Aria’s POV
The day of the mating ceremony arrived too fast.
I stood in front of my closet. Staring at the options. Trying to figure out what to wear to an event designed to find my boss a wife.
"Mommy?" Lina’s voice came from behind me. "Why are you making that face?"
I turned. Forced a smile.
"What face?"
"The scary face." She demonstrated. Scrunching up her features like she’d eaten something sour. "That one."
"Are you going somewhere fancy?"
"I have to work tonight, baby."
"At night?" Her eyes went wide. "But nighttime is for sleeping! And stories! And hot chocolate!"
"I know." I walked over. Sat beside her. Brushed the hair from her forehead. "But Mommy has a very important event to help with. I’ll only be gone for a few hours."
"Can I come?"
"Not this time, sweetheart."
Her bottom lip stuck out. That devastating pout that usually made me cave immediately.
Not today.
"I’ll come back very soon." I pulled her into my lap. "And I left your favorite snacks on the counter. And you can watch ONE movie before bed."
---
After dropping Lina at home early and making sure she had everything she needed, I got ready.
The dress was black.
Simple. Elegant. Nothing that screamed "look at me." Just a fitted silhouette that ended just above my knees. Conservative neckline. Long sleeves.
I pulled my hair up into a tight bun. Applied makeup with careful precision. Foundation. Concealer. A smoky eye that made my silver-gray eyes pop. Red lipstick that added a touch of drama.
When I looked in the mirror, the woman staring back looked mature. Put-together. Maybe even a little sexy.
Like someone who had her life figured out.
Ha.
If only.
---
The venue was stunning.
I’d spent two weeks planning every detail. The flowers. The lighting. The food. The music. Every single element had been approved, adjusted, re-approved, and triple-checked.
And now, seeing it all come together...
It was perfect.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting warm golden light across the ballroom. White roses spilled from elegant vases on every table. The string quartet played something classical and romantic in the corner.
Guests were already arriving. Women in flowing gowns. Men in tailored suits. Everyone dressed to impress. Everyone hoping tonight would change their life.
I stood near the entrance. Clipboard in hand. Earpiece in ear.
"Table seven needs more champagne," I said into my mic. "And someone check on the appetizers. They should have been out five minutes ago."
"On it, Ms. Moon." The caterer’s voice crackled back.
I moved through the crowd like a ghost. Checking details. Solving problems. Making sure everything ran smoothly.
A waiter nearly dropped a tray. I caught it.
A guest couldn’t find her seat. I guided her to it.
The florist had placed the wrong arrangement on the head table. I fixed it.
This was what I was good at. Managing chaos. Creating order. Being invisible while making everything around me shine.
"Aria!" Elara appeared beside me. Her brown eyes were huge with excitement. "This is AMAZING. You did all this?"
"Just doing my job."
"Your JOB?" She gestured around the ballroom. "This looks like something out of a fairy tale! The flowers! The lights! The everything!"
"It’s fine."
"Fine? FINE?" She grabbed my arm. "Girl, if this is ’fine,’ I can’t imagine what ’impressive’ looks like."
I managed a small smile. "Thanks, Elara."
"You look incredible, by the way." She looked me up and down. "That dress? That makeup? You’re going to steal all the attention from the Luna candidates."
---
Two hours into the event, everything was running perfectly.
The guests were mingling. The champagne was flowing. The music had shifted from classical to something more modern. A few couples were already on the dance floor.
And still no Kael.
The Alpha was fashionably late. Of course he was.
"Ms. Moon." One of the security wolves approached me. "The Alpha’s car just pulled up."
My heart stuttered.
"Thank you. I’ll handle it."
I didn’t know what "handling it" meant. But I walked toward the entrance anyway.
The crowd had started to notice. Whispers spread like wildfire.
"He’s here!"
"The Alpha!"
"Oh my god, he’s coming!"
I watched from the side as the main doors opened.
And there he was.
Kael Blood Crown.
Walking into the ballroom like he owned the world. Because, well, he kind of did.
He was wearing a black suit. Perfectly tailored. White shirt underneath. No tie. The top button undone, revealing a sliver of tanned skin.
His dark hair was styled back, but a few strands fell across his forehead. Those black-gold eyes scanned the room. Taking in everything. Missing nothing.
He looked like a predator surveying his territory.
He looked like a god among mortals.
He looked...
I looked away.
Focused on my clipboard. On the list of tasks still remaining. On anything except the way my pulse was racing.
Professional. I was being professional.
The crowd parted for him. Women practically throwing themselves in his path. Batting eyelashes. Adjusting necklines. Doing everything short of holding up signs that said "PICK ME."
I watched from the shadows.
Watched him smile at each one. That polite, distant smile that never quite reached his eyes. Watched him shake hands. Accept compliments. Play the perfect Alpha host.
He was good at this. Charming when he needed to be. Powerful without being threatening. The kind of man who made everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room.
Suddenly, my heart stopped.
He moved through the crowd like they didn’t exist. His eyes locked onto mine. Never wavering. Never blinking.
Every step brought him closer.
Closer.
CLOSER.
I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t do anything except stand there like an idiot while the most powerful wolf in the territory walked straight toward me.
He stopped directly in front of me.
Close. So close I could smell him. Black cedar and winter frost. That scent that haunted my dreams.
The world went quiet.
Or maybe I just stopped hearing everything else.
Those black-gold eyes searched my face. Looking for something. I didn’t know what.
Then, slowly, he extended his hand.
Palm up. Waiting.
"Would you like to dance with me?"