Daniel’s POV.
The towering iron gates of the Nightshade pack’s castle loomed tall and imposing behind me as my car sped away, the sound of gravel crunching under the tires fading into the distance.
A triumphant smirk tugged at my lips, the corners curling upward in satisfaction as the realization hit me again-Aria had said yes. She had agreed to be my Luna. The words replayed in my mind like a victorious anthem, a confirmation that my carefully laid plans were falling into place. It wasn’t just a simple agreement; it was the beginning of something far greater.
It was the final piece of the puzzle, the last stroke of the masterpiece I had been meticulously crafting for months. The scandal surrounding the video had unfolded flawlessly, just as I had intended, spreading through the packs like an unstoppable wildfire. Every ripple and every consequence had been calculated, each step designed to back her into a corner where her choices would be limited to only one outcome-mine. She hadn’t agreed out of love or desire; no, she’d agreed because there was no other way out.
She thought she was doing what she had to do to salvage her reputation, to preserve what little dignity she believed she still had. She thought she was making the only logical decision left to her under the circumstances. But she couldn’t see the truth, the bigger picture behind the curtain. Every move she had made, every option she believed she had, had been carefully orchestrated by me. I had pulled the strings from the shadows, and now she was exactly where I needed her to be.
Aria wasn’t just a woman who had agreed to be my Luna. She wasn’t just a solution to a temporary problem. No, she was so much more than that. She was my key, my golden ticket to reclaiming everything I had lost. She was the leverage I needed to seize the power that was rightfully mine.
—
The drive back to my pack’s estate felt longer than usual, the road stretching endlessly ahead of me. But my mind was too consumed with thoughts of the future to truly notice or care about the distance. My pack, the legacy I had once been destined to rule, had fallen into a state of disarray during my absence. My father had stepped in as Alpha, taking my place when I left years ago, and though he had kept the pack afloat, it was clear that the cracks were beginning to show. But now, with Aria by my side, I had everything I needed to return and reclaim what was mine.
The council wouldn’t dare oppose me, not now. A mate like Aria-a born Luna, the daughter of Alpha Xavier Nightshade, a woman with royal blood coursing through her veins-was exactly the kind of alliance they couldn’t ignore. Her lineage alone would elevate my status, not just within my own pack but across all the packs in the region and beyond. She wasn’t just a Luna; she was a symbol of strength, unity, and power, everything the council would respect and admire.
But Aria’s value extended far beyond the bounds of my pack. With her by my side, I wasn’t just positioning myself as a strong Alpha-I was laying the groundwork for something much greater. The failing health of the current Alpha King had created a vacuum of power, one that the council of royal Alphas would soon convene to fill. The selection process wasn’t just about strength or leadership; it was about influence, alliances, and the ability to unite the packs under a single, unyielding rule. And with Aria as my Luna, I would have all of that and more.
This wasn’t just about regaining my position as Alpha or restoring the strength of my pack. It was about claiming the ultimate prize. The title of Alpha King wasn’t just a dream-it was a destiny I was prepared to seize. And with Aria, I had everything I needed to ensure no one could stand in my way.
—
When I finally arrived at the estate, the sprawling grounds of my pack’s territory came into view, their grandeur as imposing as ever. The guards at the gates straightened immediately as my car approached, their eyes widening in recognition. It had been years since I last set foot on this land, yet the weight of my presence still lingered, etched into their memories as if I had never left.
As the gates swung open and I drove through, I took in the familiar sight of the main estate. The building stood tall and cold, its marble pillars and stone walls exuding an air of authority and strength. It hadn’t changed much in my absence-still as imposing and unwelcoming as I remembered. But now, it felt fitting. This was the stage where I would reclaim my rightful place.
The moment I stepped out of the car, I barked a sharp command to one of the servants scurrying nearby. “Call an urgent meeting with the council,” I ordered, my voice echoing with authority. “Make sure every member is in the chamber within the hour.” The servant nodded quickly, fear flashing in his eyes as he hurried off to carry out my instructions.
Without wasting another second, I made my way through the estate, the sound of my footsteps reverberating through the grand hall. The cold marble beneath my boots mirrored the cold determination in my chest as I headed toward the study where I knew my father would be waiting.
I found him there, seated behind the massive oak desk that had once been mine. His silver hair gleamed in the warm light of the fireplace, and his sharp blue eyes narrowed as he looked up and saw me. He didn’t rise to greet me; instead, he leaned back slightly in his chair, his expression a perfect blend of suspicion and annoyance.
“Daniel,” he said finally, his voice heavy with the weight of years of unresolved tension. “What are you doing here?” His tone was sharp, almost accusatory, as if he had been waiting for this moment but dreading it all the same.
A smirk spread across my lips as I stepped further into the room, closing the door behind me with a deliberate click. “I’m back,” I said simply, my voice calm but firm. “And I’m here to take what’s mine.”