Eloise’s POV

“Will you marry me, Alpha Xavier?” I asked and bowed slightly. My eyes shifted to the two guards at either side of the Alpha Lord. It was funny to see their eyes look like they would pop out of their skulls when they heard my question.

Lord Xavier is currently the Alpha of the Leonard family. Apparently, he’s been hailed as one of the strongest men on the continent—and the most handsome.

Not like that matters to me but I guess it’s a plus.

The city of Normand, the Alpha’s hometown, was always so unbearably cold. It didn’t matter what the time of year it was either. At least the charcoal fire was lit even though it didn’t really help ease any of the tension that was between us.

“Excuse me?” The man stared at me in disbelief. A frown creased the sides of his face.

“Surely I’m not the first person who’s attempted to propose to you, my Lord. Although, if I have to repeat myself, will you marry me?” I looked into his eyes without hesitation.

Despite how long I had to wait to even get the Alpha Lord to see me, it was nothing in comparison to the months of preparation that led up to this moment.

Earlier today, I told myself I was just going to visit the city with my maid, Nora. I was initially just trying to get familiar with the layout of Normand. Honestly, I wasn’t trying to rush into a marriage and then move to a brand new place I barely knew anything about.

But something changed when I got a glimpse of Xavier’s castle. It was like a switch flipped. It was then I decided that today was going to be the day I would put my plan into motion.

I remember begging the guards as soon as I made my way up the castle steps. “Just let me in, please! I have an urgent message for Lord Xavier that he needs to hear!”

The guards were hesitant at first but they decided to listen to me. They escorted me to one of the Lord’s parlors and told me to just wait outside.

Unfortunately for me, it didn’t take long for my request to see the Alpha Lord be denied. “Sorry, miss, but Lord Xavier has stated that he has no time to meet with another messenger of the Wisdoms.”

Regardless of their answer, I was still determined to see the Lord. They weren’t going to stop me from waiting outside of the parlor’s doors. The guards weren’t too particularly happy with it but for the most part, they just left me alone.

I heard one of them comment about how fragile I looked and how they didn’t feel the need to keep a strict eye on me.

What was a petite little witch going to do against an army of strong men anyway? I mocked their words.

Tsk. Idiots.

Thanks to their arrogance, I was able to slip away and rush straight for the parlor that Lord Xavier was in.

It didn’t take long for the guards to catch up, though. They were ready to escort me out for good. Well, more like drag me away.

“Please! It’s really important!” I insisted as I tried to fight against the strength of the guards even though they were way bigger than me. “It concerns the future of the Leonard bloodline!”

“There’s really no use, miss. Don’t make our job any harder than it already is.” One of the guards spoke up with an annoyed tone.

“I could equip you with riches and power if you’d hear me out!” I turned my head back and shouted.

“Wait. Let her stay.” Xavier’s husky voice chimed in.

It seemed like my sincerity piqued his interest.

Great! We’re getting one step closer.

“You proposed to me…” Xavier’s voice interrupted my thoughts and flashbacks. “Yet we are not on a first-name basis. And you are…?” His tone was indifferent.

I couldn’t read his expressions or emotions, so I figured I needed to reply carefully so I wouldn’t upset him. Especially when I had gotten this far. “My name is Eloise, my Lord.”

“Well, Miss Eloise… Marriages often come with benefits. Why should I agree to such an arrangement?” His elbow rested against the armrest of the chair as he exhaled a cold breath.

“The Wisdom family has occupied the heart of the Lowell continent for a hundred years. While the race of the witches may not be as powerful as other families like they once were, we’re more than capable of providing the Leonard family with plenty of potions and money.”

I paused for a moment. I have to make him agree with me! What else can I say to convince him…?

I knew that this marriage proposal was dumb… But I knew it was the fastest and most effective way of getting close to him. It was my only option.

But he still had the choice to reject me. Not like I would’ve been the only woman he would turn away. There were others before me whose seductive behaviors and attempts at courtship he had shooed away.

Even if he did reject me, that wasn’t going to stop what I had in store for him…

I watched him as his expression remained blank while in thought. At least he was willing to hear me out since he allowed me inside. I just hoped I could sway things in my favor.

The lightbulb in my head lit up with an idea as I looked up into his eyes. “Should you agree and cooperate with the Wisdoms, your ascension to the throne of the werewolf’s kingdom would be quick.”

Xavier’s eyes snapped to me as he sat up straight in his chair. His voice was completely void of any warmth or emotion. Suddenly he became dangerous. “Ascend to the throne of the werewolf kingdom? Did you forget how I lost it in the first place?!”

The two guards on either side of Xavier drew their swords, their sharpened points were now pressed against my neck. I knew that the topic was a sensitive one to bring up. Especially by me as the daughter of the Wisdom family.

He despised our bloodline.

The threatening atmosphere stunned me but I wasn’t going to give in. I dug my nails into the palm of my hands as my fists clenched. I needed to make sure my voice wouldn’t give away how scared I actually was.

“There is no malice in my visit, my Lord. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come alone. My proposal is sincere—I truly do want to marry you. I, on behalf of the Wisdom family, also seek to form an alliance with the Leonards.”

“Alliance?” Xavier barked out a laugh. “The Wisdoms have been such obedient little puppets for Douglas. Ten years ago when my father was killed, what did the witches do? When my family was hunted by Douglas, what did you do?! After all the time, you think you can just waltz into my castle, propose to me, and form an alliance with the Leonards?” His voice thundered throughout the room.

Xavier rose from his seat as a low growl escaped the back of his throat. The air around him was thick with anger. The guards fell to their knees, unable to breathe in the now oppressive atmosphere.

I stood straight with my shoulders squared. He wouldn’t be the first person to use fear as a tactic of persuasion, even though he was way more intimidating than anyone else I had ever come face-to-face with.

I wasn’t going to falter under Xavier’s coercion either. “I swear by an oath that the Wisdom family will remain loyal to the Leonards and that this alliance will not waver.”

“What collateral could you give me in order to guarantee your words?”

“Myself.”

Xavier closed the distance between us. He pinched my chin and forced my eyes up to look at him. Did he want to read me to see if I was being sincere?

I stared up at Xavier without flinching. I attempted to get a read on him, too, but it was really hard to do so. His sharp jaws were in a relaxed state. There was no sparkle of amusement or humor in his golden eyes; the way he looked at me felt like he was burning holes in my soul.

The way he towered over me screamed dangerous.

I held my breath before I continued. “The Elder of the Wisdom family was my grandfather. His mind was too weak to resist Douglas’s oppression. Because of this, it caused him to violate the witch’s principle as a Judge. Though he passed away, we know that he didn’t carry his sins with him…”

I let out my breath and continued. “We regret our actions and now also offer the Leonard family 10,000 gold and powerful elixirs as compensation.”

It was so hard to maintain eye contact with Xavier. His hardened stare made my eyes flutter from the tension between us. Still, I had to remain calm. I needed to convince him.

“After I’m married into the family, the Leonard and Wisdom bloodlines will converge. Our children will have both strength and intelligence. Gods forbid it but if the Wisdom family betrays you again, then know that I’m at your mercy.”

Xavier just continued to stare at me. Silence consumed the room and no one dared to move another muscle.

Time stood still. My eyes remained fixed on Lord Xavier’s toughened gaze. I could hear my heart pound wildly against my chest, and for a moment, I thought he could hear it, too.

Thoughts raced through my mind. Was I going to die? The last time my family sent a messenger to Lord Xavier, he sent the guy’s head back as a threat. The message was clear. Anyone else from the Wisdom family who set foot in his castle would also suffer the same fate.

Even if he did kill me, at least my death would be swift. Although I definitely wasn’t looking forward to it.

Maybe I would be lucky and he’d show me some kindness and let me go unscathed.

I thought what I proposed would entice anyone. Even though the witches weren’t as numerous as we were before, we were still powerful people. Those who lusted for power in one way, shape, or form wouldn’t be able to resist the blood of a witch coursing through their descendants.

Would Lord Xavier be the rare case?

Even if he ended up declining the offer altogether, it wasn’t going to be enough to stop me. I knew that the webs of fate were spinning in my favor.

Xavier was probably used to being the predator—however, it wasn’t going to be the case for long.

I looked up at Xavier who hadn’t moved a muscle nor taken his eyes off of me. He just needs to accept my proposal already! This silence and waiting is unbearable! I’m offering you money and power. What more could you possibly—

“I accept your marriage proposal.” Xavier interrupted my thoughts and released his hold on me.

My eyes widened in shock. For a moment, I thought I didn’t hear him right. The most powerful man on the Lowell mainland, whom no one could stand up to physically or psychologically, just agreed to marry me!

I’ve succeeded!

I fell to the ground in exhaustion. Being so persistent and having to stand my ground against the intimidating and dangerous Alpha Lord really took its toll on my body.

I watched as Xavier left the room without looking back at me.

“Another step closer to your death, my Lord…” I whispered to myself with a small smile on my face.