Zander’s POV.
By the end of the night, I was completely and utterly exhausted. The endless conversations, the forced smiles, and the unrelenting pressure to act interested in the women around me had drained every ounce of energy I had.
Each woman who approached me had done her absolute best to stand out, using every trick they could think of-sweet words meant to flatter me, witty remarks designed to catch my attention, and careful charm crafted to impress.
I could see the effort they put into every word and gesture, and I respected it. But despite all their attempts, none of it felt real. It was as if I was watching a performance, a carefully rehearsed play, and I was just a distant observer. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t feel anything. My mind kept circling back to Aria, and I realized none of these women could ever make me feel even a fraction of what I had felt when I was with her.
But this night wasn’t about feelings. It couldn’t be about that-not anymore. I had learned the hard way that letting my emotions control me only led to pain.
Tonight was about proving something, not just to everyone else but to myself. It was about showing my advisors, my pack, and the entire kingdom that I could move forward, that I could leave Aria in my past where she belonged.
It was about proving that I didn’t need her-that I could be the Alpha King everyone expected me to be, with or without her. Yet, despite all of that, a small voice in the back of my mind whispered the truth I wasn’t ready to face. Deep down, I wasn’t sure I believed I could let her go.
As the night began to wind down and the crowd of guests thinned out, I saw Liam approaching me from across the room. His presence was steady and grounding, something I was grateful for after hours of superficial conversation.
He stopped beside me, crossing his arms as he leaned slightly toward me. His sharp eyes studied my face with a mix of curiosity and amusement, his expression making it clear that he was about to ask the question I had been dreading. “So,” he began casually, his voice light but probing, “have you found anyone who caught your eye yet?”
I frowned, my gaze sweeping over the remaining guests. The women were still gathered in small groups, their shimmering gowns catching the light as they laughed and chatted, their perfect smiles never wavering despite how long the night had dragged on. They looked as polished and composed as they had at the beginning of the evening, their determination to impress never fading. I scanned their faces, searching for some spark of interest, something that might give me an answer to Liam’s question. But no matter how hard I looked, the answer was the same as it had been hours ago. “Not yet,” I admitted finally, my voice low and tired.
Liam raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting into one of disbelief mixed with exasperation. He leaned closer, as if he thought maybe he hadn’t heard me correctly. “Not yet?” he repeated, his tone sharper this time. “Zander, you need to pick someone. Even if it’s just for the sake of appearances. That’s the whole point of this, isn’t it? To show everyone you’re moving forward.” His words carried an edge of frustration, as though he were reminding me of a duty I was avoiding. He wasn’t wrong, but that didn’t make it any easier to hear.
I sighed heavily, the weight of his words pressing down on me like a stone. He was right, of course. This wasn’t about finding someone I connected with or someone who made me feel whole. It was about sending a message-to my pack, to the kingdom, and to myself. My gaze moved across the room again, this time more focused, searching for someone who fit the image everyone expected me to present. That was when my eyes landed on Helena. She was standing near the grand fireplace, her laughter ringing out as she chatted animatedly with a group of women. Her smile was radiant, her posture exuding confidence and grace. She was everything a Luna should be-beautiful, polished, and poised.
“Helena,” I said finally, my voice clipped and decisive. “I’ll start with her.”
Liam followed my gaze, his lips curving into a small smirk as he nodded in approval. “Good choice,” he said, his tone light but with a hint of amusement. “She seems… eager.” His words were casual, but I could hear the subtext. He was trying to make this easier for me, to remind me that this was just the first step.
I didn’t respond, my jaw tightening slightly as I watched Helena. This wasn’t about eagerness or compatibility. It wasn’t about whether I wanted her or felt anything for her. It was about sending a message-a clear, undeniable message to Aria, to myself, and to everyone watching. If I couldn’t have her, then I had to prove that I could build a life without her. Even if every step of the way felt like I was dragging myself through fire.
Liam must have sensed my hesitation, because his voice broke through my thoughts, softer this time. “You sure about this?” he asked, his tone no longer teasing but genuinely curious.
I nodded, forcing myself to look away from Helena and back at Liam. “I’m sure,” I said firmly, even though the words felt heavy in my throat, each one harder to say than the last. “It’s the right decision.”
Liam studied me closely, his sharp eyes searching my face for something I wasn’t ready to admit. But he didn’t push. Instead, he gave me a small nod, his hand clapping my shoulder in a gesture of support. “Then go for it,” he said simply, his voice steady.
I took a deep breath, straightening my shoulders as I prepared to approach Helena. She was everything I was supposed to want-everything I needed to show the world that I was moving forward. But as I took the first step, a familiar ache twisted in my chest, sharp and unrelenting, like a wound that refused to heal.
If I couldn’t have her, I’d build a life without her. Even if it killed me.