Chapter 10 10

THE PRICE

TIANA’S POV

A loud knock jolted me awake from sleep. I groaned and dragged the pillow over my head as if I could muffle reality itself.

“Lady Tiana?” a voice called from outside. “Alpha Lucas asked me to call you. You’re needed in the throne room.”

I blinked rapidly, squinting against the morning light that surged through the curtains. My body felt heavy, sore in places that made me remember last night. I opened the blanket slightly and gazed at my bare thighs, there, I found glistening remnants of our lovemaking, evidence of the ecstasy we had shared.

“Lady Tiana?” the voice called again, bringing my mind back to reality.

“Tell him I’ll be there soon,” I murmured, and the guard walked away without another word.

I heaved a deep sigh and buried my face in the pillow with a low groan. Suddenly, my thoughts drifted to Lucas, the way he’d touched me, the way he’d whispered my name, his apologies and promises.

I sat up, running a hand through my tangled hair. “You’re a fool, Tiana,” I muttered, smiling broadly despite myself. “A complete fool in love.”

Giggling, I bit my lip and got up slowly, then strode to the bathroom to take my bath. The shower was quick but needed. I stood under the stream, letting the warm water wash away the remnants of sleep, and maybe the little doubt still clinging to my chest.

By the time I stepped out of the bathroom, I was already feeling relaxed. I dressed immediately and headed to the throne room.

All eyes turned to me as soon as I entered, except for Lucas’s. He was sitting on the raised dais, bent over a stack of papers with a blank expression. The elders were seated on the other side, gazing at me with stern faces. And then there were the strangers, three of them standing silently near the entrance.

Their scent was different, not from any pack I recognized. I frowned but forced a polite smile, bowing my head slightly. “You asked for me, Alpha?”

At the sound of my voice, Lucas looked up. For a brief second, warmth flickered in his eyes, causing my heart to leap. But then it was gone, replaced by the calm mask of a leader.

“Yes,” he said smoothly. “Come forward.”

I walked toward him, trying to ignore the curious stares of the strangers. Lucas gestured to the document before him, and I turned my gaze to it.

“This is the partnership contract I mentioned,” he explained. “Between Rivermist Pack and the Brandfort Company. I need your signature to finalize it.”

Brandfort. I’d made a few inquiries about the company, and I gathered that it's one of the biggest corporations in the northern territories with a dark hearted CEO. They’d been expanding, swallowing up smaller businesses. But what did that have to do with us?

Still, I smiled weakly. “You didn’t tell me it was this urgent.”

Lucas smiled as well and responded, “Some opportunities don’t wait.”

Something in his tone soothed me, and I nodded, taking the quill he offered. My hand trembled slightly as I bent over the paper. I was about to sign but hesitated as a thought suddenly drifted into my mind.

“You’re sure about this?” I asked softly, gazing at Lucas, whose eyes suddenly softened.

“Completely,” he replied.

That response was enough for me. I took a deep breath and signed my name. The moment the ink dried, a murmur rippled through the elders’ seats. One of the strangers, tall, broad-shouldered, with the calm confidence of someone used to power, stepped forward and bowed slightly toward Lucas.

“It’s official, then,” he said. “The agreement stands.”

“It does,” Lucas said with a nod, and the man turned his gaze to me. “We’ll be leaving within the hour.”

“Leaving? Where?” I blurted in surprise and confusion, blinking rapidly. Lucas never told me we’d be going anywhere after the alliance. What the hell was he talking about?

Lucas shifted in his seat and began to speak, avoiding my eyes. “Tiana, listen…”

“What does he mean by leaving? I don’t understand,” I interrupted, glancing at the stranger.

“As per the terms of the contract, Miss Thompson will be escorted to Brandfort headquarters. Our CEO prefers to handle personal negotiations directly.”

My stomach dropped. “What?”

Lucas rose slowly, the paper still in his hand. “It’s part of the deal,” he said quietly.

“They offered protection, resources, and everything our pack needs. In return…” He hesitated for a short while before adding, “You’ll serve the Brandfort representative. Their promised alliance.”

I stared at him blankly, pondering the words that refused to make sense. “Promised alliance?” My throat tightened. “You mean…”

“Their CEO demanded a personal bond. This was the only way.”

I took a step back, shaking my head in disbelief as realization suddenly dawned on me. I’d believed we would be leaving together at least, but it turned out I’d be the only one leaving with the strangers.

“You… you sold me to them? You made me sign…”

“I did what I had to do,” Lucas interrupted with a tightened jaw. The words sliced through me like cold steel. I opened my mouth to speak but found it difficult to do so, no matter how hard I tried.

When I looked at Lucas, I realized the smile he’d worn last night, the softness, the promises, all of it had been part of this.

“You used me,” I whispered with a broken voice.

“Tiana—”

“Don’t.” I warned, raising my hands while trying to conceal the tears that threatened to slip from my eyes.

“Don’t say my name.”

Lucas didn’t say a word after that. He only pressed his lips together and gazed at me intently. The strangers st

ood motionless, and the elders pretended as if they didn’t see the ruin in my eyes.