e

black, designed to impress. He glances at

e's a time to charm, a time to foster good relations and a time to thr

side and walk inside to meet the vultures. Marcus, Lily's elde

laborately decorated, it could rival a royal wedding. Crystal chandeliers glisten above, casting warm light on

els heavy i

f love, not even because of the mate bond. But because of necessity. I am not sure why I didn't thin

y about mafia princ

eyes and gently places his hand on my upper arm. I'm about to ask him w

y hear

r them. The person at the head leading them in has long black hair cascading in curls over

his eyes- Golden,

is eyes may not be Alpha red, but they are different-sy

meeting my eyes. "You must be the beautiful Aella," he says softly

his hand. His grip is firm but not dominating, entirely differ

course not, my apologies. I'm Roman's brother and Be

your brother couldn't make it to his own engagement announcemen

calls over the mind link but I ignore h

" he says warmly, practically oozing camaraderie as he sha

ed with that handshake. My father turns to me, the look in his eyes commanding yet filled

well in the end," he booms, his voice designed to

e, then he turns to me again. "Shall we take a walk around th

but I still offer him a smile and nod my head. He crooks h

tarts, looking directly at me, "But I assure y

s face for this... What am I supposed to make of it?" I say questionin

but please rest assured it was not to spit in the face of this union," he says, drawing the

rcus, with his jaw set and scowling. His eyes are lingering on me, and for a m

ectators-they all want a part of this spectacle. But as they click away, c

back, and my eyes, however much they spark

ning in so only I can hear. "But it's because he's had

whisper back, "fo

ng the crowd of well-wishers and curious onlookers. And I stand the

sentiment that has been spiraling in my mind. My future

l runs down my spine. I may have just met Roman's brother, but th

d gleaming chandeliers suddenly transformed into trappings of a lavish cage

the moonlight kisses the petals of the nocturnal flowers, casting ethereal sh

dness I've been experiencing lately. My heels sink slightly into the soil as I mo

ief moment of solitude, a tiny

I bump

ised and my hand goes to m

lly keeps a respectful distance, blending into the background l

how in his eyes. Those eyes hold a strange emo

ll?" His voice is a quiet rumble, tinged with a

," I say, scoffing. "I ne

ok flits into his eyes. "Unfortunately, we don't

wn on my face, confused at his words. Marcus har

expected to follow the path laid out for you, without question, without fail,"

as his words sink in. "Are you

tale endings," he murmurs, his gaze intense as he crosses his

h. I think about Marcus, bound by duty yet carrying an inexplicable sadness in his gray ey

uzzle snapping into place. The realization is as clear as the moonlight above;

t-live a life

ly level and carrying zero of the emotion raging i

t thoughts churn behind those stormy eyes. Do they hold hopes and r

eps are different. They carry the weight of a he

clothes that suddenly feel like costumes in a play I never auditione

ife into my own han