LOGINAlpha Aiden's POVI walked through the palace gardens alone. My wolf was pushing very hard inside my chest. He was restless and angry.He remembered every single time I had touched Aria, and right now, he wanted her more than anything. The smell of the flowers in this place was too strong, but I was still trying to catch the scent of her skin.I was thinking about the way her mouth felt against mine in that hallway. It had been too short, I needed more."You look like a man with a lot on his mind, Alpha Aiden."I stopped walking and turned around. It was one of the Princes. I think his name was Esmaeel. He was dressed in a very expensive suit and was smiling at me like we were old friends. I didn't trust that smile at all."It is a big palace. Hard not to think about things," I said. I kept my voice flat.He walked closer to me. "The Royal Games are going to be very difficult. Especially for someone like you. You are an Alpha of a pack, yes, but here in Absalom, things are different.
Aria's POVWhen the sun started to come up, Danielle came into my room to help me get dressed. She picked out a pale blue dress that felt very heavy."The King wants you to have breakfast with your brothers this morning, Princess," she said. She was busy fixing the back of my dress."My brothers," I repeated. The word felt strange in my mouth. I had spent so much of my life alone, and now I had a whole family I didn't know. "Are they... nice?"Danielle stopped for a second. "Prince Esmaeel is the oldest. He is usually very polite. Prince Esmond is the third brother, and he is very kind. But Prince Elian, the youngest... he can be a bit difficult."I nodded and took a deep breath. My stomach felt tight, but I wasn't sure if it was from hunger or nerves.We walked to a smaller dining room. It wasn't as big as the banquet hall, but it was still very fancy. The King was already sitting at the head of the table. Three young men sat along the sides, they all looked a bit like the King, with
Aria's POVMy heart was still beating very fast as I walked back into the banquet hall with Danielle.I kept my head down, trying to make sure my face didn't look like I had just been kissing my husband in a dark corner. When I sat back down, the King looked at me, but he didn't say anything. He just went back to eating his breakfast.After the meal was finally over, the King stood up and signaled for me to follow him."Come, Aria," he said. "I want to show you more of your home. You have been gone for too long."I stood up and followed him. My legs felt a bit heavy, like they didn't want to move away from where Aiden was sitting. I didn't look back, but I could feel Aiden’s eyes on me. It made the skin on my back feel warm.We walked through long hallways with very high ceilings. Everything was made of gold and white marble. It was very beautiful, but it felt cold to me. The King pointed at different doors and paintings as we walked."This was your mother’s favorite room," he said, p
Aria's PovFor a few seconds, I only smelled him, like rain and that spice smell he always had. His lips were pressing hard against mine. I didn't want to stop. I didn't care about the King or the guards or all the people in the other room.But then, Danielle made a soft noise. She sounded very scared.“Princess! Please! The guards... they are looking this way!” she whispered.I pulled back a little bit. I was breathing very fast. Aiden’s eyes were dark and he looked like he was very hungry for me. He reached out and touched my bottom lip with his thumb. It felt a bit sore from the kissing.“I’m not leaving without you, Aria,” he said. His voice was deep and scratchy. “I don’t care if this is a Kingdom. You are my wife.”“I know,” I said. I was trying to stop my hands from shaking. “But you have to go. If they catch you, my Father will get very angry. Please Aiden, goo back to the hall. I will come in a minute.”He looked like he wanted to stay, but he nodded. He kissed me one more ti
Aria's POVI was acting calm compared to the turmoil within me. Everything the King me led me to one thing: I had no freedom to choose who I would end up with. He was implying I should give up on Aiden and accept whoever ended up as my husband.I had told him I had been married and that I was no longer pure. He said it didn't matter anymore. He was sure everyone wanted to have a possibility of ruling Absalom. I felt like I was just a tool for Absalom.I wanted to tell him I didn't care about his Kingdom. I only wanted my husband.But how ironic my life had turrned out.What was happening was exactly how my life started with Aiden. I was also just a tool to save him—his ego and his heart—from being broken by Emmaline. Only this time, I had no idea who I would be marrying. And at least with Aiden, he asked me if I wanted to. I was not forced into marriage with him.My eyes stung as I tried to keep from tearing up as we walked down toward the hall where the breakfast Banquet was. I coul
Aria's POV“ This is your room from now on, Aria.” The King's voice came from behind me.I slowly turned around to curtsy before him.“Good morning, Father.” I almost said, “My King,” and I was glad I was able to catch myself as I wanted to make a good impression.He nodded but remained in his spot while I continued to smile warmly at him.“ This room is for me?” I asked.“ Yes.” He replied before he motioned with one hand. “ Come here.”One man approached him and handed him a beautiful crown encrusted with clusters of small gemstones. It was sparking, and just looking at it made my heart thud loudly.“ This is a ceremony that should be witnessed by our people, but allow me to be selfish and have this moment alone with you. I will give you a grand coronation the moment you settle with a mate.”I bit my bottom lip. I almost got teary–eyed with his words, but the last part made me worry again.“ Kneel down, Princess Aria. Remember that the only time you will kneel before me is whenever
Alpha Aiden's POVAfter my conversation with Ryker, I asked him to drive me to the centre. I bought a new phone and called Rasmus.It took three transfers before I was finally able to catch him.“ Holy shit! Is that you? Damn, Aiden, I thought you're already dead.” He began as soon as our lines con
Delta Ryker’s POV “ Aria is in danger.” Alpha Aiden said, and I wanted to jump out of my seat. “ What the fuck happened to his statement: “ I can't trust anyone at the moment?” I wanted to laugh, but the seriousness on the Alpha's face made me swallow my chuckle. I had no idea what he planned to
Alpha Aiden's POV“ Was she sad when I was in a coma?”“ She was miserable.” Ryker glanced at me and gave me a weak smile before turning his attention back to the road. “ Her eyes were always puffy by morning, so I knew she was crying herself to sleep. But she would still do her duties, running the
Ivy's POV I couldn't believe Aiden's revelation! How on earth did he find Aria? And why did Alpha Kane not call me to inform me that Aria had escaped him? I was not sure if Aria knew or met Alpha Kane when she was kidnapped or if she was able to run before she realised where she would be taken.







