Chapter 5

Nyra

Selene placed a thick stack of papers on my bedside table. “Here is the list of guests who will attend the wedding. Learn their names and faces. Dimitri may hate this marriage, but he won’t allow humiliation. He expects the ceremony to look proper.”

I nodded, my fingers brushing the neat parchment, but my eyes lifted to her instead. “So… what do we do today?”

Her smile softened. “First, I’ll take you on a tour of the packhouse. Later, we’ll find your gown and start the arrangements. And I’ll bring you around town too, let you meet some of the pack members.”

I swallowed. “Meet them?”

“Yes,” she replied. “They should know the woman who will stand beside their Alpha. Don't you think?” she raised a brow.

My cheeks burned. “Yes of course. You're right. Please lead the way”

Our first stop was the Draven family wing. The corridor was lined with portraits, proud eyes staring from gilded frames.

Selene paused before one painting , a tall, dark-haired man with firm features. “This is Eryndor Draven, Dimitri’s father. He was Alpha longer than anyone before him. He saved my family when we were starving in another pack. Brought us here, gave us a new life.”

“That’s… kind,” I whispered. My lips pressed together before the wrong words slipped out anyway. “Did his son inherit his kindness? Or…” I trailed off, wincing.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean, ”

But Selene chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re not wrong to wonder. Dimitri’s life has been… cruel.”

Her voice lowered, almost reverent. “He was only ten when his parents died. His uncle stepped in as Alpha, but it was all a lie. That man was the one who arranged their deaths. He wanted the throne for himself. Dimitri killed him with his own hands.”

I gasped, staring at the portrait again. A boy forced to grow up with betrayal carved into his bones. No wonder his gaze was so cold.

Selene turned to me, eyes steady. “Do you remember what I said last night?”

I nodded. “That he isn’t what he seems.”

“Exactly. He hides his true self. He trusts no one easily. You are new , unexpected , and that makes you dangerous to his plans. If you want to survive here… don’t provoke him. Even as a contract wife, you can still have peace.”

Her words dug into me. Even as a contract wife.

The rest of the day, Selene led me through the town. I had braced myself for rejection, but instead, the people’s warmth nearly undid me.

“Is this our future Luna? She’s beautiful!”

“The king chose well!”

“No wonder, she’s an Alpha’s daughter.”

I smiled, bowed, greeted them with as much grace as I could muster. When children tugged at my skirt, I bent low, hugging them. It stung , they reminded me of Elias and Sabine’s younger siblings, faces I hadn’t seen since my world shattered.

A little girl skipped up, her eyes shining. “Hi! I’m Elara. You’re so pretty! I want to be just like you!”

Her innocent sweetness brought tears to my eyes. I crouched before her and stroked her braids. “You already are beautiful, Elara. These braids are perfect.”

She giggled. “My mother did them!”

Her mother stepped forward , a woman with gentle eyes. “I’m Ismena, the town midwife. When you carry the Alpha’s child, I’ll care for you myself.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I laughed softly, though inside, the words pierced. That would never happen. Dimitri would never touch me, and truthfully… I wanted to save myself for the mate destiny had chosen for me.

Still, I forced a smile. “That would be lovely, Ismena. It’s an honor to meet you all. Truly… this feels more like home than my real one ever did.”

By the time the sun sank, I longed for rest. Selene excused herself to visit Dimitri’s office, while I hurried up the stairs.

But heavy footsteps closed in behind me. My chest tightened instantly. That aura , sharp, commanding, suffocating , it could only belong to him.

Faster, Nyra. Faster.

I clutched my doorknob, desperate to vanish inside. But his voice cracked through the hallway.

“Stop. Acknowledge your Alpha.”

I froze, heart pounding. Slowly, I turned. Dimitri Draven stood there, tall and unforgiving.

Bowing low, I stammered, “Alpha Dimitri. Forgive me. I didn’t recognize your scent. Good evening.”

His eyes narrowed. “What’s good about it?”

My throat went dry. I scrambled for words. “I met your people today. They were kind… welcoming. It was an honor.”

His gaze sharpened. “Is that why you forced yourself into this marriage?”

I shook my head quickly. “No. Never. I only wanted to wait until I was twenty-one, to meet my true mate.”

The air grew icy. His eyes burned as he stepped closer, voice laced with scorn. “Don’t think moving you next to me means you’ve gained favor. My people don’t know the truth. They don’t know you’re nothing but a contract wife. That’s all you’ll ever be.”

I stumbled back into my room, his words chasing me.

He followed, his presence filling the space. “Remember our agreement. Don’t scream in the night. Don’t sleep on the floor. Don’t make me come in here and tie you to the bed.”

My breath caught, chills racing my spine.

“And keep your distance,” he added darkly. “Don’t even share my air.”

I dared not breathe.

“Leave!” he barked.

My lips parted. “To… where? Should I go back to the old room?”

His frown was answer enough. Without another word, he spun and stormed away.

I sank to the floor, bewildered. Did he really come all this way just to say that?

Hours later, I dragged a comforter to the floor, determined to sleep there. I locked my door. I even locked the adjoining door to his chambers. “He’ll never know,” I whispered. “What does it matter to him where I sleep?”

The storm had passed, the skies clear. I closed my eyes.

But my dreams betrayed me.

Again, Dimitri appeared , his hand caressing my face, his breath warm, his eyes gentler than they had ever been awake. Around me lingered a woodsy scent, rich and spiced.

Then, the dream shifted. A great wolf appeared before me, its winter-grey coat gleaming in the moonlight. Its voice echoed in the night.

“I’m coming for you. I’m coming for you.”

I jolted awake, shivers racing down my arms. What did that mean?

My eyes shot to the bed. My body stiffened.

I wasn’t on the floor.

I was tucked in neatly on the bed.

And my gaze drifted, trembling, to the locked door that connected my room… to his.

“No,” I whispered, heart hammering. “It can’t be…”