Chapter seven: the gathering of wolves

Aria's pov

The dress was sin stitched by a succubus.

Barely there. Black. Sheer. My nipples dark shadows beneath the thin fabric, the curve of my thighs exposed by high slits. A collar—yes, an actual collar—circled my throat, the silver ring at its center gleaming like a chain waiting to be pulled.

I thought it was a necklace until I put it on

Sick fuck. He collared me.

I felt the eyes of the maid on me. Fearful. Pitiful.

But she said nothing.

I met my own gaze in the mirror. My face was flushed. My pupils wide.

Tonight you meet the Family.

My heart was racing faster than an F1 car.

The door creaked open.

Nero stood there. A black shirt which stretched over his chest due to his muscles. Dark slacks. No tie. No jacket. His presence alone was a crown. Dangerous. Magnetic. Sexy.

His gaze dragged over me.

Dark delight gleamed in his eyes and his lips curved upward.

“Perfect,” he murmured. “Like a lamb dressed for slaughter.”

He offered his arm.

I hesitated.

He smiled coldly. “Take it. Or I’ll carry you naked.”

I slipped my fingers into the crook of his elbow. His warmth bled into my skin.

The hall outside thrummed with tension. Voices. Footsteps. The scent of cigars and leather and fear.

He led me through double doors.

The gathering waited.

Men in dark suits. Eyes like knives. Faces marked by violence and age. A room of killers, traitors, rulers of blood and shadow.

The Moretti Mafia.

My new family.

They turned. Looked. Stared.

At me.

The whispers began.

“So that’s her...”

“The Wolf Bride...”

“The American heiress...”

Their hunger was very obvious. Like wolves scenting a bleeding doe.

Nero smiled.

“She’s exquisite, isn’t she?” His voice cut through the murmurs. “Mine. Body and soul. The final bond of our bloodlines.”

A glass clinked.

A toast was raised.

“To the bride!”

“To the Don!”

“To the end of the vendetta!”

I felt sick.

I forced my face into the perfect smile of a debutante. Of a proper mafia wife.

And then... I did the unthinkable.

I stepped away from Nero.

Without permission.

The room fell silent.

A gasp.

I walked toward the center of the gathering, letting every man see me, every hungry eye devour the dangerous curve of my hips, the swell of my breasts beneath the silk.

And I turned.

“Am I to be introduced like cattle?” I said, voice sweet and sharp. “Paraded without a name? Without a word?”

Murmurs rippled.

Nero’s shadow loomed behind me.

But I wasn’t finished.

“Aria Valente,” I said clearly. “I am not anyone’s prize.”

A dangerous pause.

Then Nero laughed.

Low. Dark. Full of deadly promise.

The gathering broke into uneasy chuckles, unsure.

But I knew.

I’d crossed the line.

“Come,” Nero murmured, close to my ear. His hand closed on my wrist like a shackle. “Now.”

I swallowed hard.

He dragged me from the room. Through silent halls. Past guards who bowed their heads.

To his office.

The door slammed shut.

And I was alone with the wolf.

Nero turned.

His eyes burned.

“Little fox,” he said softly. “You want to play rebellion in front of my Family? Embarrass me?”

I lifted my chin. “Better than being your silent doll.”

His smile was slow. Sinful.

“Good,” he murmured. “I like breaking proud things.”

He stalked toward me.

I stepped back.

Too slow.

His hand closed around my throat, pushing me against the cold wood of the door.

His mouth hovered close.

“You made every man in that room hard tonight,” he whispered. “Dressed like lust itself. Staring at your nipples. Wondering what my bride tastes like.”

His hand slid down. Palming my breast through the dress. Squeezing hard enough to bruise.

“Is that what you wanted?” he murmured. “Their cocks rising while they dreamed of splitting you open?”

I gasped.

Heat flooded my core.

“You belong to me, Aria. Me.” His grip tightened. “And for defying me... you’ll be punished.”

His other hand slipped under the slit of the dress. Up. Higher. Until his fingers pressed against the thong covering my pussy.

“Wet again,” he purred darkly. “My little rebel... already soaking for her punishment.”

I whimpered. Hating him. Hating myself. Wanting more.

“I should fuck you right here. Against the door. Where the guards can hear you scream my name. You'd like that, huh? My dirty little slut.”

His thumb circled my clit. Teasing. Cruel.

“But no. Not yet.”

His mouth brushed my ear.

“First... you need to learn fear.”

Suddenly he spun me.

Bent me over his desk.

A knife flashed. The silk dress split down the back nearly falling off my body. Cool air kissed my naked skin.

I gasped as he dragged the ruined fabric away.

“Perfect,” he whispered. “My bride, bare and trembling.”

He took off his belt in a flash.

The crack of leather snapped the air.

I stiffened.

“You defy me in public,” he said softly, deadly. “So your body pays the price in private.”

Smack!

The belt licked across my ass. Heat spread where the leather met my skin and a welp escaped me

Again.

And again.

Pain and heat. Sharp. Unforgiving.

My cry echoed in the room.

His hand caressed the red flesh, soothing. Tempting.

“Such a pretty canvas,” he murmured. “Marked by me. Fuck, I want to ruin you.”

His fingers slipped lower. Between my thighs which was coated with my juices trailing down my leg. He followed the trail up into my slick heat.

“Still dripping,” he chuckled. “Filthy little fox. You like punishment, don’t you?”

I gasped. Shook my head.

“Liar.”

Two fingers slid inside me.

I moaned.

Shame and lust flowed like poison in my veins.

His finger curled up expertly hitting my g spot making me bite my lips and thrust into his fingers.

“I could fuck you here. Make you come until you beg for mercy. But you don’t deserve pleasure yet.”

He pulled away.

I whimpered at the loss of contact.

“On your knees.”

I dropped. Panting. Burning.

His belt dangled from his hand. His eyes gleamed.

“Look up.”

I obeyed.

His free hand cupped my cheek.

“Tonight was a lesson,” he said softly. “You are mine. Defy me again... and I will make you scream until you forget your own name.”

His thumb brushed my lower lip.

“But for now... crawl to the bed through that door with leads to my room. I want you spread. Waiting. Naked. So I can watch your fear grow while I finish business.”

I swallowed. Heat throbbing between my legs.

He smiled.

“Move, little fox. Your real punishment begins soon.”