Chapter 5

CHAPTER FIVE

 Aria’s POV – 

The moment I stepped into the room, I slammed the door shut, taking in deep breaths, after some minutes or silence, I glanced around the room. 

It was beautiful—too beautiful for someone like me. Big bed, soft silver curtains, candles burning on tall stands, it was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen but it didn't feel reassuring, it felt like a trap. 

I sat on the floor, still wearing the silver dress from the wedding. It was so tight, making it difficult for me to breathe. 

I held my aching chest and then the tears started falling. I covered my face and cried so loudly I thought someone might hear me.

“Mama,” I whispered. “Papa…”

I cried harder. “Why did you bring me into this world? Why did you give me life just to throw me away?”

My mind wondered back to Lyra, my stepsister and her wicked mother. Even after my death, I would still curse them, after everything I did for them, they still threw me out like I was a nobody. 

 I hated how they smiled while pushing me into this horrible marriage. “You planned this,” I whispered through my sobs. “I pray to the moon goddess, may she destroy both of you.”

I curled into a ball, hugging my knees. My whole body shook from the pain inside. I didn’t want to be here neither did I want to be alive.

 I looked around the room, seeing a small knife sitting on a table near the wall.

I stood up slowly, still crying, and walked toward it. My hands shook as I picked it up. It was sharp. I looked at it, then at my wrist. Maybe if I left this world, the pain would stop.

Then the door opened and Kael walked in. 

I turned quickly, holding the knife in front of me. “Stay away!” I shouted. “Don’t come closer!”

He stopped, looking calm, like he wasn’t scared of what I might do. His dark eyes stared at the knife.

“Go ahead,” he said. “If you really want to do it, then do it.”

I blinked, confused. “What?”

“I said do it,” he repeated, stepping closer. “Let’s see if you really mean it.”

His cold daring voice was enough to make me think twice. Why should Kael care if I die or not? Yes, he bought me but he was a wealthy man who could afford ten other girls within a blink of an eye. 

I held the knife tighter and pressed it to my skin, a little blood came out. My hand shook harder.

Then he shouted, “Do it!”

I dropped the knife, It hit the floor with a loud sound. I backed away, my expressions filled with fear. 

 My body hit the wall behind me and I slid down, crying harder.

“Please…” I begged. “I just want to go home.”

Kael laughed. 

“Home?” he said. “This is your home, I bought you.”

“I’m just an impure wolf, what do you want to do with me?” I cried. 

He walked closer, standing over me. “Here, you’ll be treated worse. Unless you do something useful.”

I looked up at him. My tears had stopped already, I was too tired to cry more.

He crouched down and stared into my eyes. “You’re different, Aria. You don’t belong in any pack, you are Impure and No one would want you.”

“Then why did you marry me?” I asked, barely able to get the words out.

Kael stood up again. “Consider it a blessing, Aria,” he smiled. 

“What do you want from me?” I frowned. 

“I want an heir.”

I frowned. “A child?”

“Yes,” he said. “I need someone to carry my blood, so that’s why you’re here.”

My chest felt like it was cracking open. All of this… was just for that?

“If you give me a child,” he continued, “I will protect you. No one will hurt you ever again, I’ll make sure of it.”

“What if I refuse?” I growled. 

His lips curled into a smirk. “How long did you think your step mother was going to protect you, sooner or later, people would find out that you are Impure and they would kill you,” he paused, tucking his hands in his pockets. “I'm giving you a chance to change your fate.”

He turned to the door, but stopped. “Think about it. That’s all I need from you.”

Then he left.

The silence was loud. I stared at the knife still on the floor. A child? Was that all I was good for?

But then I remembered my life. All the times I cried myself to sleep. The way people looked at me like I was nothing. All the pain I carried for years, I didn’t want to stay here but I also didn’t want to go back there.

I wanted peace, I wanted to be happy just once in my life, to be respected, I was tired of the life I lived. 

When Kael came back the next day, I was ready.

“I agree,” I said before he even opened his mouth.

His eyebrows lifted slightly. “You do?”

“I’ll give you an heir,” I said. “But only if you keep your word. After the child is born, I want to leave. I want to live in the mountains. Alone. You will support me, but never come near me again.”

He stared at me for a moment. Then nodded.

“Done.”

And just like that, my life changed again. I had made a deal with the devil, but little did I know things were about to take a drastic turn.