Mated To Sins

chapter 14

Chapter 14

Zima's POV

I slipped into the red gown Darius had given me. It was sleeveless and far too tight. I had to fight with the fabric just to get it on, but when it finally hugged my body, I exhaled in relief. It was revealing, maybe too much, but beautiful.

I slid into my heels and clasped the necklace he’d given me around my neck. My fingers brushed the pendant, and for a moment, a smile found its way to my lips. For once, someone had given me something that felt like mine.

Betty scoffed from her bed, shaking her head. I didn’t look at her. I just focused on my reflection and tried to steel my heart for whatever was ahead.

“Pretty gown,” she said with a smug little grin. “You must feel valued.”

I turned slightly, met her eyes, and smiled faintly.

“Yeah,” I said. “Takes a certain kind of man to see value where others see dirt.”

She threw her head back, laughing hysterically, but I didn’t look at her. Her laughter grated, but I didn't give her the satisfaction of seeing me flinch. I kept walking. Just a few steps from the door, it slid open and a soldier marched in.

“I’ve been ordered by the king to take you to the venue,” he said. “Please follow me, ma’am.”

Ma’am? That was insane. My heart skipped a beat. I still didn’t know what to expect today being with the man who killed my parents. He also knew where Serena was, and I had to find that out. But I needed to play this smart.

He took my hand gently, and when we stepped outside, a black limousine waited, surrounded by three male gammas standing stiff and silent.

“The ride felt endless. Every second dragged, and my heart wouldn’t stop racing. But finally, we got to the venue.”

One of the gammas led me inside, but the first face I saw was his...King Aiden.

He stood tall in a sharp suit, his hair neatly cut, his dark eyes locked on mine with a sly smile that made my stomach twist.

I forced my steps to stay steady as I walked toward him. His gaze moved from my head to my toes, slow and deliberate, like he was measuring me.

“Let me introduce you to someone,” he said, slipping his hand around my waist and steering me through the crowd.

I leaned closer, my voice low. “Wouldn’t people question why you’re holding me like this?”

He chuckled under his breath. “They don’t need to. You’ll be known soon. They already know not to ask questions.”

I almost laughed at that.

Everywhere I looked, people held glasses of wine, whispering behind smiles. I could feel their stares burning through my skin, and sweat started to gather at the back of my neck.

We finally stopped. My chest tightened when I saw who was standing there.

“Aria?” My voice came out barely a whisper. She stood beside Kael, who gave me a knowing grin and a wink that made my blood boil.

“So, she’s your family?” king Aiden asked, hia tone sharp. “She bears your name.” he asked, glancing at Kael.

How come he knows him? I kept the questions in my head.

“Absolutely,” Aria said quickly. Her hands clenched at her sides, and her eyes were red with rage. I could almost feel her wolf pressing to the surface.

Aiden’s smile widened. “I could have called for a proper introduction, but I decided to do it here. Everyone, meet my new Luna. I’ll make it official today.”

He pulled me closer, his hand still tight on my waist.

“Wow,” Kael said, looking between us. “That’s… great.”

Aria gritted her teeth so hard I thought they might crack.

“And that,” Aiden said coldly, his eyes cutting toward her before returning to me, “is final.”

My throat felt dry. “I need a drink,” I muttered, stepping away. The air around me was thick, and for a moment, I forgot how to breathe.

I walked quickly toward the bar. The air was heavy with a mix of scents, wine, sweat, perfume, and something wild underneath. People stood in small groups, whispering and laughing. Pictures of King Aiden were everywhere, staring down from the walls like he owned not just the place, but the air itself.

Before I could reach the counter, someone grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the bathroom. My back hit the wall, and my breath caught.

“Darius?”

“I kept looking for you,” he said, his eyes roaming all over me. “You left without telling me.”

“I—”

“You look like a plate of meal I could devour,” he blurted, pulling me hard against him.

“Darius, anyone could walk in,” I whispered, my pulse racing.

“I’m not scared of being caught,” he murmured, his breath warm against my ear. “I could eat every inch of you right now.”

His fingers traced down my neck, and my wolf stirred, hungry, restless, wanting him. But then, he suddenly stopped.

“Why was my father holding you by the waist in the hall?” His voice was lower now, rougher, his jaw tight as he stepped back to study my face.

“He was introducing me to his friends. I guess he forgot how to keep his hands to himself.”

“You didn’t push him away?” Darius asked, his tone sharper now. “You liked that he held you that way?”

“Darius, I needed a drink,” I said quietly.

He tilted his head. “What drink do you need?”

My voice caught. “Whatever you get me.”

He stared for a moment, then came closer again. My heart stuttered. He leaned in, brushing his lips against my neck. A shiver ran through me. His hand slid to my waist as he lifted my chin, and then his lips found mine. The kiss was slow, deliberate, full of heat and desire. I shouldn’t want this kiss, not now. But my heart and my wolf crave more.

“Let’s get you that drink,” he said finally, his voice calm, but his eyes still burned with something I couldn’t name. He led me out of the bathroom. The crowd was still loud with laughter, music, and clinking glasses.

Then I stopped cold, chills running through my veins. Across the room, I saw…Sophia. Or… someone who looked exactly like her, slipping through a doorway. My chest tightened. That couldn’t be right. Sophia was dead.

“I’ll grab the drinks,” Darius said, heading for the bar.

“Alright,” I murmured, my eyes still locked on the door. My feet moved before my brain could catch up.

The corridor beyond was almost silent. The music faded behind me until it vanished completely. The air was heavy, and cold.

and then I followed the scent I perceived, roses and blood. It led me to a door left slightly open. My fingers shook as I pushed it wider.

The room smelled of dust and secrets. Cobwebs clung to the corners like old memories. It looked untouched,and forgotten. My pulse thundered in my ears

On the left side of the room were pictures, dozens of them, pinned and framed across the far wall. But two stood out, framed with extra care. I stepped closer, my breath catching in my throat. They were my parents. They were smiling, just like before everything went to hell. I reached out and ran my fingers over the frame, a small smile tugging at my lips.

“Mum?” I whispered. My voice breaking.