CHAPTER TWO

DELORA'S POV

We walked through the hall, heading outside where the carriage was waiting for us. The maids huddled near the entrance, whispering among themselves.

“She’s finally leaving.”

“The Alpha’s daughter, gone at last.”

“She thought she was untouchable, but even she wasn’t spared from fate.”

“And the girl? She’s leaving too?”

There was a short silence, and I looked up to realize they were staring at me. One of them scoffed, “Let her go. One less ghost haunting these halls.”

I never knew I was one of the problems, until today. But what can I say? I shook my head as I stepped outside, joining Zibah and her mother. She stood rigid, her hands trembling as she held her mother.

Her mother, regal even in sorrow, clasped her daughter’s face between her palms. “You must be strong, my child.” Her voice was steady, but her eyes glistened. “Do not forget who you are.”

Zibah's throat bobbed as she swallowed back tears. “I don’t want to go.”

“You must.” Her mother’s grip tightened. “For our family. For the pack.”

I stood a few steps away, silent as a shadow. This wasn’t my moment. It never was.

Then, slowly, Zibah's gaze flickered to mine, with a blank expression. Was it bitterness? Desperation? Or something else entirely? I can't tell.

Her mother sighed, stepping back. “The carriage is waiting.”

Zibah hesitated, then turned and walked towards the carriage, as if forcing herself to embrace the weight of her duty. I followed without a word. As soon as we neared it, the guards opened the curtains, and she gestured for me to enter, which I did before her.

Zibah sat beside me in the carriage, wrapped in furs, her face pale and empty. She hadn’t spoken much since we departed, and the little she did say was distant, hollow.

I had been given a new set of clothes, simple, but clean. It was the first time I had worn anything that didn’t mark me as a slave. It should have made me feel different, but the way the guards still eyed me with disdain reminded me of my place.

We were assigned two werewolf guards, both strong figures with little patience for conversation. They were here to ensure the Alpha’s daughter arrived safely. And me? I was nothing more than an afterthought.

As night fell, we stopped at a small inn tucked away in the woods. It was modest, but far grander than any place I had ever rested in. The bed was softer than the cold floors I had grown accustomed to back home.

For a moment, I allowed myself to enjoy it. Even if the guards still sneered at me.

Morning came, and with it, my duty. I woke up with a yawn and made my way towards Zibah's room. I hesitated outside the door before knocking softly.

“My lady, it’s morning.”

I didn't hear a sound, and that's quite surprising. ''My lady?'' I frowned as I knocked again.

“Zibah?”

There's still nothing. I sighed and began to wonder the reason behind this, but none of the ideas made any sense to me.  Well, I decided to let her be. Maybe she's still grieving.

I returned an hour later, but to my surprise, the door still remained as it was, and when I called out again, I still got no response.

I had no choice but to get across to the guards. Luckily, I found them sleeping outside, while leaning against the wall.

'' Please, I need your help. The princess...''

'' Are you insane?'' Asked one of them, as he forcefully opened his eyes. '' Get out of here!''

'' No! I can't, the princess...''

His face turned pale instantly, and he interrupted with wide eyes. '' The princess?''

Before I could respond, he ran off to the room, while I followed behind him. On arrival, the guard knocked on the door as well before deciding to open it. The scent of blood struck me first, and when I looked carefully, I saw Zibah on the bed, pale as the snow outside, her wrists slit and the sheets stained crimson. Her eyes stared at nothing, empty and distant even in death.

'' Ahh!'' I couldn't help but scream, my body trembling in fright.

The door suddenly burst open, and the other guard entered and slammed the door shut behind us. '' What is... She is...'' His voice trailed off as he saw the dead Zibah, lying on the bed.

“This is bad,” one of them hissed. “This is very bad.”

“She’s dead,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. I stepped back, trying to process the whole thing. “She...”

“Shut up,” the older guard snapped, his eyes darting between me and Zibah's body. “No one can know about this.”

“What?” I gasped. “She’s the Alpha’s daughter! We have to—”

“And what do you think will happen when they find out she’s dead?” He stepped closer, looming over me. “We’ll be executed for failing to protect her. You, the last person to see her, will be blamed too.”

Panic churned in my gut. He wasn’t wrong. Otto was ruthless, and Luther? Who knew what he would do when he discovered his bride had died before reaching him?

The second guard exhaled sharply. “There’s only one way out of this.”

I turned to him, my breath coming in short gasps. “What are you saying?”

He met my gaze with an expression that chilled me more than the northern winds. “You take her place.”

My stomach twisted. “No.”

“Yes,” the older guard insisted. “No one outside our pack knows what she looks like. Put on her clothes. Become Zibah.”

“No,” I repeated, shaking my head. “That’s madness. They’ll know!”

“They won’t,” the second guard said, grabbing my wrist. “Unless you want to die here too.”

I swallowed hard. Looking in their eyes, I could tell that they were damn serious. I had no choices left. I never did. But I was about to marry a man who could kill me the moment he realized the truth.