The Barter (Sierra and Xavier) novel Chapter 1

Chapter 1.

"Do you, Sierra Winters take Xavier Hunt as your lawfully wedded mate and husband?"

The person speaks and my body shivers like a leaf shuddering in a freezing winter. My hands and feet were ice cold and all I wanted to do was run and never look back.

Tears sting my eyes but I keep them in. No. I won't cry in front of everyone. I am not weak.

Clenching the white wedding dress in my sweaty palms, I try to keep on my nerves. To fail miserably. I had my dreams. I wanted to be a herb doctor. To help heal thousands of people. But marriage? It was not a part of it.

Especially not to a man like him.

Looking up through the diaphanous veil, I stared at my future husband's handsome face, to have my soul shudder in fear. My eyes drop down back instantly.

He had a deadly look plastered on his face, those cold grey eyes were fixated on me, simmering with nothing except hatred.

And I shrink under it.

His hatred was justified. If there was any other man in his place, I bet he would detest even looking at me, let alone agree to make me his wife.

But this was the royal decree. The barter. And none could go against it.

Neither him, nor me. No matter how much we were against it.

My gaze stopped at my parents who were looking at us with apprehension. And the desire to say no to this. Becomes stronger. This was my father's doing. I shouldn't be the one paying for it.

But then my gaze drifts to the thousands of my pack members behind them.

And my clenched fists, unclench.

How can I see all these innocent people die? If I go back now, Silver Moon warriors will turn this place into a blood pool. And my blood will be the first one to shed.

Closing my eyes, I let out the words.

"I do"

Cheers and claps echoed in the room and the first teardrop leaves my eyes. Great. Celebrate my doom.

"Do you Xavier Hunt take Sierra Winters as your mate and second wife?"

The word second wife rooted a dagger into my chest. A replacement. Is all my life has become.

How did it come down to this?

What sin did I even do in my life to deserve this?

"I do."

His cold detached voice made the temperature in the room dip lower. And I lift my palms to rub my arms.

Avoiding looking up.

"Congratulation. I now pronounce you as husband and wife! You may-"

Before I knew it, he was already walking down the stage. Not bothering for the ceremony to complete. People gasped in surprise but no one said anything.

They wouldn't dare go against him.

Because he wasn't just a beast. But rather a wounded one right now, who lost his dear wife and mate just 2 days back. He has killed 200 men in the last 24 hours , without an ounce of remorse.

Blood is what feeds his regret of not being able to save her.

And my blood is going to be his favorite. Because it belonged to the very daughter of the man who killed his mate.

Great.

Cheers to a loveless marriage and a long life!

Because I have a feeling I am not going to live long.

Until I am bound to him.

And that was forever. If only there was an eternity in real life.

....

The car jolts as it crosses a bumpy road and I adjust myself on the seat. I sneak a peek at the man sitting beside and I find his face morphed in stone-like coldness. Eyes closed, jaw firm, and nose scrunched in disgust.

Was something stinking here?