My arranged marriage

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.