My Second Chance Mate is a Barbarian (Sera and Fenris) novel Chapter 4

Sera

"You're Sera Valdris."

Fenris didn't wait for my response to his question. He just walked to the table and sat down in the chair next to where my father had been standing, like he'd been invited. Like this was his house.

My father's jaw tightened but he sat back down without saying anything.

I was still standing there by my chair where I'd backed up when Fenris walked in. My heart was hammering so hard I could feel it in my throat.

"Sit down, Sera," my father said without looking at me.

I didn't move.

"Sera."

I sat. My legs were shaking.

Fenris still hadn't looked at me again since that first moment. He was looking at my father now, waiting.

My father cleared his throat. "Alpha Volkov, I want to thank you for making the journey. I know it's not—"

"The contract," Fenris interrupted. "Your daughter. The one who was promised to my brother."

It wasn't a question but my father nodded anyway. "Yes. As we discussed in our correspondence, the original arrangement was made three years ago with your brother Dimitri. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented the marriage from taking place at that time."

"You canceled the wedding," Fenris said flatly.

My father's expression didn't change. "There was a complication, yes. But we've since resolved the issue, and Sera has returned home to honor the agreement."

"Your letter said the contract transfers to me now that my brother is dead."

"That's correct. The agreement was made with House Volkov. Your brother held the contract originally, but upon his death, the obligations and benefits transfer to you as the current Alpha."

Fenris was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "My brother made this arrangement. I'll honor his word."

Relief flashed across my father's face, just for a second, before he smoothed it away. "I'm pleased to hear that. The alliance between our houses will benefit both our territories significantly."

"The terms are the same as what my brother negotiated?"

"Essentially, yes. We can review the specific details if you'd like, but the core arrangement remains unchanged. A marriage alliance, trade agreements, mutual defense pact—"

"I don't need the details." Fenris shifted in his chair. "My brother was thorough. If he agreed to the terms, they're acceptable."

I couldn't believe this. They were talking about me like I was a piece of furniture being sold. I opened my mouth to say something, but my father's eyes cut to m,e and the look on his face made me close it again.

My mother's hand found mine under the table. She squeezed once but didn't say anything.

Across from me, Lyra was staring at her plate, her hands balled into fists.

"There is one matter we should address," my father said carefully. "In the three years since the original agreement was made, there have been some... developments."

Fenris looked at him. Waited.

"My daughter was mated during that time. The bond has since been severed, but—"

"I can see the scar," Fenris said.

My hand went to my collarbone before I could stop it. I'd forgotten the scar was visible above the neckline of my dress.

"Yes," my father said. "The bond was rejected. Properly severed. There are no lingering ties."

"And children?" Fenris asked. "From the mate bond?"

"No children."

Fenris nodded once. "The contract stands then."

That was it. That was all the consideration he gave to the fact that I'd been mated and rejected, as if it didn't matter at all.

"Excellent," my father said, and I could hear the satisfaction in his voice. "When would you like to—"

"Three days," Fenris said. "She leaves with me in three days."

Three days. I had three days before my entire life changed.

"That's very soon," my father said, but he didn't sound like he was objecting. "We'll need to make arrangements, prepare her things—"

"Three days," Fenris repeated. "The wedding will take place in Ironmaw. My territory."

"Of course. That's perfectly acceptable."

I couldn't stay quiet anymore. "Don't I get a say in any of this?"

Everyone at the table went still.

My father's expression went cold. "Sera—"

"No." I pulled my hand out of my mother's and stood up. "You're sitting here deciding my entire future, and I don't even get to speak? I'm supposed to just sit here quietly while you negotiate me away like I'm livestock?"

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