Chapter Three

**Aria's POV**

Volkov Industries occupied the top twenty floors of the tallest building in the city. As I entered the marble lobby the next morning, I felt severely underdressed in my simple black dress.

"Miss Aria?" A well-dressed woman appeared. "I'm Sarah, Mr. Volkov's secretary. He's expecting you."

The executive elevator required a special key card. As we rose, my nerves grew. What was I doing, negotiating a marriage contract with a man I'd met two days ago?

The elevator opened directly into Dimitri's office - a massive space with panoramic views of the city. He stood by the windows, phone to his ear, speaking rapidly in Russian.

When he saw me, he ended the call immediately.

"Aria. You came."

"I need to know exactly what this arrangement entails," I said, trying to sound businesslike.

He gestured to a sitting area with leather couches. On the coffee table was a document.

"A prenuptial agreement," he explained. "One-year marriage contract. You'll live in my residence, attend public functions as my wife, and maintain the appearance of a happy marriage."

I picked up the document, scanning it. "And in private?"

"You'll have your own suite. I won't touch you without your permission." His eyes met mine. "I'm not Marcus, Aria. I don't force women into my bed."

"What about... other women?"

"Complete fidelity for the contract duration. From both parties." He paused. "Though given your situation with Marcus, I assume that won't be difficult."

My cheeks burned. "And after the year?"

"Quiet divorce. You'll receive a settlement of five million dollars, enough to start over anywhere you want."

"I don't want your money."

"Consider it compensation for your time." He moved closer. "Your father will be free within hours of our marriage being registered."

"How?"

"I've already had my lawyers preparing the real evidence. But the Council won't act on it until I have legal standing in pack affairs. As your husband, I become part of your pack structure."

"The Blackthornes will fight this."

His smile was predatory. "Let them try."

I set down the contract. "When?"

"Tomorrow, if you agree. Civil ceremony, a few witnesses."

"That's... fast."

"Your father's trial is in three days. We need to move quickly." He studied me. "Having second thoughts?"

Before I could answer, his phone rang. He frowned at the screen.

"What?" he answered sharply. His expression darkened as he listened. "I see. Handle it."

He hung up and turned to me. "Marcus just filed a formal mate claim with the Council."

"He can't! He rejected our bond when he chose Celeste!"

"But it was never formally dissolved. He's claiming you're still his mate and therefore can't marry without his permission."

I sank onto the couch. "So it's over. My father—"

"No." Dimitri's voice was steel. "There's another way."

"What?"

He sat beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth. "If we complete a mate bond of our own, his claim becomes void."

My heart stopped. "You're suggesting we—"

"Not a full bond. Just... enough to override his claim legally."

"Enough being?"

"A mark." His eyes dropped to my neck. "Temporary. It'll fade after our contract ends."

"You want to mark me? But you're not my mate—"

"Lycans are different from werewolves," he explained. "We can choose our bonds, not just rely on fate."

"This is insane."

"This is survival." He moved closer. "I won't force you. But without this, Marcus wins."

I thought of my father in a cell, my mother's tears, Marcus's smug face.

"Would it hurt?"

"No. The opposite, actually." His voice dropped. "It would feel... pleasant."

"Have you done this before?"

"Never."

"Then how do you know—"

"Because I know my own nature." His hand came up to cup my face. "I wouldn't hurt you, Aria. Not ever."

The intensity in his eyes made it hard to breathe. "I need time to think."

"Of course." He stood. "But Aria? Don't take too long. Marcus is moving fast."

As I left his office, my phone buzzed with a text from Marcus: "Heard you've been visiting Volkov. Bad move, little wolf. You're MINE."

Then another: "Celeste says hi. We're moving up our mating ceremony to tomorrow night. You'll be there, as my special guest. Or your father hangs."

My hands shook. I called Dimitri.

"Marcus is forcing me to attend his mating ceremony tomorrow."

"No, he's not." His voice was deadly calm. "Because tomorrow night, you'll be at our wedding reception."

"But—"

"Trust me, Aria. Meet me tonight. We'll do this right."

"The mark?"

"Everything. I won't let him win."

That evening, I stood in Dimitri's penthouse, wearing a white dress his assistant had delivered.

"You look beautiful," he said, appearing in the doorway.

"I'm nervous."

"Don't be." He approached slowly. "We're just evening the playing field."

"By fake bonding?"

"By protecting each other." He brushed my hair back from my neck. "Ready?"

I nodded, though my heart was racing.

He leaned in, his breath warm against my skin. "This might feel intense."

His lips touched my neck, and electricity shot through me. When his teeth grazed my skin, I gasped, my hands gripping his shoulders.

"Relax," he murmured against my throat.

Then he bit down gently, and the world exploded. Pleasure unlike anything I'd ever felt coursed through me. I could feel him - his emotions, his strength, his surprising tenderness.

When he pulled back, his eyes were glowing silver. "Are you okay?"

I touched my neck, feeling the mark. "That was..."

"I know." He looked shaken too. "That was stronger than expected."

"Is that normal?"

"Nothing about this is normal." He stepped back. "You should rest. Tomorrow will be eventful."

As I lay in the guest room that night, I could feel the mark pulsing with warmth. And strangest of all, I could sense Dimitri somewhere in the penthouse, his presence oddly comforting.

What had we just done?

My phone lit up with message after message from Marcus, each more furious than the last. The final one made my blood cold:

"You'll regret this, Aria. I'll destroy everyone you love."