ALINAI sat across from my father and I could almost cut through the tension with a knife. He hadn’t said a word yet, but I knew. I could see it in his eyes—the same cold, calculating look he always gave me when he was about to demand something.“It’s time, Alina,” he said, his voice cold, with no room for argument. “The pack needs you to be useful.”Useful? The word felt like a slap. After six rejections, that’s all I was to him now—something to be used, a tool for the pack’s benefit. I tried not to let how hurt I was show but I wasn’t sure I was doing a good job.“What do you mean, dad?” I asked, even though the answer was clear.His eyes didn’t soften. They never did. “You’ll be traveling to the Silver Moon Pack. There’s an alpha there, unmated, and it’s time you made yourself useful to this family. We need that alliance. It’s your duty. You owe it to us.”My heart sank. Of course. An alpha. Another attempt to marry me off, to secure power through a mate who might actually want me.
ALINAThey called me a rogue. It didn’t matter how many times I told myself I wasn’t one—here, in this place, no one cared. I had no wolf, and that was enough for them to label me a rogue and capture me.I had been dragged in with a group of others, all wolfless. The moment we arrived, they split us up—some to hard labour, others to… worse. It didn’t take long to figure out how things worked here. You had no wolf, you had no voice.The thought made my stomach twist, but I wouldn’t stay trapped. I couldn’t. Two nights passed in restless silence. I didn’t sleep much, always half-alert, always watching, and always thinking about Malia, wondering if she was being fed at least or being made to starve. That made me grow cold with worry and guilt each time. I studied the guards, memorized their routines, the way they switched shifts, how they moved through the camp. My mind raced with plans, most of them falling apart as soon as I thought them through. But I kept going, kept watching, wai
DAMIENTaking her into my room was the only way I could think of to make her feel somewhat safe. I could see the wariness in her eyes, the way she stiffened with every step we took through the palace halls. I gestured for her to sit once we arrived, but she stayed standing, her arms wrapped tightly around herself like she was wary of me.That wouldn’t be a first. Considering how my reputation has gotten to places I haven’t, this has become a normal thing to me. And I liked it, it stroked my ego, knowing that whenever men older than me stand before me, they sometimes quake in fear since they’ve heard all that I’m capable of.Right now, I was curious of what she has heard about me.“Would you like something to drink?” I decided to ask, keeping my voice soft. I didn’t want to frighten her any more than she already seemed.She shook her head, jaw squared. “No, thank you.”There was tension in the air between us. I could see it in the way her eyes darted around the room, as if she were loo
Alina’s POV. I was still reeling in shock from the moment Alpha Rylan stepped into this room because his unexpected presence made me remember the demeaning words he said to me, and how he rudely rejected my proposal before going ahead to bed my maid.Listening to him repeat the vile words he said to me a few days made my heart sink into a very dark hole, especially on realizing that he and this new mate of mine who is surprisingly hell bent on not rejecting me, had laughed at me behind my back.My heart felt like it was being torn apart in the worst way possible and my hands become sweaty when I remembered what he just whispered to Prince Damien about me.My face became a little too warm, reality crashing down on me that I might be rejected soon.“I’m sure you’re going to reject her now.” Alpha Rylan said with amusement in his voice and I inhaled sharply, as my fists clenched and unclenched nervously.“I’m not rejecting her.” The prince answered in an annoyed tone.They were conver
Alina’s POV.I gaped at him, mouth open in shock while he stared back at me. “Let’s go.” He smirked at my gaping expression.Surprised filled my mind, but I was still skeptical and unsure as I followed him, my heart drumming like crazy.“Are you sure the King won’t oppose the fact that we’re mates?” I asked again for reassurance. “Won’t he tell you to reject me?”The prince stopped short, looking straight into my eyes. “He’ll be okay with it.” He reassured me with a chuckle.“All I want is his approval in your presence.” He admitted, “so you can see that I’m serious about what I said.”I nodded, my heart still thumping fast. I didn’t know what to expect when I would finally get to meet the king, but I couldn’t stop myself from thinking of how the meeting would be.“Okay.” I took another step closer to him, the walk to the hall was longer than I expected, I quickened my pace, hoping we’ll reach there soon.We finally reached the King’s hall,and we found him sitting on the throne, ner
Alina’s POV.I gaped at the king, surprised that he was willing to do that to his favorite son. I turned to Prince Damien, and stared at him, wondering what he was going to say.My heart felt like it was being pulled out of my chest when Prince Damien sighed. I pictured my rejection, expecting him to do so immediately, the king’s demand was something I was sure he couldn’t resist.My hands became clammy as I watched Damien, he sucked in his breath, looked at me for a moment and returned his gaze to the king.“Father, I’m thankful you thought of me and chosed a bride for me,” Prince Damienbowed his head slightly. “But the fact is I am her mate and I won’t reject her stands.”“I’m sorry, but I can’t marry the princess.” He paused, and looked into his father’s eyes pleadingly.“Looks like you’re still stuck on your decision.” The king scoffed, he stared at the prince and shook his head disappointedly.“I’m stuck on my decision as well,” The king sighed and shook his head with another d
Alina’s POVDamien had brought me to the dining room and asked me to seat across from him at the elegant dining table.I wasn't used to eating in such a posh setting because I was constantly in my room back home. Whenever I sat down to eat with my family, they would always make disparaging remarks about me, pointing out flaws in my chewing or how I held my fork.I didn't want to have to deal with that all the time, so I just decided to eat in my room all the time, with Malina for company, of course.Also, my family and pack were not as affluent as Damien's, so there was that.Damien cleared his throat, pulling me back into reality. I quickly remembered where I was and why I was there.I observed him as he silently waited for the food to be served. My thumb was near my mouth, and I was nervously biting my nails."If you have something to say, why don't you say it?" He asked without looking at me."Because I'm not sure if I want to hear your response or not," I murmured, dropping my han
Alina's POVMy heart was pounding in my chest as I stepped out of my room to follow the maids. I rubbed my hands together, uncomfortably. I was about to turn my back on my door when I had an idea."Hey," I called out to one of the maids. "Is it possible for me to call on the prince first before I go with you?" I asked, but she just shook her head."Oh no. The queen sent for you, and not prince Damien. I don't think she'd be pleased if the prince came with you. The queen is also waiting. "I don't think she'll accept any further delays," she muttered, and I sighed.I had just been rubbed of my only way out of another round of insults and disgusted looks.I followed them reluctantly, and they took me out of the house to what seemed to be the green house that was behind their house.The maids opened the doors for me and I stepped in.“She's right inside,” one of them said and closed the door behind me.I walked into the green house, momentarily distracted by the beauty of the plants that
I wasn’t sure what made me knock. Maybe it was the gratitude still blooming in my chest from the night before, or the way my heart quickened every time I thought about what Damien had done for me. He’d kept his word. He’d kept Malia safe, and now I felt like I owed him something—though I had no idea what.Before I could gather my thoughts, the door swung open.Damien stood there, his face soft with an unreadable expression. His shirtless torso gleamed in the soft light of the room, water droplets clinging to the strands of his hair. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, neither of us spoke.I swallowed hard, my pulse racing. He was so close. I could see the play of muscle under his skin, the sharp line of his jaw, the way his chest rose and fell with every breath. There was an overwhelming presence to him that I couldn’t ignore, no matter how hard I tried.“I just came to thank you,” I said, feeling my voice tremble slightly. “For helping with Malia. You didn’t have to, but you did. So
Alina's POVThe dream was vivid.It started gently—warmth, safety, the scent of cedar and rain wrapping around me like a second skin. I was on Damien’s bed, curled against his broad chest, the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing lulling me into peace. His fingers lazily brushed my arm, his breath tickling the shell of my ear.Then everything shifted.The warmth turned molten. His touch grew bold—no longer casual or comforting, but possessive and electric. My breath hitched as his mouth brushed over my collarbone, lips trailing lower with an unrelenting hunger. His voice—gods, his voice—was low and sinful, murmuring my name like a prayer and a curse.“Alina…”I gasped as his hands slid down my waist, tugging me closer, pressing me against him like he wanted to mold me into him.I was burning.I moaned softly—shamelessly—as he whispered things into my skin. Things that made my stomach clench and my pulse flutter. Words I shouldn’t want to hear. Words no one had ever dared say to me
Alina’s POV“So… are you hungry?”Damien’s voice came from beside me, deep and smooth, and for a moment I forgot how to respond. I had barely recovered from our earlier conversation about his brother, and now he was talking about food like we hadn’t just dissected centuries of family drama.“A little,” I admitted, glancing at him.“Good. We’ll eat soon. But before that…” He straightened and looked me up and down, not in a suggestive way, but in a way that made me feel suddenly… exposed. “We need to go shopping.”My brows furrowed. “Shopping?”“You need clothes,” he said, matter-of-fact. “You’re not going to keep walking around the palace looking like one of the maids.”My mouth fell open in protest. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”He cocked a brow at me. “You look like a lost kitchen servant.”I gasped dramatically. “Well, thanks.”He smirked. “You’re my mate. I want you to dress like it. You’re practically royalty now.”I blinked at him. “That’s not how this works. I don’t need
Alina’s POVI stared at the arm Darius offered, my fingers twitching slightly at my side. Every instinct in me said to be polite, to smile and accept—because it was the eldest prince, because he’d been kind, because refusing tea could somehow be an offense in a place where etiquette ruled like law.But another voice—one deeper, sharper—was whispering Damien’s name in my mind.Don’t trust them.Darius’s smile hadn’t faltered. His posture was relaxed, patient even, but the way he was watching me told me he didn’t expect to be refused.“I... appreciate the invitation,” I began, voice careful, “but I’ve had quite the long day. Maybe another time?”His brows lifted slightly. “Another time?”I nodded. “A rain check?”He tilted his head, amusement dancing in his eyes. “You’re turning me down, Lady Alina?”“I’m not saying no,” I clarified quickly. “Just… not right now.”“You wound me.” His voice was teasing, but there was something else beneath it—an edge, quiet and smooth, like a knife hidden
Alina’s POVI didn’t go back to my room.I don’t know why—I just kept walking. Maybe it was the leftover tension in my chest from that moment with Damien, or maybe it was Blair’s voice still ringing in my ears like an off-key bell. Whatever it was, my feet refused to carry me back to the quiet stillness of my room.Instead, I wandered.The palace was massive, almost labyrinthine. Every hallway branched into another, and it didn’t take long before I realized I was thoroughly lost. But oddly enough, I didn’t mind. The high ceilings, gold-trimmed windows, and the faint scent of roses and polished stone were strangely calming.I turned a corner and nearly collided with a maid carrying a stack of folded linens.“Oh! I’m so sorry!” I stepped back quickly.The maid blinked in surprise but gave me a smile. “No harm done, miss.”Another maid peeked from a nearby doorway, then another, until there were three of them clustered around me like curious little birds.“You’re the guest, aren’t you?”
Damien’s POVBlair’s voice was the kind that cut through even the thickest tension; high, sugary, and utterly grating.“There you are,” she said, as if she hadn’t planned the interruption with surgical precision.I didn’t move right away. Alina was still right behind me, her scent faint but maddeningly real, the kind of thing that curled around your lungs and refused to let go. I could feel the heat of her body from where I’d just pulled back. My skin still remembered the moment. The closeness. Her breath on my throat.And then Blair had to show up.She smiled up at me like nothing was out of place, but her gaze flicked to Alina, a half-second too long, a little too sharp, and I knew immediately: she wasn’t just here to find me. She’d come to pry.Again.“I’ve been looking everywhere,” she said, slipping her arm through mine like it belonged there.I didn’t pull away, but I didn’t grip her back either.“We were talking,” I said, tone clipped.“I can see that,” she replied, sweetly. H
Alina’s POVI didn’t know who they were. I swear I didn’t.The moment the taller man laughed and Damien’s name slipped from his mouth, my stomach dropped. I turned to the one who had smirked at me like I was some amusing pet, and recognition hit too late, both of them bore that same predatory sharpness Damien did around the eyes. His brothers.Of course.And I’d just threatened to throw fruit at their faces.“...They’re your brothers?” I asked, my voice tighter than I wanted it to be.Damien raised a brow as if I’d just asked him if the sky was blue. “Obviously.”I winced, clutching the half-eaten apple a little tighter. “Right. Obviously. Well, I, uh…” I turned briefly to the two still standing there, both watching me with a mix of amusement and curiosity. “I apologize. For the apple. And the… threats.”They both laughed again, and Damien sighed. Without another word, he reached out, took my wrist, not roughly but firmly and pulled me along with him.We walked in silence through the
Damien’s POVThe silence between me and my father stretched like a taut string, threatening to snap. I stood before him in the private council chamber, the one he reserved for conversations that required no witnesses, no distractions, only obedience.He was seated, as usual, in his favorite armchair by the wide windows, dressed more like a warlord than a king. His sharp eyes cut through me the moment I walked in, as if he already knew I wasn’t here to grovel.“Well?” he finally said, voice low and imperious. “Time’s up, Damien. Are you going to do your duty or spit on the legacy that built this kingdom?”I didn’t flinch. “I’ll marry Blair.”A heavy pause followed my words.His brow arched, a hint of surprise flickering in his expression. “Just like that?”“No,” I said calmly. “Not just like that. I’ll agree to an engagement… for now.”The king sat straighter. “That wasn’t the deal. The deal was marriage. Immediate. I don’t need another scandal.”“With respect, you’re not going to find
Alina's povI stood frozen, my heart racing, as the woman who had just entered the room caught my attention. My mind raced, trying to process the situation.The name Blair echoed in my head, and the realization came crashing down like a thunderstorm. Blair wasn’t just anyone—she was the princess, the woman Damien was supposed to marry.I felt a strange sensation in my chest. A sharp pang of inferiority surged through me. My breath caught as I suddenly became acutely aware of the way I must appear to her—shabby, worn, like I didn’t belong.She was everything I was not: poised, elegant, and undeniably royal. She was the kind of woman Damien should be with. The kind of woman I could never be.My mind swirled with questions. Hadn’t Damien promised me he wouldn’t reject me? That he would mate with me?But here stood Blair, looking as though she was already trying to take my place. I looked at Damien for reassurance, but his expression gave nothing away. He remained stoic, his eyes flicking