Alina made the vows

**ALINA’S POV**

I saw his face—clearer now, more familiar than I dared to admit. A chill ran down my spine. I knew him. But what in the goddess’ name was he doing here…serving a rival pack?

“I…” I began, but the words died on my tongue.

Noxi, ever attuned to tension, stepped in with a smirk tugging at his lips. “Should I leave the room for the reunited couple?”

“No!!” I snapped, louder than I meant to. My chest tightened with unease.

The man tilted his head and gave a little bow. “Luna of the North Pack,” he said with alarming formality, “it’s an honor to finally see you again… especially after you saved my life.”

I froze. Saved his life? My brows furrowed. It hit me—he was the boy I had dragged out of the alley, bleeding from a sacred knife wound. But he looked so different now. Hardened. Colder.

“I don’t remember saving you,” I lied, trying to stay in control, probing him for more.

Without hesitation, he lifted his shirt. My breath hitched at the sight of the scar across his side—thin, silvered, and unmistakably sacred. My hands had pressed against that wound. My magic had helped seal it.

Silence stretched between us until he broke it. “Alpha Noxi, the company you’re opening tomorrow… they need your approval regarding media coverage.”

Noxi rolled his eyes, irritation bleeding into his voice. “I told those bastards I didn’t want it in the news.” He turned halfway toward the door, hesitated, then threw me a look I couldn’t decipher. “I’ll deal with it.”

But before leaving, his tone shifted—low, commanding, and possessive. “Take care of her. Don’t let her out of your sight. Not even for a second.”

I didn’t like it. I really didn’t like it. As he turned to go, I lunged forward. “Noxi! Get back here! Don’t leave me alone with him!”

But Aiden stopped me with a firm hand to my arm. Reflexively, I shoved it off with disgust. “Don’t touch me.”

I turned on my heel, stormed back to the bed, and collapsed on it. “You know, Aiden,” I sneered, “you don’t have to follow me like a lost puppy.”

He exhaled quietly. “It’s Beta Alex, not Aiden anymore.”

I looked him up and down, unimpressed. “Wow. Changed your name, too? What’s next—rewriting your past?”

He adjusted his blazer, his expression blank. “Alina, I’m a Beta now. We both have roles to play. Stop blaming me for your mistakes—especially when you knew damn well the fire you were playing with...You got burnt because you made a mistake! ”

I snorted, walking toward the window. “I’d rather be alone,” I muttered. “Or are you planning to force me like last time?”

He tensed, jaw ticking, but said nothing. Just turned and quietly left the room.

The moment the door shut, I pressed a trembling hand to my chest. My breath hitched. I didn’t even realize a tear had slipped down my cheek.

“Aiden… you…”

Before I could finish, movement outside the window caught my eye. A sleek black car pulled away with three people going inside. Two unfamiliar faces… and one I’d recognize anywhere.

Tracy.

“What the hell is going on?” I whispered. “Leaving so soon?”

My gaze lifted toward the horizon. Towering buildings loomed beyond the pack’s borders—places I once dreamed of living in. Places I could never return to.

Anger rose in my spirit and my fists clenched. I imagined my revenge—each step, each blow, each secret I would use to bring this world down. They would pay.

But before I could drown in my thoughts, a voice cut through the silence.

“Your Highness… your drink is here.”

I turned to see a young maid with wide brown eyes and a tray holding a glass of deep red wine. Her hair was long, brushed to one side like a curtain of silk.

“Thank you,” I said politely, giving her a nod of appreciation before turning back to the window.

She placed the tray gently on a nearby table and hesitated. “You look nervous.”

I arched an eyebrow. “And why is that?”

“I thought you knew,” she mumbled. “I probably shouldn’t say anything.”

I turned fully to her, arms folded. “You started it. Finish it.”

She played with her her fingers, glancing around nervously. “They say Alpha Noxi doesn’t love you. He’s using you. His parents… they need you for some kind of revenge.”

My pulse quickened. “Revenge? For what?”

She shook her head. “That’s all I heard. But it’s not about love. It’s a setup. He might be your mate, but he’ll reject you eventually—just like the others.”

I stiffened. “Others?”

Her voice dropped lower. “Every girl he’s mated with—true mate or not—they’ve all died. Some say it’s a curse. Some say it’s his rage. But I know the truth. I warned them. They didn’t listen.”

“Then what happened?”

She glanced at the door again. “They vanished. One by one. I escaped his wrath… barely.”

She bowed again. “Be careful, Your Highness. With the time you have left.”

I stepped forward, desperate for more, but she was already walking away.

“Wait!” I called. But she didn’t turn around.

I didn’t follow her. I couldn’t risk exposing her. If someone found out she had warned me…

Her words haunted me. Were they true? Was Noxi dangerous… or just broken? I had thought he was a tool I could use, but now, I wasn’t so sure.

I needed answers. And I needed a plan.

---

**2 PM**

I clasped the necklace around my neck—a final touch to my transformation. The black strapless gown hugged my body like silk and sin, my hair swept up into a sleek bun, a few strands teasing the curve of my face.

I needed to look deadly. Sexy for the cameras. Powerful for the enemies.

I checked the time. Two minutes past two.

Outside, the noise swelled. Voices, camera clicks, and chaos. Oh! what I wanted to hear!

I descended the stairs with the poise of a queen, each step deliberate.

The guards tried to hold the press back, but the wave of flashing lights surged forward. Noxi’s car pulled in, slicing through the crowd like a blade.

He stepped out, handsome and twice as dangerous, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me.

“Is she getting part of the company?” one reporter yelled. “Or is this just temporary?”

“Are you divorcing her before the wedding even begins?” another shouted.

His brow furrowed. “What the hell are you people talking about?”

" Showtime" I thought.

I approached him with a sultry smile and adjusted his suit collar. “Your questions won’t matter in a minute,” I purred, “because things are about to change.”

A camera flashed.

“Who even is she?” one reporter asked.

I turned, flashing my teeth in a dazzling smile. “You’ll want to remember me,” I said. “Because we’re getting married.”

Noxi’s eyes widened, stunned.

But I wasn’t done.

With grace, I dropped to one knee and pulled out the ring I had hidden in my dress.

Gasps filled the air.

“Will you be mine, Noxi North?” I said loud enough for every camera to catch.

The world fell silent.