Chapter 3

“You talk like this is already a done deal. Just because my father gave me up, doesn’t mean it is.”

“But it is. The moon goddess ordained it. We just have to seal it with the acceptance ceremony.”

She scoffed. “You don’t even know me.”

“Well, at least, I know you’re brave and always angry. I know you’re smart enough to plan an escape even when under intense guards; caught you memorising your way through the hallway,” His gaze sharpened and she noticed the corner of his lips rise with a faint smile. “I also know your father didn’t raise you to submit quietly, even though he hates that about you now.”

Her chest tightened with annoyance. She wasn’t pleased with the fact that he found her amusing to be smiling when talking about her. “Then why agree to this marriage at all if you know that I wouldn’t submit to it?”

A moment of silence lingered between them for half a minute. Cole was impressed with the anger in her eyes as they glared at him, as she could actually beat him in battle.

Finally, Cole replied, “Because the Moon Goddess assigned you to me.”

Aria looked away, folding her arms. She hated that answer and hated that he was using the same line as her father, and she still wasn’t having it.

He turned to leave, then paused. “Someone will bring you fresh clothes. You can get some rest. Sleep well.”

“You don’t get to tell me what to do, I’m not going to sleep.”

“You will,” he said. “You can’t fight it if your body is tired after your little race earlier.”

The door closed behind him, leaving her by herself. Aria sank onto the bed, fatigue overwhelming her harder than she expected. Maya curled inward, alert but calmer now.

“He didn’t hurt you,” her wolf said again. “Maybe he’s nicer than he looks?”

“He could have,” Aria whispered back. “My wrist still hurts from his grip earlier.”

Maya curled in closer while Aria just stared at the ceiling. Sleep crept up on her soon, dragging her under whether she wanted it or not.

***

Later.

Aria woke up to heat.

Not physical warmth; but instead a profound sensation within her. An uneasy feeling under her skin and low in her stomach. Her heart raced for a reason she couldn’t name.

Maya awoke sharply. “Something’s changing,” She murmured.

Aria sat up slowly, her breathing shallow. “It’s too soon.” She cried.

“The bond is coming,” Maya replied. “Will you be able to control yourself?”

That didn’t comfort Aria. She stood, pacing the room. The window was cracked open, letting in the scent of the forest; it carried Cole’s presence with it, close enough that her body reacted without permission.

Someone left a gentle knock on the door. “I’m…I’m Wren,” a female voice introduced. “May I come in?”

Aria hesitated, then nodded. “Come in.”

The young, warm-eyed servant walked in, holding folded clothes. She smiled softly, not afraid despite hearing from her gossiping friends how violent Aria could be.

“Welcome to Ironwood,” Wren said. “I know it’s…a lot, maybe overwhelming but…”

“That’s one word for it.” Aria interrupted in agreement.

Wren set the clothes down carefully. “If you need anything, you can ask me. Or ask the Beta’s mate, Selene. You’re not alone here.”

Aria studied her face, searching for mockery or fear but found neither.

“Thank you,” She said even though she still wasn’t convinced by Wren’s kindness.

Wren turned and left quietly after.

While Aria changed, she focused on looking for a reason to be displeased, but the clothes fit too well, like they’d been measured in advance. That irritated her more than it should have. There, she had a reason.

She went out into the hallway, it was quiet, with no guards waiting outside her door. She chuckled at the thought of how foolish Cole was to really trust her but she didn’t know he was in the living room till she went there.

He sat there, the sleeves of his shirt from earlier rolled up while speaking low to a man she assumed was the Beta. They stopped when they sensed her.

Cole turned first and their eyes locked briefly. He thought the dress he asked Wren to prepare for her suited her well.

“You should be resting,” She heard him but shrugged indifferently.

“And what did I tell you earlier? I don’t follow orders.”

“I’m noticing.”

She crossed her arms. “You said you wouldn’t force me.”

“I’m not.”

“Then stop looking at me like you’re deciding on what to tell me to do next.”

His gaze didn’t soften as he got up from where he sat. “I mean, I was about to suggest going back to sleep because your eyes are all droopy. You haven’t been sleeping well, have you?”

She chuckled dryly, “Well, try having a selfish father who forces you to go start a new life in a stranger’s territory in the name of a marriage.”

“Okay, I’ll excuse myself.” Aren, Cole’s beta got on his feet, realising they probably needed alone-time with each other.

Maya surged, getting a rush of excitement and nervousness all at once for what she could feel from Cole’s aura.

“He’s fighting it.” She whispered to Aria.

Aria’s pulse hammered. “Fighting what?” She asked but Maya didn’t answer immediately so she asked again. “Fighting what, Maya?”

Maya wasn’t answering because Cole’s wolf was encircling her slowly, sniffing her. Cole took a slow step back, creating space deliberately, and making his wolf pull back to where he stood.

“Leave her alone, she’s not ready!” Aria heard her wolf yell at Cole’s. Cole looked at her with an unreadable expression on his face.

“I intend to. Cole’s self-control is very strong.” Ravik, Cole’s wolf replied Maya and Aria heard it; it was the first time they heard Cole’s wolf. It made her wonder if Cole was truly her mate and if their bond was indeed ordained by the moon goddess like he and her father had been saying, because she just heard his wolf.

She could ignore the strong sensations she felt whenever he was close to her like when he pinned her down from trying to run away, but this, she couldn’t. Both their wolves stood there, tension coiled tight, with neither willing to be the first to break but Cole sighed and decided to leave.

“Really, you should get some more rest,” He told Aria. “Goodnight.”

Aria watched him walk away. She swallowed and ran her fingers through her hair before noticing the goosebumps on her skin. Outside, the forest howled softly and the bond, quiet but relentless, settled deeper between them.