Chapter 5 Chapter 5

POV Astrid

I had expected him to take me prisoner, to kill me, or even to exile me. Instead, what I had just heard—I never would have expected it. He wanted me to marry him in exchange for sparing my father’s life.

It was true that I would not be marrying for love, nor for convenience, since every man I had ever known had made it clear they would rather die than become my husband. I did not believe myself capable of becoming this man’s wife. A werewolf—the very thing my father had taught me to hate from the very first day. It would be the greatest betrayal, and yet it was my only option.

I knew well of the hatred his people felt toward mine, and that the mere idea of mixing with us was inconceivable to them. The truth was, I did not care. Nothing held me there anymore, and nothing could be worse than what I had lived through at my father’s side.

I then turned to look at my father, realizing that fear was still present in his eyes, as if he knew I would refuse—and reproached me for it.

He extended his hand to seal the deal, absolutely convinced that I would decline, or at least that was the impression I had. It was as if this were nothing more than a test, a trap.

So I made a decision. After all, I had nothing to lose.

—I accept —that single word changed the situation, and both our lives, completely.

The moment he heard me, the expression on his face shifted entirely.

—What did you say? —he asked, visibly shaken.

—I accept your condition. I will marry you —I repeated, to his horror, as I clasped his deformed hand.

At the exact instant our hands met, so did our blood. His hand bore a deep wound that had not yet fully healed, while mine had an ugly scrape from when I threw myself onto the ground covered in sharp rocks.

—Are you sure this is what you want? I am, after all, a werewolf. Are you truly willing to bind your life to mine? —he questioned, making his nature clear, expecting me to repent once I understood it. That much was obvious.

—Yes, I am —I admitted.

Barely had the words left my lips when I saw his expression grow darker. His grip tightened, and his eyes began to glow once more. It lasted only a moment before he released me abruptly and stepped away.

—Do you have any idea what you’ve just done? —he demanded sternly, as if accusing me of something.

—All to save this man’s life —he said with contempt, and at that point I could not tell whether it was directed at him or at me.

Though I did not know his identity, there had never been any doubt that he was a werewolf—not when even the way he moved set him apart from the rest. What he was, and what he was capable of, terrified me deeply, but I had no choice.

He then began to walk, passing by me until he stood before my father.

—She has saved your life —he told him, seemingly intent on humiliating him with the fact.

My father, however, burst into loud laughter. It held not a trace of humor and sent a deep chill through me.

Apparently, he was just as affected by that reaction, because without wasting another second, he struck him so hard in the jaw that he sent him straight to the ground, knocking him unconscious in a single blow.

—Would you truly be willing to give your life for a man like this? —he pressed, sounding somewhat incredulous.

—Yes —I admitted.

—Why? —he demanded to know.

—Because he is my father —I said aloud.

The instant he heard that, I saw his face fall completely.

—What did you say? —he questioned firmly as he stepped closer.

—He is my father —I repeated.