1

ARIA

The dress was pulled so tight around me that breathing fully was hard. The deep red fabric pressed against my chest, squeezed my ribs, and clung to my hips, as if it had been made to keep me trapped.

The high slit along my leg was the only reason I could move at all. Sitting would be impossible unless I lifted the gown first. I already knew I would not be allowed to do that.

This was exactly what my father wanted.

The only time my father wanted me seated was when I was on someone's lap. Straddling them. On purpose. Tonight, that lap belonged to Alpha Alaric Stonefang of the Ironwill Basin Pack.

This night decided my future. Not freedom. Just a different cage. I was leaving my father's rule and stepping into another man's control. I knew nothing about Alaric. Not his temper.

Not his habits. Not what he was like when no one watched him. All I could do was hope he was better than my father. That hope was small. Anyone had to be better than Victor Blackwood.

"Smile," Victor growled at my side. His fingers tightened on my arm, hard enough to warn me, not hard enough to leave a mark yet. "If you don't look pleasant, Stonefang won't think you're worth it."

I smiled right away. I always did. Saying no was never allowed. My father would hurt me in front of a crowd without a second thought. Even tonight. Even in front of the man meant to claim me. No one would stop him. No one ever had. They would call it discipline. They would praise him for being strong.

The Grand Moon Hall opened before us, bright with light. Crystal chandeliers glittered above. Soft music filled the air and reflected off the polished floor. It was beautiful. I barely noticed. Every step felt like I was walking onto a stage.

The crowd moved aside as we passed. I felt their eyes follow me, sliding over my skin. The women looked at me with sharp stares and tight smiles that held no kindness. My dress did not fit this place. Around me were greens, blues, and purples. Flowing gowns. Feathers. Soft fabric. Nothing too revealing.

My red lace left nothing to the imagination.

Victor had picked it himself. He had even refused to let me wear proper underclothes. One wrong move, one slip of fabric, and everything would be exposed. The thought made my stomach twist.

We stopped. My father bent down until his mouth was close to my ear.

"If you ruin this," he whispered, "you know what waits for you at home."

I knew. Being locked away was normal. Being beaten was familiar. But I had seen worse. I had watched him use heated tools and silver needles. I had seen him torture a man in human form until he was close to death, then let him shift and heal. Then Victor would start again. Slow. Careful. Smiling.

When I looked at my father, I saw a monster.

When others looked at him, they saw a god.

He straightened and cleared his throat. Then he tapped a man on the shoulder. When the man turned, I finally let out the breath I had been holding.

Alaric Stonefang was handsome. Strong. Young too. Only a few years older than me, I guessed. That brought a strange relief. Or maybe it should have frightened me more. An older man might die sooner. This one would not.

"Alpha Blackwood," Alaric said, his voice smooth as he greeted my father. His eyes moved to me. Surprise crossed his face. Then interest. Then hunger, open and unhidden. "This is your daughter?"

"Yes," Victor said. "Aria. My most precious treasure."

The lie made me feel sick. I lowered my head and curtsied as far as the dress allowed. The fabric pulled tight, and I prayed it would not rip.

"I'm sure she will make a suitable mate," my father went on.

That was the reason we were here. Alaric was choosing a wife tonight. From what Victor had said, there were few choices. At least none with the right bloodline.

He never meant my mother's blood. To him, she was nothing more than a woman he used and threw away. He spoke of her with disgust. His own blood was what mattered. A long line of alphas. Power built on power. He called it purity.

"You have your mother's face," he once told me. "Stonefang won't say no."

By the way Alaric looked at me now, my father had been right.

Victor's phone rang. He checked it and frowned, already losing interest. "I need to deal with something," he said. "You'll keep her company tonight. And you'll return her to me in the morning." He winked, released my arm, and walked away.

As soon as he was gone, my body relaxed a little. One monster had left.

Now I stood before the next.

"Care to dance?" Alaric asked, holding out his hand.

"Yes," I said. My heart jumped as I placed my hand in his. He led me onto the floor and pulled me close. Too close. My body was pressed against his. I went stiff at the contact. I was not used to being held like this.

His hand moved lower on my back and settled firmly. He made a low, pleased sound.

I remembered my father's warning and forced my smile to stay. I was meant to charm him. To be sweet. To say the right things. My mind went blank.

Alaric noticed.

"You're quiet," he said. "I like that. You feel like a secret." His voice softened. "Everyone knows Victor Blackwood has a daughter. He talks about you often. Yet no one has seen you. Now I see why. He keeps you hidden." His thumb pressed slightly. "Still, I hear you sneak out sometimes. A little rebellion looks good on you."