Aria’s POV.
The stars above the castle grounds twinkled brightly, their soft light spreading like tiny diamonds scattered across the vast night sky. Their glow reflected off the rippling surface of the pool just beyond the elegant ballroom, making the water shimmer with an almost magical hue.
A soft, cool breeze drifted through the air, carrying the sweet, delicate scent of roses from the garden nearby. It wrapped around me like an invisible blanket, mixing with the faint hum of music that floated from the string quartet inside. Their melody, light and graceful, mingled with bursts of laughter and cheerful voices spilling out from the open balcony doors.
I stood quietly near the edge of the pool, holding a glass of champagne in my hand, though I hadn’t taken a single sip. The glass felt cold against my fingers, a sharp contrast to the warmth of the evening. Everything around me was beautiful, almost dreamlike, but there was a heaviness in my chest I couldn’t seem to shake. It clung to me like an unwelcome shadow, refusing to leave. My cheeks still burned with embarrassment from the earlier whispers and judgmental stares of the alphas and their wives. Their eyes followed me everywhere, dissecting every detail of my appearance and demeanor, as if I were some strange creature in a cage. I felt out of place, like a stranger at my own engagement party, a party that felt more like a performance. I was a puppet, dressed up and put on display, playing a role I had never agreed to play.
And then there was Kael. He had been a constant presence throughout the evening, his every move exuding charm and confidence. Like a seasoned actor, he played his part flawlessly, weaving through the crowd with an ease that seemed almost effortless. He shook hands, exchanged pleasantries, and flashed his infuriatingly perfect smile, the kind that seemed to put everyone at ease. Yet every time our eyes met, I felt a jolt of confusion. His gaze carried something I couldn’t quite understand-a mix of amusement, reassurance, and something deeper that I didn’t want to think about too closely. It made me feel exposed, like he could read every thought in my head. He was so composed, so in control, and it only made my own discomfort feel more glaring.
As the night wore on and the crowd began to thin, Kael’s presence became harder to ignore. The evening was winding down, the buzz of activity slowly fading, yet his energy seemed just as steady as it had been hours ago. I watched as he made his way toward me, his stride smooth and confident, his every step commanding attention without even trying. My heart sped up despite myself. He had that effect on people-on me-even when I didn’t want to admit it.
“Enjoying the party, fiancee?” he asked, his voice carrying a teasing lilt that made my stomach twist in knots. His words were light, playful, but the way he said them felt like a challenge, as if he wanted to see how I’d respond.
I sighed, lowering the untouched champagne glass to my side. “It’s not exactly my idea of fun,” I muttered, keeping my gaze fixed on the pool instead of meeting his eyes. The water seemed safer, less complicated, than the intensity of his stare.
“Not a fan of being the center of attention?” he asked, his tone still casual, though there was a hint of curiosity beneath it. He stopped just a few feet away, close enough for his presence to feel overwhelming but not close enough to touch.
I let out a bitter laugh, the sound harsher than I intended. “Not when everyone’s watching me like I’m some fragile ornament that might shatter at any moment,” I replied, my voice sharper than I’d meant it to be. The words tumbled out before I could stop them, fueled by the frustration I’d been holding in all night.
Kael chuckled softly, the sound warm and frustratingly genuine. “They’re just curious,” he said, taking a small step closer. His tone was calm, as if my harshness didn’t bother him at all. “You’re the newest Luna-to-be. Of course they’re going to look at you. You’re something new, something they haven’t seen before. It’s natural.” He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But if it makes you feel any better… they’re probably more interested in me than you.”
The unexpected humor in his words caught me off guard, and before I could stop myself, I laughed. It was a small, surprised sound that bubbled up from somewhere deep inside, breaking through the tension I’d been holding onto. “You’re unbelievable,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
“So I’ve been told,” he replied, his grin widening into something that was equal parts smug and charming.
Before I had a chance to come up with a retort, he extended his hand toward me, his dark eyes gleaming with mischief. “Dance with me,” he said, his tone light but insistent, as though he wouldn’t take no for an answer.
I blinked, caught off guard. “What?” I asked, certain I hadn’t heard him correctly.
“Dance with me,” he repeated, his voice steady and calm, though there was a playful edge to it. “The music’s still playing, the night’s still young, and you look like you could use something to take your mind off everything. Come on, Aria. One dance won’t hurt you. I promise.”
I hesitated, glancing around the nearly empty pool area. Most of the guests had gone back inside, leaving the space quiet except for the faint, lilting melody of the string quartet. The music was soft, almost hypnotic, and it seemed to fill the air with an invisible invitation. The scene felt intimate, almost too perfect, and I wasn’t sure if I trusted it.
Finally, I sighed, giving in. “Fine,” I said, my voice heavy with reluctance as I placed my hand in his. “But if I step on your foot, it’s your fault, not mine.”
Kael’s grin widened instantly, the mischievous glint in his eyes growing even brighter. “I’ll take my chances,” he said, his voice low and teasing, as though he found my reluctance amusing.
He pulled me closer, his movements smooth and deliberate. One hand rested lightly on my waist, warm and steady, while the other held mine firmly yet gently. The sudden closeness made my breath hitch, and I felt my heart race despite myself. As we began to move, swaying softly to the music, I realized with some surprise that Kael was an excellent dancer. His steps were confident and fluid, as though he’d done this a thousand times before.
I, on the other hand, felt awkward and stiff, stumbling slightly as I tried to match his rhythm. Every step I took felt uncertain, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was doing it all wrong. My mind raced, overthinking every movement, every shift of my feet.
“Relax,” he murmured, his voice low and soothing as his hand tightened ever so slightly on my waist. “You’re overthinking it. Just follow my lead. Trust me.”
I glared up at him, feeling my cheeks grow even hotter as frustration bubbled up inside me. “Easy for you to say,” I shot back, my voice sharp. “You’re not the one worrying about tripping over your own feet and looking like a complete fool in front of everyone.” My words came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. The whole situation felt overwhelming, and his effortless confidence only made me feel more clumsy and out of place.
Kael laughed, a low, warm sound that seemed to fill the space between us. The sound was so rich, so genuine, that it sent a strange shiver down my spine. “If you trip, I’ll catch you,” he said, his tone light and playful, but there was something in his voice-a quiet sincerity-that made me pause. For a moment, I wasn’t sure how to respond. His words were teasing, but the way he looked at me made me feel like he truly meant it.
For just a moment, I let myself relax, allowing him to guide me as we moved in slow, careful circles near the edge of the pool. The world around us seemed to fade as I focused on the rhythm of our steps and the sound of the music in the distance. The cool night air brushed softly against my skin, carrying the faint scent of roses from the nearby garden. And for the first time that evening, I felt a flicker of something close to peace, a tiny moment where the tension in my chest began to ease.
And then, it happened.
I wasn’t entirely sure what went wrong. Maybe it was my heel catching on the uneven stone tile, or maybe I had simply lost my balance in my effort to keep up with Kael’s perfect movements. Whatever the reason, the world seemed to tilt suddenly. My foot slipped, and I felt my body lurch backward. I gasped, panic surging through me as my arms flailed, desperately trying to grab onto something-anything-to steady myself.
“Aria-” Kael’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and alarmed. He reached out toward me, his hand outstretched, but it was already too late.
With a loud, unmistakable splash, I hit the water. The icy cold swallowed me whole, shocking my senses and making me gasp involuntarily. For a moment, everything was muffled-the rush of water in my ears, the weight of my soaked dress pulling me down. My thoughts were a jumble of disbelief and dread as I sank beneath the surface, and all I could think was, *This cannot be happening. Not now.*
When I finally surfaced, gasping for air, the first thing I heard was laughter-deep, rich, and unmistakably Kael’s. His laugh echoed in the still night air, warm and unrestrained, and it only fueled my frustration. I pushed my wet hair out of my face, my movements jerky as I glared up at him. He stood at the edge of the pool, looking down at me, his grin so wide it made my blood boil.
“Are you seriously laughing right now?” I demanded, my voice sharp with both irritation and embarrassment. Water dripped from my face and clothes as I clenched my fists, trying to hold onto what little dignity I had left.
Kael crouched down, extending a hand toward me, though his grin didn’t waver in the slightest. “I’m sorry,” he said, though his tone betrayed no real apology. If anything, he sounded amused-far too amused for my liking. “It’s just… you should’ve seen your face,” he added, and the corners of his mouth twitched as though he was holding back more laughter.
Without thinking, I scooped up a handful of water and splashed it at him. The droplets hit him squarely, making him flinch slightly, but instead of being annoyed, he only laughed harder. His dark eyes sparkled with amusement, and his laughter was so genuine it made it hard to stay mad. “Okay, okay,” he said finally, holding up his hands in mock surrender. “I deserved that. Come on, let me help you out,” he added, his voice softening just a little.
I hesitated, glaring at him for a moment longer, unsure if I should trust him. But standing there in the freezing water didn’t seem like a better option, so with a reluctant sigh, I reached out and took his hand. His grip was firm and steady, and he pulled me up with surprising ease, his strength evident as he helped me climb out of the pool.
Water dripped from my dress in steady streams, pooling around my feet as I stood on the stone tiles. I crossed my arms over my chest, shivering as the cool night air bit into my soaked skin. My cheeks burned with both cold and embarrassment, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet Kael’s gaze. But when he grabbed a nearby towel and draped it gently over my shoulders, his grin softened into something kinder, something that made my frustration waver just a little.
“Better?” he asked, his voice quiet now, almost cautious. He still sounded amused, but there was a hint of concern in his tone that caught me off guard.
I didn’t answer right away, too focused on wringing out the hem of my dripping dress. Water splattered onto the ground as I worked, my hands trembling slightly from the cold.
“Look,” Kael said after a long moment, his tone careful but warm. “It’s not the end of the world, Aria. If anything, you just made tonight a lot more interesting.” His words were light, but there was an honesty in them that made me pause.
I shot him a sharp glare, my lips pressing into a thin line. But as much as I hated to admit it, there was something about his words-and the ridiculousness of the situation-that made the tension inside me begin to loosen. Despite myself, I could feel the tiniest flicker of humor breaking through my wall of embarrassment.
“Memorable,” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head as I tried to suppress a reluctant smile. “That’s one way to describe it.”
Kael chuckled, the sound softer now, and his smile grew as his dark eyes crinkled at the corners. “For what it’s worth,” he said after a moment, his voice warm and sincere, “you’re a good sport. Not everyone can laugh at themselves like this.”
I rolled my eyes, my lips twitching as though they couldn’t decide between a frown and a smile. Despite my best efforts, a small, reluctant grin tugged at the corners of my mouth, and I quickly looked away to hide it.
As ridiculous and embarrassing as the whole thing was, I couldn’t help but feel something shift inside me. For the first time that evening, I wasn’t just playing a role or trying to live up to anyone’s expectations. I was just… me. Wet, cold, embarrassed, and undeniably human.
And maybe, just maybe, that wasn’t such a bad thing after all.