PROP

EN'

ides. I can't believe what he's asking me to do. He wants me to marry th

I don't love her. I don't even know her. How can yo

d and authoritative. "It's about power. The alliance with the vampires is crucial to our survival. We ne

ng. "But what about my happiness?" I say, my voic

you want, Jaden," he says, his voice gentle. "But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. You'

ieve he's asking me to do this. To marry someone I don'

there's no arguing with him. He's made up his m

, my voice low. "I'll think about it. But

grave. "I understand," he says,

for the better or the worse, I can't say. All I know is that I'm about to enter into a w

***

y frustration and anger boiling within me. The decision my father had made to force me

d, my mind is filled with conflicting thoughts. Should I go ahead with the marriage and s

e cool air and the scent of pine trees surround me as I break through the clearing and enter

y racing thoughts. The sound of water trickling down the rocks so

to the looming marriage. I know I cannot let my father force me into somethi

upts my thoughts, and I freeze, not sure who i

ad

elieved to see her. She steps into th

" she says, her eyes scanni

rushing me. "My father," I say, my voice low. "He w

closer to me. "That's a big decision," she say

. "I don't know," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "I just wish

he weight of her presence ease my mind. "Whatever you decid

in a long time, I feel like I'm not alone. And with Kiera by my side, I

rock, lost in thought. I close my eyes and try to breat

f running footsteps outside the cave. I stand up,

omeone crashing onto the forest floor. Fear gri

y heart pounding in my chest, and kneel beside the figure. As I turn the figur

lse to make sure she's alive. I let out a sigh of relief as I feel her fa

nd try to wake her up. I have a strong urge to stroke he

t her again, taking in her features, and I notice something strange about her. Her eyes, which were

supernatural being like me. I decide to wait for her to rega

softly. I lean over her, and as her eyes focu

he asks, her voi

ing to keep my voice ca

herself against the rock wall. "My name is Wil