Chapter 5 - The Blood Moon Treaty
Genevieve narrowed her eyes, smoothing down her silk gown. "My father will hear of this disrespect, Alpha King." She turned on her heel and swept past him, her aura flaring in silent retaliation.
Once she was gone, Valente closed the distance between them in two massive strides. He reached out to touch Vivien’s arm, his eyes locked on the faint red red marks Genevieve’s nails had left on her skin.
"Did she hurt you?" he asked, his voice raw, laced with a mix of panic and possessive fury. "Did she touch the baby?"
Vivien pulled her arm out of his reach, taking a firm step backward.
"Don't," she said flatly. "Don't pretend to play the protector now, Valente. You brought her into this house. You brought this war to my door."
Valente lowered his hand, a look of profound pain flashing across his features before he pulled the mask of the King back over his face. "The treaty signing is in one hour. Duke Laurent has already caught wind that something is wrong. They are pushing to finalize the blood oath today."
"Then go sign it," Vivien said, turning her back on him to look out at the courtyard. "Go sell your soul for your borders."
"Vivien, listen to me," Valente said, taking a step toward her, his voice dropping to a low, desperate plea. "The Bloodhound Syndicate struck the southern village an hour ago. Twenty wolves were injured. I need the Laurent army. If I don't sign this oath, my people will be slaughtered."
Vivien felt a cold lump form in her throat. She knew he was trapped. She knew the burden he carried as a ruler. But understanding his duty didn't lessen the agonizing slice of his betrayal.
"If you sign a blood oath with Genevieve," Vivien whispered, her back still turned, "the magic will permanently bind your spirit to hers. You will never be able to claim this child. It will live its entire life as a nameless outcast."
"I will find a loophole," Valente swore savagely. "I will rewrite the laws of this kingdom if I have to. Just give me time."
"Time is something we don't have," she replied.
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Down in the courtyard, the horn sounded. The ceremonial table had been set under the ancient oak tree. Duke Laurent, surrounded by his heavily armed honor guard, sat at the head of the long table, parchment scroll laid out before him.
Valente looked at Vivien one last time, his eyes lingering on her stomach with a heartbreaking mixture of adoration and agony, before he turned and walked toward his destiny.
