Aria’s POV.
I sat at my vanity, staring at the engagement ring Kael had slipped onto my finger the night before. The diamond sparkled in the sunlight, catching the light and reflecting it back in tiny bursts, but there was something about it that felt… wrong. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but the more I looked at it, the more uneasy I felt.
I turned the ring slowly between my fingers, watching as the diamond reflected faint beams of sunlight around the room. Tiny rainbows danced on the walls, but they felt hollow, like a poor imitation of something real. Nearby, my diamond earrings sat in their small velvet box. They were a gift from my father, Alpha Xavier of the Nightshade pack, given to me on my sixteenth birthday. I picked them up carefully, holding them between my fingers. They were beautiful, genuine diamonds-precious, timeless, and unmistakably real. I had always treasured them, not just because of their beauty, but because of what they symbolized: my father’s love, his pride in me.
I held the ring and one of the earrings side by side, tilting them both toward the morning light streaming through the window. My heart sank as I stared at the two stones. The truth hit me like a punch to the gut, making my breath catch in my throat.
The difference between them was impossible to ignore.
The diamonds in my earrings shimmered with a brilliance that seemed alive, their sparkle vibrant and full of fire. They caught the light in a way that made them almost glow, their beauty undeniable. But the stone in the engagement ring… it was lifeless. Dull. It didn’t sparkle the same way. It lacked the depth, the clarity, the light. It wasn’t real. The realization sent a wave of disbelief through me.
I set the ring down on the vanity with a sharp clink, my chest tightening as anger bubbled to the surface. This wasn’t just a minor mistake. It wasn’t something that could be brushed off or overlooked. No, this was deliberate. Someone had made a conscious choice, and that choice spoke volumes.
Kael, the son of Alpha Darius of the Silverfang pack, had given me a fake engagement ring.
My fingers clenched into fists as a storm of emotions swirled inside me. Was this supposed to be a joke? Had Kael done this on purpose, just to mock me? Or was it something else, something colder and more calculated? Maybe it was his way of sending a message, loud and clear: *This engagement isn’t real, so why should the ring be?* The thought made my blood boil, my heart pounding harder with each passing second.
I pushed back my chair abruptly, the legs scraping against the floor as I stood. My silk robe swished around my legs as I moved, the soft fabric doing little to calm my growing fury. This wasn’t something I could ignore, not when it was so blatant. The engagement ring wasn’t just a simple piece of jewelry. It was supposed to symbolize something important-the union between the Nightshade and Silverfang packs. It was meant to represent an alliance, a promise of peace to prevent war. But instead, it felt like a mockery. A lie.
Without giving myself time to second-guess or calm down, I turned toward my wardrobe, yanking it open with more force than necessary. My fingers skimmed over the fabrics until I found an emerald gown that fit my mood perfectly. It was fitted, elegant, and flared slightly at the waist-a dress that demanded attention and respect. I pulled it on quickly, the soft fabric hugging my frame. I slipped on my heels and straightened my shoulders, my reflection in the mirror now a picture of icy determination. Finally, I grabbed the fake ring from the vanity, clutching it tightly in my fist, and stormed out of my room without hesitation.
The halls of the Nightshade castle were eerily quiet as I made my way to my father’s study. The only sound was the sharp, rhythmic clicking of my heels against the cold stone floors, each step echoing off the high ceilings and empty walls.
The stillness of the castle seemed to contrast with the storm brewing inside me. My anger burned hot and steady, each step fueled by the betrayal I felt.
I barely noticed the familiar paintings and tapestries lining the walls as I marched forward with a single goal in mind.
When I reached the heavy oak doors of his study, I didn’t hesitate for even a moment. Knocking seemed pointless when my frustration demanded immediate action. I pushed the doors open with a firm shove, the wood creaking loudly as I stepped inside with purpose. My footsteps were deliberate, my posture stiff with determination, as I faced the man I needed answers from.
Alpha Xavier, my father, glanced up from the piles of papers scattered across his massive wooden desk. His sharp gray eyes immediately narrowed, their intensity cutting through the air like a blade. He was not the kind of man who liked interruptions, but I didn’t care. His presence was as commanding as ever-tall and broad-shouldered, his black tailored suit fitting him perfectly. He exuded power, authority, and control, the kind of control that made people think twice before speaking out of turn. But I wasn’t in the mood to be careful.
“What is it, Aria?” he asked, his deep voice calm but laced with impatience. His tone made it clear that he didn’t have time for whatever I was about to say, but it only fueled my anger further.
I didn’t waste time with pleasantries or explanations. I walked straight to his desk, closing the distance with determined strides. Pulling the ring from my finger, I placed it down in front of him with a sharp clink. “The engagement ring,” I said, my voice steady but simmering with anger just beneath the surface. “It’s fake.” My words hung in the air like a challenge, daring him to dismiss them.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but curious. Picking up the ring, he turned it between his fingers, the diamond catching the light as he examined it. “What do you mean?” he asked, his tone neutral, as if I had brought him something trivial-a matter not worth his time.
I crossed my arms tightly over my chest, the frustration in me building. “It’s not a real diamond,” I said, my voice louder now, my words clipped with irritation. “I compared it to my earrings. It’s obvious. Kael gave me a fake engagement ring.” I emphasized the word *fake,* hoping it would spark the reaction I was looking for.
For a moment, my father said nothing. He simply continued to turn the ring in his fingers, his expression unreadable. His silence was maddening, offering no indication of what he was thinking. Finally, he set the ring down on the desk with a soft thud and leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed, almost dismissive.
“And?” he said, his tone colder than I expected. It was detached, as though my concerns were insignificant.
I blinked, stunned by his reaction. My father was a man of few words, but I had expected-hoped-for something more. “And?” I repeated, my voice rising in disbelief. “Father, this is supposed to symbolize the alliance between our packs. The Silverfang pack and the Nightshade pack are on the verge of peace, and Kael couldn’t even bother to give me a real ring? What does that say about him? About us? About this alliance?” My words came quickly, tumbling out in an effort to make him see the seriousness of the situation.
His sharp gaze locked onto mine, the weight of it forcing me to take a deep breath. When he finally spoke, his voice was calm but firm, each word deliberate. “It says nothing, Aria. The ring doesn’t matter. What matters is the alliance. This engagement isn’t about you, or Kael, or the ring. It’s about the future of the Nightshade pack.” His tone carried the weight of his authority, as if his words were final and not up for debate.
I felt a surge of frustration boiling over inside me, my emotions threatening to spill out. “So I’m supposed to just ignore this?” I asked, my voice shaking slightly with anger. “Pretend it doesn’t matter? Pretend it doesn’t bother me that the man I’m supposed to marry didn’t even care enough to get me a real ring?” My words were sharp, biting, but I couldn’t stop them from coming.
“Yes,” he said bluntly, his tone turning colder and sharper as he stared at me without wavering. “You will ignore it. You will act as though you noticed nothing. You will not mention this to anyone-not to Kael, not to the pack, not to a single person. Do you understand me, Aria? This is not up for discussion.” His words struck like a whip, leaving no room for argument. His expression was stern, his eyes locked onto mine as if daring me to defy him.
I stared at him, my chest tightening painfully as his words sank in. My heart felt heavy, and my frustration bubbled dangerously close to the surface. “Why?” I asked, my voice trembling but firm enough to demand an answer. “Why do I have to be the one to sacrifice everything? Why is it always me who has to give up what I want? Why am I the only one who has to make things right?” The unfairness of it all clawed at me, and I could feel tears stinging the back of my eyes.
“Because you are my daughter,” he answered sharply, the authority in his voice rising as he stood from his chair. His towering figure loomed over me, making me feel small and powerless. “And because you are the Luna-to-be of this pack,” he continued, his tone as unforgiving as steel. “This is your role. This is your responsibility, Aria. You don’t have the luxury of questioning it, of thinking only about yourself. You will do what is expected of you, as I have done all my life.” His words were like a hammer, pounding away at my resolve.
“But Kael doesn’t even respect me enough to-” I began, my voice rising in protest, but he cut me off before I could finish.
“Respect?” he snapped, his voice louder now, his sharp tone slicing through my words. “This isn’t about respect, Aria. It never was. Kael doesn’t have to respect you. He doesn’t have to like you. He only has to respect *me*-his Alpha-and he will. That is all that matters. Whether he respects you or not is irrelevant to this alliance. This union isn’t about feelings or personal pride. It’s about survival.” His words were harsh, and they hit me like a slap, leaving me stunned.
I took a step back, my fingers trembling as I tried to steady myself. My voice wavered as I asked quietly, “What about what I want? Don’t I matter at all in this? Don’t my feelings count for anything?” My question was soft, almost pleading, but the crack in my voice betrayed the depth of my hurt.
For a brief moment, something flickered in his expression-something almost like regret. But it disappeared just as quickly as it came. “You matter,” he said, his tone quieter now, softer but still firm. “Of course you matter, Aria. But this is bigger than you. Bigger than me. Without this union, there will be war. Bloodshed. Innocent lives lost on both sides. Do you want that on your conscience? Do you want to look back and know that you could’ve stopped it, but you didn’t?” His words were heavy, laced with both guilt and expectation, and they crushed the fight out of me.
I swallowed hard, tears burning in my eyes as I shook my head. “No,” I whispered, barely able to get the word out. I hated the way my voice sounded-weak, defeated-but I couldn’t deny the truth in his words.
“Good,” he said, his voice returning to its usual commanding tone as he sat back down in his chair. He picked up the ring from the desk, holding it out to me. “Then put this back on and go about your day. No one else needs to know about this. No one needs to see your doubts or your anger. You will carry on as if everything is perfect, as if nothing is wrong.” His words were a dismissal, an order that left no room for argument.
I hesitated, staring at the ring as though it were a pair of shackles meant to bind me. My fingers twitched at my sides, unwilling to take it. Finally, with trembling hands, I reached out and took it from him. The weight of it felt heavier than before as I slid it back onto my finger, the cold band pressing against my skin like a chain I couldn’t escape.
“Now go,” he said firmly, his tone final and dismissive as he turned his attention back to the papers on his desk. He didn’t even look up as I turned to leave, his focus already elsewhere.
I walked out of the study, the heavy door closing behind me with a dull thud. The halls of the castle were as quiet as before, but now the silence felt suffocating. My head spun as I retraced my steps, the weight of the ring on my finger pulling me down with every step. It felt as though the entire world was pressing down on me, demanding I keep carrying a burden I never asked for.
When I finally reached my room, I closed the door behind me with a soft click. I leaned back against it, my shoulders slumping as I stared down at my hand. The fake diamond on the ring sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the window, but to me, it didn’t shine-it mocked. It glittered with a cruel brightness, as if it were laughing at me, reminding me of everything it represented.
Kael’s words from the night before echoed in my mind, unbidden and unwelcome: *”You’re mine.”* The memory of his low, confident voice sent a shiver through me, though I wasn’t sure if it was anger, fear, or something else entirely.
But as I stared at the ring on my finger, a cold realization settled in my chest. It wasn’t just the diamond that was fake.
It was all of it. The engagement. The alliance. The promises Kael had made. Even my father’s reassurances. Every part of this arrangement felt hollow, like a carefully constructed lie meant to control me.
And the worst part wasn’t the lies or the betrayal. The worst part was that I had no choice. I had no way out. I was trapped, forced to play along, to pretend everything was fine when deep down, I knew it wasn’t.