Chapter 4

_Ryker’s POV_

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie with precision. Today was the day I would collect my new bride, a pawn in my game. I had no illusions about love or romance; this was a business arrangement, nothing more.

But as I smoothed out my jacket, my mind kept drifting back to the girl from yesterday. The damsel in distress who had literally fallen into my arms. I had been exploring the pack's territory when I caught her unique aroma. It was strong, yet subtle, in a way that made one want to bury their nose in her body.

I had followed the scent, curiosity getting the better of me, and found her perched on the edge of the cliff, ready to take the leap. Something about her desperation had struck a chord within me. Maybe it was the irony of our situations - I was fighting to live, while she was eager to die.

As I recalled the encounter, my gaze lingered on my reflection. My eyes, a piercing blue, seemed to bore into my own soul. I was a powerful man.

Only three things mattered to me. Money. Sex. Power.

But that girl...she had stirred something within me. Something I couldn't quite explain.

I remembered the feel of her body against mine, the spark of electricity that had run through my veins. I was caught off guard by the way my body reacted, but I was more caught off guard to have been caught off guard in the first place.

Nothing had ever caught me unawares.

But that girl….her scent, a heady mix of wildflowers and roses, still lingered in my nostrils. And those eyes… those hypnotic eyes that could pull someone into their depths.

She wasn't the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, but there was something about her that drew me in.

Perhaps the innocence or vulnerability behind her emerald greens. Whatever it was, it had awakened a part of me that I thought was long dead.

I pushed the thought aside as I put my cuff links in place. I had no business thinking about her. She was a distraction, a weakness I couldn't afford. My life was about power, not emotions.

As I finished dressing, my gaze fell on the small, intricately carved box on the dresser. Inside, a silver ring sat regally, a symbol of my arrangement with Derrick. I would collect my bride, and in return, give him what he wanted.

I slipped the ring into my pocket. Today, I would play the part of the dutiful groom, but my mind would remain focused on the true prize: power.

As I left the hotel room, my thoughts strayed back to the mysterious girl. I had wanted to search for her, to find out more about her, to claim her and make her mine, but something held me back. Maybe it was the knowledge that I would only bring her harm. I destroyed everything in my path, and I would burn her. I was cursed, after all, a monster in every sense of the word.

We were like day and night, she and I, two opposing forces that could never coexist. It was best if we never crossed paths again.

I pushed the thought aside, and tapped my feet mindlessly on the glass floor.

The elevator doors slid open, and I stepped out into the bright sunlight, before sliding into the car waiting for me.

As the car drove through the winding roads, I gazed out the window. I didn't bother with trivialities like a wedding party. I stopped after the second failed one. This was a business transaction, pure and simple. Derrick wanted more land, and I needed a bride to stay alive.

The car pulled up to the mansion, and I stepped out, my eyes scanning the building that had seen better days. Derrick greeted me with a wide smile, but I saw the greed behind his eyes.

"Ryker, my old friend," he said, extending a hand.

I ignored the gesture, my gaze piercing. "Where is she?" I asked, my voice low and commanding.

Derrick chuckled, easily shrugging his hand back in place. "Ah, straight to the point, as always. I like that about you, Ryker. You're a man who knows what he wants."

I raised an eyebrow, my patience wearing thin. "I don't have time for games, Derrick. Where is my bride?"

He laughed again, leading me into the house. "Patience, my friend. All good things come to those who wait."

Derrick gestured for me to sit, and I complied, my eyes scanning the room. A woman sat in the corner, her eyes fixed on her toes, tears streaming down her face. I ignored her, my focus on Derrick.

"The land documents," Derrick said, and licked his lips like a scheming cat.

I tossed the file onto the coffee table, my gaze never leaving his face. "Here. Now, where is my bride?"

Derrick's eyes lit up as he opened the file, scanning the contents. "Ah, excellent. You're a man of your word, Ryker. I like that."

He beamed with satisfaction. "Ariana, my niece, is a priceless jewel, Ryker. You won't regret this."

I growled, my wolf threatening to snap. "I don't care about her value, Derrick. I care about one thing: a fucking bride who would bear me a child."

His eyes widened at the power that radiated off me, but he was quick to mask it with another sickening smile.

The woman in the corner stood, her movements stiff, and Derrick commanded her to bring the bride. She nodded, her eyes darting towards me before she scurried out of the room.

I leaned back in my chair, my eyes fixed on the doorway. A moment later, the woman returned, followed by a figure I recognized.

I paused as I stared at the mysterious girl from the other day. She was even more beautiful than I remembered, her eyes sparkling with fire despite the tears that streamed down her face.

I took back my earlier words. She was indeed the most beautiful girl I had ever set my eyes on. Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of gold, and her skin glowed like there was a light bulb radiating from inside of her.

Her teary eyes locked on mine, and at that moment, my evil, dark heart skipped a beat.