Chapter3 Congratulations on your wedding

Aliya POV

The silence that followed my declaration was deafening. All eyes in the room were locked on me. Some stared in disbelief, wide and unblinking, while others narrowed, lost in calculating thought.

I stood tall, the family seal clutched firmly in my hand.

In my past life, I gave up my family's power and was framed by Marcus, ending in a tragic death. This time, I won't hand over what's rightfully mine.

"I will not be relinquishing leadership of the Rowanwood pack," I repeated, my voice unwavering despite the thundering of my heart. "As a fully capable Alpha in my own right, I'll be taking over from my father as pack leader."

Marcus's father stepped forward, his face maintaining its aristocratic composure despite the storm I could see brewing behind his eyes. With his silver hair perfectly styled and a tailored suit that spoke of wealth and authority, old Stonecreek commanded attention the instant he moved.

"You've always shown such little interest in the complexities of pack management," he said, his voice cultured and measured, carrying across the stunned room. "Leadership requires years of preparation and intimate knowledge of pack governance."

It's true, I never really studied pack management. My father spoiled me. But Marcus spent years learning it, and somehow he's doing even worse than I am.

I smiled sweetly at my almost-father-in-law. "Perhaps you haven't been following the financial reports closely, but your son isn't exactly excelling at Pack management either." I tilted my head, feigning innocent concern. "The Stonecreek Pack is facing quite serious financial difficulties, isn't that right?"

His face remained perfectly composed, though I caught a slight tightening around his eyes. The financial troubles of the Stonecreek Pack weren't common knowledge. I only found out in my past life after seeing Marcus's private documents. Sharing that information took some thought, but seeing the carefully controlled reaction on his father's face made it worth it.

An eerie silence swept over the room, followed by the soft, rustling sound of quiet, mocking laughter.

The silence that followed was broken by a single person clapping. I saw Nikolai Volkov leaning against a pillar, his crisp suit sculpting his perfectly chiseled figure. His handsome features were bathed in the hall's light, casting a soft glow around him. Slowly, he clasped his hands together, as if deliberately applauding.

His intense blue eyes never left mine as a smile played at the corners of his mouth. His deep blue eyes held the vastness of an endless sea. The moment I looked into them, I was swept away, unable to pull myself back.

The other guests started joining in. They were hesitant at first, but grew more confident, until the room was filled with polite applause.

The whispers started immediately. I could practically see the social media notifications lighting up phones around the room. This would be headline news in werewolf social circles.

Marcus approached me with measured steps, his movements fluid and graceful. When he reached me, he placed a gentle hand on my elbow, his touch light but guiding.

"My dear," he said softly, his voice carrying just the right note of concerned affection, "perhaps we should discuss this privately?" His smile was perfect, the picture of a devoted husband seeking to understand his wife's surprising decision.

I blinked up at him, the picture of innocence. "I was just trying to help. You've been so busy with alliance politics and the Alpha King campaign. I thought you'd be glad not to worry about pack affairs anymore." I placed my hand on his arm, forcing myself not to recoil at the contact. "This way, you can focus on becoming Alpha King without the distraction of day-to-day Pack management."

Marcus's smile never wavered, though I caught the briefest flicker of something dark in his eyes before it disappeared.

"How thoughtful of you to consider my responsibilities," he said, his voice warm with what sounded like genuine appreciation. "Your concern for my well-being is one of the many reasons I adore you."

He lifted my hand from his arm and brought it to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckles. The gesture looked romantic to the watching crowd, but I could feel the slight pressure of his fingers, just shy of uncomfortable.

"We'll discuss the details later, of course," he continued, his tone suggesting this was a minor matter to be resolved between loving spouses. "I want to ensure you have all the support you need for such an important undertaking."

I nodded demurely. "Of course, darling."

I don't want to fall out with Marcus just yet, but I won't let him strip away my power like he did in the last life.

I'll unravel every one of his schemes, piece by piece, until he's left with nothing.

Marcus turned to the assembled guests, his politician's smile firmly back in place, radiating warmth and charm.

"I believe we've provided quite enough excitement for one evening," he said with a good-natured chuckle. "Thank you all for sharing in our joy and for witnessing my remarkable wife's dedication to our family legacy. Your presence has made this night truly memorable."

We stood by the door, playing the perfect couple as guests filed past with congratulations that couldn't quite mask their curiosity. I shook hands and accepted kisses on the cheek, all while maintaining an appropriately bashful expression.

Suddenly, a tall figure cast its shadow over me, radiating an effortless intensity. My heart skipped a beat. I looked up and saw those familiar blue eyes.

Marcus straightened beside me, his posture shifting subtly as he recognized a rival, though his smile remained gracious and welcoming.

"Nikolai," he said smoothly, extending his hand in greeting. "How good of you to join us this evening."

Nikolai gave his signature smile, the one that made girls scream, and said, "The pleasure is mine."

"Congratulations on your marriage," he said, his accent giving the words a rich, musical quality. "And on your leadership announcement. Both were quite memorable."

Before I could respond, he had moved past us, but as the crowd momentarily thickened around the exit, I felt something being pressed into my palm. Looking down, I discovered a sleek business card between my fingers. By the time I glanced up, Nikolai had disappeared into the night, leaving only the lingering scent of pine and winter air.

I quickly slipped the card into my clutch before Marcus could notice, my mind racing with possibilities. In my past life, Nikolai was just a side figure, a rival whom Marcus falsely accused me of having an affair with.

But now, maybe it's time I reconsider our relationship.