Zander’s POV.
The ceremony had gone exactly as planned. The union between the Silverfang and Nightshade packs was sealed, and I had done my duty in presenting Aria as my Luna. She had looked every bit the part-elegant, regal, and beautiful beyond words. The guests had been impressed, the alliance secured, and everything seemed to be falling into place. Yet, as I ascended the marble staircase to collect my newly claimed Luna from the chambers where she had been escorted after the reception, the bitterness in my chest only grew heavier.
This marriage was meant to be a symbol of power, a solution to the chaos left in the wake of Kael’s death, yet it felt like a war I could never win. Aria’s defiance during the ceremony had been subtle-her stiff posture, her cold gaze, the way she barely spoke to anyone-but it had been there nonetheless. No one else had noticed, but I had. And it infuriated me.
As I reached her door, I didn’t bother knocking. I pushed it open and stepped inside, the sound of my boots echoing on the polished floor. She was standing by the window, her back to me, the silver dress trailing behind her like liquid moonlight.
“It’s time,” I said, my voice sharp and unyielding.
She turned slowly, her dark hair cascading over her shoulder as she faced me. Her face was calm, but her eyes burned with quiet rebellion. “Time for what?” she asked, her tone cold.
“To come to our room,” I replied, stepping closer. “You’re my Luna now, Aria. You’ll sleep in my bed, as is expected of you.”
Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, she said nothing. Then, with a deep breath, she straightened her shoulders and met my gaze head-on. “I won’t sleep with you, Zander,” she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.
I stopped in my tracks, staring at her as her words sank in. My initial reaction was anger-a surge of fire that burned through my veins. But then, as I looked at her, standing there with her chin raised and her defiance on full display, something darker took over.
“You won’t?” I repeated, my voice low and dangerous. I took another step toward her, my eyes narrowing. “You think you have a choice in this, Aria?”
“I do,” she said, her voice unwavering despite the tremor in her hands. “I may be your Luna by title, but I’ll never be yours in any other way. I’ll never give myself to you.”
Her words were a challenge, a slap to my face, and for a moment, I just stared at her, my body tense with rage. Then, slowly, a cruel smile spread across my lips. If she wanted to defy me, I would remind her exactly who held the power here.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Aria,” I said, my tone dripping with mockery. “You think I want you? You think I’d waste my time with someone like you?” I let out a cold laugh, shaking my head. “Let me make one thing clear-I will never sleep with you. You’re nothing to me but a tool, a means to an end. The only reason you’re here is because of this alliance, and the only reason you’re in that dress is because I chose it for you. Don’t mistake necessity for desire.”
Her face paled slightly, but she didn’t back down. Her eyes stayed locked on mine, though I could see the hurt flicker in them. “Then let me go,” she said softly, her voice tinged with desperation. “If I mean nothing to you, let me leave.”
I stepped closer, leaning down so that our faces were inches apart. “You belong to me now,” I growled. “And you will stay exactly where I put you. Do you understand?”
She didn’t respond, her jaw tightening as she looked away.
I straightened, the anger in my chest simmering into something colder, sharper. If she wanted to test me, I would show her just how easily she could be replaced.
I turned toward the door, pulling it open and barking a single command. “Fetch me a maid.”
The guards exchanged a glance, but they didn’t hesitate. Within moments, a young maid was brought to the room. She was petite, with blonde hair and wide, nervous eyes. She curtsied quickly, her gaze flickering from me to Aria.
“Alpha Zander,” she said softly, her voice trembling.
I turned back to Aria, watching her expression carefully as I stepped closer to the maid. “You see, Aria,” I said, my voice cold and calculated, “I don’t need you. If you won’t fulfill your duties as my Luna, there are plenty of others who will.”
Before Aria could respond, I grabbed the maid by the waist, pulling her against me. She let out a small gasp, her eyes wide with shock, but she didn’t resist. I leaned down, capturing her lips in a hard, possessive kiss.
The room seemed to freeze. I could feel Aria’s gaze burning into me, her breath hitching as she watched. When I finally pulled away from the maid, I turned back to Aria, a smug smile on my face.
“I think I’ll spend the night with her instead,” I said, my tone filled with mockery. “At least she knows how to follow orders.”
Aria’s face was pale, her hands trembling as she clenched them at her sides. For a moment, I thought she might scream or lash out, but she stayed silent, her defiance replaced by something else-something I couldn’t quite name.
Without another word, I left the room, the maid following closely behind me.
—
When we reached my chambers, I closed the door behind us and turned to face the maid. She looked nervous, her hands twisting in front of her as she avoided my gaze.
“You’ll stay here tonight,” I said simply, my voice devoid of emotion. “Do as I say, and you’ll be fine.”
She nodded quickly, her cheeks flushed.
But as the night wore on, I found myself unable to focus. Even as I took the maid to my bed, even as I let my frustration and anger drive my actions, my thoughts kept drifting back to Aria. Her defiance, her strength, and the pain in her eyes when I humiliated her-it haunted me, lingering in the back of my mind like a shadow I couldn’t escape.
I had won. I had proven my dominance. And yet, for the first time, it didn’t feel like a victory.