Chapter 45 Chapter 45 Author's POV Inside the Study Ebonclaw Pack The study was thick with tension. Kael Vale stood in front of Alpha Alaric and Luna Zara, his voice rising with disbelief. "Dad, Mom-you know exactly what kind of reputation the Stormridge heir has. How can you still force Riley to marry into that Pack? She's your blood. Even if you've never shown her the same love, how can you send her into something that could destroy her?" Alaric slammed his palm on the desk with a resounding thud. "Enough! Watch your tone. What do you mean destroy her! With her background, being accepted by Stormridge is a gift. A rare one. She should be grateful." Kael stared at his father like he no longer recognized the man. His lips trembled. "Her body's already broken, Dad. Prison destroyed her health. You're giving her to a male known for violence, aggression-and you expect her to survive that?" Just imagining Riley-frail and wounded-thrown into the hands of a brutal Alpha made Kael's heart twist with both fury and Jdread. Alaric's expression darkened further. "If she doesn't go... what, you want Scarlett to marry him instead?" Kael froze. He turned his gaze toward the girl standing silently beside them-Scarlett, with her downturned lashes and soft trembling lip. She looked up at him, eyes filled with sorrow, and he flinched. y to be sacrificed. He didn't want Riley But sacrificing Scarlett? "I... I just... Kael faltered. "There is no just." Alaric cut him off, his voice a bit calmer now, but no less firm. "In a few days, the land auction at East Borough will begin. Stormridge Pack is hell-bent on acquiring that territory. Even if Ebonclaw and Blackmaw combine forces, we still might not outbid them." He leaned forward, voice heavy. "The regional council has already designated East Borough as a central economic zone. When it's developed, all major commerce will shift there. Whoever owns it-controls it. And if Stormridge wins it... Ebonclaw will lose its foothold in Mooncrest" Alaric's jaw tightened as he continued, "We can't fight the Stormridge Alpha, So we do the only thing we can-we join them. An alliance through marriage is the most direct path." Kael's knuckles were bone white from how hard he clenched his fists. The guilt gnawed at him. Zara wiped away a tear, voice low and trembling. "Kael... Do you think this is easy for us? We're not heartless. We haven't slept. for days thinking about this. But the Pack-our company-feeds hundreds of wolves. We can't afford to be sentimental." "I'm her mother," she whispered. "I carried her for nine months. I know how fragile she is... I love her, Kael. Just as much as you do. But sometimes love means sacrifice." "Stormridge might not be as bad as the rumors say," she added weakly. "Maybe... maybe their Alpha heir isn't as cruel as they claim Kael said nothing. He understood the logic. He understood the stakes. But that didn't make it right. The silence hung heavy over the room-until Scarlett's soft sob broke through. Til go," she said, voice hoarse. "I'll marry into Stormridge in Riley's place." The three of then turned toward her. Chapter 45 Scarlett stood with tears pooling in her lashes, but she forced a smile. "If marrying him will help the Ebonclaw Pack then I'll do it. I'm not even your real daughter. When Riley came home, I should've stepped aside." Her voice cracked "But I loved you both too much. I couldn't leave. I know now... I should've done something sooner." Karl's heart twisted. Scarlett smiled again, even as her tears fell freely. "Even if you don't see me as your daughter after this... I'm willing to do. what's best for the family." Zara broke down, pulling Scarlett into her arms. "Don't say such things! You'll always be my daughter, my baby girl. I would never let you marry someone so dangerous. You have a future with Ronan. You're already promised." She stroked Scarlett's hair gently. "Don't worry. When the East Borough project stabilizes, we'll finalize your marriage with the Blackmaw heir. You were meant to be his Luna." Scarlet blushed, eyes shyly bright with anticipation, Watching the mother-daughter display, Alaric finally smiled. "Go back to Ronan. Spend time with him. Your mother and I need to speak with Kael" Scarlett and Zara left the room hand in hand. Kael stood frozen, watching them go. Riley was to be offered up-again. She had always been the one who could endure. She was always the one expected to endure. Kael's heart twisted painfully Behind him, Alaric slumped into his chair and rubbed his temple. "Kael, I know you care for your sister. But this is bigger than you or her. The survival of Ebonclaw rests on this marriage. None of us have a choice." Kael closed his eyes, "I know...