Returning to Emberclaw Pack felt like walking into a different world. The grand hall of Moonridge, with its oppressive air and heavy expectations, seemed a distant memory as I stepped through the familiar doors of my home. The comforting scent of pine and wood smoke greeted me, but it did little to ease the turmoil brewing inside me. The grand ceremony, the fake smiles, and the suffocating expectations still lingered in my mind.

My mother, the esteemed Luna of our pack, was waiting for us. Luna Mara was a fierce woman with a gaze that could pierce through steel and a heart that beat only for her family. She had not attended the ceremony, though it was clear from her tight-lipped expression that she was not pleased about the arranged marriage.

“Eli,” she says, her voice calm but laced with an underlying tension. “How was the ceremony?”

“Predictable,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “The usual pomp and circumstance.”

She nods, her eyes searching my face for any sign of distress. “I wish it didn’t have to be this way. I wish there was another option.”

“I know, Mom,” I say softly. “But we have to trust that Dad knows what he’s doing.”

She sighs, clearly not reassured. “Sometimes, Eli, I wonder if tradition is worth the cost.”

Her eyes, usually warm and full of love, were now steely and cold. She waited until the door was firmly closed before turning to my father, Alpha Lucan.

"Lucan," she began, her voice low and controlled, "was this truly the only way?"

My father, ever the embodiment of alpha stoicism, met her gaze without flinching. "Mara, this marriage is necessary for the peace and future of our packs."

"Necessary?" she echoed, her tone sharpening. "Our son’s life being bartered away is necessary?"

My father sighed, running a hand through his graying hair. "Devin is a good match. He’s strong, respected, and he genuinely cares for the pack. He will be a perfect partner for Eli. This union will bring peace.”

I felt a pang of bitterness at my father’s words. It wasn’t that I doubted Devin’s qualities; I just resented being the sacrificial lamb for our packs’ peace treaty. The room’s heavy silence was punctuated by the crackling of the fireplace, the only sound in the tense atmosphere.

As they spoke, I stood to the side, my presence a reminder of the reality they were discussing. I wanted to lash out, to tell them how I really felt, but years of training kept me silent. Instead, I spoke the words they wanted to hear, the ones that would keep the peace in our family, if not in my heart.

"I’ll do my duty," I said, my voice flat. "For the pack."

My mother’s gaze softened as she looked at me, but the sadness in her eyes was unmistakable. "Eli, you deserve more than this. You deserve to be happy."

I shrugged, trying to hide my frustration. "Happiness is a luxury we can’t afford right now."

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. My father looked at me with a mixture of pride and regret, while my mother’s disapproval was clear. This was not what she wanted for me, and I couldn’t blame her. But duty called, and I was nothing if not a dutiful son.

Before any more could be said, my younger sister bursts into the room with the energy of a summer storm. At fifteen, Lila is the exact opposite of me—bubbly, carefree, and unburdened by the weight of responsibility. Being the second child, she’s had the luxury of living a life with far less pressure.

"Eli! Mom! Dad!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling. "How was the ceremony? Did everything go okay? What was it like?"

Her excitement was contagious, and despite myself, I felt a small smile tug at my lips. "It was... something," I replied, choosing my words carefully.

Lila bounced over to me, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Come on, Eli! Tell me more! Was Devin nice? Did you get to talk to him?"

I glanced at my parents, who both seemed relieved by Lila’s interruption. My mother’s expression softened as she watched Lila’s enthusiasm, while my father’s stern demeanor relaxed just a bit.

"Devin was... fine," I said, shrugging. "He’s nice enough, I suppose."

Lila’s eyes widened. "Nice enough? That’s it? You’re marrying him, Eli! I want to know everything!"

I chuckled softly, ruffling her hair. "There’s not much to tell yet, Lila. We’ll see how things go."

My sister’s bubbly presence had a way of easing the tension in the room. For a moment, it felt like we were just a family again, not the pawns of pack politics. My mother’s gaze had softened as she watched us, and I could see the fierce love she held for us shining through her worry.

"Lila, give your brother some space," my mother said gently. "It’s been a long day for him."

“Oh, alright,” she pouts playfully, then turns back to me. “But you owe me a story later.”

“Deal,” I say, ruffling her hair.

As Lila bounces off to find some other distraction, I can’t help but feel a pang of envy. Her world is still simple, untouched by the heavy burdens of leadership and duty.

Later that night, as I lay in bed staring at the ceiling, I couldn’t help but think about the future. Devin’s words echoed in my mind—his promise to make it work somehow. Maybe, just maybe, we could find a way to navigate this mess together. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting a silver glow on the walls, and I felt a glimmer of hope amidst the uncertainty.

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