Chapter 20 Callum I hadn't even finished processing what she said-what she meant, or if she'd actually go through with it-when Bianca turned, eyes sharp, lips already forming her threat. I knew that look. The kind worn by people who believed power was inherited, not earned. "Callum," she said sweetly, too sweet. "If you want to stay with the Alpha Princess, I need you to do something. I've had enough of this." No room for negotiation. I raised an eyebrow, silent. She stepped closer, heels echoing across polished floors. Her dress trailed like smoke, but beneath the polish, something sour twisted. "I want her to feel it," she said. My chest tightened. My wolf stirred. "Liora," she clarified, though she didn't need to. "Make her feel the material bond rip. Let her feel what rejection really means." My fists curled. My jaw locked. "It's just hurting a girl a little," she added, almost amused. "Easier than your usual duties. Honestly, this should be your kind of job." I stared at her like she was a stranger. Maybe she always had been. "No," I said, voice low. She blinked, genuinely surprised by my disobedience. "You want me to weaponize a soul tether?" I asked. "I didn't think a Royal princess would stoop that low." 1/4 Bianca's smirk faltered. "There's a lot you don't understand about ruling," she said quietly. "Do it or don't. Marry me or don't. But don't pretend to understand what I carry." I didn't respond, my head was pounding, and just like that, I ended it-I turned and walked out. The castle air had been suffocating. Outside, the wind hit like ice across my face. It stung, but I felt better with every step. Toby caught up with me halfway through the grounds. "Hey, you okay? She acting up again?" I didn't answer. The fact that he already knew who the problem was said enough. We kept walking. The crunch of gravel was easier than the chaos in my head. Later, in the student council room, I buried myself in paperwork. Routine, calm, controllable. But none of it could erase what happened. "What do you think of Bianca?" I finally asked through the silence. Toby glanced at me like it was a trick question, or just happy I was finally talking again. "What I think doesn't matter. She's Royal. We don't get to judge the princess." "That's not what I asked.' He exhaled. "She's... powerful. Acts like it. Beautiful. But sometimes..." He paused. "She's mean, Callum. She isn't like the female alpha everyone thought she'd be." My hand rubbed my head hard. The sun had dipped low, casting long shadows across the tiled floors. Drake and Zane had finally returned from the practice dance, laughing together like usual. "You're late." I said, my eyes flicking up. Zane smirked, "Yeah, yeah. Some of us-" 2/4 "What do you two think of Bianca?" My question made them both freeze, the silence lasting longer then I thought it would with those two. Finally, Drake whistled under his breath. "Why? Planning a wedding?" Zane snorted. "Or a funeral." "I'm serious." Drake raised a brow, leaning against a desk. "I'm not trying to get exiled or anything, but, she doesn't feel like a princess. Not the kind you want to follow anyways. But she did opened the Royal Castle today. That means she's definitely the female alpha, no question." "She's the kind you fear," Zane added, an apple crushing between his teeth. "And not in a good way." I stayed silent for a long moment, then nodded before explaining Bianca's threat, to hurt and use the material bond like a punishment. 1 For once, I couldn't read the room. Drake shrugged. "Ah, if it makes you're princess happy then who cares. I mean, your 'fated mate' is just a district wolfless. You were always going to reject her anyways. Might as well get it over with" I was about to ask for Zane's thoughts when my phone buzzed. Father. I knew what this would be, stepping out into the hallway and picking up. "Callum," came the voice that always sounded more like a verdict than a greeting. "I have heard rumors that you're...union isn't going well." "Father, I-" 3/4 Chapter 20 +15 BONUS "Bianca is the future of the Royal line. The only one strong enough to merge with us. If you want your place in the new hierarchy, you know what needs to happen." Silence. "You will marry her." I opened my mouth, but the line cut. He hung up. I stared at the blank screen, my hand shaking. Alright. I can do this. This is necessary. Maybe this was my out, hurting Liora would be the cleanest way to cut the cord, to end whatever... whatever this was. But my wolf stirred again, growling low. I silence it, my pack, my pride pressing me forward. Liora I exhaled sharply as I rounded the corner, the castle closing in like a gilded cage. 4/4