(Lina's POV)
I had never known a fear as palpable as in this moment.
After Daniel left the room, leaving behind a frigid mark on every fiber of my being, Irina came near me and introduced herself. David's fiancée put on a gentle smile and placed her hand on my shoulder, except the expression on her face was as guilty as Daniel's had been.
"I know this must be hard for you, but you have to try to be brave."
I only watched her numbly in response — how was I supposed to be brave when the one person I thought was on my side had abandoned me?
Still, I nodded at her dimly and stared at the door Daniel had just left through. It was just like that time I'd seen him in the woods; he seemed cold and so very unreachable.
I struggled to comprehend what was going on and prayed as hard as I could that David would somehow convince Daniel to do something.
I felt like I was floating outside my body, watching all that happened to me from afar.
Irina opened the door and called out for some maids, who walked in wearing frilly black and white dresses, their hands folded as their lady gave them orders. They surrounded me and started to dress me with quick, efficient moves — despite my agony, I could only stand still in submission. Once they were done, I was made to face a mirror and stare at my reflection.
The sight before me made me gasp.
My hair was coiled up and held in a chignon, exposing my neck, which was bedazzled by a diamond choker. The dress they had put on me was a creamy silk gown — elegant and sleek, hugging my curves. My bare feet felt cold on the marble flooring but were likewise embellished with two anklets.
It was the worst kind of tragedy — being dressed up so beautifully when I was to be killed. The eyeliner they had put on accentuated my hazel eyes quite a bit — which just meant that the fear in them was even more prominent.
I stared at myself for a long time, until I decided to calm down. A flash of anger took the place of my fear and anxiety, and I stomped my foot on the solid ground. These assholes.
Ever since I had entered those damned woods, my life had been hell. I hated them all with a fury: the smug councilmen, the people who looked at me like I was trash, and most importantly — Daniel.
If they wanted to kill me, then so be it. It wasn't as if this was the first time I had come close since arriving here. Clearly, it was a recurring theme.
With my newfound hostile dignity, I held my head up high as Irina guided me to the council room and left me in front of the door — not before giving my shoulder a quick squeeze. I took a few deep breaths and then grabbed the knocker, striking it twice on the heavy wooden door. It swung open slowly, letting out a creaking sound that reverberated throughout the eerily silent hall.
Everyone in the room had paused mid-conversation and was staring in my direction. Everyone except Daniel, of course, who only had his back to offer. The sight of his indifference caused a pang in my chest until I caught myself; he was not worthy of my grief.
David was standing next to his brother and turned to look at me. I had a flash of hope when I met his eyes, until I peered into them and saw that same dreaded guilt. My bravado faltered for just a moment as the councilmen all stood up and gathered around me in a semicircle.
I gulped and stepped forward onto a slightly raised platform next to where Daniel stood. Just once, I wanted him to look at me. Just once, I wanted to be done with him for good.
As if on cue, he unexpectedly turned around and his eyes widened as he searched my face. I felt a grim sort of satisfaction at his miserable expression. I hoped this would haunt him forever.
I turned away and stared straight at the head councilman, who stood at the center of the semicircle. He raised his hand slightly, and Daniel stepped onto the platform to stand right next to me.
Was he going to witness my execution from this close?
Gritting my teeth, I struggled to keep my head straight, especially as Scarface emerged from the side of the room.
His face brought me back to that forest when they had kidnapped me — except now I couldn't muster even a fraction of that strength. Back then, I had been sure that Daniel would save me.
Scarface was holding a large curved blade, its metal dull and blunt-looking. My hands started to shiver uncontrollably even as I clenched them tightly into my sleeves. His thudding footsteps grew louder, until they ceased entirely as he stood right in front of me. I raised my head to face him with my harshest glare, when I realized his blade was only by his side — while his hands held a stack of papers.
He nodded at Daniel and cleared his throat as he prepared to speak. As his words lost volume against the thumping of my chest, I realized that Daniel was nudging me — his hand was on my shoulder. Scarface was facing me now, and a frown creased his brow.
"Do you accept?"
I blinked. "What?"
He exchanged a glance with Daniel and motioned to his hand — where two rings lay on his palm.
Wait…what is going on?
"Do you accept this marriage to the Alpha of our pack?" he repeated his question slowly.
I stared at Daniel, and he watched me in return. His eyes were grave but resolute.
He mouthed, Do it. To stay alive.
So I did.