Aria’s POV.
He grabbed me by the waist, pulling me closer. His low, smooth chuckle vibrated between us, like he found my resistance entertaining-like I was some kind of game or puzzle he enjoyed figuring out. His lips curved into that maddening smirk, the one that made my blood boil and my hands itch to slap it away. “You’re always so guarded,” he said, shaking his head slightly, his ice eyes glinting with amusement as if he was savoring my frustration.
He tilted his head as if he were genuinely curious about me, though I knew better than to believe that. “Relax, Aria. It’s nothing dangerous. You act like I’m about to throw you into a den of wolves.”
I stayed rooted where I was, watching him carefully as he stepped closer. His movements were deliberate, slow, as if he didn’t want to spook me. I didn’t trust him-Kael never did anything without a purpose, and I doubted today was any different. When he was close enough, he extended his hand, revealing a small velvet box resting in his palm. My breath hitched at the sight, and for a moment, I forgot how to respond. My stomach twisted into an uneasy knot.
“What is this?” I asked cautiously, my voice sharper than I intended. The sight of the box alone was enough to make me suspicious. Kael didn’t do surprises.
“Open it,” he said simply, his voice softening just enough to catch me off guard. There was something in his tone, something almost… genuine. It wasn’t like him. I hesitated, narrowing my eyes as I tried to figure out what game he was playing.
My fingers hovered over the box for a moment before I finally reached out and took it from him. It felt heavier than I expected, the weight of it settling into my hand like a warning. Slowly, I flipped it open, the tiny clasp clicking softly. And there it was-a massive diamond ring that practically screamed wealth and extravagance.
The centerpiece was enormous, a flawless, glittering stone that caught every sliver of light in the room and threw it back in a dazzling display. Surrounding it were smaller diamonds, intricately embedded along the band, adding an almost blinding brilliance to the already overwhelming piece. It was breathtaking, the kind of ring that would make most women gasp in delight or tears.
But not me.
I stared at it, my chest tightening as the knot in my stomach grew. This wasn’t love. This wasn’t romance. This was a performance, a flashy prop meant to convince the world that we were exactly what they wanted us to be: a perfect couple, seamlessly compatible, deeply committed. It wasn’t a gift-it was a weapon, one designed to control how others saw me.
“It’s beautiful,” I said finally, my voice carefully neutral. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much it unsettled me.
Kael’s smirk widened, clearly pleased with himself. He crossed his arms, leaning back slightly as if he were admiring his own work. “Of course it is. Do you expect anything less from me? I have excellent taste.”
I snapped the box shut with a soft but deliberate click, holding it out to him like I was handing back something toxic. “You didn’t have to do this, Kael. Everyone already knows this engagement isn’t real.” My voice was steady, but the weight of those words hung between us like a challenge.
For the briefest moment, his smirk faltered, a crack in his otherwise flawless facade. If I hadn’t been watching him so closely, I might have missed it. But then he recovered, his expression shifting to something colder, more serious. “Real or not, appearances matter,” he said firmly, his voice losing its teasing edge. “When we get back to your pack, they’ll expect to see you wearing a ring. Something that screams, ‘Kael chose her.'”
I narrowed my eyes, searching his face for any sign of weakness, any hint of vulnerability. “And what about you?” I asked, my tone sharp. “Will you be wearing a ring to scream, ‘Aria chose him’?”
Kael chuckled again, shaking his head as if I’d said something ridiculous. “That’s not how it works, sweetheart,” he said, his voice dripping with condescension. “The ring is for you. It’s a symbol, a statement. No one cares what I wear.”
His words made my blood boil, and I clenched my fists at my sides to keep from snapping. Of course, it wasn’t about him. It never was. My role in this charade was to look the part of his perfect future Luna, to wear the ring, the dress, the mask of obedience. It didn’t matter what I wanted. It never did.
I let out a long, frustrated sigh, my shoulders sagging under the weight of my anger and resignation. Slowly, I slipped the box into my bag, the velvet brushing against my fingertips like a cruel reminder of everything I was being forced to accept. “Fine,” I said, my voice heavy with defeat. “But don’t expect me to wear it all the time.”
Kael’s smirk returned, sharper this time, like he’d won some invisible battle. “As long as you wear it when it matters, I don’t care what you do with it the rest of the time.”
I crossed my arms again, glaring at him with as much defiance as I could muster. “Anything else? Or can I finish getting ready now?”
He held up his hands in mock surrender, his smirk never faltering. “I’m done. Just thought I’d deliver your little gift in person,” he said, his tone light again. He turned toward the door, his movements as smooth and calculated as always. But just as he reached for the handle, he paused, glancing back over his shoulder.
For a moment, something shifted in his expression. The teasing smirk softened into something almost… genuine. His dark eyes lingered on me, and for the first time, I thought I saw a flicker of something real beneath his polished exterior.
“By the way, Aria,” he said, his voice dropping lower, almost sincere. “You look good in blue.”
And then he was gone, the door clicking softly shut behind him, leaving me alone in the silence of the room.
I let out a slow, shaky breath, my fingers brushing against the box in my bag. The weight of the ring felt heavier than any piece of jewelry should. It wasn’t just a ring. It was a lie, a constant reminder of everything I was giving up for this arrangement.
I turned back to the mirror, staring at my reflection as I smoothed down the fabric of my dress. The muted blue was beautiful, elegant, and undeniably flattering. But no matter how perfect I looked on the outside, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was falling apart on the inside.
‘I wasn’t ready to lose my hopes in finding my true mate.’
As I finished getting ready, I couldn’t help but wonder how long I could keep up this act. How long could I wear that ring and pretend I was okay with all of this? How long could I stand beside Kael and let the world believe we were something we weren’t?