Imagine living in a city where mistresses are the most important thing and where arranged marriages are a deeply rooted tradition. In this context, the Alpha of the pack must find an impeccable woman, without scandals to tarnish his reputation. When he is asked to marry a pure and innocent young woman, he accepts without hesitation. However, his heart is broken by the betrayal of his former fiancée, who left him for another man. It was then that Katherine was chosen to become his wife. But can she give hope to this hardened Alpha? Will she be able to awaken feelings in him that he thought were lost forever? In this arranged marriage, can love really blossom despite the traditions and wounds of the past?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Night had fallen over the city, shrouding the mountains and forests in dense darkness. Adrian Valmont, the Alpha of the Silver Claw pack, stood in his office, shoulders tense, staring at the flickering flames of the huge fireplace. The council meeting had ended, but his words still echoed in his mind.
"You need to find a wife, Adrian. The pack needs a stable authority figure. With everything that has happened, a married Alpha is a symbol of stability. »
Stability. The word rolled bitterly off his tongue. Since the day Livia, his fiancée, abandoned him, stability seemed a distant, almost ironic concept to him. He had never wanted to rule alone, but the idea of an arranged union, imposed by his council, revolted him. Love, passion, these emotions now belonged to a past that he preferred to forget, hidden behind a shell of coldness.
But the stern eyes of his advisors were unwavering. "The shadow of betrayal still looms," one of them said seriously. "If you don't present a strong image, other packs will think we are vulnerable. » He had tried to explain to them that he did not want to be pushed into the arms of a stranger, but in vain. They didn't see it that way, and Adrian knew that his people's loyalty was precious, but fragile. So he resigned himself.
A light scratching at the door pulled him from his thoughts. Mira, his younger sister, entered silently, her gaze gentle but inquisitive.
" How are you ? » she asked softly, closing the door behind her.
"It would be better if the council would let me breathe," he replied, a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Mira walked over and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "They want what's best for the pack, Adrian. »
"What they want is to see me tied up in a marriage of convenience. As if that would solve all our problems. »
Mira looked at him gently, then took a deep breath. "Maybe...maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing." »
He turned around abruptly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you siding with them now too? »
She raised her hands in a sign of peace. "No, I just want you to consider the idea. After all, I know how much this breakup with Livia hurt you. But... who knows? Maybe a new presence could bring you a little... healing. »
He gave a bitter sneer. " Healing ? Do you seriously think an arranged marriage will cure me? It's not a miracle cure, Mira. »
She shook her head gently. "I'm not talking about a miracle, Adrian. I'm talking about a possibility. And then, the woman the council proposed..."
"Katherine, right? » He pronounced the name as if he were tasting an unknown fruit, wary.
Mira nodded. "Yes, Katherine. I have already met her once or twice, during meetings with other allied families. She is... discreet, reserved. Maybe a little too calm for a future Alpha wife, but... there's something... pure, authentic about her. »
"Pure," Adrian repeated, the word sounding strangely in his mouth. "And you think I could get along with her? »
Mira shrugged, a teasing smile on her lips. "I think you should talk to him first to judge. »
Adrian sighed. The idea of meeting this young woman seemed both futile and inevitable to him. He would have preferred the council to focus on the real challenges facing the pack, but he also knew that refusing would be seen as weakness. Finally, he nodded, resigned.
The next day, the meeting was organized in the reception room of the main house. Adrian hadn't bothered to get ready, preferring to present himself as he was, as a silent reminder that he was here not by choice, but by duty. Katherine entered discreetly, her frail and almost shy figure appearing tiny in the middle of the imposing room. She wore a simple dress, her dark hair falling in light waves over her shoulders.
Adrian stared at her for a moment, studying every detail. She was not the flamboyant beauty who attracted attention with her brilliance, but there was something calm, almost soothing in her expression.
Katherine, visibly nervous, hesitated before bowing respectfully. "Hello, Alpha Valmont," she whispered, her soft voice barely audible.
"Adrian," he corrected firmly. "If we are to... consider this union, we might as well avoid unnecessary formalities. »
She nodded, keeping her eyes downcast, visibly uncomfortable. A heavy silence settled, and Adrian felt a slight irritation rising within him. Was she always this self-effacing? Or was it the pressure of the situation that made her that way?
"So, Katherine," he continued, trying to break the silence. "What do you think about all this? I mean... about this proposal. »
She raised her eyes shyly, meeting his gaze with a sincerity that surprised him. "To be honest...it seems strange to me," she replied, her voice betraying a hint of nervousness. "I never imagined that... my life could take such a direction. »
Adrian raised an eyebrow. "Have you never thought about getting married? »
A slight smile appeared on his lips. "Yes, of course. But not... like this. »
There was something disarming in his eyes. No judgment, no pretense, just simple, straightforward honesty. He felt some of his initial wariness erode, replaced by an unexpected curiosity.
"So why did you agree to come? » he asked, a little more gently.
She took a breath before answering. "Because my family thinks it's the best. And I... I want to make them proud. » Her gaze dropped again, and she added in a low voice, almost to herself, "And maybe... that's what I need too." »
Adrian remained silent, absorbing his words. He had anticipated a stiff, mechanical encounter, but this moment proved strangely different. Katherine, despite her apparent reserve, seemed to carry within her an unexpected courage, a silent determination which disarmed him.
He finally broke the silence, his voice softening. "I'm not going to lie to you, Katherine. This marriage, for me, has nothing attractive. My heart... has been betrayed, and it seems impossible to trust again. »
She looked up, looking into his gaze, and whispered in an almost inaudible voice, "I understand." We are both here for reasons that are not love. But maybe... maybe we could at least try to get to know each other. »
He nodded, surprised to feel almost relieved by her words. He had worried that she was expecting a fairy tale, but Katherine seemed as realistic as he was. This observation, against all expectations, brought him a strange form of comfort.
A thin smile appeared on his lips. " Alright. Let's get to know each other then. But, I warn you... I'm not easy to live with. »
She returned a shy smile, the first of the evening, and Adrian felt his heart tighten slightly. Perhaps, he thought, this union, as improbable as it was, was not entirely doomed to failure.
They spent the rest of the evening making small talk, learning little things about each other. Katherine told him about her love of books, the walks she liked to take at sunrise, her passion for medicinal plants. He discovered in her a delicate but resolute woman, and for the first time in a long time, Adrian felt his heart lighten, if only a little.
When she left the room, he remained alone for a moment, meditating on this encounter. An imperceptible smile touched his lips. Perhaps this imposed union would not be as meaningless as he had imagined.
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