Chapter4 I want you
Aliya POV
The morning after the wedding, I sat on the balcony of our honeymoon suite, watching the sun rise over the city skyline. My coffee had gone cold, untouched as I contemplated my next moves. The weight of Nikolai's business card seemed to burn through the pocket of my silk robe.
You have one chance to get this right, Aliya. One chance to save your family.
In my previous life, I'd been too trusting, too naive. I'd believed Marcus's lies until the moment he ordered my execution. This time would be different. This time, I needed irrefutable evidence of his betrayal before making my move.
The simple fact is, I can't just demand an annulment based on a future that hasn't happened yet.
Canceling a werewolf wedding, especially one as high-profile as ours, would spark a huge uproar on social media, require a public apology ceremony, and involve massive financial compensation.
Without proof of Marcus's infidelity with Sarah, I'd be the villain in everyone's eyes.
I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. Who could help me? My parents loved me, but they would never believe I'd been reborn with memories of a future where their new son-in-law murdered me. They'd think I was having cold feet or a mental breakdown.
No, I needed someone with both the resources and motivation to oppose Marcus. Someone powerful enough to protect my family when the truth came out.
My fingers traced the embossed lettering on Nikolai's card. Nikolai Volkov, Alpha of the Northern Pack.
In my past life, Marcus spread rumors that I was having an affair with Nicola. It was completely made up, just to give him an excuse for my execution. The irony wasn't lost on me; the man I was falsely accused of betraying Marcus with might now become my actual ally against him.
Nikolai was Marcus's strongest competitor in the Alpha King election. Without my family's support and our marriage alliance, Marcus wouldn't stand a chance. If I could offer Nikolai my family's backing and insider information on Marcus's plans...
The perfect political alliance. I'd help Nikolai win the election, and in return, he'd help me protect my family.
I stood, decision made.For this meeting, I need to be more decent, more professional, not provocative.I selected a tailored pantsuit from my closet and laid it on the bed.
As I passed the adjoining suite on my way to shower, hushed voices caught my attention. I slowed my steps, pausing near the slightly ajar door.
"I don't know what's wrong with her," Sarah's familiar voice drifted through the crack. "She's completely off-script."
My breath caught. I pressed closer to the door.
"This isn't the perfect ceremony I planned," Marcus replied, frustration evident in his tone. "We need a new strategy."
"Maybe the drugs are wearing off? The ones your father's doctor prescribed to keep her wolf dormant?"
My fingers curled into fists.
So that's how they controlled me. Drugged me into submission while pretending it was medicine for my "sleeping" wolf.
"Perhaps," Marcus muttered. "I'll have the dosage increased."
A pause, then his voice softened. "Don't worry, my love. The Luna position will be yours, I promise. You're my true mate, not her."
I nearly gagged at the tenderness in his voice.
Deliberately, I stepped back and then forward again, letting my foot catch on the carpet. The resulting thud was enough to make Marcus fall silent instantly.
"Aliya?" he called out, voice suddenly bright with fake concern. "Is that you, darling?"
I composed my features into a sleepy smile as the door swung open. "Good morning, dear. I was just heading to shower."
His eyes narrowed slightly, assessing whether I'd heard anything, but I maintained my innocent expression.
"Who were you talking to?" I asked, peering past him into the empty room.
"Just a conference call with my campaign team," he lied smoothly. "Wedding or not, the Alpha King election waits for no one."
I nodded, keeping my face neutral despite the rage building inside me. "Of course. Politics never sleeps."
The following day, dressed in my carefully selected pantsuit, I arrived at the address on Nikolai's card. His assistant, a petite woman with knowing eyes, led me directly to his corner office without asking for my name or appointment.
Nikolai sat as I entered, his imposing figure silhouetted against floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
He lounged lazily in the leather armchair, half-reclined and squinting at me. He was like a snake, coiled and watching, planning something.
“Aliya,” he said, voice smooth and low, “I’m truly glad you came.”
I sat down in the leather office chair across from him, lifted my chin, and said ,"I believe we can help each other, Alpha Volkov. I want to propose an alliance against Marcus Stonecreek."
Nikolai’s eyes, once half-closed, suddenly widened, his jewel-bright stare locking onto me. “So, you’re saying you want to team up with me, someone not even related to you by blood, to go against your husband?”
Yeah, it really does sound absurd. Nobody sane would take me seriously the first time they hear it.
"Because he's planning to destroy my family and steal our resources," I stated flatly. "With my family's backing and the information I can provide about his campaign strategies, you could easily win the Alpha King election.I guess that’s why you slipped me your business card."
Nikolai studied me for a long moment, then leaned back in his chair. "That's not why I gave you my card."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
"I didn't give you my card to form a political alliance," he clarified, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I gave it to you because any woman who slaps her true mate across the face during their wedding ceremony is someone I want to know better." His lips curved into a wicked smile. "Much better."
I stared at him, momentarily speechless. "Are you saying—"
I'd heard plenty about Nikolai's flirtatious ways, but I didn't think he'd go so far as to hit on me, especially with me being someone coming to seek an alliance.
"I'm saying I gave you my card because I want to sleep with you, not plot with you," he stated bluntly. "Politics bores me. Beautiful, defiant women don't."
