Aria’s pov.
The journey back to my father’s castle was quiet, but the silence in the carriage felt heavier than ever, like a thick blanket pressing down on me. It was the kind of silence that made it hard to breathe, as if the air itself had been stolen away. My hands rested on my lap, clenched tightly together, as if holding onto something would stop the whirlwind of emotions inside me.
My mind kept going back to Zander-every word he had said, every cruel smirk that played on his lips, every threat that had rolled so easily off his tongue. It was as though his voice was still ringing in my ears, sharp and unrelenting, never letting me forget. His words weren’t just words; they felt like invisible chains, binding me tighter with every passing moment.
And then there was Alpha Wolfhart, his cold and commanding voice cutting through my memories like a knife. His decree had been simple, but it echoed in my head with the weight of its finality: *”You don’t have a choice. The alliance must be preserved.”* His tone had left no room for argument, no space for my protests or tears. It was like my entire life had been reduced to one cold sentence. Those words hung over me like a dark cloud, heavy and suffocating, reminding me that my future was no longer mine to decide. No matter how much I wanted to scream or fight, I couldn’t escape the reality of what he had said.
But was that really true? Did I really have no choice? Was my life truly nothing more than a tool to be used for alliances and power? The question kept swirling in my mind, growing louder with each turn of the carriage wheels. I had always known that my place in this world came with expectations, but I had foolishly hoped that I might still get to choose some part of my own destiny. Now, it felt like that hope was slipping through my fingers, leaving behind a cold, empty void. Was this all I was meant to be? A pawn for my father’s ambitions and a prize for Zander’s ego?
The carriage rumbled to a stop in front of the Nightshade castle, the sudden jolt snapping me out of my spiraling thoughts. I looked out the window, and there it was: the place I had once called home. The towering stone walls rose up before me, cold and unwelcoming, casting long shadows under the pale moonlight. The guards moved quickly to open the door, bowing slightly as I stepped out into the chilly night air. But their formal gestures did nothing to ease the knot in my stomach. This castle, which had once been my safe haven, now felt more like a cage. Its towering structure, once a symbol of strength, now loomed over me like a fortress designed to keep me locked inside. It felt no different from the Silverfang castle-just another prison with a prettier name.
I forced myself to walk forward, my steps slow and heavy, as though I was dragging the weight of everything that had happened behind me. The grand halls of the castle were as magnificent as ever, with their polished stone floors and ornate decorations, but they felt hollow now. The servants greeted me as I passed, their voices polite and deferential, but I barely heard them. I didn’t have the energy to respond, didn’t have the strength to pretend that everything was fine. Every step I took felt like a march toward something I couldn’t escape, and all I wanted to do was disappear.
Finally, I reached my father’s study, the heavy double doors standing tall and foreboding before me. I stopped for a moment, my hand hovering over the handle, as doubt crept into my mind. Did I really want to tell him? Did I even have a choice? Part of me wanted to turn around and run back to my room, to hide under the covers like a child, but I knew that wasn’t an option. With a deep breath, I pushed the doors open and stepped inside, bracing myself for what was to come.
Alpha Xavier, my father, was sitting behind his large oak desk, surrounded by maps and stacks of documents. The soft glow of the candlelight reflected off his silver hair, giving him an almost regal appearance. His sharp features-so similar to my own-were set in a stern expression, focused entirely on the work before him. He didn’t look up right away, but when he finally did, his piercing gray eyes narrowed slightly, studying me with quiet curiosity.
“Aria,” he said, his voice calm but firm, with just a hint of surprise. “You’re back earlier than I expected.” He leaned back in his chair, folding his hands together as he waited for me to speak. “What happened at the Silverfang castle?”
I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as I stepped closer to his desk. My hands were folded tightly in front of me, my fingers pressing into my palms to keep them from trembling. “Zander… He…” My voice faltered, the words catching in my throat as the weight of everything threatened to crush me. For a moment, I considered telling him the truth-about Zander’s threats, his cruel words, the way he had cornered me. But I knew it wouldn’t matter. My father wouldn’t care. He never had.
I forced myself to continue, my voice shaky but steady enough to get the words out. “Zander wants to take Kael’s place,” I said, each word feeling heavier than the last. “He wants to be my mate. The wedding… it’s set for next week.”
My father’s expression didn’t change. He didn’t flinch, didn’t show any sign of surprise or concern. Instead, there was a faint flicker of something in his eyes-relief, perhaps, or satisfaction? He leaned back further in his chair, steepling his fingers as he regarded me, his face unreadable.
“This is good news,” he said simply, his tone calm and matter-of-fact, as though we were discussing a business deal rather than my future.
“Good news?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly as disbelief and anger bubbled to the surface. I took a step forward, my fists clenching at my sides. “Father, you can’t be serious! I don’t want this. I don’t want to marry Zander. He’s…” I stopped myself, biting back the words that threatened to spill out. I couldn’t tell him about Zander’s threats, about the way he had humiliated me. I couldn’t give him another reason to dismiss me.
“He’s what?” my father asked, his voice sharper now, his brows furrowing deeply as he leaned slightly forward. His tone demanded an answer, the weight of authority pressing on me like a heavy stone. His piercing gaze bore into me, making my stomach twist with unease. “What are you not telling me, Aria? Speak clearly.”
“Nothing,” I said quickly, shaking my head as panic began to rise in my chest. My voice was trembling now, barely disguising the emotions threatening to spill out. “I just… I can’t do this, Father. I don’t want to.” My words came out in a rush, as if saying them faster would make them less real. I looked away, unable to meet his eyes, as my hands twisted together nervously in front of me.
Alpha Xavier stood slowly, his tall frame towering over me as if to remind me of his dominance. His movements were calm, deliberate, yet they carried an unspoken warning. He walked around the desk, his boots clicking softly against the stone floor, and stopped in front of me. His presence was overwhelming, and I felt small under his shadow. He placed a firm hand on my shoulder, his grip heavy and unyielding, like an anchor I couldn’t escape.
“Aria,” he said, his tone softening slightly, but it was no less commanding. His voice was steady, as if he were explaining something obvious to a child who couldn’t understand. “You must realize the importance of this alliance. This is about more than what you want. Without it, our pack is vulnerable. Do you understand?” He paused, his eyes searching mine for some sign of agreement, but I said nothing. “The Silverfang pack is the strongest in the region, and Zander is determined to become the Alpha King. This union is not just for us-it’s for the future of Nightshade. It will secure our safety. It will ensure we survive.”
“But I don’t love him,” I whispered, my voice cracking as the words escaped me before I could stop them. My throat tightened, and I felt the sting of tears welling in my eyes. I didn’t want to cry in front of him, but the hopelessness of it all was too much to bear.
“Love has nothing to do with this,” he said firmly, his tone as cold as the stone walls around us. He didn’t even flinch at my words, as though they were irrelevant. “You’re eighteen, Aria. You still haven’t shifted. You don’t have a mate, and the Moon Goddess hasn’t blessed you yet-if she ever will. You’re not a child anymore. You must think about your place in the world. This is your chance to secure your future, to have a role, to protect yourself and the pack. Don’t waste it.”
His words hit me like a slap to the face, each one sinking deeper into my chest. It felt as though he was ripping away every bit of hope I had left. My chest tightened painfully, and the tears I had been holding back spilled over, sliding silently down my cheeks. I pulled away from his grip, my voice trembling with anger and hurt as I said, “You’re forcing me into this, just like you forced me to agree to Kael. You don’t care what I want. You never have.”
“This is your duty,” my father said, his voice hard and unyielding now, like an iron wall I couldn’t break through. His expression was cold, devoid of sympathy, as he delivered his final verdict. “You’re a Nightshade. You will do what is necessary for the pack, whether you like it or not.”
I couldn’t listen to him anymore. His words were like daggers, cutting away at whatever strength I had left. My legs felt shaky as I turned on my heel and fled the study, my father’s voice calling after me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t bear to stay there another second, to hear another word.
When I reached my room, I slammed the door shut behind me, the sound echoing through the empty halls. My chest heaved with sobs as I collapsed onto my bed, burying my face in my hands. The weight of everything-Kael’s death, Zander’s threats, my father’s cold logic-pressed down on me until it felt like I couldn’t breathe. My whole body trembled as the tears came harder, soaking the pillow beneath me.
I cried until my chest ached and my throat burned, until there were no tears left to shed. The castle grew quieter as the hours passed, the stillness of the night wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket. But as I stared at the ceiling, my tears finally drying, a new feeling began to creep into my heart. It wasn’t hope-it was something colder, sharper. Determination.
I couldn’t stay here. Not like this.
At midnight, I packed a small bag with what little I could carry: a few spare clothes, a small pouch of coins, and nothing more. My hands shook as I moved, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. The halls were dark and silent as I slipped out of my room, the faint glow of torches casting long shadows on the walls. The air was still, but every creak of the floorboards beneath my feet felt deafening to my ears. My heart raced as I made my way to the stables, the fear of being caught pushing me forward faster.
When I reached the stables, I saddled a horse as quietly as I could and rode into the night, my only destination being the nearest city. The cold wind bit at my face as I rode, but I didn’t care. For the first time in days, I felt like I could breathe.
The airport was bustling, even at this late hour. The bright lights and constant chatter of travelers were overwhelming after the suffocating silence of the castle, but I welcomed the noise. I pulled my hood tighter around my face, clutching my bag to my chest as I approached the ticket counter. My hands were trembling so badly I could barely hold the coins as I spoke.
“One ticket to London,” I said quietly, my voice shaking.
The attendant nodded, her fingers tapping quickly on the keyboard. Relief began to wash over me-until a voice behind me froze me in place.
“Running away, Aria?”
My heart stopped, my breath catching in my throat. Slowly, I turned around, dread pooling in my stomach. There he was-Zander, standing just a few feet away, his arms crossed over his broad chest and a dark, dangerous smirk on his face.
“You didn’t think I’d let you leave so easily, did you?” he said, his tone mocking yet laced with anger. His eyes burned into mine, his presence suffocating.
“Leave me alone,” I said, my voice trembling as I took a step back. My whole body shook with fear, but I refused to let him see how terrified I was.
Zander’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, unyielding expression that made my stomach turn. He stepped closer, grabbing my arm with a grip that was firm but not painful. He leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. “You’re coming with me,” he said. “Whether you like it or not.”
“Let me go!” I protested, pulling against his grip, but it was no use. He was too strong, his hold unrelenting.
“You’ve already caused enough trouble,” he growled, his eyes narrowing as his anger flared. “You’re not running away again, Aria. You’re coming back to your father’s castle. And if he can’t keep you there, then you’re coming with me to Silverfang.”
I struggled against him, my heart pounding in fear and anger, but it was useless. His strength far outmatched mine, and he wasn’t letting go.
He dragged me out of the airport, ignoring my protests and pleas, and forced me into his waiting car. The drive back to my father’s castle was silent, the tension in the air thick and suffocating. Every glance he gave me sent a chill down my spine.
When we arrived, Zander stormed into the castle with me in tow, his expression dark and furious. My father appeared in the grand hall, his brows furrowing in confusion as he saw us enter.
“What is the meaning of this?” Alpha Xavier demanded, his voice sharp.
“Your daughter tried to run away,” Zander said coldly, his voice seething with anger. “If you can’t keep her here, then she’s coming with me to Silverfang. I won’t tolerate this kind of behavior.”
My father’s gaze shifted to me, his expression a mix of anger and disappointment. “Aria, is this true?” he asked, his voice heavy with frustration.
I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. My throat tightened, and fresh tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.
“She’s coming back with me,” Zander said firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. “If she can’t fulfill her duty here, then I’ll make sure she does at Silverfang.”
My father said nothing, but the cold, disappointed look in his eyes was enough to shatter what little hope I had left.
I was trapped. No matter where I went, no matter how far I tried to run, Zander would always find me.
And there was no escape.