AURELIA'S POVAlpha Draven was waiting for me. he was enjoying it, I could see that. I know that he knew I had no choice but to come back to him.He lounged comfortably on one of the armchairs, broad shoulders filling the space, his dark gaze locked on me the moment I entered. It wasn’t admiration in his eyes—it was ownership. Like a predator who had already claimed his prey and was now simply waiting to play with it.“Aurelia,” he said smoothly, his voice rich but dangerous, “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.”“I… was asked to come,” I replied quietly, lowering my gaze just enough to avoid his piercing stare without appearing outright defiant.Draven stood, closing the distance between us with slow, measured steps. He circled me once, the heat of his presence making my skin crawl, then stopped in front of me. His hand reached up, fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face, lingering just a little too long.“You’re beautiful,” he murmured, leaning closer, his breath war
AURELIA’S POVThe summons came in the evening, when the torches along the hallway of Alpha Draven’s packhouse had just been lit, their orange glow throwing shadows that stretched like claws across the walls. A servant delivered the message in a hurried whisper, as though even she feared the clipped tone in which Father had spoken my name.My stomach sank. I knew that tone. It was the same one he used when I was younger and had failed in training, or when I had embarrassed him at some public gathering by being too soft-spoken, too invisible compared to Seraphina. It was the tone that meant there would be no conversation—only commands.The walk to the drawing room felt endless. My slippers barely made a sound on the polished floor, but my heart thudded loud enough that I wondered if the guards outside the door could hear it. I paused for a moment, smoothing my dress, trying to steady my breath. It wouldn’t matter. Father never saw me, not really. He saw only weakness or usefulness. Toni
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