Aaron’s POV:

The phone call came unexpectedly—it was Saira, informing me she was waiting for me at the castle. More specifically, she was waiting alongside my father, Lucas. As much as I wished to avoid them, there was no choice but to return.

Under the blaze of courtyard lights, Lucas maneuvered his wheelchair toward me. He had once commanded immense respect as a powerful Alpha, but fate had been cruel; a battle left him crippled, eroding the aura of dominance that used to define him.

“Aaron, we need to talk,” he said, lifting his steely gray eyes to meet mine.

“This is about the woman inside, isn’t it?” I shot a glance at the mansion’s main building, my voice sharp and cold.

“This isn’t fair to Saira.” Lucas’s temper flared visibly as he replied. “Do you even realize why the Bloodshadow Pack and Firemoon Pack agreed to this union?”

“Of course,” I replied with a casual shrug. “From the day Raynor died in battle, I’ve been well-aware of the weight of responsibility on my shoulders.”

“Then why would you act like this?” His tone hardened, slicing through the moment with brutal precision. “You should be focused on the greater good, not allowing insignificant distractions to steer you off course.”

For a fleeting moment, I hesitated before leaning down and gripping the armrests of his wheelchair. A cold smile curled on my lips. “My dear father, why don’t you cut to the point? What is it you truly want to say?”

An ominous glint sparked in Lucas's eyes, his weakened wolf still glimmering with traces of its former ferocity, though tempered with restraint. “I’m simply reminding you of what must be done.”

Threats, even from my father, were far from welcome. Nothing inspired my ire faster than a futile attempt to box me into submission. I let out a scoff, the disdain clear in my voice. “Perhaps it’s time for you to relinquish your role as Bloodshadow’s Alpha, step aside, and watch as I refuse to covet such obligations.”

My defiance rattled him visibly. His coughing grew violent, leaving his face tinged an angry shade of crimson. “Fine then,” he rasped, finally conceding. “The elders have already made the announcement—Saira Stone will be your future wife, your Luna. I trust you understand what needs to be done.”

Without further words, I turned and strode toward the main building.

“Aaron, darling!” Saira’s voice rose behind me, vibrant with affection as she ran toward me, arms open wide, aiming to wrap them around me. But I shifted effortlessly, evading her touch without a trace of hesitation.

Her momentum came to an abrupt halt, and her expression soured as her delicate brows furrowed. For a moment, her face bore signs of stormy displeasure—a darkness that passed as quickly as it came. Yet she didn’t miss the subtle scent she seemed to pick up lingering around me.

Regaining composure, she forced a sunny smile, her voice warm as she asked, “Aaron, did calling you back early interrupt anything important?”

“Not particularly,” I replied curtly, brushing past her as I ascended the stairs.

“Aaron.” She reached out, catching my arm and pressing her full chest meaningfully against me. Even then, her warmth felt contrived, manipulative. “You look exhausted. Shall I draw a bath for you?”

“The staff will handle it,” I said coolly, peeling her hand away without ceremony. Her expression grew clouded, her displeasure etched across her face. “Aaron, are you truly so busy?”

I met her gaze with a smile that never reached my eyes, my voice sharp and cutting. “As the Alpha of the largest pack in the Western Sector, what do you think? Do you imagine I have time to spare lounging idly?”

“Of course not,” she replied with a strained laugh. “I only meant… perhaps I could take on some responsibilities to lighten your load? Maybe—for instance—help with the recovery of that niece, the one who fainted? She must be important, considering how you postponed our engagement ceremony for her.”

“Don’t overthink it.” I dismissed her without pause. “Elin is my niece; Raynor entrusted me with the care of their family before he passed. I won’t abandon that duty lightly. Besides, she doesn’t require your attention.”

“But…” Saira’s eyes searched mine, an attempt to uncover what she could. “Aaron, she’s only your cousin’s stepdaughter. You hold no blood relation to her—you don’t need to—”

My patience frayed. My voice dropped, colder than winter’s bite. “What are you insinuating? Do you dare accuse me?”

“No!” My anger visibly shook Saira, her false bravado crumbling as a nervous grin replaced her indignation. “I just… I just thought of something! Could I start an internship at one of the Bloodshadow Pack’s enterprises? I graduated recently, and I haven’t yet begun work.”

“Speak to Erickson. He’ll handle it.” I left the words hanging in the air and strode up the stairs, not bothering to glance back. There was nothing about that woman that warranted wasting further energy.

If the Bloodshadow Pack alone could adequately obliterate the invading wolves from rival sectors, this union wouldn’t even be necessary. Revenge for Raynor’s death—then a future consolidating rule over the Western Sector—was my singular focus. Lucas’s desperate maneuvers to force a bride upon me… that served only his benefit.

---

Elin’s POV:

Aaron had barely left when Fiona entered, a polished presence trailing behind her. My eyes immediately caught the gleam of the expensive handbag dangling from her wrist.

“Mother, another luxury item?” I frowned, my unease bubbling up. “Raynor left us plenty of money, but at your spending rate, even his fortune won’t last long.”

“Alpha Aaron has hardly been stingy toward us,” she countered smugly—but something mischievous gleamed in her gaze. “And besides, I didn’t buy this. Mrs. Sinclair gifted it to me. Said I was the rightful Luna of the Bloodshadow Pack…”

“Mother.” I interrupted, my voice firm though weary. “That was then. Now we’re nothing in the Bloodshadow Pack. We’re practically beggars. Stop fooling yourself with these fantasies.”

“None of that matters!” she shot back, brushing off my rebuttal as though it were a trivial annoyance. Her excitement built visibly, almost feverish. “Tonight, you’ll meet her son. I’ll oversee your makeup and wardrobe—you’ll wear something dazzling. Don’t even think of skimping, Elin.”

Her enthusiasm left me cornered. I couldn’t bear to crush her spirit; she’d already endured the unbearable loss of two husbands under the weight of my supposed ‘cursed’ fate. Limiting her suffering was the least I could offer.

But the meeting was a disaster from the beginning. As soon as I spotted Jamie Sinclair, the Delta, in the restaurant, my eyes froze on the inked black serpent etched across his arm. Something feral, dangerous lurked behind those markings, enough to send my pulse racing. The first excuse I found, I seized, and fled without hesitation.

Back home, I prepared for a quiet evening. Entering the bathroom, I was moments away from turning the taps when I heard the faint, ominous sound of the entry door swinging open. My heart leapt wildly—is he here? Could it be Aaron?

Rush overcame reason, and in an instant, I flew to the door and flung it wide. Excitement melted into dread as a rough arm, engraved with a black serpent, blocked the frame.

Jamie Sinclair.

He stalked me?