LOGINKINGSTONThe ride back home is silent, and cold.I keep stealing glances at Aeliana who is obviously playing a game on her phone with the volume on full blast. Before we left the party, my father told me to seal the bond with her, even it I don't have kids with her so fast. And in the case that I don’t he threatened to gather the pack elders and have them do his dirty bidding for her.Does Aeliana not realise how much of a pawn she has become in controlling me? Or is she playing dumb? Either way, she’s a constant obstacle in my long-awaited inauguration. One that I will rid of the moment I’m officially the only Alpha.When we arrive at the packhouse, Aeliana retreats to her bedroom while I head straight for the liquor cabinet in my office. The fact that I’m being forced to bed her makes my stomach turn. But beneath all the resentment is something that is a sickening craving. I've made peace with never having to touch her again, and if she ever lets me that close, I’d break her. Not wi
“I’m not having kids with her.” Not that she would ever allow me to. The thought makes my heart skip an actual beat, but I erase the thought before it multiplies and finds a home in my mind. There’s way too much of Aeliana as it is.Damien hums, “That seems too certain. What if she’s already pregnant?” He asks, an eyebrow raised at me. “Newlyweds fuck like rabbits. And I caught her throwing up a while ago.”Is she sick? I hadn’t noticed, she seemed fine to me in the car, and she seemed even better than fine when she was laughing with my idiot brother.I put a pin on my concern and sigh, “We’ve been married for what? All of two weeks? How—”“Son, that is more than enough time to make me another grandchild.”“Well, if Aeliana is pregnant then I’d be the happiest man alive.”Father pats my shoulder, flashing me a proud grin. “See, fatherhood is already in your heart.”“That child would in no way belong to me, or the Vale family.”My father pauses, his eyebrows knitted together in unmista
We don’t speak the rest of the drive, and when we arrive, he steals her away to give a tour of my brother’s wife. Most of the guests are yet to arrive but Audrey is already here, she came in early to help set up for the party. She’s always been so thoughtful, and up until a few weeks ago, we all appreciated her and now it seems like Aeliana is replacing her.The first thing we do when nearly all the guests arrive is sing Happy Birthday to the birthday boy before he and his friends fall asleep. After that, everyone goes on to do their own thing. Audrey stays by my side, clinging to my arm, while I nod at conversations and reminisce about my kiss with Aeliana.I was so scared when Rowan told me she was crying by the staircase, I had been with Audrey, helping her with her vibrator. She was throwing herself at me but I couldn’t bring myself to have sex with her. I haven't gone that far with her since I married Aeliana, regardless of the terms of our marriage, I still can’t bring myself t
KINGSTONI spend my morning in a meeting, trying to move my inauguration up against Father’s wishes. He has granted me what he wants to so badly call my honeymoon vacation, a whole month in which I’m not to involve myself in pack business. My focus should be on Aeliana and nothing else. It takes a while to convince them it’s unnecessary. Aeliana will be here for the rest of my life, and the pack might not exist if I focus on her. When I do convince them, I’m roped into having breakfast with my mother.Thankfully, she doesn’t mention Aeliana once. She simply complains about her day, how exhausting her Luna duties are—which I think is a hint for me to have Aeliana trained as soon as possible, something she will have to learn from her if need arises.Out in the driveway, I’m carrying a special order she made just for Aeliana. “Don’t forget, we have an early dinner tonight at Damien’s.”“I won’t forget mom, it’s Alex’s birthday. I will start off in a few hours, I just have to pick up Audr
“I do not want to hurt your feelings, Aeliana.” My wolf says, her voice strangled. “Some things are better kept unsaid. This is one of those things, trust me.”I can hardly breathe. Every time I try to get up, I’m thrown back again. If not for my grip on the railing, I would have fallen to the bottom of the stairs. “You and I are all each other has, don’t keep things from me, you promised.”“Our mate,” she begins. “He is with someone.” She whispers, “We are in pain because he is with someone.”No.Not someone, her.Alpha Kingston is with Audrey. They’re together, it’s broad daylight for crying out loud. Shouldn’t he be out today? Danielle mentioned that he and Rowan went out to handle pack business while we were out shopping so how is he with her right now? Was he giving her his Amex a ploy to keep me distracted and out of the house while he fucked her? I can’t—“It will pass,” Lumi tells me. “We won’t feel it soon enough. We won't feel him when he stops.”
DANIELLEAeliana is very quiet.She hasn’t given me a chance to actually know her or pay for her things. Alpha Kingston had given me his card to pay for her things, and I tried several times, but not once has she let me. Not even when I tried to purchase her a gift under the guise of gifting her a wedding present.Shopping with her has been fun. She has great taste, and she’s funny when she wants to be. I suggested we go for lunch after our last store, a wildly insightful lingerie store.At lunch, she’s telling me about her time in Clinshore. She’s careful with her words, only giving me the boring stuff. At some point, I overstep and ask about her relationships, and she politely circles around it.“How did you and Rowan meet?” she asks, picking at her plate. She doesn’t appear interested, but she makes an effort at conversation.“The academy,” I say, the memory bringing a smile to my face. “I was visiting my brother, and I bumped into Rowan in their dorm







