AURELIA’S POV
I didn’t stop to think—I just ran. My bare feet thudded against the polished floors of the grand hall, the air thick and suffocating in my lungs. My heart was still pounding from the weight of his presence, from the way his aura had crashed over me like a storm determined to drown me.
I needed to get away. Away from his touch, his words, that smirk that promised I wasn’t leaving unscathed.
But fate had a cruel way of throwing daggers. Because the moment I turned the corner, I crashed right into someone.
The scent of lilacs and smoke hit me before I even registered her face. Seraphina.
Her hands clamped down on my arms to steady me, but instead of concern, her expression was painted with amusement. Her lips curled, and her eyes gleamed with something I couldn’t name—something that made my stomach twist.
“What’s wrong, Aurelia?” she asked sweetly, though the glint in her gaze
AURELIA’S POVI didn’t stop to think—I just ran. My bare feet thudded against the polished floors of the grand hall, the air thick and suffocating in my lungs. My heart was still pounding from the weight of his presence, from the way his aura had crashed over me like a storm determined to drown me.I needed to get away. Away from his touch, his words, that smirk that promised I wasn’t leaving unscathed.But fate had a cruel way of throwing daggers. Because the moment I turned the corner, I crashed right into someone.The scent of lilacs and smoke hit me before I even registered her face. Seraphina.Her hands clamped down on my arms to steady me, but instead of concern, her expression was painted with amusement. Her lips curled, and her eyes gleamed with something I couldn’t name—something that made my stomach twist.“What’s wrong, Aurelia?” she asked sweetly, though the glint in her gaze
AURELIA’S POVFor a moment, he actually staggered back a step, his eyes flaring with sudden rage. I froze, watching the way his nostrils flared, his chest rising and falling like a predator fighting the urge to strike. His aura slammed against me—raw, violent, suffocating.A low growl rumbled from his throat, the sound primal, dangerous. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, veins standing out along his forearms as though he were holding himself back from tearing me apart.I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. I already know that wolves with authority were different from normal wolves—that their emotions burned hotter, sharper, deadlier. And now, standing before someone like him, I finally understood. He was fury wrapped in flesh, dominance in its purest form, barely caged beneath a fragile restraint. It almost made me think that he is the Alpha.His piercing gaze locked on me, a muscle ticking in his jaw as he forc
AURELIA’S POVThe grip on my mouth was iron, stealing the scream straight from my lungs. I writhed beneath him, thrashing against the sheets, my nails clawing at his arm, but the intruder didn’t budge. His strength was terrifying—unyielding.My heart hammered violently, every instinct screaming at me to get away.I kicked, shoved, twisted my body in every direction, but it was like fighting against a wall. The heat of his body pressed over mine, his hand still clamped across my lips. My chest ached from holding in the muffled cries, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of surrender.Then, his voice broke through the chaos. Low, rough, commanding.“Stop struggling. We are going to get married anyway.”I froze. For a heartbeat, the words didn’t register. Married? My thoughts stumbled over themselves, confusion twisting into shock. What marriage? What is he talking about?My mind reeled. Was this some cruel game? Had Father sent me here for this? No one had told me anything, no one h
AURELIA’S POVThe gates of the Obsidian Fang Pack rose before us like carved obsidian stone, jagged and unyielding, crowned with silver etchings that caught the fading sunlight. Wolves—massive and disciplined—lined either side of the entrance, their armor gleaming, their gazes fixed ahead with military precision.For a moment, I forgot to breathe.This was one of the oldest packs, with roots older than most kingdoms. Its legacy pulsed in every stone, every banner draped in black and silver, every torch that burned with controlled fire. The air itself seemed heavier, as if weighed down by centuries of dominance.Beside me, Seraphina straightened her back and tilted her chin up, her golden curls cascading perfectly down her shoulders. She wore pride like it was stitched into her gown, and the guards’ eyes flickered to her as if she were royalty. And perhaps she was—Father’s favored jewel, she looked like she knew she will impress everyone.And me?I was the shadow at her side. The daugh
Aurelia’s POVThe walls of the once-grand citadel seemed to shrink with every passing day, as if the very stone was ashamed to house us. There was no warmth here anymore—only cold drafts that crept under my skin, reminding me of the truth everyone else refused to say out loud. We were no longer the royal family. No longer respected. No longer feared.In a way, it suited me. I’d learned to find comfort in being invisible. Once, I had been the daughter of the Alpha King—a title that drew eyes and expectations. Now, I was merely the daughter of an Alpha, and the world had stopped looking.The title Alpha King had been stripped from my father nearly a year ago, and with it, the gilded façade we lived behind. Allies scattered like leaves in a storm, trade lines severed overnight, and every smiling mouth that once called me princess now turned away as if my existence was an inconvenience.Father called it“a temporary setback.”Mother called it “an embarrassment.”And my sister, Seraphina… we
THIRD PERSON’S POVThe sun poured golden light over the sacred grounds of Blackwood, bathing the valley in warmth and brilliance. A gentle wind rustled the petals of wildflowers that lined the aisle, and the distant sounds of a violin danced in the air, soft and nostalgic.The ceremonial field—once a place of war declarations and battle strategies—had been transformed into a haven of love and peace. Today was no ordinary day. It was a celebration of new beginnings, of healing and unity.A new bonding ceremony.Olivia stood beneath a sprawling arch woven with fresh vines and phoenix-feather decorations, her dress flowing gently in the breeze. Her hand rested softly over her slightly swollen belly, where the tiny heartbeat of new life thrived. Her other hand was held by Dominic, who looked at her with unwavering tenderness, his other arm resting protectively behind their twin children.Noah and Aria stood just ahead of them, both dr