Chapter Four

**Aria's POV**

The courthouse was nearly empty at eight in the morning. I stood in a simple cream dress, my hand trembling as I signed the marriage certificate. Dimitri's signature was bold and confident next to mine.

"Congratulations," the judge said blandly. "You're now legally married."

Dimitri's assistant James and his security chief stood as witnesses. The whole thing took ten minutes.

"That's it?" I whispered as we walked out.

"The legal part, yes." Dimitri checked his phone. "Your father will be released within the hour."

"How—"

"I've already filed the evidence with the Council, along with our marriage certificate. They can't ignore a formal complaint from a Volkov pack member."

My phone exploded with notifications. The news was already spreading through the pack links.

"Marcus knows," I said, reading the furious messages.

"Good." Dimitri guided me to his car. "Let him rage."

We drove to his penthouse in silence. As we entered, he handed me a black credit card.

"For anything you need," he said.

"I don't want—"

"You're my wife now. Publicly, at least. You need to look the part."

Before I could argue, his phone rang. He answered in Russian, his expression darkening. After a rapid-fire conversation, he hung up.

"What is it?"

"The Blackthornes have called an emergency pack meeting. They're challenging our marriage's validity."

"Can they do that?"

"They can try." He loosened his tie. "We need to attend. Together. United."

Two hours later, we walked into the pack hall. Hundreds of eyes turned to us. I saw my parents in the crowd - my father looked haggard but free, my mother crying with relief.

Marcus stood at the front with Celeste and her father, Alpha Blackthorne - a massive man with cold eyes.

"This is an abomination," Alpha Blackthorne announced. "A marriage meant to undermine pack law."

"Pack law says nothing about who I can marry," I said, finding my voice.

"You're Marcus's mate," Celeste said, her pretty face twisted with fake concern. "This is cruel to him."

"He chose you," I shot back. "Publicly. Or did you forget your own engagement party?"

"Enough," Dimitri said quietly, but his voice carried. "We're legally married. Aria bears my mark. Your claim is void, Marcus."

Marcus snarled. "You marked her? You dare—"

"I dare quite a lot," Dimitri said coolly. "Including exposing how you framed her father."

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Alpha Blackthorne stepped forward. "Those are serious accusations, young Volkov."

"They're facts." Dimitri pulled out his phone, connecting it to the hall's screen. Financial records, security footage, and forged documents appeared. "Your future son-in-law is a criminal."

The crowd erupted. Marcus lunged at Dimitri, partially shifting. But Dimitri moved faster than should be possible, pinning Marcus against the wall with one hand.

"Shift fully," Dimitri said quietly. "Give me an excuse."

"Stop!" Celeste cried. "Daddy, do something!"

Alpha Blackthorne studied Dimitri with calculating eyes. "Release him."

Dimitri let go, and Marcus dropped, gasping.

"This isn't over," Alpha Blackthorne said. "You've made an enemy today, Volkov."

"I made that enemy two years ago when your daughter chose my brother," Dimitri replied. "Today, I'm just collecting what's owed."

He took my hand. "We're leaving."

As we walked out, I heard my name called. My parents rushed over.

"Aria, sweetheart," my mother sobbed, hugging me. "Is this real? Are you really married?"

"It's real," I said, avoiding the full truth.

My father looked at Dimitri suspiciously. "You're the Volkov heir."

"I am."

"Why would you help us?"

"Because Aria asked," Dimitri said simply. "And because Marcus needed to be stopped."

My father's expression softened slightly. "Thank you. For my freedom."

"Thank your daughter. She's the brave one."

As my parents left, promising to visit soon, I turned to Dimitri. "You didn't have to say that."

"It's true." He studied me. "You chose to save your family, knowing the cost."

"So did you."

"My reasons are less noble."

"Revenge isn't noble?"

"Not the kind I want." His eyes darkened. "Come. We have a reception to attend."

"What reception?"

"The one I arranged to announce our marriage properly." He smiled slightly. "Unless you'd prefer to hide?"

"Never."

That evening, the Volkov estate was transformed. Hundreds of guests from multiple packs filled the ballroom. I wore a stunning silver gown that had appeared in my room.

"You look perfect," Dimitri said, offering his arm.

"This is overwhelming."

"Smile. We're madly in love, remember?"

We entered together, and the room fell silent. Then, slowly, applause began.

"Is that—" I started.

"Every Alpha in the region, yes." He leaned close. "Including some who've been hoping to match their daughters with me."

"Should I be worried?"

"Only if you actually cared." He spun me onto the dance floor. "Do you?"

"Do I what?"

"Care who wants to marry me?"

The mark on my neck pulsed. "I... that's not..."

"Relax, Aria. I'm teasing." But his eyes were serious. "Though you should know, this mark makes you sensitive to my emotions too."

"What?" I gasped. "You didn't mention that!"

"Minor detail."

"Minor? I can feel—" I stopped, realizing I could sense his amusement, and underneath it, something darker. Desire?

"Interesting," he murmured. "You're more receptive than expected."

Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the music.

"May I cut in?"

Marcus stood there, Celeste nowhere in sight.

"No," Dimitri said flatly.

"One dance with my former mate," Marcus insisted. "For closure."

I felt Dimitri's rage through our bond, hot and dangerous.

"It's okay," I told him. "One dance."

Dimitri's jaw clenched, but he stepped back. Marcus immediately pulled me too close.

"You've made a mistake," he whispered. "Dimitri Volkov destroys everything he touches."

"Unlike you?"

"I loved you."

"You loved power more."

His grip tightened painfully. "He's using you. Once he's had his revenge, you'll be nothing to him."

"At least he's honest about it."

"Are you so sure?" Marcus leaned closer. "Ask him about his brother's death. Ask him about the last woman who wore his mark."

"What—"

"Dance is over," Dimitri appeared, pulling me away from Marcus. His eyes were pure silver, his control hanging by a thread.

Marcus smirked. "Remember what I said, Aria."

As he walked away, I looked up at Dimitri. "What did he mean? About another woman?"

Dimitri's expression shuttered. "Marcus likes to play games."

"That's not an answer."

"Not here." He guided me toward the terrace. "Too many ears."

Outside, under the stars, he finally spoke. "There was someone. Before my brother's betrayal."

"Who?"

"Her name was Elena. My brother convinced me she was unfaithful. I broke our bond." He stared at the sky. "She died three weeks later."

"How?"

"Broken heart syndrome. Literally. The severed bond killed her." His voice was emotionless, but through our connection, I felt his guilt. "I found out later my brother had lied. He wanted her for himself."

"Dimitri..."

"So yes, I destroy things. Marcus wasn't wrong."

I reached up, touching his face. "You didn't know."

"Doesn't change the outcome." He caught my hand. "You should fear me, Aria."

"But I don't."

"Why?"

"Because I can feel you," I admitted. "Through this mark. You're not the monster you think you are."

He stared at me for a long moment. Then, before I could react, his mouth crashed down on mine.