Chapter 3

Kael's POV

I watched Aurelia carefully after the words left my mouth.

Most women would have laughed, called me insane, or walked away without another glance. But Aurelia didn't. She sat there, staring at me with wide, conflicted eyes as though she was trying to decide whether I was another problem or her only way out.

She looked fragile, yet there was something quietly stubborn about her.

I wasn't as indifferent as I appeared.

The truth was, meeting Aurelia had completely ruined the reason I came to this restaurant in the first place.

The pack elders had arranged a blind date for me.

For months, they had refused to let the matter of my marriage rest. Every council meeting somehow ended with the same lecture, that the Alpha King needed a Luna, the Blackthorne bloodline needed an heir, and the packs needed stability.

I had rejected every woman they introduced me to.

This time, I came only because refusing again would create another unnecessary argument with the elders. I had every intention of sitting through dinner, rejecting the woman politely, and leaving.

Then the moment I saw Aurelia at the restaurant, something inside me had shifted.

She wasn't the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen. It wasn't beauty that caught my attention. It was familiarity.

For one impossible second, my heart stopped.

Fiona.

She looked like her. There was something about her face. The softness in her eyes, the calm expression she wore even while carrying obvious pain… It reminded me of Fiona. My childhood best friend I had failed to protect fifteen years ago.

The fire took her away before I could save her, and not a single day had passed without that guilt following me.

Aurelia wasn't Fiona. I knew that.

Yet standing here now, I couldn't ignore the strange pull I felt toward her.

Her voice brought me back to reality.

"How do I know I can trust you?" she asked, her fingers tightening around her purse.

A reasonable question.

"You don't," I answered honestly. "Trust isn't something I'm asking for today."

She frowned. "Then why should I even consider this?"

"Because this marriage solves both our problems."

I leaned back slightly, keeping my voice calm.

"You need protection from Richard and freedom from your family. I need a wife. That's all this is, a contract with clear boundaries."

She studied me for several seconds before asking, "What exactly are those boundaries?"

"We will be married on paper. You'll have complete freedom. You can continue your career, make your own decisions, and live your life however you want. I won't interfere, and I won't expect anything emotionally from you."

Her brows lifted slightly.

"You're saying you don't expect me to behave like a real wife?"

"I don't."

She looked genuinely confused.

"Then what's in this marriage for you?"

For a brief moment, I almost told her the truth. That she reminded me of someone I'd spent fifteen years mourning.

Instead, I said, "I need someone willing to enter a temporary marriage without expectations. You happen to need exactly what I can offer. Other than that there will be no expectations beyond what I have stated."

Silence suddenly settled between us.

She lowered her gaze to the table, and I could almost see the battle happening inside her mind.

"And my parents?" She asked.

"You'll no longer belong under their authority," I said to her.

She looked up again, searching my face for any sign that I was lying.

"I don't even know your name properly," she admitted.

"Kael."

"Just Kael?" She asked.

I nodded.

She sighed deeply.

"This has to be the craziest decision of my life."

"It probably is," I replied.

A few seconds passed before she finally straightened her shoulders.

"Fine," she said firmly. "I'll marry you."

I held her gaze for a moment, making sure she meant it.

"You're certain?"

"No," she admitted with a weak laugh. "But I'm certain I don't want Richard."

That was enough.

"Then let's leave."

Her eyes widened. "Leave? Right now?"

"The registry office is still open."

She blinked twice before letting out another sigh.

"You really don't waste time."

"No."

She shook her head, almost amused despite everything, and stood up beside me.

We walked out of the restaurant together. Aurelia remained unusually quiet beside me. She kept looking out the window during the drive, lost in thought, and I didn't interrupt her.

Within an hour, we were standing inside the marriage registry.

Finally, the registrar smiled politely.

"Do both parties consent to this marriage willingly?"

Aurelia hesitated.

She closed her eyes for a brief second before opening them again.

"Yes."

I answered immediately.

"I do."

The documents were placed before us. One signature followed another, a few official stamps were added, and just like that, it was done.

The registrar slid the marriage certificate across the desk.

"Congratulations. You are now legally husband and wife."

I stared at the marriage certificate. For the first time all day, reality truly hit me.

I had just married a woman I met today. This was absurd.

Yet I couldn't bring myself to regret it. The Elders wanted a Luna, and now they had one.

Aurelia stared at the certificate for a long moment before letting out a slow breath.

"That's it?"

"That's it," the registrar replied with a smile.

"I still can't believe I actually did this," she murmured.

I looked at her.

"You're safe now."

My phone rang the moment we stepped out of the marriage registry.

I didn't need to check the screen to know who it was.

Zack.

I answered the call.

"What is this I'm hearing?" my Beta demanded immediately. "The elders arranged one blind date, Kael. One. Why did you dismiss her before dinner even started?"

I glanced sideways at Aurelia.

She was standing beside me, completely unaware that the call had anything to do with her.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips.

"Because," I said calmly, "there is no need. I'm married already."