Aria’s POV.
It was still early in the morning, the kind of quiet that made me want to stay in bed just a little longer. But my restless mind wouldn’t let me. I stretched lazily, the soft light filtering through the curtains casting warm streaks across the room. Slowly, I made my way to the closet, my bare feet sinking into the plush rug beneath me. Inside, a row of dresses hung neatly, each one more luxurious than the last. They had been delivered just yesterday, handpicked by someone who thought they knew what I wanted-or maybe someone who didn’t care what I wanted at all.
I reached out and carefully pulled one of the dresses from the rack, letting the fabric cascade over my hands. It was impossibly soft, slipping through my fingers like water. Silk. Of course, it was silk. Everything about this engagement seemed to drip with wealth and power, a constant reminder of the world I was being forced into. I wasn’t marrying for love; I was marrying for politics and alliances.
I held the dress up in front of me, letting out a long, slow sigh as I laid it across the bed. It was stunning, there was no denying that. The color was a muted blue, soft but rich, with a fitted waist that flared out into a flowing skirt. Delicate lace adorned the bodice, the intricate patterns catching the light. It was the kind of dress that made you feel like royalty. But as beautiful as it was, I hated it. I hated the way it symbolized everything that was wrong about this arrangement. The perfection of it all felt hollow, like a mask designed to hide the truth: this wasn’t a union built on love or even respect. It was a performance, and a win-win game especially for me! Yes, I was doing this because I couldn’t shift yet! To do not lose family labs and wealth someday.
I stared at the dress for a moment longer, my chest tightening as I thought about what it represented. But no matter how much I hated it, I knew I had no choice. I had to wear it. I couldn’t afford to look anything less than perfect-not with the eyes of two powerful packs watching my every move. This wasn’t just about me or Kael; it was about our families, our packs, and the fragile alliance that depended on this marriage. Like it or not, I had to play my part.
With a resigned sigh, I slipped out of my robe and into the dress, letting the cool fabric slide over my skin. It hugged my figure in all the right places, the tailored fit so precise that it felt like a second skin. The muted blue complemented my complexion, bringing out the green in my eyes and the soft waves of my dark hair. As I zipped it up, I turned to face the mirror. My reflection stared back at me, poised and composed. I looked the part of a perfect fiancee, the kind of woman who could stand beside a man like Kael and not falter. But as I gazed into my own eyes, I couldn’t ignore the truth: I didn’t feel like a fiancee. I felt like a prisoner.
I smoothed down the fabric, trying to ignore the lump forming in my throat. Just as I was beginning to steady myself, a sharp knock at the door shattered the quiet. My shoulders tensed, and my heart skipped a beat. There was only one person who would come to my room so early.
Kael.
“Come in,” I called, doing my best to keep my voice even. My stomach churned at the thought of facing him, especially after the tension from the past few days.
The door creaked open, and there he was, leaning casually against the frame like he owned the world-or at least this room. Kael always had an air of confidence about him, the kind that made it hard to tell whether you wanted to smack him or admire him. Today was no different. His dark hair was perfectly styled, not a strand out of place, and even in a simple black shirt and tailored pants, he looked infuriatingly composed.
“Good morning, fiancee,” he said, his voice dripping with teasing sarcasm. His dark eyes swept over me, taking in the dress, the hair, the facade of perfection I’d carefully constructed. A small smirk tugged at his lips. “You clean up nicely.”
I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. I crossed my arms over my chest, leveling him with a steady glare. “What do you want, Kael? We’re leaving soon, aren’t we?”
“Patience, Aria,” he replied smoothly, stepping into the room and shutting the door behind him. The sound of it closing sent a shiver down my spine. He held something small in his hand, but his grip was loose enough that I could tell he wanted me to notice it. “I have a little surprise for you before we go.”
His tone was light, almost playful, but I wasn’t in the mood for games. I raised an eyebrow, the skepticism clear on my face. “A surprise? From you? Should I be worried?”
He chuckled, the sound low and rich, as if my doubt amused him. “You wound me, Aria. Can’t a man do something nice for his fiancee without being questioned?”
I snorted, unable to hold back the small laugh. “Nice? From you? That’s a new one.”
Kael stepped closer, the smirk on his face softening into something almost genuine. “Believe it or not, I do know how to be nice,” he said, holding out the small object in his hand. It was a small velvet box, the kind that jewelry came in.
My heart sank as I stared at it. “What is that?” I asked, my voice cautious.
“Relax,” he said, his tone still light. “It’s not another ring. Open it.”
I hesitated, my fingers hovering over the box for a moment before I finally took it from him. The velvet was soft under my fingertips as I flipped it open. Inside was a delicate necklace, a single sapphire set in a simple silver chain.
“It matches your dress,” Kael said, his voice quieter now.
I didn’t know what to say. The necklace was beautiful, understated but elegant. It was the kind of thing I might have chosen for myself.
“Why?” I asked, looking up at him.
His smirk returned, though it was softer this time. “Because I thought you’d like it,” he said simply.
I wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t ignore the sinking feeling in my chest. Kael was many things, but selfless wasn’t one of them. This wasn’t just a gift-it was a move, a calculated step in whatever game he thought we were playing.
“Thank you,” I said finally, my tone careful.
“You’re welcome,” he replied, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer than I expected. Then, just as quickly as he had arrived, the moment was over. He turned toward the door, his hand resting on the handle.
“We leave in an hour,” he said over his shoulder. “Don’t keep me waiting.”
Suddenly he leaned closer to my lips. Then..