DAPHNE

"Here. I brought some books for you." Caelum sets a heavy stack on the table with a soft thud.

I rise from the bed and walk over. "Is this why you came in late?" I flip through the top book, skimming the pages.

He gives a small nod. "I wasn't sure what you like, so I grabbed a bit of everything. Thought you might be bored staying in here alone. This way, you'll have something to keep you busy while I'm at school."

A warm smile tugs at my lips. I'm touched, he's one of the few people in this place who's actually been kind. "Thank you, Caelum. Did I ever tell you you're the only werewolf here who actually cares about me?"

He chuckles. "I'm sure the Alpha does too."

My smile fades at the mention of Ezekiel. "Don't spoil it. Just accept the compliment and don't ruin my mood by bringing him up."

Caelum laughs, not bothering to hide it. "Alright, alright. So, which one are you going to start with?" He points at the stack.

I scan the titles until one catches my eye. "This one." I murmur, pulling it out and holding it up. Then I remember something. "Oh, by the way, a little girl came to my room earlier today. She said she's Ezekiel's sister. I didn't know he had a sister."

"You must've met Maria." he replies. "Most people don't know about her. I only found out after I started working here."

I pause, narrowing my eyes as I study his face. "So he's hiding her!"

"I... I'm not sure." Caelum answers, shifting on his feet.

"You sound like you know more than you're letting on." I tilt my head slightly, watching him closely. "Come on, spill it. I could use a little gossip."

"I... I really don't know anything." Caelum mumbles, eyes darting away.

"Hey, come on." I coax, sticking out my bottom lip in a playful pout. "If you tell me, I'll trade you some juicy witch history."

He lets out a heavy breath and strolls over to the chair. I trail behind him and wait as he sinks into the seat.

"It's just gossip." He mutters, glancing around like he's worried someone might be listening. "None of it's been confirmed."

"I love gossip." I say with a grin, settling into the chair across from him. "Go on."

Caelum hesitates for a second, then leans in slightly. "When I first started working here, I heard some talk about Maria."

I nod for him to keep going.

"The first rumor." He lowers his voice to a whisper. "The first rumor is that Maria might not actually be the Alpha's sister."

I raise an eyebrow. Maria and Ezekiel don't look alike, but that doesn't prove anything. Plenty of siblings don't resemble each other, my brother and I are living proof. "Why do people think that?"

"You probably don't know this." Caelum starts slowly. "But the Alpha's mother died a long time ago, back when he was a teenager. After she passed, he left Grey City and didn't come back for years. When he returned, he brought a little girl with him and told everyone she was his sister."

"Wait." I lean forward. "Ezekiel didn't grow up here?"

He shakes his head. "Apparently, he and his father didn't get along. That's why no one was shocked when he killed the old Alpha after coming back."

I stay quiet, letting that bit of news sink in.

"There's another rumor." Caelum adds after a pause. "Some people think Maria might actually be his daughter."

I blink at him, caught off guard. "I thought you were going to say something like he adopted her, not that she's his child."

He chuckles. "Crazy, right? But there's a reason why people believe it."

I tilt my head. "Why's that?"

"Because Maria looks a little like the Alpha's ex-fiancée." He blurts.

I sit up straighter. "Fiancée?"

"Don't worry." he says quickly, lifting like he’s trying to calm me. "They're not together anymore. He broke it off."

I frown. "So... do you think she could be Maria's mother?"

Caelum shrugs. "Maybe. Everyone knew about Ezekiel and Harvey. They were the golden couple, engaged for twelve years. People thought they were perfect together."

"Twelve years?" I echo, eyebrows rising.

He nods. "Their relationship was the talk of the city. That's why it shocked everyone when he ended it."

"And you think he did that because of me?" I ask, my voice softening.

"What other reason could there be?" Caelum answers with a crooked smile. "He had to marry you, after all."

I don't know what to say. My mind spins until it lands on the diamond pendant I saw tucked away in Ezekiel's drawer. Was that necklace meant for his ex-fiancée?

"Anyway." Caelum continues, shaking his head. "I don't buy that second rumor. If Maria really was his daughter, he wouldn't keep it a secret. He adores her too much."

I let out a quiet sigh, unsure of what to believe. I'm just about to speak when the door creaks open behind us.

Both Caelum and I turn at the same time.

Ezekiel stands at the doorway. Speak of the devil.

Caelum jumps to his feet and bows quickly. I don't move. I lean back in my chair, crossing my legs, calm on the outside even though my heart skips a beat.

Ezekiel's intense gaze slides from Caelum to me. He looks like he's trying to figure out how I got so friendly with the young werewolf.

"Leave." He says, just one word, but it holds all the power in the room.

Caelum doesn't hesitate. He rushes out like the air's turned too heavy to breathe.

The door closes behind him with a soft click.

Ezekiel starts walking toward me, each step slow and controlled, like a warning wrapped in elegance.

"I didn't know you had company." He says, voice low and deep, carrying through the room like a quiet storm. "Making friends already?"

"He's just a kid being nice." I shoot back, my tone laced with irritation. "Or should I start asking for your permission before I speak to anyone?"

Ezekiel's mouth twitches like he finds me amusing. He doesn't respond right away, just slips his hands into his pockets and watches me with that calm, infuriating stare.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, folding my arms. He locked me away for three whole days, and now he suddenly decides to remember I exist?

"I'm attending a masquerade ball hosted by Mayor Charles." He begins smoothly, as if we're having a normal conversation. "You probably know him, since you spent so much time living among the humans."

I blink at him, unamused. "And why would that matter to me?"

"You're coming with me."

I let out a short, dry laugh. "You can't be serious."

He doesn't even look at me. "A stylist will be sent up shortly to get your dress ready..."

"Don't waste your breath." I cut him off coldly. "I'm not going anywhere."

His eyes darken, and a dangerous energy fills the room. I feel it tighten around my chest.

"I wasn't offering you a choice." He warns.

I sit up straighter, refusing to let him intimidate me. "You really think I'll just show up because you ordered me to?"

"Yes." He answers without missing a beat. "Because whether you like it or not, you're coming."

I rise from the chair, forcing my spine to straighten even though my heart pounds against my ribs like a war drum. He may be taller, stronger, and way more terrifying than anyone I've ever met, but I won't let him see fear in my eyes. Not now, not ever.

"I'm not some puppet you can push around." I throw at him, lifting my chin in defiance.

Ezekiel doesn't flinch. He just stares at me like I'm a puzzle he's too bored to solve. His eyes drift slowly over my face, then lock onto mine. "You're my wife now. That comes with responsibilities."

"Being your wife doesn't mean I'm your property." I snap. "You don't get to order me around like I'm one of your soldiers."

He takes a slow step forward, closing the space between us. I hold my ground, refusing to step back even though his presence is suffocating.

"I don't need you to be a soldier." He murmurs. "I need you to play your part."

"My part?" I laugh bitterly. "What part is that? The quiet, obedient little bride who smiles at your side while you show off your power?"

His jaw tightens. "You think this is about showing off? This ball isn't just a party, Princess. It's politics. Appearances matter."

"Well, guess what." I say, crossing my arms. "I don't care about appearances. I don't care what your precious mayor thinks. And I'm not dressing up to pretend everything is fine between us when it's not."

He leans down slightly, his voice like a slow-burning fire. "You will be there. Whether you walk in on your own or I carry you in."

My breath catches, but I manage to glare back at him. "You wouldn't dare."

A ghost of a smirk plays on his lips. "Try me."