Chapter One — Run away bride
“Absolutely not.”
Aria stared at her father.
Her father stared back.
Six elderly councilmen sat around the table, suddenly very interested in their tea.
“You want me to marry the Alpha King?” Aria asked.
Her father sighed. “Aria—”
“No. I just want to make sure I heard correctly.”
“You did.”
“The Alpha King?”
“Yes.”
“The man who looks like he was born angry?”
One of the councilmen coughed.
Aria turned toward him. “You agree with me.”
“I have a cough.”
“That was not a cough.”
Her father rubbed his temples.
“Our family owes the royal house a debt.”
Aria's expression changed.
“What kind of debt?”
“Three years ago, when rogues attacked our territory, I asked the royal army for help. Alpha Kael sent his warriors. They saved our pack.”
“And now?”
“The royal family wants repayment.”
“Money?”
“No.”
“Land?”
“No.”
Aria slowly narrowed her eyes.
“Then what?”
Silence.
Her father looked away.
Aria's eyes widened.
“No.”
“Aria—”
“You promised them me?”
“I did not promise you. Your hand was offered in marriage.”
“That sounds exactly like promising me!”
Her father stood.
“The royal council has agreed. You will marry Alpha Kael Draven.”
“I won't!”
“Aria, this marriage will protect our pack.”
“I don't care!”
The words escaped before she could stop them.
Her father's expression fell.
Aria immediately regretted it.
“I mean... I care about our pack. But you can't decide that I'm going to marry a stranger.”
“He is the Alpha King.”
“That makes it worse!”
One of the councilmen cleared his throat.
“Your future husband is a respectable—”
“He looks like he eats people for breakfast.”
“He does not eat people.”
“Have you asked him?”
The old man fell silent.
Aria folded her arms.
“I've seen him twice in my entire life. He barely speaks, never smiles, and looks like he's planning someone's funeral every time he enters a room.”
Her father sighed.
“You leave tomorrow morning.”
Aria's eyes widened.
“Tomorrow?”
“The royal carriage will arrive at dawn.”
She stared at him.
Then she smiled.
“Okay.”
Her father looked relieved.
“For once, you're being sensible.”
“Of course.”
Aria turned and walked away.
Her father didn't notice the mischievous glint in her eyes.
He should have.
---
Two hours later, Aria climbed out of her bedroom window with a small bag over her shoulder.
She landed in the bushes.
“Ow!”
A guard turned.
“Princess?”
Aria froze.
Then slowly stood.
“Gardening.”
The guard stared at the dark sky.
“At midnight?”
“I enjoy gardening at night.”
He glanced at the empty flower bed.
Aria smiled.
“Very peaceful.”
The guard sighed.
“I didn't see anything.”
“Good man.”
She ran.
She had no idea where she was going.
She only knew one thing.
She was not marrying the Alpha King.
Unfortunately, fate seemed to have other plans.
Because twenty minutes later, while sprinting through the forest, Aria heard the sound of wheels.
She turned.
A large black carriage was racing down the road.
“Oh, no—”
She tried to move.
Too late.
BANG!
Aria crashed straight into the carriage.
The horses stopped.
The carriage door opened.
A tall man stepped out.
Black clothes.
Cold eyes.
Powerful presence.
Aria froze.
She knew that face.
Alpha Kael Draven.
Kael stared at the woman standing before his carriage.
His wolf immediately roared inside his head.
Mate.
For months, Kael had known the truth.
Aria was his mate.
But she didn't know.
And he intended to keep it that way—for now.
Kael's eyes traveled over her messy hair, torn dress, and tiny travel bag.
“Where are you going?”
Aria lifted her chin.
“Anywhere you're not.”
His eyebrow rose.
Interesting.
Kael glanced at her bag.
“Running away?”
“Maybe.”
“From your marriage?”
Aria's eyes widened.
“How do you know?”
Kael's lips curved into the faintest smile.
“Because you're my bride.”
Aria stared at him.
“Oh, you've got to be kidding me.”
Kael opened the carriage door.
“Get in.”
“I'd rather walk.”
“You're already walking away from me.”
“Exactly.”
His smile disappeared.
“Aria.”
She blinked.
“How do you know my name?”
Kael stepped closer.
“Get in the carriage.”
“And if I don't?”
His eyes darkened.
“Then I'll carry you.”
Aria's mouth dropped open.
“You wouldn't dare.”
For the first time, the terrifying Alpha King smiled.
“Try me.”
