The Last Aetherwyn: Mated to the Alpha Prince

Chapter 3

**After six years**

“This is quite..satisfying,” Isaldora murmured, as she scrolled through the statistics on the tablet her secretary had just handed her. She was sitting in her office.

Three years ago, she laid the foundation of her business in the human world. Of course with Renna's help whom she chose not only as her secretary but also to pose as her legal guardian and the hand managing all the deals, meetings and other matters of Aether. Isaldora was too busy at that moment to publicly involve herself as the CEO. She had to prepare herself, train, learn. So she decided to be the elusive, unknown heiress instead.

Renna had been handling things just fine up till now efficiently and it was impressive. Now, to the human world, Isaldora was known as Isla Aether.

And now, Aether Enterprises was not just thriving. It was beating every projection, outshining its rivals, and breaking into markets.

Isaldora set the tablet aside and looked up. “Aether is growing faster than expected,” she said, ignoring the fact that Renna had been staring at her for the past half hour. She was used to it. She knew the effect she had on people.

She looked like she’d been crafted to make one stare and never quite recover. Her silver-violet eyes—rare even among her own kind—didn’t just catch the light—they shimmered like jewels, like they had a mind of their own. Her hair was a ridiculous kind of beautiful, all silver-blonde with streaks of pure silver running through, spilling in loose waves down past her hips.

She was taller than most girls, but it wasn’t just her height—it was the way she moved. Smooth, sure, like she knew every room she walked into already belonged to her. Long, toned legs that made every step look like it was part of a dance she wasn’t letting anyone else in on. Her face? It was a study in ethereal perfection—sharp where it should be, soft where it mattered—like someone had taken their time making her and didn’t bother with mistakes—features so flawless they almost didn’t seem human. And they weren’t.

Because she wasn’t human.

Renna blinked, momentarily caught off guard, then quickly straightened and gave a short nod.

“The perfume lines are gaining strong traction,” she reported. “Sales have doubled since last year, the brand’s name is becoming synonymous with luxury, and demand is climbing every month."

Isaldora glanced at her, humming in acknowledgement as she swiped on the tablet.

“We’ve received expansion offers from both Europe and North America. Hotel performance is well above projections—bookings have nearly doubled."

Isaldora leaned back shifting slightly in her chair, crossing one leg over the other, her fingers tapping against the armrest as she listened to Renna.

“The clubs are also performing beyond expectations. Revenues are up by forty percent since last quarter, and our newest branch has already become the most exclusive spot in the city. Membership applications have tripled.” she continued.

“And… the Wexford deal has been finalized.”

Isaldora set the tablet aside, and leaned back with a slow exhale, the corner of her mouth curving in quiet approval. Everything was going just as she wanted.

“Ms. Aether, there's something else," she turned her attention back at Renna who was fidgeting in her place, hesitating. She simply gave her a nod to continue. "There have been… some whispers—ummm—mostly from competitors. They’re questioning our structure, pointing out that no one’s ever actually seen the founders… and suggesting something might be… unusual.”

Isaldora let out a soft, amused laugh, “Seriously?"

Renna gave a small shrug. “Well… you could always shut them up. Shove a public appearance in their face. Put a face to the name.”

“You’re right,” Isaldora said, rising from her seat. She swept her hair back with a flip, a faint smirk tugging at her red lips. “I suppose it’s time to put up a show."

Renna nodded slowly with a sigh. “Alright… do you want me to set up a media appearance?”

She only hummed in response, leaning back against the desk. Her gaze followed Renna, who was already halfway to the door.

“Your brother. How is he?”

Renna froze mid-step, shoulders tensing before she slowly turned back. “He’s… doing well,” she said after a pause. “Stable. Much more stable now. Better than anyone expected.” Her voice carried a note of surprise—clearly, she hadn’t expected that question.

"I have been able to pay all his medical charges, thanks to you." she added afterwards. Her words held gratitude which irked Isaldora.

"I didn't do anything, you just got payed for your performance towards your job. Nothing unusual about that now, right?"

Isaldora held her poker, emotion devoid expression.

"Yeah, right." Renna muttered lowly.

Isaldora just gave a faint nod, dismissing her. After the door clicked shut, she sighed and moved to the window staring out.

------

The skies above the Forbidden Ocean were anything but still. The clouds hung low and heavy, dark with the promise of rain. Below, the sea churned restlessly—the tides rose high and crashed hard against the black, jagged rocks, sending bursts of cold spray high into the air. Waves rolled in aggressively, one after another, each struck with a deep, booming crash that echoed along the cliffs, followed by the hiss of retreating water dragging pebbles and sand back into the depths.

The wind itself was sharp and unsteady, sweeping across the shoreline in fierce, sudden gusts, whistling. It carried the tang of salt, damp and biting on the tongue. Few dared to step too close to these shores, haunted by the old whispers of what lived beneath the waves.

A sudden shift broke through the stillness as a figure appeared at the base of the cliff, where the sea met the stone, wrapped in a dark cloak. The hem brushed against the stone with each step. The breeze pulled at the fabric while the waves crashed hard against the shore. The wind picked up, catching the edge of her hood and pulling it back.

Isaldora.

She carefully moved past the rocks and stepping into the shallows until the water reached her knees. The cold bit through her sides, but she didn’t flinch. Without hesitation, she knelt and touched the surface with her fingers.

A faint shiver rippled through the water instantly as the ocean responded to her touch.

She closed her eyes for a brief moment—and vanished in air.

A heartbeat later, she stood far beneath the surface, yet the water did not touch her. She could hear the waves gushing above.

Around her stretched a world the ocean had kept hidden for centuries—dry, silent, and ancient. Not many knew it existed, and no living soul had ever set eyes on it. It was a sanctum guarded by powerful magic, sealed in salt, and bound by unbreakable vows.

The sirens’ lair.

In their world, sirens were more than just a mythical story. Apart from their ethereal beauty, supernaturals knew them as dangerous and cunning creatures. They could lure anyone, man or beast to their death merely with their song. Yet for all the fear they inspired, no one had ever discovered where they lived. That secret was guarded by the ocean itself, hidden in waters too deep to reach and cloaked in spells that kept it unseen and forgotten.

Isaldora looked around even though it wasn't her first time here, the water somehow felt pulling her in a trance, it felt calming. A smooth voice cut through her thoughts short.

“You don’t seem like the type to come back this soon.”

The voice came from behind her—smooth, sharp, and faintly amused.

Isaldora turned and there she was.

Lyna. Leader of the sirens.

Tall and graceful in her human form, she carried herself with the easy confidence of someone who knew her own power. Her dark hair hung damp over her shoulders, and her skin had that faint, almost shimmering quality that marked all sirens, as if the sea itself had left its signature on her. She was beautiful in that dangerous way only sirens could be.

“Guess I need another favor,” Isaldora said with the faintest hint of smirk, and just straight to the point.

Lyna’s brow lifted, a hint of a smile playing at her lips. “Of course you do. I’d be more surprised if you came all this way just to see me.”

Isaldora didn’t smile back. She just held her gaze, steady and unblinking.

The smirk slipped from Lyna’s face, replaced by a more serious look. “What kind of favor this time?”

Isaldora stepped closer, her voice low but deliberate, the faint curve of a smirk widening at her lips. “I want your skills to lure prey.”