CHAPTER FIVE

I wake in the morning to a hand on my shoulder. I look up and see one of the prison guards standing over me. He gives me a smile then grabs me by the arm and pulls me to my feet.

"Time to go," he says. "Your new husband is here to marry you. He is waiting."

I am shocked. I can't believe I have slept. I can't believe I have woken up alive.

I look over at the girl, curled in the corner, snoring softly. The dagger she gave me is in my pocket.

Maybe I am not brave enough to kill Romulus. Maybe I will fail. Maybe I will end up mating with him. Maybe I will go through all the same terrible things she has. Everything he has done to her.

I am not strong enough to handle that. I cannot. This is the only way.

The guard takes me to Romulus’ chamber. He shoves me inside.

I stagger in. I am shaking. Terrified.

As I enter the room, Romulus turns to me and smiles.

I try to smile back, but I cannot. I am too filled with fear.

He sees the fear in my face and he laughs.

"Did you sleep well?" he asks.

"Fine," I reply.

He comes to me. His icy hand touches mine. I shudder.

"It is our wedding day," he tells me.

I swallow. I am filled with dread. "Yes."

"Come," he says. "We can't leave the guests waiting."

I follow him out of the room and down the corridor.

We pass the jail cells where I slept last night.

I catch a glimpse of the girl through the bars. I see her eyes on me. I see her hope. She is waiting for me to save her. To free her.

She is waiting for me to kill her tyrant.

We go through the archway and down the stairs. Romulus takes me to the great hall.

The pack are there, waiting for us. They start to cheer Romulus when they see him.

Their eyes are on me too. The girl who is to marry Romulus. The girl who is going to become their new queen.

We cross the great hall. We make our way to the stone table, where the priest is waiting.

I am so afraid.

Romulus and I stand opposite each other. The priest starts to recite the Latin words that mean Romulus and I are now wedded. I try to concentrate on the words. I try to concentrate on what they mean.

I try to forget that it is a sham. I try to forget that I am going to kill him tonight.

The priest holds out a bowl of water. He drips some of the water on Romulus’ forehead. Then Romulus takes my hand and dips a finger in the water. He drips a little of the water on my forehead.

The priest holds out a piece of bread and wine. Romulus takes the bread and puts it in my mouth. I can hardly swallow it.

Then he takes the wine and holds the cup to my lips. I sip.

"By the power invested in me," the priest says. "I pronounce you husband and wife."

The crowd cheer.

And that is it. I am betrothed to an Alpha I hate. An Alpha I am going to kill.

The priest looks at Romulus. "You may kiss your bride."

Romulus looks like he wants to devour me.

I freeze as he kisses me.

I just have to get through the day, I remind myself.

"Now," Romulus says. "It is time to go to the chamber."

He takes hold of my hand. His grip is tight. Powerful. I know he is stronger than me. I know I am no match for him.

Romulus is an Alpha. I am not.

I will have to kill him. I will have to kill the most powerful wolf in the pack.

I can't believe it. I am petrified. I am terrified. But I have no choice.

I have to kill Romulus. I have to save everyone. I have to escape.

Romulus leads me to the chamber. Two guards are standing outside, keeping watch.

I gulp. How will I kill Romulus without alerting them? How will I evade them once the deed is done? My mind swirls with anxiety.

Romulus opens the door.

The chamber is lit with torches.

Romulus leads me to the bed. The bed where he has slept with the other woman he captured. The one who gave me the knife.

I try not to think about her. And I try to forget the fact that I hate him and I am going to kill him.

Romulus pushes me onto the bed. He sits beside me. He leans in and kisses my neck.

His lips are cold. His breath smells foul. Like death.

I try to ignore it. I try to ignore him. I try to ignore everything and think about the dagger in my pocket.

"Take off your clothes," Romulus says.

"No," I say, defiantly.

"You're my wife," he says. "I am your Alpha. Do as I say."

"I won't."

He fixes his eyes on me. They are dark. Menacing.

I reach for the dagger. I draw it out of my pocket. Then I jump off the bed and slash him across the chest.

Romulus howls in pain. He stumbles backwards into the wall.

He presses a hand to his chest. He inspects the blood.

"I see," he says. "You want to play?"

He smiles like he has won. Then he lunges forward.

He tries to grab me. I swipe at him with my hands. But he is too strong. He pushes me back onto the bed.

I kick out. I knock him back. I kick him viciously, over and over again.

He grabs hold of my foot. He pulls me towards him. He is too strong.

"Help me!" I scream, thinking of the guards. "Help!"

He laughs. "They won't save you. No one will."

I clutch the dagger. I lash out again. This time I hit him. His face.

He holds his cheek. He is stunned.

I take advantage of the moment. I draw the dagger again. This time, I plunge it into his stomach.

He grunts. He groans. He staggers back.

I leap up and plunge the dagger into his neck.

He lets out a howl of pain. It is a terrible sound.

Then the Alpha falls to the floor. He lies sprawled on the ground.

A pool of blood forms under him. It is seeping from his neck. It is seeping from his stomach. It is seeping from his chest.

This is it. He is going to die.

I stand over him. I watch. I wait.

He convulses. He lies still.

He is dead.