Zander’s POV.
The sunlight poured through the grand windows of my chambers, painting the walls with hues of gold. I awoke with a dull ache in my chest, one that had nothing to do with physical pain. It was the weight of everything-the wedding, the alliance, and the constant battles with Aria. She was fire incarnate, a flame I couldn’t control, and yet she was now my Luna, tied to me in ways I couldn’t undo.
The maid who I had used to humiliate Aria last night was gone by the time I stirred. She had slipped out quietly, as they always did. But even as I got dressed and prepared for the day, my mind wasn’t on her. It was on the look in Aria’s eyes when she’d stormed into my room and demanded respect. She had stood her ground, and while I hated to admit it, part of me admired her for it.
I finished dressing in a simple black shirt and dark slacks, the kind of attire that felt casual yet authoritative. My mood was already sour as I made my way down the long, winding staircase to the dining hall. Breakfast would be served in the garden today-a tradition for the first morning after a Luna’s wedding. It was meant to show unity and strength to the pack, a symbolic gesture of balance between the Alpha and his mate.
When I arrived in the garden, Aria was already there, seated at the long wooden table adorned with fresh fruits, bread, and steaming tea. She looked… calm. The sunlight danced across her skin, highlighting her dark hair, which fell in loose waves around her shoulders. She wore a simple white dress that hugged her figure, and for a moment, I found myself staring. She didn’t look like the defiant woman who had barged into my room last night. She looked serene, composed.
But I knew her better now. That calm exterior was just a mask.
“Good morning, Luna,” I said, my voice neutral as I took the seat across from her.
Her eyes flicked to mine, and something sharp flashed in their depths before she gave a small nod. “Good morning, Alpha.” Her tone was polite, but there was an edge to it that only I could detect.
We sat in silence for a few moments, the awkward tension between us almost palpable. I poured myself a cup of tea, my mind already running through the day’s tasks. But before I could take my first sip, a voice I hadn’t heard in years shattered the quiet.
“Well, well. If it isn’t the great Alpha Zander himself.”
I froze, my grip tightening on the teacup as I slowly turned toward the sound. Standing at the edge of the garden was a man I had hoped never to see again-Asher.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark hair neatly combed back, his sharp features twisted into a smirk that I wanted to wipe off his face. He was dressed casually, yet there was an air of arrogance about him that made my blood boil.
“Asher,” I said coldly, my voice laced with venom. “What are you doing here?”
He stepped closer, his smirk widening as he looked around the garden. “I came to congratulate you, of course,” he said smoothly. “Word of your wedding has spread far and wide. I couldn’t miss the opportunity to see it for myself.”
I clenched my jaw, my entire body tensing. I hadn’t seen Asher in two years-not since I discovered that he’d been having an affair with Lyra, my ex-fiancee. She had been the woman I thought I would spend my life with, the woman I had trusted, only to find her in bed with the man I had once called my best friend.
“You’re not welcome here,” I said sharply, standing from my seat.
“Zander,” he said, his tone mocking as he raised his hands in mock surrender, “is that any way to treat an old friend?”
“You’re not my friend,” I spat, my voice low and dangerous.
Aria, who had been silent until now, glanced between the two of us, her brow furrowing. “Who is this?” she asked, her tone cautious.
Asher’s eyes flicked to her, and I immediately regretted not addressing him sooner. His gaze swept over her slowly, lingering in a way that made my blood boil.
“And you must be the famous Luna,” he said, his voice dripping with charm as he ignored my glare. “I must say, Zander, you’ve done well for yourself.”
Aria’s eyes narrowed slightly, but she didn’t respond.
Asher stepped closer to the table, his smirk deepening as he looked at her. “You’re even more beautiful than I imagined. Sexy, even.”
The words were like a match to gasoline.
I was on my feet in an instant, my chair scraping loudly against the stone floor as I moved to block his view of her. “Watch your mouth,” I growled, my voice low and deadly.
Asher raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by my reaction. “Relax, Zander,” he said, holding up his hands. “I’m just giving her a compliment. Surely you can handle that.”
My fists clenched at my sides, and it took every ounce of restraint I had not to punch him right then and there. “Leave. Now,” I said through gritted teeth.
But Asher didn’t move. Instead, he turned his attention back to Aria, as though I wasn’t even there. “Tell me, Luna,” he said, his tone smooth, “how does it feel to be married to someone like Zander? Does he treat you well?”
Aria’s expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought she might actually respond. But before she could, I stepped between them, my body shielding her from his view.
“This is your last warning, Asher,” I said, my voice dangerously calm. “If you don’t leave, I’ll make you.”
He held my gaze for a long moment, his smirk fading slightly as he seemed to weigh his options. Finally, he shrugged, stepping back with a mock bow. “Alright, alright,” he said lightly. “I’ll leave. But only because I don’t want to ruin your little honeymoon.”
I didn’t respond, my eyes burning into him as he turned and walked away.
When he was finally out of sight, I turned back to Aria, who was still seated at the table. Her expression was unreadable, but there was a faint crease between her brows that told me she wasn’t pleased.
“Who was that?” she asked again, her tone sharper this time.
“No one you need to concern yourself with,” I said curtly, sitting back down and grabbing my tea.
But as I sipped the lukewarm liquid, my hands still shaking with anger, I knew one thing for certain. This wasn’t over.