Chapter 2

Beneath the Alpha's Roof

Aria stood before the towering iron gates of Darkfang Keep again, she couldn't take her mind off the storm welling in her heart— the safety of Rollan; who couldn’t be anywhere near Caden.

Victor; who was sniffing through her past like a bloodhound.

And also the signature on the contract that had signed her soul away.

The gates creaked open, and the same guards from yesterday gave her a quick once-over before nodding. “The Alpha is waiting.”

Of course he was.

She wore the best dress she owned — a modest navy-blue one that hugged her waist but gave nothing away. Her hair was pinned back. Her lips were bare but still beautiful.

The mansion swallowed her whole, its high walls and wolf-emblazoned pillars watching her like predators.

Caden was already in the foyer. Today, he wore a black shirt rolled at the sleeves, exposing strong arms laced with silver tribal ink — the mark of the Alpha King’s bloodline. His power pulsed in the air, sharp and alive.

“You’re late.”

“I needed time,” she said quietly, handing over the signed contract.

He didn’t look at it. He didn’t even look at her.

“Come,” he said. “I’ll show you to your quarters. There are rules you’ll follow starting from now.”

His Beta emerged behind him — a man with sharp eyes and a scar down one cheek. Tall, lean, with an air of suspicion that made Aria’s skin prickle.

Beta Kael.

His gaze landed on her, then it narrowed almost immediately.

Aria stiffened because she recognised him.

“Do I know you?” Kael asked suddenly.

Caden turned, as his brows raised. 

Aria froze for a minute then she forced a polite smile. “I don’t believe so.”

Kael didn’t look convinced. “You sure? You look… familiar.”

Aria dropped her gaze. “I may have one of those faces.”

Caden cut in, cold as always. “Does it matter? She’s here. She’s mine now. Move on.”

Kael’s mouth tightened, he knew better what he was talking about but he nodded. “Of course, Alpha.”

As they walked, Aria’s heart thundered. Kael remembered her. Maybe not clearly, maybe not from the night of the gala three years ago, but enough to be dangerous. He had been there. He was the one who stood beside Caden at the Gala. He was Caden's most loyal servant.

If Kael finds the truth, so does Caden.

Aria was taken to the Luna quarters and it was really breathtaking — high ceilings, velvet drapes, and a fireplace carved with the Darkfang crest.

“You’ll stay here. You’ll be escorted to public events, dinners, and Council appearances. You can only speak when spoken to. You can only smile when necessary. You must wear the Luna mark at all times.”

Caden reached into his pocket and handed her a silver necklace etched with the Darkfang sigil — a wolf beneath a bleeding moon.

It weighed heavily in her palm.

“You’ll always wear this,” he said. “It marks you as mine.”

Aria swallowed hard. “Have you done this before or is it just me?”

His jaw tightened. “Don’t push me, Aria.”

She looked away, noticing that she got on his nerves.

The room smelled like lavender and power but it felt like a cage.

“When do I start playing my role?” she asked.

“Tonight. There's dinner with the Southern Alphas. You can smile, look pretty, and don’t speak unless I tell you to.”

“And what if I mess up?”

He didn’t hesitate. “Then this deal ends. And I’ll ruin whatever life you thought you had left.”

She felt like she could just tell him about everything, about their child, about the night he doesn’t remember, about the danger coming for them both in the shape of her brother.

But fear sealed her lips.

That evening, Aria stood in front of the gold-framed mirror in a black gown chosen by one of Caden’s maids. It fit her too well. Like it was made just for her body. Like someone had measured her without her knowing.

The necklace hung against her throat like a noose.

The knock at her door was soft. 

It was not Caden. 

Not Kael.

It was a maid. Her voice trembled.

“Miss Aria... someone’s here to see you. He said it’s urgent.”

Aria’s blood ran cold.

She followed the maid through a servant hallway, past the kitchens and out a narrow garden gate. And there — beneath the shadows of the thorn trees — stood the one person she never thought she would see again.

Marcus.

“You shouldn’t be here,” Aria whispered.

“I heard you are married now to Caden. Does he know?” he smiled as he said those words.

“No he doesn't.”

“Caden doesn’t even remember you,” Marcus said, chuckling. “What kind of Alpha forgets the woman he slept with? But that's not why I am here.”

Aria’s curiosity piqued “Then why are you here, knowing this is really risky?”

“It's Victor.”

“My brother?” Aria asked in shock.

“He is up to something, Aria. You have to warn the Alpha.

This was the second confirmation she was having towards Victor, how bad could it get.

There was a flicker of movement behind the trees.

A deep, low growl cut through the garden like thunder.

“You have to go, Marcus. Thank you for being a loyal friend.” 

She remembered she had a party to attend and she couldn't be caught that she left her chambers to see someone. Aria immediately hugged him as they went separate ways.

She quietly headed back to her chambers with the maid.

She quietly sat on her bed, trying to process everything.

“Who are you?” Aria asked.

“I am Evelyn, I was sent here to keep an eye on you and help you in due time.”

Aria realized that her maid wasn't just a maid but someone who doesn't only know her but a lot about her past.

Sadly how her past seems to be catching up with her, faster than she thought.

There was a heavy knock on the door.

“It's time, Luna.” The head of the guards echoed.