Amelia’s POVThe council chamber felt colder, heavier, after Queen Larissa’s abrupt exit. Her biting words still echoed in my mind, each one carving a deeper hole in my self-worth. A rejected she-wolf... That’s what she saw in me—someone who wasn’t worthy of her son or this kingdom. The weight of the council’s gaze pressed down on me like a physical force, and I fought to keep my expression calm, even as my heart raced with uncertainty.Lucas, ever composed, stepped forward and addressed the council. “This marriage is not just a personal union, but one that benefits us all. Amelia will be a strong Luna, and together, we will secure the future of this kingdom.”His words were confident, meant to reassure the council, but I could see the flickers of doubt on some of their faces. A few exchanged wary glances, clearly unsettled by Larissa’s outburst. King Luther, however, stood firmly by his son’s side, his eyes scanning the room as he gave a slight nod of approval. “This union has my ful
Lucas’s POVThe way Amelia’s eyes widened, clutching the towel tightly around her body, was almost too good to resist. I knew I probably shouldn’t be enjoying this, but something about her vulnerability made me want to tease her. It wasn’t just amusement though—there was a deep-rooted attraction pulling me closer to her.Titan stirred within me, sensing the same thing. She’s ours, Lucas, he rumbled, his voice a low growl. You need to claim her fully.Not yet, I reminded him. We’re not rushing this.Amelia was still staring at me, clearly mortified. “Lucas,” she stammered, her cheeks flushed. “You can’t just walk in like that!”I raised an eyebrow, suppressing the smirk that wanted to creep back onto my face. “This is my room too, Amelia. You’ll have to get used to it.”Her lips parted slightly in shock, and for a moment, she seemed unsure of how to respond. It wasn’t exactly a lie—we were bound by this contract, and sharing a space was part of that. But I knew what was really botherin
Amelia’s POVThe door clicked shut, and I immediately let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Relief washed over me like a cool breeze, though my heart still raced in my chest. The look in Lucas’s eyes before he left—the heat, the hunger—it sent shivers down my spine, and I wasn’t sure whether it was from fear or something else entirely.I wrapped the towel tighter around me, and I look at the bundle in my hand, I mentally cursed myself for forgetting to take them into the bathroom. Idiot, I scolded myself. Now, I’d basically paraded half-naked in front of him. I could still feel the weight of his gaze on me, the way his eyes had lingered just a little too long.Snow, my wolf, stirred lazily in my mind, clearly amused. “He couldn’t take his eyes off you. And you noticed it too.”“Shut up,” I muttered back, feeling the blush rise on my cheeks as I grabbed my underwear from the drawer. Snow’s teasing was the last thing I needed right now.” It’s a contract marriage, nothing
I let out a deep sigh as soon as I ended the call with Ivy. Talking to her always made me feel better, but I couldn’t shake the tension still clinging to me. My stomach growled loudly, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since I arrived. Maybe that's why I was feeling so off.Snow chimed in, her voice echoing in my mind. "You’ve been so wrapped up in everything—Lucas, Ivy, Ethan—that you forgot to feed us."I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the smile. “Yeah, thanks for the reminder.”I decided to venture out of my chambers and find something to eat. After a long shower, I had slipped into something comfortable—blue jeans, white sneakers, and a white t-shirt. Nothing fancy, but definitely better for wandering around unfamiliar territory.As I stepped into the hallway, the sheer size of the castle hit me again. The corridors seemed to stretch forever, and the ceilings were ridiculously high. I found myself walking past numerous doors and staircases, each leading somewhere unknown. It was hard
Amelia POVCassidy and I finished our late dinner and lingered a little longer in the kitchen, her chatter filling the warm space. She was kind, and despite the weight of everything happening around me, it was easy to relax in her company.After a while, she offered to show me more of the castle, which I gladly accepted. I needed to get familiar with this place, or I’d probably end up lost again.As we strolled through the castle halls, Cassidy pointed out rooms, making casual conversation. The enormity of the place still stunned me. It was like nothing I’d ever seen before. Back home, everything was smaller, simpler. This castle was like a maze—elegant and grand, every floor more impressive than the last. We made our way outside into the garden, and the view took my breath away.The garden stretched on forever, with manicured hedges, fountains, and bursts of colorful flowers. The air smelled sweet, and I found myself lost in it for a moment. But then… I saw her. Queen Larissa.She wa
Amelia POV I stood frozen, my back pressed against the bedroom door, my heart still racing. What just happened? I couldn’t help but replay his words and that stupid, smug grin of his in my head. It was hard enough dealing with Queen Larissa’s venomous words earlier, and now Lucas had to come in, teasing me like that, throwing my whole sense of balance off."You’re all flustered again," Snow’s voice echoed through my mind, her tone almost amused. "You really need to get it together.""I am together," I muttered, pacing back and forth in the room. The words came out harsher than I intended, but Snow only huffed, unconvinced. And honestly, I wasn’t together at all. My emotions were scattered, my thoughts spiraling out of control. Tomorrow, I would be getting married. Actually married. And it wasn’t for love.It wasn’t real. This was a contract, a deal. A way to protect Lucas and his kingdom. A way to make Ethan regret his decision, I reminded myself of that. Over and over."It’s just a
Amelia POVMy eyes fluttered open, but I was immediately aware that something was off. The familiar comfort of sleep had barely begun to release its hold on me when a soft, persistent knock echoed from the door. I groaned, rubbing my tired eyes as I tried to remember why I felt so exhausted. Then it hit me—Queen Larissa's words from the previous night.I had spent hours tossing and turning, haunted by her cold prediction that Lucas would one day find his true mate. It was impossible to silence the doubt creeping into my mind. Was I just a placeholder? A means to an end for Lucas?Another knock brought me back to the present. I shuffled to the door, still half-asleep, and pulled it open. A row of servants stood there, neatly lined up and waiting patiently. The one at the front, a woman with kind eyes, offered a polite smile.“Good morning, Lady Amelia. We’re here to help you get ready.”I blinked at them, still foggy from sleep. "Ready for what?" My voice came out a little hoarse, my b
My heart pounded so loudly I was sure everyone could hear it. Each step toward Lucas felt like I was walking deeper into the unknown. The warmth of his gaze was the only thing anchoring me in place, his blue eyes never leaving mine. When I finally reached him, he took my hand, and a shiver ran up my spine at his touch. I couldn’t tell if it was the nerves or something more.The ceremony began, the council member's voice a distant hum as I tried to focus. I caught a glimpse of Queen Larissa and King Luther seated in the front, the queen’s expression unreadable, while the king gave a small nod of approval. I wanted to read their faces, to know what they were thinking, but it was hard to focus with everything happening so quickly.Then the council member asked me the question that made my blood run cold. “Amelia, do you take Lucas to be your husband?”The world seemed to stop. My mouth went dry, and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. This was it. The moment I officially became tied to Luc
Amelia’s POVI stood in front of the mirror, my fingers lightly tracing the delicate embroidery along the bodice of my gown. The emerald-green fabric shimmered like the leaves of the palace gardens after a rainstorm, and it fit me perfectly—a stark contrast to the chaos swirling inside me. The stylist had insisted this color would bring out my eyes. I stared at my reflection and had to admit, she was right.Not that it mattered. The gown, the jewels, even the flawless braids in my hair—they were all just a mask. Tonight wasn’t about beauty or elegance. It was about survival.The Alpha Ball. Just the thought of it sent my pulse racing. Everyone who mattered in our world would be here tonight—the alphas, the lunas, the councils, the powerful families. Every handshake and glance would carry hidden meanings. And then there was me: Amelia, Lucas’s wife in name only. A contract. A secret.I smoothed the gown over my hips, trying to steady my nerves. Tonight, I had to be perfect. Polished.
Ethan’s POVThe conference room was stuffy, the hum of voices blending into a dull roar around Ethan as his pack discussed the logistics of their upcoming strategies. Ethan sat at the head of the table, his gaze locked on Mark, his beta, who was going over final preparations for the Alpha Ball and pack affairs during his absence.But Ethan wasn’t paying attention. His mind had drifted far from the table and the mundane discussions about patrol schedules or supply runs. He couldn’t stop thinking about the Alpha Ball, couldn’t stop imagining the scene that awaited him when he arrived.Amelia.Her name burned in his mind like a brand. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t suppress the image of her standing beside Lucas, her head held high, the picture of grace and strength. It made his blood boil, the muscles in his jaw tightening until it ached.“You’ve no one to blame but yourself,” Magnus growled in his mind, his wolf’s voice a sharp jab against his already frayed composure.“She’s
Amelia’s POVThe palace garden stretched before me, a quiet oasis where I could breathe, though my thoughts were anything but tranquil. The sun was soft this morning, filtering through the leaves and casting shifting patterns on the cobblestone path. It should’ve been peaceful, but my mind felt like a restless storm.I walked without direction, brushing my fingers against the cool leaves and blossoms that lined the garden paths. Despite the beauty surrounding me, my thoughts kept pulling me back to yesterday—to the boutique and the moment Luna Lara revealed Sabrina’s schemes.I could still hear her calm, confident voice as she exposed the truth. My chest tightened at the memory. The gratitude I’d felt in that moment had been overwhelming. Sabrina’s plan to humiliate me could have succeeded if not for Luna Lara stepping in.I’d thanked her before leaving the boutique, my words barely scratching the surface of how much her intervention had meant to me. But the aftermath of it all still
Lucas POV The trial had been over for days, but I couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling it left behind. Something was off—both Kurt and Maxwell were too calm, too assured of their positions. Amelia had noticed it too, pointing out the glances they exchanged during the proceedings. She was right; I’d seen it myself. They weren’t just accused—they were calculated, like men with a hidden plan.I sat at my desk, leaning back in my chair as I tapped my fingers on the armrest. My gut churned with suspicion, my mind replaying every moment from the trial. Every word. Every look. Every lie. Maxwell and Kurt weren’t just covering for each other; they were playing a larger game, and I needed to figure out what that game was before it cost us more than we could afford.Amelia’s voice echoed in my mind, her concerns still fresh. She had seen it in them—something cold, something dangerous. The fact that she noticed it before I did gnawed at me. She wasn’t just observant; she had a sharpness to her tha
Amelia’s POV The Alpha Ball was approaching quickly, but my mind was still occupied with far more pressing concerns. Kurt. His name lingered in my thoughts like a persistent shadow, creeping into every moment of peace I tried to snatch. I couldn’t shake the memory of Maxwell glancing at him during the trial, as if he held the answers to unspoken questions. I hadn’t brought it up with Lucas again, but I wondered how his investigation was progressing. Would he find anything? Or was it all just my paranoia playing tricks on me?And then there was my mysterious ally. Their sudden silence gnawed at my nerves. I had sent a message after the trial, wanting answers—needing answers—but there had been no response. Who were they? Why had they chosen to help me? And why did they vanish now, when I had so many questions to ask? The absence of clarity was maddening.Pushing those thoughts aside, I joined Lena for our morning training session after breakfast. The familiar routine helped settle my r
Sabrina’s POVThe audacity.Sabrina stormed down the corridor, her fists clenched at her sides. The nerve of that pathetic peasant to stand there, smug and self-assured, calling herself the crown princess as if the title truly belonged to her. Sabrina’s face burned with fury, the memory of Amelia’s condescending smile replaying in her mind like a festering wound.“How dare she?” Sabrina hissed under her breath, her nails digging into her palms.Her long, dark hair swayed behind her as she moved, her sharp heels echoing through the halls. Every step fueled her anger, every thought stoked the fire in her chest. Amelia shouldn’t even be here. That title—her title—had been stolen, handed to some nobody who had stumbled her way into Lucas’s life.The memory of Lucas once looking at her with admiration filled her mind, a bitter pang twisting her gut. He had been hers, or so she thought. Sabrina shook her head violently. No. He still could be. Amelia was the obstacle, and obstacles could be
Amelia’s POVI never thought etiquette class would be where my thoughts kept wandering back to Maxwell’s trial. Yet here I was, my quill idly tapping against the desk, my mind replaying every moment. Maxwell’s furtive glances toward Kurt… his rehearsed answers… Lucas’s firm resolve to investigate further. All of it swirled in my head like an unsolved puzzle.“Amelia,” Ms. Gentle’s clipped tone pulled me back to the present.I straightened in my seat, startled.“As I was saying,” she continued, her sharp gaze sweeping the room, “the annual Alphas’ Ball is approaching. This will be the perfect opportunity to put your etiquette training to the test. I hope none of you will disappoint—especially the crown princess.”Her gaze lingered on me a moment too long, and I felt a twinge of embarrassment mixed with irritation.The Alphas’ Ball. I’d completely forgotten about it.I’d heard about the ball for years—an extravagant spectacle where Alphas and their packs gathered to build alliances, for
Amelia’s POVI couldn’t stop replaying the trial in my head, even as the heavy doors slammed shut behind me. The sound echoed down the stone corridor like a final judgment, leaving me with this strange mix of satisfaction and unease. Maxwell’s sentencing was swift—death for his crimes. It should have been enough.But it wasn’t.Lucas had pulled me aside after the trial, his expression serious. I followed him into one of the quieter hallways, away from the lingering crowd. His steps were measured, his jaw tight. He didn’t speak until we were completely alone.“Are you all right?” he asked, his voice low.The question caught me off guard. Lucas rarely asked about my well-being unless it was strictly necessary. But today, there was something different in his tone—something softer.I hesitated, my fingers brushing against the fabric of my gown. “I’m fine,” I said, though my voice didn’t quite convince me.He nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on me, as if he didn’t believe me either. “Th
Amelia’s POVThe grand hall hummed with tension as I stepped inside, Lena close beside me. The air felt heavy, each whispered murmur from the council members sinking into my skin like pinpricks. Sunlight filtered in through the high, arched windows, illuminating the ornate carvings on the walls, but the light felt cold, distant.The weight of what was about to unfold pressed on my chest. This wasn’t just about Maxwell’s crimes—this was about me, my position, and my life hanging in the balance.Lena’s voice broke through my thoughts, soft but firm. “You alright?”I nodded stiffly, my gaze fixed on the council table at the far end of the room. King Luther and Queen Narissa sat side by side, their regal presence commanding the space. Lucas stood slightly behind his father, his posture tense but controlled. His expression was unreadable, as always, but I caught the slight clench of his jaw.I tore my gaze away, forcing my feet to move. I couldn’t afford to let my emotions show—not here.“