The Lost Heir of Silver Fang

Claiming me

Aria’s POV

“I don’t…” I rambled. “What?” I asked in surprise.

“I said, I will marry you.”

Yes, but I didn’t expect to get his agreement without groveling a bit.

My lips parted in disbelief. “You’re joking.”

He tilted his head slightly, eyes never leaving mine. “Do I look like I’m joking?”

He stepped closer, and my breath caught in my throat. He was taller than I thought, his scent was intoxicating. I could feel the heat coming off him even though he hadn’t touched me.

I shook my head. “Why would you agree so easily?”

“Because,” he said simply, “I want to see what happens when my father doesn’t get what he wants.”

That answer didn’t make me feel safer, but it was something. I didn’t know if he was mocking me or helping me, but I didn’t have a choice. I didn’t want to be married to an old man who terrified me.

I stared at him wide-eyed as he slowly closed the distance between us. My heart was racing with every step he took. I took one step backwards until my back was against the wall. He stopped just a breath away from me, I could feel his breath on my neck and if I moved in the slightest, his lips would brush against mine.

His eyes flickered to my lips and then back to stare at me intently, “But I don’t know the name of the woman I’m going to be married to…”

“Aria,” I said quietly. “Aria Hale.”

His mouth twitched. “Cain Corbin.”

I blinked at him. “What kind of parents test fate by naming their child Cain?”

He laughed, the sound deep and short. “The kind who think they can control it.”

Before I could say anything else, footsteps sounded down the corridor. A maid appeared at the corner, bowing quickly. “Miss Hale, the Alpha requests your presence.”

I turned back to him, my heart racing. “We’ll talk later,” I whispered. “We need to plan… properly. I can’t—”

He nodded, his gaze steady. “I’ll find you.”

I didn’t know if that was a promise or a warning. But I turned and left before the maid could see how shaken I was.

The engagement ceremony came faster than I’d hoped. It was the next day. Mother had fit me into the most beautiful dress I had ever owned. Alpha Viktor’s maid servants had fussed over me, trying to style my long dark curls.

“I’m so happy for you sis,” Lysa exclaimed, holding my hands. As usual, her nails dug painfully into my palm. I didn’t react.

The air felt stuffy and tight. It didn’t help that I was wearing a very tight corset dress. I wished I could fly out of it. ‘Please do not let Cain renege on our agreement,’ I prayed hard with my fingers crossed, ignoring the people beside me.

“Come here, Aria!,” Mother scolded.

I turned around to see everyone had already stepped out while I was sat lost in thought. I hurried after them smoothing my skirt as I joined the family.

“Such a good day to be engaged!” Mother clapped her hands excitedly, “Don’t you think so darling?”

My stepfather nodded in agreement. His eyes twinkling in excitement, no doubt thinking about the money he was about to make from selling me off to a man old enough to be my father.

We walked into the ballroom and I was shocked by the amount of people that had gathered in the hall.

“Welcome everyone,” Alpha Viktor clicked on his glass, attracting everyone’s attention. My heart was jumping from my chest.

“Today…”

I watched Cain stride into the room, looking dashing in his black suit. The look was made just for him. My eyes couldn’t stray away from his.

I was shocked when he took my hands in his, striding towards the center.

He cleared his throat LOUDLY, INTERRUPTING HIS FATHER.

I could hear whispers around us and my mother’s angry eyes on me but I ignored it, looking at the man whose strong hands covered mine tightly.

“Thank you father for choosing a bride for me,” he said cheerfully. He looked at me adoringly, causing my heart to flutter, if I didn’t know better I would think he was attracted to me.

Alpha Viktor scowled, his eyes red from anger. I could vividly imagine smoke coming out from his ears and the thought made me smile.

I squeezed Cain’s hands, panicking slightly. Even though it was what we agreed on, well technically not exactly, but yeah. It filled me with dread. My eyes darted to everyone in the room. My mother was staring like she had seen a ghost. Father was visibly fuming and Lysa, well if looks could kill, Lysa would have killed me.

“Everyone, this is my fiancée!” He announced suddenly.

I turned sharply towards him and nothing prepared me for what he did next. He slipped a hand around my waist and the other at the back of my neck and pulled me in for a kiss. It was tender at first, like he wanted me to softly ease into it. His lips were soft against mine. I shut my eyes, and leaned into him, he tasted like sweet wine. He lowered his hand until it was now resting on my ass, his other hand around my neck tightened as he deepened the kiss. His tongue probed the entrance of my mouth, and without a second thought, I let him in…

My cheeks heated up and I was out of breath. That wasn’t part of our plan. I stood still in shock as his scent invaded my body. I was horrified at his audacity yet the deep kiss sent a shockwave through my chest that had nothing to do with fear.

“Nooo….” My mother screamed in shock.

I could hear Alpha Viktor’s anger behind us. “What have you done?” He yelled at us.