all my strength. Gasps exploded across the hall. The dagger flew past Thorne’s shoulder, a silver streak cutting through the air, and buried itself straight into the assassin’s forehead with a sickening thud. The man’s eyes widened in shock for half a second before his body dropped heavily to the floor. Blood pooled around his head. Silence crashed over the room. Then chaos. “What have you done?!” someone screamed.