Chapter 1

　　Aria's POV

　　I stood in front of the gigantic door leading into Kael Draven's VIP sanctum. I didn't want to believe what awaited me inside.

　　I was shaking at the thought of it alone. I squeezed my palm and inhaled deeply before I pushed the door open.

　　I had hoped not to be part of the misery I'd written with my own golden ink. I was a paranormal/fantasy writer, and I knew what this meant. A female lead opening the door on her fated mate, only to be thrown into a chaos that would define her entire existence. I knew this plot too well. Or so I thought.

　　I was just staring at my husband-to-be, half naked, with my stepsister Vale tangled up beside him on the VIP bed. I'd written hundreds of books with this same scene—described every feeling from instant anger to rage, from icy cold to instant regret.

　　I was the master of my own game, but playing it felt surreal. I tried to talk and couldn't find my voice. Vale's face twitched with mockery while Kael's held nothing but indifference.

　　"You didn't tell me you were coming."

　　As if that would have changed anything. As if it would have been better if I'd been kept completely in the dark, a fool for love.

　　A cold smirk found my lips. Vale looked enraged.

　　"I'm wrapped in the arms of your fiancé, the only Alpha of our Silverpine pack, and you just smirked. Aren't you jealous?" she said, clearly frustrated.

　　She'd put a lot of energy into this, and I wasn't giving her the scene she wanted—the wounded female lead, causing a scene to cling to the side of a cheating scumbag.

　　I smiled wider.

　　Kael sat up, buttoning his shirt, and pushed Vale aside. He walked closer to me.

　　His scent caught in my throat and I fought to block it out. I'd written dozens of werewolf scents into my books, but this tainted, cheating stench had no business existing in my paranormal world—let alone on him, standing this close to me.

　　"It doesn't matter that you're Alpha Sila's daughter," he murmured against my ear, "and your father a forgotten old elder. You should be grateful I even let you sit beside me."

　　I trembled—not because he still meant something to me, but because he was every bit as disgusting as the rumors painted him.

　　I pulled my head away, like I always did. He knew I'd never once acknowledged him. I was only fulfilling a duty he assumed I cherished, because he was a cheating Alpha, and that's all he'd ever be to me.

　　"What do you expect me to do? Cry and scream like a madwoman to soothe your wounded ego, Alpha Kael?" I asked coldly.

　　His expression shifted. The proud look he'd worn seconds ago drained into something pale, almost ghostly. Vale strode over and wrapped her arm around him.

　　"Quit being jealous, Aria. You always think you're better than me. You're just a wolfless omega who has to hide behind writing pathetic books."

　　I laughed. She was nothing if not entertaining.

　　"You've got quite the talent, Vale. Why don't you join a circus? I'd pay to watch."

　　She was livid. Her knuckles curled into fists. Her glare could've sliced through air. I loved every second of it.

　　"You're just jealous of me! You can't stand that Alpha Kael chose me over you. Admit it."

　　She wanted so badly to be right, just once. She'd always been the bitter child, scheming since we were kids. I was used to her theatrics by now.

　　"Don't you know—even if you fuck him a hundred times, I'm still his mate. I was chosen. You weren't."

　　The jab landed. I saw it prick her, watched her fist twist into her skirt hard enough to leave a crease.

　　"How sure are you?" she shot back. "What makes you think you're his fated Luna?"

　　Kael stood in the middle of the chaos, clearly loving it—no doubt convinced he was the greatest thing alive, watching two women fight over him.

　　I looked at his smug stance, hands in his pockets, one corner of his mouth curled like he'd just won a seat as Lycan King.

　　"Are you actually choosing Vale over me, Kael?"

　　He coughed. "I—"

　　The door flew open. His assistant, Cade Stag, burst in with the urgency of something important.

　　"Alpha Alaric Duskmoor just entered the pack hall, sir."

　　Cold sweat broke across Kael's face. He looked more afraid than shocked.

　　"What's he doing here?"

　　He straightened himself, trying to look more like a man in control and less like the notorious bastard who'd just defied pack law under his own roof.

　　I watched his disheveled state, memorizing every pathetic flicker of his expression. It might come in handy.

　　"You're coming with me," he ordered.

　　"Me?" Vale's voice rang out, sweet and hopeful.

　　"No. Aria. You're coming with me."

　　I folded my arms in defiance. I wasn't about to be used the moment he decided I was useful again.

　　"And why would I? Walk into that room and expose myself to whatever danger's waiting, for a man I mean nothing to?" I said coldly.

　　He stared into my eyes, expecting fear. Instead he found something darker—a woman who would never bow to his reign again. He didn't like it, not one bit. He wanted his woman timid, insecure, easy to hold.

　　He straightened his collar.

　　"You're my mate, Aria. It's your duty to be there beside me."

　　That didn't sit well with Vale. She could feel herself becoming the only unimportant person in the room. She looked ready to spit venom.

　　"You were choosing Vale over me a second ago. Now you need me? Take her. I don't mind."

　　He started walking out like he'd already gotten the answer he wanted.

　　"I'm not asking, Aria. It's a command."