Chapter 4

Aurelia's POV

It was almost midnight when I finally returned home.

I had spent the evening at the office, partly to finish some work and partly because I didn't want to face my family. After what happened with Richard, I knew they would be waiting for me.

"Aurelia! What in the goddess's name have you done? You called off the engagement!"

I was right. The moment I opened the door, I heard my mother's shouting.

My father stood up, "Richard just called us. Do you have any idea how much shame you've brought to this family?"

"I never agreed to marry him in the first place," I said, "I only told him the truth."

"We already accepted his dowry! Do you expect us to simply return it?" my father snapped.

"I told him I'd pay it back..." The slap came before I could finish. For a few seconds, I simply stood there, one hand pressed against my cheek.

My mother glared at me. "Do you have any idea what people will say about us? The entire pack will be talking about this!"

Something inside me went cold. Not once had either of them asked if I was hurt. Not once had they asked how I felt about being cheated on. All they cared about was Richard's money and the family's reputation.

"A disgrace?" I looked at them. "Maybe I should have expected that from you. You don't care what happens to me. As long as Damien gets Selene and this family gets what it wants, you'll sacrifice me without a second thought."

"How dare you speak to your father like that?" my father shouted.

A familiar laugh came from behind me. "I knew it."

I turned. Selene stood at the entrance, arms crossed, a smug smile on her face.

"You're not really giving up on Damien, are you?" she asked. "That's why you rejected Richard. You still think Damien will come crawling back to you."

I stared at her. "Damien is yours now. Take him. I don't want either of you in my life anymore."

I turned and walked upstairs before they could answer.

Once inside my room, I locked the door. Only then did I let myself breathe.

I had no wolf.

In our world, that already made me an outsider. I had spent years trying to fit into a life that was never quite meant for me.

And now I was supposed to marry Richard because my family needed to clean up Damien and Selene's mess?

Absolutely not.

Then I thought of Kael. He didn't belong to my pack, didn't care about my family's politics, and had offered me a marriage without asking me to love him.

Maybe a contract marriage with someone like him wasn't the worst idea.

I could have my freedom. I wouldn't have to fight for a place in the pack.

And most importantly, I wouldn't have to marry Richard.

I picked up my phone and called Kael.

He answered after a few rings. "Hello?"

"Kael, it's me." There was a short pause.

"Is everything all right?"

I told him everything, the fight with my parents, the canceled engagement, my lack of a wolf, and the Moon Blessing Banquet the next day.

"I need to attend the banquet," I said. "My family will be there. Damien and Selene will be there too."

He was quiet for a moment. "Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes. If you're willing."

"I'll be there."

The next evening, I stood outside the banquet hall with Kael's hand in mine.

"Are you sure?" Kael asked quietly.

I nodded.

"Yes. Let's go."

We entered together.

The conversations inside gradually died down. One head turned. Then another. Within seconds, almost everyone was looking at us.

Kael didn't react. He simply walked beside me.

Then I saw Damien and Selene. They had both gone completely still.

Damien's expression changed first. Selene followed his gaze. Neither of them seemed to know what to say.

Before I could make sense of their reaction, my father came toward us.

"Aurelia... what is he doing here?"

I suddenly remembered my promise to tell everyone about our marriage. But standing in front of the entire pack, with every eye on us, I lost my nerve.

"Dad, he's my..." I hesitated.

"My fiancé."

"Husband." Kael corrected me without hesitation.

I turned to him in shock. He looked completely unfazed. "We're legally married."

The hall erupted. Gasps and whispers spread through the room.

My father's face went pale. "Married? You're married to the CEO of Walter Corporation?"

I froze. I slowly turned toward Kael. "The CEO of what?"

Kael looked at me calmly. He said nothing.

Damien was the first to recover. "So this was your plan?"

He stepped toward me, his face twisted with anger.

"You brought another man here just to make me jealous?"

I stared at him. "You cheated on me with my sister. Why would I care whether you're jealous?"

"You expect me to believe you just happened to marry him?"

"I married him because I wanted to."

Damien's face darkened. He stepped forward.

Kael immediately moved between us. "Don't take another step toward my wife."

Damien stopped.

Kael took my hand. "Let's go."

The moment we were inside the car, I turned to him.

"You never told me you were the CEO of Walter Corporation."

"You never asked."

I stared at him.

"You don't think that's something I should have known before marrying you?"

"Would it have changed your decision?"

I opened my mouth. Then closed it. No. Probably not.

He handed me a document. "This is our marriage contract."

I read through it carefully. There was nothing unreasonable.

I could keep my career. I had my own choices. He wasn't demanding anything from me beyond what we'd agreed.

I lowered the papers. "I'll honor the agreement."

Kael nodded.

The car continued through the city until we reached his home.

I stared through the window.

A huge mansion stood behind tall gates, with guards stationed around the property and several luxury cars parked outside.

This was definitely not the home of an ordinary businessman.

As soon as we entered, a serious-looking man was waiting.

"We need to talk. Urgently."

Kael nodded. "Wait for me in the study."

He followed the man inside.

I was left alone.

I wandered through the unfamiliar house, trying to find my way around.

Eventually, I stopped outside a partially closed door.

Voices came from inside. "She won't be accepted."

I froze. Accepted by who?

Before I could think better of it, I pushed the door open.

"Who won't accept me?"