Aria’s POV.
The dining hall was grand, its high ceilings stretching so high they seemed to go on forever, adorned with crystal chandeliers that sparkled like stars.
The air was thick with the mouthwatering scent of roasted meat, seasoned vegetables, and rich spices-a feast clearly prepared for an important occasion. But despite the grandeur of the setting and the enticing aroma of the food, the tension in the room was almost suffocating. It weighed heavier than the ornate golden platters being carried in by the silent, efficient servants.
I sat near the center of the table, a place of honor that felt more like a trap. My father was seated to my right, his imposing presence a constant reminder of his authority, while Alpha Wolfhart sat to my left, his calm yet calculating demeanor impossible to ignore. Directly across from me sat Kael, his dark eyes flickering toward me every so often. Though his expression remained calm, almost detached, the intensity of his gaze was unsettling. He didn’t need to say anything to make his presence known; his silence was louder than words.
I hadn’t been given much information about why this dinner had been arranged. My father had only informed me of it earlier that morning, his tone brisk and clipped when I tried to question him. “It’s important,” he’d said, his sharp words cutting off any attempt at protest. “Don’t be late.” There had been no explanation, no details, just an order that left no room for argument. Now, sitting at this table, that vague command echoed in my mind, gnawing at my already frayed nerves.
Even as I sat there, surrounded by some of the most powerful figures from both packs, my instincts screamed that something wasn’t right. My fingers itched to fidget with the goblet in front of me, but I forced them to remain still, gripping the edge of my chair instead. The room was filled with members of both the Nightshade and Silverfang packs-betas, advisors, and even a few elders. While it wasn’t unusual for our packs to hold meetings or dinners, this gathering felt different. There was a charged energy in the air, like the calm before a storm.
My father’s silence was unnerving. Usually, he would command the room with his booming voice, sharing stories or discussing strategies. Tonight, however, he said little, his sharp gray eyes scanning the room with an intensity that seemed out of place. Alpha Wolfhart, while polite as always, seemed equally focused, his sharp blue eyes calculating rather than relaxed. Their quiet intensity made my unease grow, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that this dinner was about more than just diplomacy or celebration.
Kael, of course, looked perfectly at ease, as if he were the master of the room. Leaning back in his chair with that infuriating air of confidence, he seemed completely unaffected by the tension. His calmness only made my unease worse. I hated how he could look so smug, as though he knew something I didn’t. It was as if he were waiting for something, and the thought sent a chill down my spine.
The servants began moving around the table, pouring wine into the goblets set before each guest. The deep red liquid swirled in the glasses, its rich color reflecting the golden light of the chandeliers. My father raised his goblet, clearing his throat, and the quiet murmur of conversation came to an abrupt halt. All eyes turned to him as the room fell silent, the weight of his presence commanding attention.
“Tonight,” my father began, his deep voice cutting through the silence with ease, “we gather here to celebrate the alliance between the Nightshade and Silverfang packs.” His tone was calm but carried the unmistakable authority of a leader. “This union is a testament to the strength and wisdom of our leaders, and to the future we are building together.” His words were practiced, almost rehearsed, but they carried a gravity that made my stomach twist uncomfortably.
A murmur of agreement swept through the room, the sound of voices low and respectful. Elders nodded approvingly, and a few guests raised their glasses in silent acknowledgment. But I stayed silent, my fingers tightening around the stem of my goblet so hard I feared it might snap. There was something about the way my father spoke, the deliberate emphasis he placed on his words, that made my unease grow stronger.
“I am pleased to announce,” my father continued, his sharp gray eyes sweeping the room before landing on me, “that the wedding ceremony between my daughter, Aria, and Kael will take place next week.” His words were calm and decisive, but to me, they felt like a thunderclap, shaking the very ground beneath me.
The words hit me like a physical blow, stealing the air from my lungs. My breath caught in my throat, and I felt my chest tighten as if someone had punched me. Around me, the room erupted into polite applause, the sound of clinking glasses and murmured congratulations filling the air. But I barely heard any of it. My world had narrowed to the pounding of my heart and the icy realization that everything had been decided without me.
*Next week?* The words echoed in my mind like a drumbeat, growing louder and louder until they drowned out everything else. I turned to my father, my voice barely above a whisper, the disbelief clear in my tone. “Father, what are you talking about?” I asked, hoping-praying-that I had misunderstood him.
He didn’t look at me. His gaze remained fixed on the room, his face a mask of composure that betrayed nothing. “This decision was made in the interest of both packs,” he said simply, his voice calm and detached, as though that explanation was enough. As though my feelings didn’t matter at all.
I could feel the weight of dozens of eyes on me, their stares burning into my skin. But I didn’t care. “You didn’t tell me this was happening,” I said, my voice sharper now, the edge of anger creeping into my words. “You didn’t even ask me.” My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the table, my frustration threatening to spill over.
“Aria,” my father said, his tone low and warning, his words carrying an unspoken threat. “This is not the time or place.” His eyes flicked to me briefly, sharp and unyielding, daring me to challenge him further. But his tone only fueled the fire inside me.