Word count: 1618

~Mara

I feel Kaden let go of my arm. Despite the fact that he is my sworn enemy at this point, his absence as I'm about to walk into the podium unnerves me. I'm too nervous to care about who is here to accompany, even if it is my least favourite person right now.

He brushed past me, walking through the door and onto the stage that presented him to everyone. His whole Pack is out there, cheering and chanting at his existence. After a few moments, he manages to calm them down somewhat.

"Good evening everyone," he murmurs. A microphone is unnecessary; his presence on stage bringing everyone to attention. Kace is on the opposite side of the stage to me, waiting for his cue to meet me in the middle.

I can't help but wonder...What would happen if I ran away right now? I wouldn't make it out of the Pack before one of Kaden's Pack members ravaged me. I doubt I would even make it back to Kaden alive.

"I have a very special announcement to make," Kaden stated. Everyone answered with shouts and howls, excited that something interesting is about to happen.

I notice even now, Kaden covers his face. He must show himself to his Pack, right? No one seems to expect him to take off his hood, so maybe they are used to it.

"A guest will be joining us on stage," he says smoothly. He turns, gesturing at me to accompany him by his side.

Nervously, I uncover myself, walking on stage so everyone can see me. The silence that falls over everyone is immediate. It is obvious no one thought a Purity Pack member would be here today. The awe on some of their faces is intriguing.

I came to stand beside Kaden-not too close though.

"This is Mar-"

The crowd surging forward, cutting Kaden off. They clawed at the edge of the cage, all pushing off each other to get a desirable view.

Kaden grabs my arm, pulling me behind him. I'm pressed against his back, my cheek pressed against the muscle and sinew. I can feel the warmth seeping through his shirt. This is the closest I've ever been to a man other than my father, although fabric seperate a us.

"Back off, no one touches her," he yells at the crowd. They cower back, his voice so loud and powerful they immediately answer his vicious command.

He draws me out from behind him, once they are all a safe distance from me. I anxiously stand back where I am supposed to, looking at the ground so I don't have to see the feral look they are giving me.

Kaden then proceeds to ask for Kace to walk on. He does, swiftly approaching us at the middle of the stage. He comes to a stand on the other side of Kaden.

"We are gathered here to celebrate our position over the Purity Pack!"

My heart sinks. The crowd goes mental, responding to Kaden's words in a primal way. The way they are acting shows me how they feel about my home Pack.

They hate us.

"And by doing this, I announce the Union of this young lady from the Purity Pack, to my brother, Kace," Kaden told them. I could feel tears forming at the back of my eyes, but I fight to keep them from falling down my face.

Everyone cheers happily. I catch Kace's gaze. He looks mad, or conflicted. Maybe he is thinking twice about going forward with Kaden's wishes.

Kaden stands back. Kace moves to face me, holding his hands out for me to take. Knowing I have no choice but to take them, I do. I can feel him shaking against me, and I'm surprised he seems more nervous than I do.

"Mara, of the Purity Pack. Will you marry me, and in the future, become my mate?"

The silence around us is heavy. To say no would fulfil my wildest dreams right now. To be able to walk away would make me the happiest.

Instead, I say, "Yes."

His jaw clenches, as the audience screams their approval, clapping at the same time. I turn and glance over my shoulder, to see Kaden nodding. Kace leads me off the stage, his arm resting across the small of my back to guide me.

"And that's it?" I question, once we are safely off stage. Kaden shakes his head at me.

"No, we are to have dinner in the main hall in a few moments," he tells me. I bite back some sort of response. Lashing out seems like a great idea in theory, but in practice, I'm sure wouldn't go down as well.

I'm lead down hallway I didn't even know existed. Then again, I didn't even know this whole place existed till now.

The dining hall was already filled with people. Twelve people sat at the table, discussing things in quiet murmurs. But the conversation ceases when we walk into the room. Everyone sees Kaden and stands, bowing their heads as a sign of respect.

Exactly what would happen back at my Pack with Alpha Rylan.

Kace has his arm linked around mine, so it looks like we are actually getting engaged, and mated. Makes me sick...

Kaden goes and sits at the head of the table, not even acknowledging anyone else in the room. While he does this, one by one people approach Kace and I.

"Congratulations," one young man says, shaking Kace's hand. He doesn't even look at me, walking away to sit back down. Everyone does this. They walk up, shake Kace's hand, congratulate him, smile and continue on without one glance in my direction.

"They are ignoring me," I whisper in Kace's ear. He smiles slightly, and nods at me. "It's because you're a Purity Pack member."

I'm taken to sit down at a seat beside Kace. On the other side sits an unknown man, who stares blankly ahead. I decide to not even bother sparking up a conversation with anyone. I don't want to be here as it is.

Dinner is soon served and I eat it slowly. I'm not hungry, my stomach filled with regret and distain. I know there was nothing I could do, but thinking about saying yes to Kace makes bile start to rise in my throat.

I was eating a potato when I felt something brush my thigh.

It's Kace's hand. I know instantly. He lays it firmly on my upper thigh, his fingers digging into my skin. I glare at him, but he doesn't even look at me.

"Get off," I snap, trying to slap his hand away. But he doesn't move. The more I try pry his fingers off of me, then more I feel him resist.

"Why? You're going to be officially mine very soon Mara," he said under his breath. I have an overwhelming want to slap him straight across the face, but I refrain, knowing it will catch everyone's attention.

Once the dinner was over, and I had finished saying my goodbyes to the visitors, I was straight away sent back to my room for bed. Kaden decided it was his duty to escort me.

"Shouldn't my fiancée be doing that?" I question, as we walk. He shakes his head at me, his hood making an awful noise.

"You may be engaged, but intercourse is forbidden until you are married to him," he says smoothly. Shocked at what he said, I stop. He stops a few steps ahead of me, looking back at me. At least I think he's looking at me.

"You're very upfront aren't you," I state. He just nods.

"I'm just being cautious."

We continue on our walk, making it to my doorway in good time. Instead of opening the door, I turn and look at him.

"I know I'll never get out of here...But I want you to know that I'll never want to be here," I tell him confidently. His head bows, and I wonder if he's looking at his feet. Is he ashamed? Does he feel remorse.

"I can't make you like it here, Mara," he says softly. His voice is strained, as if he's struggling to get those words out.

He goes to walk away, but I grab his sleeve to stop him. He freezes in response.

"Why won't you show me your face?" I question.

He sighs gruffly.

"I thought I told you...You'll be attracted to me if you look into my eyes," he says so seriously, I almost believe him for a second. But then I realise that that could never possibly happen to someone like me.

"You're lying," I retort. He laughs lightly at me.

"You don't have to believe me. You're not seeing my face no matter how much it digs at you," he tells me cunningly. He infuriates me and he knows it.

"Do you let your Pack see you?" I ask. A nod is his only response.

He opens my door, motioning for me to go inside as if I'm annoying him as much as he's annoying me.

"You should sleep Mara," he mutters. I take that as a yes.

Sighing, I enter my room, closing the door after me. I lied when I said I knew I can't get out. I will try. I will try until I die, and I will not let Stockholm syndrome get me.

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