Chapter 7

• Eero's Perspective
• What? Did I hear her right? Breeder?
• The cruel word reverberated through my mind, making me feel dizzy. How could they treat me like this?!
• Just as I was about to lose my balance, I felt a hand on my arm, Alpha Ameo's grip firm yet gentle as he tried to steady me.
• "Eero," he began, his voice low and measured, "you must understand. This is for the greater good of our pack. Alpha Claudius is a powerful ally, and your union with him will ensure our survival."
• "But, Father," I protested, my voice shaking, "you can't just give me away like some bargaining chip. I'm your daughter. Surely there's another way."
• Serra's laughter cut through the tense air. "Oh, Eero, when will you learn? You're not a princess to be protected; you're a pawn to be played. And right now, you're the most valuable piece on the board."
• I tore my gaze from my father's stern expression and looked to my mother, hoping to find some trace of maternal love, some reason to believe this wasn't truly happening.
• Yet, the cold, calculating look on her face shattered my hope.
• I wanted to scream, to rail against the injustice of it all. But I knew it would be futile. My fate had been decided, and there was no changing it.
• I was then taken out of the dungeon by several omegas for a bath, which I refused to have. But being held by those she-wolves, I couldn't fight back.
• "I didn't know you're hiding these curves underneath your horrid clothing," Luna Vera commented. For the first time, she was delighted to see me.
• I could even see how proud she was for how I turned out looking this fine after she made me wear this lacy white silk dress.
• "If you want to make me proud of you, then do this wholeheartedly, Eero. You'll make no fuss and leave with them obediently as if you're doing this according to your will." She whispered to my ears softly as if attempting to enchant me to buy her evil plan.
• Just as I was about to open my mouth and say something, a sob escaped my lips.
• "No-uh. I don't want to hear any more of your crying, Eero." Luna Vera pressed her forefinger against my lips quickly.
• "You won't be so selfish to see the cruel Alpha burn our pack down, right? Do you want Alpha Claudius to kill your father and every shifter in Moon River?"
• My head shook involuntarily at her questions. It was no secret that I sometimes questioned whether Alpha Ameo loved me. But I knew I wouldn't just stand by if I could do something to prevent him from getting killed.
• "That's what I thought, my good girl." Luna Vera kissed my cheeks before she walked out of the door.
• As soon as it closed, tears streamed down my face.
• Not long after, the door was pushed open once again.
• Unexpectedly, the one who came in was Cohen.
• "Y-You look different, Eero. I didn't know you could be this beautiful!" he exclaimed as his eyes landed on me, his gaze lingering. Obviously, he was stunned by how I looked now.
• I didn't feel beautiful. I felt trapped. But seeing Cohen, my mate, filled me with a renewed sense of hope.
• Perhaps, there was a way out of this predicament.
• "I'm glad that you're here! I know I was right. You're still my mate. At the back of your heart, you still care for me," I said.
• "I'm here to take you away, Eero. You can't be Claudius' breeder," Cohen reached out his hand for me.
• For the first time today, I found myself agreeing with him.
• "You're right. I can't do this. Being an Alpha's breeder means being his sex slave. I don't think I can do that," I hesitated while looking at Cohen's hand.
• Swallowing a lump in my throat, I decided to take his hand in the end.
• "But if I ran away, Alpha Claudius would start a bloody fight against Moon River. He would wipe out my pack."
• I withdrew my hand immediately, even when it was just one inch away from Cohen's.
• But Cohen grabbed my retracting hand just in time, his eyes filled with determination.
• "Trust me, Eero. We can beat Claudius as long as my pack joins forces with yours. I won't let Claudius make you his breeder, nor kill anyone in this pack."
• Cohen intertwined his fingers with mine.
• As I looked into his eyes, I saw a glimmer of the love we once shared. I knew then that I had to take a chance, to trust in Cohen and the love we had once known.
• I nodded, my decision made. "Okay," I whispered, taking his hand in mine.
• Just as we turned to the door and were about to escape, the door was kicked open.