Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

 Kael’s POV. 

I should’ve known better than to trust Daniel with something so delicate. I told him what I wanted—no, what I needed a submissive, soft-spoken girl who’d obey me without resistance. Instead, he brought her. 

That wild-eyed thing with defiance on her tongue and fire in her bones. Aria.

She stood there, trembling—but it wasn’t fear. No, it was something closer to anger. Even now, I could feel the way her presence upset the air.

That look in her eyes when she told me to apologize… I should’ve punished her for it. No one spoke to me like that, not even the elders of this pack. 

Yet I couldn’t stop watching her, I remembered when Daniel came back from his journey, she was among the girls Daniel recommended for the position and I didn't give much thought to it, I accepted immediately and now I wished I didn't. 

“Do something catch your tongue?* I mocked. 

Her head fell down immediately, her body trembling. This was the kind of person I wanted, someone who would fear my presence, someone that my name is enough to send shivers down their spine. 

But for her —it was too late. She had showed her fierce attitude and I hated that. Women shouldn't be given power, once they have that kind of power they abuse it. 

“I'm sorry,” she muttered, her voice trembling with fear. “I didn't know who you were? I'm sorry,” she bowed again, her head almost reaching the floor.

I kept quiet still staring at her, something about her fascinated me so well that I couldn't help but want to know more about this little creature in my front. 

I could say she is the first girl to pick my interest after so many years. Not because she was beautiful, infact she was ugly, she just had this aura I found intriguing. 

I didn’t believe in love. Love was for fools who forgot power, who forgot bloodlines, responsibilities. Women were for use, for pleasure, for children. I had plenty before her—girls who lasted a day, a week at most before they begged to be sent back or broken in. 

I never really cared about them. 

But this one? There was something different. I could see it in her eyes, something that I know drew me closer to her and that made me furious.

Because deep down, in the cracks of my carefully sculpted self-control, I already knew she might be the first one who stayed.

“Next time, I wouldn't think twice before I separate your head from your body,” I said and walked away. 

I left her in the care of the housekeeper to prepare for the wedding. There was no use in entertaining the chaos she brought.

I stormed through the manor and found Daniel talking to some of the elders. Immediately the elders saw the rage in my face, they bowed and walked away. 

“You call that quiet?” I barked.

His brows furrowed. “Alpha—”

“I asked for meek, submissive and Invisible.” I stepped closer. “She called me out, Daniel.”

“I didn’t expect her to—”

“Of course you didn’t,” I snapped. “You never do.”

Daniel looked down. “Should I… return her?”

The question hit harder than I thought it would. My first instinct was to say yes. Send her back to that gutter she came from. But another part of me was already calculating. She had spirit…fire. Maybe that could be… useful.

“No,” I muttered. “I’m tired of changing girls. Let’s see how long this one lasts.”

Daniel nodded. “Understood.”

I left him without another word and made my way to the ceremonial hall. The place was silent, the air filled with the smell of burning sage and blood-root candles. 

Wolves from my inner circle stood around the stone altar, heads bowed in respect.

Daniel walked behind me, his hands placed in front. “I was talking to the elders the other time, they want to remind you of your duties.”

“Duties?” I frowned. “Do they feel like I'm neglecting my duties?”

“No, you have brought in almost fifteen girls this year and no heir have been conceived.”

I turned to him with a glare. “If they want to lay a complaint next time, they should come themselves than through you.”

Daniel lips pressed into a thin line but he didn't say anything. We both knew that the elders were scared of me, so no one would dare walk up to me to challenge me. 

Aria entered, draped in silver silk. She didn’t look like a bride, she looked like a sacrifice.

The priest stepped forward, beginning the ancient rites. She didn’t flinch when he cut her palm or cry when our blood mingled in the bowl. 

She was completely different from the other girls. She just stared at the whole process without uttering a sound. 

When the final chant was said and the flame in the basin turned black, the bond was sealed.

I looked at her, my lips curled into a faint wicked smirk but that didn't scare her, she just kept her head down. 

“Welcome to Shadow Fang, wife,” I said, my voice colder than winter stone. 

She looked at me then to Daniel, who gave her a reassuring smile. 

“I feel we are going to have a great night,” I added, watching leave as the servants led her back to her room.