chapter four

**Venessa's POV**

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The maid assigned to guide me opened the door to my chambers and gestured for me to enter.

Surveying the immaculate room, its grandeur left me mesmerized by the interior's elegance and sheer size.

My eyes widened at the sight of his belongings scattered on the table. "We're sharing rooms?" I couldn't hide my surprise.

The maid looked at me as if I had lost my mind, but then I realized they were unaware this was a marriage of convenience.

My senses heightened, aware that I now stood within the Alpha's territory.

"I'll leave you to rest," the maid bowed and exited, gently closing the door behind her.

Muscles tight, I removed my dress and entered the shower. The warm water eased the tension in my muscles.

Exiting the bathroom, I searched through my clothes for something simple to wear.

I laid on the bed with a book in hand, feeling the urge to wait for him.

Anticipation hung thick in the air as I waited anxiously. Hours passed, but my so-called husband didn't return.

Exhaustion overcame me, and despite my efforts, I drifted into sleep. The rustling of leaves outside woke me; opening my eyes, I found the Lycan prince seated in a chair across the room, an enigmatic air surrounding him.

"You're back. Where have you been?" My voice barely rose above a whisper.

He looked at me, his eyes holding secrets. "I've been busy."

His words lingered, heavy with unspoken implications. "Busy?" I repeated, confusion and apprehension clouding my expression.

"I know about us being mates," he revealed, cryptic and leaving me with more questions than answers.

Unable to grasp the weight of his casually thrown words, I chose silence. The room echoed with the ticking of an invisible clock as we locked eyes. Tension thickened, urging me to sit up, my gaze fixed on his penetrating eyes.

In a rare moment of vulnerability, he confessed that he knew our marriage was not meant to be. "I know you were not the one I was meant to marry," he admitted, his words heavy with gravity.

"Why tell me now?" Frustration and weariness laced my words.

His response was a stoic silence, leaving me to grapple with our intertwined destinies. Without explanation, he departed, leaving me alone to contemplate his revelation.

The palace was eerily silent in the early morning hours. Lost in contemplation, I wandered the corridors, my thoughts chaotic and disturbed by his words, haunting my mind.

A figure caught my eye in the shadows. As he drew closer, I recognized the guard I had danced with on my wedding night.

"What are you doing out at this hour, my lady?" He inquired.

"I thought I'd take a walk, but this palace feels like a maze," I chuckled, finding the situation both amusing and reflective of my life.

"Lost?" He smirked.

I nodded, feeling unsettled by the unfamiliarity of the palace.

"If you don't mind, I can lead you back," he offered, a smile playing on his lips.

"Okay," I followed him.

He guided me to my room, a silent companion in the night. "Be careful, these people aren't what they seem," he warned before vanishing into the shadows.

"What do you mean?" I called out, but my question remained unanswered.

The next morning brought news of my family's departure.

Standing by the door, I waited for his performance to end.

"You've made me proud. Congratulations on your marriage, dear," my father smiled, and I struggled to mask my discomfort. His newfound care was solely due to the marriage, making it harder to believe.

My mother stepped forward, embracing me. "If I hear any news about your sister, I'll inform you," she whispered before letting go.

Tears shimmered in her eyes, yet I couldn't muster any care; she too had forced me into this union.

I remained distant, withholding any show of gratitude.

After my family left, I wandered the palace's halls, feeling like a stranger in an unfamiliar place. The thoughts of my imposed union gnawed at me, overshadowing the palace's beauty. Lost in contemplation, the guard's warning lingered in my mind.

Returning to my room, I sought to occupy my mind. Picking up my suitcase, I found a letter at the top, recognizable as my sister's handwriting.

The writing was hurried, with words that spoke of urgency:

*"Venessa,*

*I hope this letter reaches you. I'm sorry for everything and for leaving without saying goodbye. I had to. The truth is, I couldn't go through with the marriage. I never loved him; I love someone else, someone I can't bring here. Please understand; I had to choose my own path.*

*I know this marriage wasn't your choice either. Stay strong, sis. Find your way. Don't let anyone force you into something you don't want. I'll find a way to let you know I'm safe. I'll find my own path, and you should too.*

*Take care of yourself, Venessa. I'll always be there for you.*

*Love,*

*Your sister."*

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The mixture of relief and worry washed over me as I absorbed every word she had penned down. She had fled to protect her love, and in doing so, she'd left me to face the situation alone.

My heart ached for her, but her words resonated deeply within me. She'd chosen to break free from the chains of a forced union, daring to follow her heart. Her courage stirred something within me, urging me to find my own strength.

The bond of sisterhood was a lifeline in this tumultuous time. Her departure, though painful, left behind a trail of hope. With every word in the letter, I felt a surge of determination—determination to carve my own destiny.

The weight of the letter in my hand felt both heavy and empowering. It was a beacon of freedom, reminding me that despite the constraints, I had the power to shape my future.

As the morning light streamed through the window, casting a warm glow in the room, I tucked the letter safely away. It became a secret bearer of courage, a reminder of the choices we could make even in the most trying circumstances.