Ethan, the leader of a powerful tribe, is my husband. Proud and relentless, he never considered commitment until blackmail forced him into marrying a woman he barely knew. This woman is none other than the daughter of his greatest rival. No matter her looks or personality; he is determined to do everything in his power to call off their engagement and erase the evidence of the blackmail. However, one obstacle stands in his way: now that she is in his life... he cannot bring himself to let her go. She, the leader's ideal daughter, represents an invaluable opportunity for her family to climb the hierarchy of their world. Marrying Ethan, this feared man, means access to opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible to her tribe. Although Ethan is distant and difficult to understand, she agrees to this arranged marriage for the sake of her family. However, the unexpected passion she feels for him was not at all in her plans. As they struggle with their pride and conflicting emotions, external threats emerge, testing their fragile union. Will they be able to balance their responsibilities and desires, or will their budding love be destroyed by the forces that seek to see them fail?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
Forced marriage. Ethan Valmy, Alpha of one of the most powerful packs on the continent, placed a hand on the crystal glass in front of him without really paying attention. The atmosphere in the room, cozy and heavy with the scent of leather and old wood, was not reassuring. In front of him, Edouard Morel, a man with a predatory smile and expertly styled graying hair, held between his fingers a thick file, almost insignificant at first glance. But its content? Ethan knew this could shatter everything he had built.
- So, Ethan, Edouard whispered in an icy voice, what are you going to do? My daughter is ready. All you have to do is say "yes."
The silence that followed was heavy. Ethan sat up straighter in his chair, staring at Edouard with an almost animal intensity.
- Do you really think I'm going to play along to your little game? he replied, his voice low and serious.
Edouard did not flinch. He placed the file on the table, slowly pushing it towards Ethan.
- You underestimate my determination, my boy. What I have here would be enough to shake your entire clan. These dubious contracts, these agreements that you thought were invisible... All of this would end up in the hands of the media in less than an hour.
Ethan clenched his fists. Each word spoken by Edouard sank into his mind like a blade. He had always been blameless, or at least he thought so. But this compromising evidence – although he did not know how Edward had obtained it – represented a real threat.
- Why her? Ethan asked, more to save time than out of real curiosity. Why Alayna?
Edouard's smile widens, revealing teeth of an almost frightening whiteness.
- Because my daughter deserves the best, obviously. And you, Ethan, are the best. Powerful, influential, feared and respected alpha... But above all, because with this union, my family gains power that we would never have been able to obtain otherwise.
A bitter taste filled Ethan's mouth. He hated the idea of being a piece on Edward's chessboard. But he had no choice. The eyes of his clan members weighed on him, their trust was his top priority.
- I will, he said finally, his voice laced with a mixture of disgust and resignation. But don't you dare think that will make me an ally.
Edouard nodded, satisfied, before getting up with calculated slowness.
- Wise decision. The ceremony is already in preparation. You just have to introduce yourself... like any good groom should do.
Ethan stood still as Edouard left the room, his musky scent leaving an unpleasant trail behind him. When he was finally alone, he slammed the glass on the table, shattering it.
The wedding was organized in three days. Three days were enough to transform the Morel property into an ostentatious luxury theater. Ethan, dressed in a tailored black suit, watched the crowd from an alcove. Politicians, industrialists, Alphas from neighboring clans... All were there to witness the union which would seal an unexpected alliance between two rival families.
But Ethan only had eyes for one person: Alayna.
She descended the main staircase with a grace that seemed almost unreal. Her white dress, light and elegant, perfectly fit her slim figure. However, what caught his attention was his look. Cold. Distant. Alayna Morel was anything but a docile woman.
Ethan looked at her for a moment. Her hair, pulled back into a sophisticated bun, revealed a graceful but taut neck. Her lips, delicately tinted pink, remained sealed in a neutral expression. She looked like a statue, magnificent but inaccessible.
When she reached his side, they exchanged a brief look. Not a smile, not a word. Just a mutual recognition of the situation they were trapped in.
- Monsieur Valmy, Miss Morel, we can begin, announced the master of ceremonies with a voice marked by studied solemnity.
The words that followed were lost in a fog. Ethan stood there, saying his vows like an automaton, his thoughts elsewhere. When it was Alayna's turn, her voice rang out, soft but firm, like a blade hidden in velvet.
- I, Alayna Morel, agree to become your wife... for better and for worse.
The "worse" seemed to carry more weight in this statement.
An hour later, in the icy silence of the car that was driving them to the Valmy estate, Ethan finally broke the silence.
- Do you know what you got yourself into? he asked, his gaze fixed on the passing landscape.
Alayna turned her head towards him, meeting his gaze in the reflection of the window.
- And you ? she replied calmly. Do you really think I'm here by choice?
His response stung Ethan, but he didn't show it. He just sighed, sinking further into his seat.
- This marriage... it's just a facade. I'm going to find a way to end this.
Alayna raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.
- Good luck with that, Ethan. But in the meantime, we're stuck together.
The car stopped in front of the huge gate of the Valmy estate. When the doors opened, revealing the imposing mansion, Alayna felt a knot form in her stomach.
- Welcome home," Ethan said sarcastically as he got out of the car.
She followed, her heels clicking on the gravel. The interior of the mansion was even more impressive than the exterior: crystal chandeliers, antique tapestries, overwhelmingly rich furniture. But despite all this luxury, the place seemed cold, almost inhospitable.
An hour later, Alayna was alone in her assigned room. She looked around the room: a four-poster bed, thick curtains, a dressing room that must have held clothes of unimaginable value. But it wasn't her home. Not yet.
A slight noise caught his attention. Turning around, she found Ethan in the doorway.
- Is everything to your liking? he asked, his indifferent tone poorly masking a certain tension.
Alayna stared at him for a moment before answering.
- If I say no, will you find me another room?
Ethan gave a cold smile.
- Probably not.
He entered, closing the door behind him.
- Listen, Alayna. I'm not going to lie to you. I didn't want this marriage, and I doubt you did either. But if we have to live together, there are rules.
She crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue.
- Rule number one: Don't interfere in my business. What happens in this mansion or in my pack is none of your business.
- Of course, she replied dryly. All I have to do is smile and stay in my place, right?
He clenched his jaw, clearly annoyed by her tone.
- Exactly.
They stood staring at each other for a moment, the silence between them filled with tension.
- Good night, he finally said before leaving the room.
Alayna flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. This marriage was just the beginning. She knew it. And despite appearances, she had no intention of remaining a mere spectator in this game.
***
Far away, in his office, Ethan, a glass of whiskey in hand, contemplated the events of the day. This marriage... he was just a pawn on the chessboard, a piece sacrificed to protect his kingdom. But as he stared at Alayna's reflection in a photo on his desk, a thought crossed his mind, disturbing and unexpected: he couldn't deny that she was more than just a piece in this game.
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