The Journey Begins

Amelia’s POV

The engine hums quietly beneath me as Lucas’s car glides smoothly down the narrow, tree-lined road leading away from my pack’s territory. I sit in the passenger seat, staring out the window, watching as the dense trees blur together like shadows. Each mile we travel feels like another step further from everything I’ve ever known—my home, my life, and... Ethan.

I lean my head against the cool glass, my thoughts spiraling. I hadn’t expected to leave so soon. Just yesterday, I was standing in that ballroom, the weight of Ethan’s words pressing on me like a storm. She’s my mate. Those three words keep echoing in my mind, stirring up emotions I’ve been trying to bury.

“He rejected us,” Snow growls in the back of my mind, her voice sharp with bitterness. “He had his chance, and now look where we are. Stop thinking about him, Amelia. We belong to Lucas now.”

I clench my fists in my lap, the fabric of my dress crumpling beneath my fingers. “It’s not that simple, Snow,” I whisper, barely loud enough to be heard over the steady sound of the tires on the road.

Lucas glances over at me, his brow furrowing slightly. “Did you say something?”

I shake my head quickly. “No, just... thinking out loud.”

He nods, turning his attention back to the road. His profile is sharp, composed, the perfect image of a Crown Prince—always in control. There’s a tension in the air between us, thick and unspoken, but neither of us seems willing to address it.

The silence stretches on, heavy with everything unsaid. I can feel Snow shifting uneasily inside me, her emotions as tangled as mine. She’s right about one thing: we don’t belong to Ethan anymore. But the bond... it’s still there, even if I try to deny it.

“He hurt us,” Snow continues, her voice softer now, as if she’s trying to comfort me. “But Lucas is offering us something different. He can protect us, and maybe... maybe even give us more.”

I let out a slow breath, turning my gaze back to the window. Lucas’s territory is still hours away, and the journey feels endless, but maybe that’s because my thoughts refuse to settle. It’s like there’s a war inside me—one side still longing for what could’ve been with Ethan, and the other trying to accept the reality I’ve chosen with Lucas.

Lucas clears his throat, breaking the silence. “We’ll be crossing into my kingdom soon,” he says, his tone formal, almost distant. “Once we arrive, everything will move quickly. We’ll need to present the marriage to my council, and then... we’ll begin preparations.”

I nod, though the idea of everything moving so fast sends a jolt of panic through me. “Right.”

He glances at me again, this time his eyes lingering. “You don’t need to worry. I’ll make sure you’re taken care of. This contract... it benefits both of us.”

I force a smile, but it feels hollow. “I know.”

But the truth is, I don’t know. Everything is moving too quickly, and the thought of standing in front of his council, pretending that this marriage is real—it terrifies me. I don’t know if I can do this.

“You can,” Snow says firmly. “You’re stronger than you think, Amelia. We’ve survived worse. This... this is just another challenge.”

I want to believe her, but the weight of it all presses down on me, making it hard to breathe. The trees outside are thinning now, the open plains of Lucas’s kingdom stretching out before us. The landscape is different here—vast, rolling hills that seem to go on forever. It’s beautiful, in a way, but it also feels foreign. Unfamiliar.

Just like everything in my life right now.

Lucas shifts in his seat, and for the first time, his posture relaxes a little. “You’re quiet,” he says, his voice softer than before. “Are you... having second thoughts?”

I blink, startled by the question. “No, I—” I stop, my words catching in my throat. Am I having second thoughts? I don’t know. Maybe.

“I just... didn’t expect it to happen this fast,” I admit finally. “Leaving everything behind. It feels... sudden.”

Lucas’s expression softens, and for a moment, the cold, distant prince I’ve come to know is replaced by something more human. “I understand,” he says quietly. “This isn’t easy for either of us. But it’s necessary.”

His words hang in the air, heavy with meaning. Necessary. That’s all this is, isn’t it? A means to an end. A way for him to secure his title and for me to protect myself from Ethan’s rejection. But it doesn’t feel like enough. Not when everything feels so... empty.

We drive on in silence, the weight of the journey settling over us like a shroud. As the sun begins to set, casting a golden hue over the landscape, I can’t help but wonder—what happens when we get there? What happens when we’re no longer just pretending?

Lucas’s POV

The road stretches out before us, the vast expanse of my kingdom slowly coming into view. Amelia sits beside me, her gaze fixed out the window, her posture tense. I can sense her turmoil, the way she’s trying to come to terms with the whirlwind of recent events. I understand why—it’s been a lot for anyone to process. But we have to keep moving forward.

I steal a glance at her, noting the way her features are soft but her expression is clouded. It’s clear that she’s struggling with everything happening so quickly. The weight of this contract, the pressure of my role, it all seems to be pressing down on her.

“She’s nervous,” I think, trying to gauge her emotions. “But it’s only natural. She’s leaving behind everything she’s known. It’s a lot to ask.”

I shift my focus back to the road, the thought of the upcoming council meeting weighing heavily on my mind. I need to make sure that everything goes smoothly. I have to present the marriage, ensure it’s accepted, and secure our future. The stakes are high, and failure is not an option.

“You’re doing the right thing,” Titan encourages. “This is necessary for both of you. It’s not just about the contract. It’s about securing your future, her future, and the future of our kingdom.”

I glance over at Amelia again, noting her quiet demeanor. I know she’s been through a lot, and her emotional state is fragile right now. I want to reassure her, but I also need to maintain a level of professionalism, So she doesn’t she through me just yet. It’s a delicate balance.

I clear my throat and speak softly, trying to bridge the gap between us. “You’re quiet. Are you doing okay?”

Her response is hesitant, and she admits she didn’t expect everything to happen so quickly. I can see the uncertainty in her eyes, and I can’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. I wish I could make this easier for her, but I know I can’t slow down now. The plan is set in motion, and we need to follow through.

“I understand,” I say gently. “It’s a lot to take in, and I know this isn’t easy. But it’s important for both of us. For the kingdom, for your safety. We have to move forward.”

I see her nod, though her expression remains troubled. It’s clear that the weight of this decision is heavy on her. I can’t blame her—she’s been thrust into this situation without much time to adjust. I need to be patient, to offer her support, and to make sure she knows she’s not alone in this.

“She needs to see that this isn’t just about duty or politics,” I think, feeling a flicker of concern. “It’s about our future together. I need to make her see that there’s more to this than just a contract.”

I focus on the road again, trying to ease the tension in the car. I’m determined to make this work, not just for the sake of the kingdom but for Amelia as well. I want her to find a place in my world, to feel secure and valued, even if this arrangement started as a means to an end, to her but for me it’s much more.