I stared at my stepbrother in utter disbelief.
"What?" My voice came out hoarse, almost breaking.
"You're getting married tonight," he said, one hand sliding lazily into his trouser pocket, his cold eyes boring into mine.
I gasped, unable to fathom what he was saying. After everything he had done, he still had the audacity to force this on me?
I spat at him from the corner where I sat.
"Go to hell."
The spit struck his cheek, and for a fleeting moment, satisfaction burned through me.
He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket, dabbing his face slowly. "You have nerve, Gabrielle," he said with a low, mocking laugh. "To think you even have a choice. I said you're getting married tonight. It was never a request. It's a demand."
"I'm not marrying Devan," I snapped. "Do whatever you want with me, but that's never going to happen."
Not after Devan rejected me. Not after his father betrayed us. I would rather die than marry him.
"Devan?" Jeffery's laugh was sharp and cruel. "Who said anything about Devan?"
My stomach dropped.
"You're an abomination," he hissed. "A mad wolf. Damaged goods."
Every word was a blow, stripping away what little self-worth I had left.
"No one wants you," he went on. "And you've cost me my wealth. The man you'll marry will repay what you lost me and you'll breed me a female savior again. Hopefully that one doesn't humiliate itself like the mother."
"I'm not doing this," I spat. "I'll kill myself first."
He shrugged. "That's fine. Don't do it then."
He began to pace, and my pulse quickened.
"I'll use little Sadie instead," he said with a malicious grin.
My heart stopped. In an instant I was at the bars separating us, hands gripping the iron so hard my palms burned.
"Don't touch my sister!" I screamed. "Don't you dare!"
"You don't tell me what to do, Gabrielle," he said coolly. "I'm your Alpha. You will respect me."
My anger faltered. This was my sister.
I could now tell that anger didn't go well with Jeffery.
He needed to be spoken to gently.
"Jeffery, I'm sorry," I said quickly, swallowing my pride. "We can think of something else. Please."
He straightened, eyes like ice. "I've made my decision. Now it's yours to make."
"She's nine!" I gasped, voice shaking. "Jeffery, she's your sister! She doesn't know anything!"
"You're the one making me choose her," he snarled, pointing at me. "My hands are tied. Since you won't marry him, your sister will marry him tonight."
He turned and began to walk away, his footsteps echoing off the stone.
My little sister. Married off like a lamb to slaughter.
Innocent Sadie who was too young for any of this
"Wait!" I screamed, tears streaming down my face.
He paused.
"I…" My voice broke. "I… will marry him."
The words fell from my lips, and with them, the last piece of my freedom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
JEFFERY'S POV
She'd finally said it.
"I… will marry him."
The words trembled from her lips like a confession, and watching them break her was a rush of power through my veins.
Good.
The prideful little hybrid thought she could defy me, shame me in front of the pack.
Not anymore. She was a pawn now, a commodity. The old Alpha Richard of the Four Stones Pack would pay handsomely for her—land, wolves, gold.
Let him think he was buying a bride. I knew I was selling him a bloodline.
And Sadie… sweet, Sadie. She'd be kept until she shifted. Maybe she'd be the one to end the curse. Maybe I'd take her for myself. Either way, she'd serve my plans.
I glanced at the Beta standing guard. "Take her upstairs. Get her ready."
Then I stepped closer to Gabrielle, lowering my voice just enough to make her flinch.
"I hope you're still a virgin," I sneered. "Your new husband expects one. Don't disappoint him."
Her eyes burned with hate, but she stayed silent. Perfect.
I turned on my heel, satisfaction curling in my chest. Let her cry. Let her break. Soon enough, she'd learn her place.