Second In Command

Olivia drew her gaze away from her groom and went to her mother. She stopped in front of her, clasping her hands. "The idea of leaving this place terrifies me, Mother." 

Kaia took her hand in her and brought their joined hands to her chest. "I know, Olivia. But you must do what you have to. I know that your marriage was nothing what I had in mind and was a hurried affair but no one wanted to stay close to the Silver Vales men." She jerked her chin towards her father. Her father was reading a scroll of paper. "They have just signed a peace treaty. The Whiteclaw pack is under the Silver Vales pack for protection, yet we are free to trade with any kingdom we like. They will protect us against any attack, only if we don't maintain our own army and are purely into trade." 

"But Mother, that is absurd. What if they break the treaty?" Olivia asked as a shiver ran down her spine.