Chapter 3

CHAPTER THREE. 

 Aria’s POV

I stared into the cracked mirror. The girl looking back didn’t feel like me anymore. Her eyes were hollow, bruised under the lashes. 

Her lips were dry, crusted with the faint red of dried blood. The thin mark around her neck was still there—faint but it was visible, like a memory that refused to fade. 

I touched it lightly and flinched, the memories of my struggle when I was choking to death kept replaying in my head.

I wasn’t supposed to be here, at least I wish I wasn't. I would have preferred death to thjs kind of life. 

The door creaked open behind me, I knew who it was even without turning back. 

“Well, well,” Lyra’s voice sliced through the silence like a knife. “The little corpse bride lives.”

I didn’t turn to her, but I could feel her venom without even looking.

She moved closer. “What? No thanks for saving your life? No tears for your heroes?”

I clenched my jaw, but I remained silent. 

My stepmother appeared beside her, her voice smooth and laced with contempt. “You should be grateful, Aria. We could’ve let you die swinging.”

My hands tightened into fists on the old wooden dresser. “Why didn’t you?”

She laughed. “Because that freak rogue came back for you, he said he still wanted his bride. Paid good gold, too. Would’ve been such a waste if you’d died before we delivered.”

“You’re leaving today,” Lyra added with a smirk. “One hour. Try not to cry too much, wouldn’t want your ugly face to scare him off.”

My heart dropped like a stone. I’d barely stood up, and now they were throwing me out again?

I finally turned, my voice low. “You think I’ll go quietly this time?”

My stepmother leaned close, her breath sour and sickly against my cheek. “If you try anything, Aria, next time I won’t stop the rope. Think about that.”

They turned and walked out, leaving the door wide open. Their footsteps faded, but the cold emptiness in my chest stayed.

I looked back at the mirror, unsure of what to do, it wasn't like I had anything to do, my fate was already sealed. 

A knock echoed through the house.

“He’s here!” Lyra called with false sweetness. “Come on, whore bride, your carriage awaits!”

I stepped out into the front room where my stepmother met me with a shove. A man stood in the doorway—the same man who gave my step mother money or should I say my new Master. 

He didn’t look cruel, In fact, his face was apologetic, like he was sorry to be here at all.

“Do you wish to come for the ceremony?” he asked my stepmother politely.

She let out a harsh laugh. “Why would I care what happens to her? She’s not my daughter. She’s a burden I sold.”

Without another word, she pushed me out the door. “She’s yours now.”

The ride was long and quiet except for the sound of the wheels on dirt and stone. I sat in the back of the cart, my arms crossed, shoulders stiff. The man tried to start a conversation with me several times but I didn't give him a response. 

He started asking me questions, nicely but I didn't respond. He kept asking questions like “Do you want water?” “Are you hungry?” “Your name… it’s Aria, right?”

I didn't even look at him, my eyes were locked outside. No was had ever been nice to me and it wouldn't start with someone that bought me. 

“You’re not what I expected,” he finally said.

That made me glance at him.

He gave a small smile. “Most girls cry, some would scream. Beg. But you… you’re just quiet.”

I turned my face to the trees. I wasn’t quiet, I was numb. 

We traveled through the day. Mountains rose in the distance, and the forest grew darker and thicker. When the path finally opened up, the mansion appeared like something out of a nightmare— it was a massive. 

 It didn’t look like a home, It looked like a grave.

The carriage halted just besides the stairs. The man looked back at me. “This is it. Shadow Fang.”

The name struck something in me, something dangerous but I couldn't place what it was. 

“When’s the wedding?” I asked, voice cracked and raw.

He didn’t answer right away.

“When the Lord is ready,” he said, eyes avoiding mine.

I frowned. “The Lord?”

“I thought… I thought I was marrying a servant.”

Eli hesitated, then chuckled uneasily. “My master is no servant, girl.”

The blood drained from my face.

“You didn’t know?” Eli asked, surprised.

I shook my head slowly. 

“You’re lucky, really,” he said. “Not many women get the honor.”

I didn’t feel lucky. I felt cursed. I was really brought here to be a slave. 

Inside, the mansion was cold and silent. I was handed off to a group of slaves, they were young, silent, and afraid. They kept their heads bowed, eyes low.

We turned a corner and I slammed straight into someone.

“Watch where you’re going—” I started, but the words caught in my throat when I looked up.

He towered over me. His eyes were sharp, his mouth curved in a slow smirk.

I stood there waiting for an apology or something but nothing came. 

Something in me snapped. I have had enough. 

“Shouldn't you apologize?* I snapped. 

His brows furrowed. “Apologize?” 

I scowled, stepping back. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

He didn’t answer. Just looked past me, then around at the frozen slaves.

I shook my head in disbelief, although I was angry, I knew fighting him would bring more trouble to me and it's not like I haven't experienced worst at home. 

I turned to the slaves. “Let's go please,” I said but they didn't move. 

“They can’t move unless I say so,” he said casually.

My fists clenched. Who the hell does this guy think he is? Yes, he might be handsome but that doesn't give him the right to treat me like this. 

“Who are you?” I frowned. 

He leaned in, close enough to steal my breath.

“I’m your husband.”

I froze, staggering backwards. How could he be my husband? I was expecting some old pervert or something.

“Alpha Kael,” he said softly. “Welcome to Shadow Fang.”

Alpha Kael. That name was carved into legend. They said he tore through packs like wind through leaves. That he killed without blinking. That no wolf crossed him and lived.

My jaw dropped open realizing what was happening. I wasn't getting married to a nobody, I was getting married to a god.