2

ARIA

Wait. How did he know about my window?

My father did not know about it. I was sure of that. If he ever found out, I would be dragged underground and locked away. There would be no arguing. No mercy.

“I do what I am told,” I said quietly. My throat felt tight. “I will obey you.”

“Yes,” he said with a slow smile. “I hear your wolf is very obedient. I enjoy that.” His hand grabbed my backside, rough and careless. “And this dress. Very bold. Why don’t we find somewhere private so I can look properly?”

This was supposed to be my moment. The moment I had prepared for. The moment Alaric Stonefang would truly see me. I was meant to offer myself, just like my father trained me to do.

But I could not move.

My chest felt locked. Each breath scraped its way in. The lights blurred. The voices around us melted into noise.

When he tried to guide me forward, I pulled back instead. His grip snapped tight around my wrist.

“What do you think you’re doing, little red?”

“I just need air,” I said. My head felt light.

“What is it?” he asked. “Thinking about your lover?”

“My… lover?” I blinked at him.

“Your lovers,” he corrected, louder now so others could hear. His smile turned sharp and cruel. “I know everything about you, Aria. What you do at night. And what your father wants from you.”

At night, I did nothing. I sat alone on the roof. I watched the sky. I let the moonlight wash over me and pretended I was not trapped.

“My father wants us to marry,” I whispered. My thoughts scattered.

This was wrong. Somewhere deep inside, I had hoped Alaric would rescue me. That he would be my true mate. Someone who would treat me as more than property.

Another part of me had hoped for less. That he would take me in secret and leave me alone the rest of the time. That kind of distance would have felt like freedom.

But this was neither.

“I don’t know if I can,” I started.

“You are vile,” Alaric snarled.

He shoved me without warning.

I crashed to the floor. Pain tore through me. I heard fabric rip. Cold air hit my skin. I curled inward, dragging the dress back up with shaking hands.

Laughter echoed around me.

A woman stepped forward and slipped her arm through his. I recognized her instantly.

“He dresses you this way because he knows exactly what you are,” Alaric said. “Most wolves think with their urges. I don’t. I need a queen. I can take a cheap girl to bed anytime. But marry one?” He laughed. “Never. Someone like me would never choose you.”

My eyes locked on my cousin. Lyra Devereaux. She had always smiled at me. Always spoken gently.

Now she watched me like I was nothing at all.

“Go back and tell your father I have decided,” Alaric said calmly. “I, Alaric Stonefang, Alpha of the Ironwill Basin Pack, reject you, Aria Blackwood. I choose Lyra Devereaux. A woman with real strength.”

Applause filled the Grand Moon Hall. Laughter followed close behind.

I forced myself upright. I clutched my torn dress with both hands and ran.

Tears burned as they fell. My heels snapped before I reached the doors. Everywhere I looked, people whispered. Fingers pointed. Smiles followed me.

Tonight was meant to save me.

Instead, I had become a spectacle.

And my father…

Victor would not forgive this.

I sobbed as I ran into the gardens behind the hotel. Someone shouted after me. I tripped and hit the ground, rolling hard.

Men surrounded me.

“Well,” one said, grinning. “What is this?”

“Looks like she wants attention,” another laughed.

Hands grabbed at me. I fought, kicked, twisted.

“Finally,” someone said. “These gatherings are dull. Let’s have some fun.”

A zipper sounded nearby.

I screamed. I kicked again, hitting someone. They laughed louder. More weight pressed me down.

This could not be real. My mind refused to accept it.

“Stop,” I cried. “Please, stop.”

“That’s enough.”

The voice cut through the chaos like a blade.

The hands vanished. The men stepped back at once. Heads lowered. Eyes dropped. Some whispered apologies.

“Leave,” the man said.

They obeyed without question.

He pulled me to my feet. My dress slipped again. I gasped and held it closed, my whole body shaking.

He was enormous. The largest man I had ever seen. His eyes were so dark they looked empty. A scar cut through one eyebrow. His face showed nothing at all.

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I fixed my dress and looked around. Only a few men remained nearby, standing stiff and silent. Everyone else was gone.

Was he saving me?

Or was this only another kind of prison?

My hands trembled as I finally met his eyes.

There was no kindness there. No pity. He studied me like a problem he had decided to deal with.

“Silas,” he said, never looking away from me. “Bring the car.”

My heart slammed hard against my ribs.

“You’re coming with me.”