Zander’s POV.
Evelyn raised an eyebrow, her sharp green eyes fixed on me. “And you’re just going to… pick one?” she asked, her tone laced with skepticism.
I let out a bitter laugh, the corner of my mouth twitching in frustration. “I don’t have the luxury of time for anything else,” I said, my voice low but biting. “I’m hosting a gathering next month. Every unmated alpha and powerful she-wolf in the kingdom will be invited. If I’m going to do this, it has to be done quickly. I need to find someone who can handle the role, someone who can meet the council’s expectations.”
She tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful as she studied me. “And you’re okay with this?” she asked, her voice softer now.
“No,” I admitted after a moment, my voice dropping so low it was barely above a whisper. “But it doesn’t matter. The pack comes first. It always has.”
Evelyn leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest as she continued to watch me with that unwavering gaze of hers. “You know, Zander, you don’t have to do this alone,” she said finally, her tone shifting to something almost… gentle. “There are plenty of she-wolves out there who would kill for the chance to be your Luna. You’ll find someone who fits the role, someone who can help you carry this weight.”
Her words were meant to reassure me, but all they did was deepen the pit of unease in my stomach. I didn’t want someone who was eager to take the title for the sake of power or status. I wanted someone genuine. Someone real. But the person I wanted… wasn’t an option anymore.
“Start the preparations,” I said abruptly, dismissing her with a wave of my hand. My tone was harsher than I intended, but I didn’t care. “I want the first gathering to be flawless. No mistakes.”
Evelyn stood, nodding once before turning toward the door. She paused in the doorway, glancing back at me with a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “For what it’s worth, Zander,” she said quietly, “you’re doing the right thing-for the pack, at least.”
I didn’t respond. I couldn’t.
The door clicked shut behind her, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more.
—
That evening, the first report from Liam’s team landed on my desk. The folder sat there for a long time before I finally opened it, my fingers hesitating on the edge of the cover as if touching it would burn me.
Inside was a detailed account of Aria’s day.
She had spent the morning in the art studio, working on designs for her fashion classes. She had lunch with a group of friends-a lively, cheerful group, from the sound of it-then attended a lecture in the afternoon before heading back to her rented room on campus.
I read the report once, then again, my chest tightening with every word.
She was safe. She was thriving. She was happy.
And I wasn’t part of her life anymore.
The thought hit me harder than I expected, like a punch to the gut. I closed the folder with a soft thud, leaning back in my chair as I stared at the ceiling. My mind raced with conflicting emotions, each one more painful than the last.
It was better this way, I told myself. She deserved this-a fresh start, a clean slate, a chance to find her true mate. Someone who could give her the kind of life I couldn’t.
She deserved better than me.
But no matter how often I repeated those words in my head, it didn’t stop the ache in my chest. It didn’t stop the hollow, empty feeling that had been growing inside me since the night I broke the bond.
I clenched my fists, forcing the thoughts aside. There was no point dwelling on what couldn’t be changed. I had made my decision, and now I had to live with it. The gathering was only weeks away, and there was too much to do.
If I couldn’t have Aria, then I would find someone else.
Someone strong. Someone capable. Someone who fit the role of Luna.
It didn’t matter if I felt nothing for them.
It didn’t matter if my wolf clawed at me in protest every step of the way.
This was my duty.
And I would see it through, no matter the cost.
—
The castle buzzed with activity as preparations for the gathering began. Servants hurried through the halls, their arms full of decorations, menus, and guest lists. Invitations were sent to every eligible she-wolf in the kingdom, each one carefully selected for their strength, lineage, and reputation. The council had made their expectations clear, and I wasn’t about to give them any reason to doubt me.
The first gathering would be a grand affair-a masked ball held in the castle’s great hall. The entire event was designed to impress, to show the council that I was taking their demands seriously. Every detail had to be perfect, from the sparkling chandeliers to the carefully curated guest list.
But as the date approached, I couldn’t shake the growing sense of dread that hung over me like a dark cloud.
I had spent my entire life preparing for this role, training to be Alpha King. I had thought I was ready for anything-wars, alliances, even betrayals. But this… this felt different.
I wasn’t ready for this.
Not without her.
The thought lingered in my mind like a ghost, haunting me as the days passed. No matter how many plans I made, no matter how much I focused on the gathering, I couldn’t stop thinking about Aria. Her smile, her laughter, the way she had walked away from me without looking back.
She was gone.
And I was about to choose someone else to stand by my side, someone who wasn’t her. Someone who would never be her.
As the preparations continued around me, I couldn’t help but wonder if I was making the right choice.
Or if I was only fooling myself.