NATALIA
~~
As I stood in the grand ballroom, the words of the Alpha King reverberated through the air, drowning out the soft murmur of the crowd.
The weight of his declarations relating to my engagement with Derek hung heavy in the room.
He spoke of love, of happiness, of a newfound union forged between his son and me. In his eyes, our engagement was a cause for celebration, a testament to the strength and future of the Royal Pack.
His voice swelled with pride as he extolled the virtues of his son, painting a picture of a fair and just man, a son deserving of love and adoration.
The smiles around me were plastered on faces that brimmed with approval, but within my heart, a different sentiment swelled. I appreciated their congratulations, and their well wishes, but beneath the surfa
