Ariana's eyebrow shot up in shock as the music slowed to a dramatic stop. She was still trying to process what he had just said. Had she heard him correctly? Did he just say he would be getting married to her?
Tonight
Zavren, who had expected such a reaction, held her waist to steady her stance.
B..But… what about his mate?
Was he going to reject her—whoever she was? Ariana was certain she wasn't his mate—she couldn't be. Her mother, a wolf, had done the impossible by giving birth to her, a human. So was it even possible for a wolf's mate to be human?
The lights returned slowly, bathing the large hall in brilliance once more. Ariana gave a slow curtsy. A soft clap echoed across the hall—it was delicate, yet powerful. As expected, the rich did everything with a certain grace.
"My mate, future Luna, and queen," Zavren announced. His deep, commanding voice resonated through the hall, silencing every whisper and breath.
Time stilled.
"All hail His Majesty," the crowd spoke in unison.
This phrase was sacred—used only when a king declared something absolute. Whether it pleased or displeased anyone, it had to be said.
Zavren moved, his dark hair falling to his face, lips curling upward in a cold yet perfect smirk. He held her hand, raising it to his lips and pressing a kiss against the back. His grey eyes locked onto hers with dark intensity.
Ariana's heart skipped a beat as their eyes met. Her knees wobbled slightly from the way her body was reacting to him. Her lips parted as she tried to make sense of it all. Everything was happening too fast, and her mind was too slow to keep up. Every time she began to steady herself, he would land another blow—right to her core.
The music resumed slowly, this time for the general ball dance, yet every eye in the room remained fixed on them.
Zavren shifted slightly to leave, but just as Ariana turned to move toward where her father stood, her head spun. Instinctively, she brought her hands up, pressing them against her temples as a wave of dizziness crashed over her. The moment she took a step forward—pain.
SIIIIIIIII—
A sharp, piercing sound rang in her head. Her body moved on its own, stumbling forward. But Zavren caught her just in time.
Gasps echoed through the grand hall at the sight.
Without saying a word, Zavren scooped Ariana into his arms not minding the eyes that watched. Her eyes fluttered open slightly and widened in shock, but the pain was too intense for her to protest. Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment…
It rang again. Her breath caught as she squeezed her eyes shut, as if that could ease the pain.
Eyes widened around them, stunned by the sight—the Alpha King Zavren, a man long rumored to prefer men due to his complete lack of mistresses, was now carrying a woman in his arms. Many were still reeling from his earlier announcement, but now… this?
His grip on her tightened protectively. His gaze darkened as he looked down at Ariana's pale face. Her palms were pressed tightly to her forehead—the center of her pain. Without pause, Zavren began walking toward the grand doors, his presence radiating raw power. The crowd instinctively parted.
Wrapped in his aura, she looked more ethereal than ever—fragile, yet radiant.
As the doors closed behind them, a heavy silence fell over the hall.
Even the music had stopped.
Just like that, the king had made his choice.
It was as if everyone were still struggling to process what had just happened.
Even the instrumentalist.
Just as whispers were beginning to spiral—
THAA!
A loud thud snapped their attention elsewhere.
Gasps erupted once more—Ava had collapsed.
*
*
Zavren moved swiftly through the quiet corridor with Ariana securely in his arms. The only sound she could hear was the soft echo of his footsteps against the marbled floor. His sharp jaw clenched as he walked.
"How are you feeling..?" he asked, pausing to glance down at her.
"Bite your lip if you're feeling better. Stick out your tongue if it's gotten worse," he added with an unreadable expression, eyes locked on hers.
Ariana hesitated, then bit her lower lip halfway—and slightly stuck out her tongue at the same time.
Zavren stopped in his tracks, pupils dilating.
He hadn't expected that.
"So… in between?" he murmured, then leaned in a little closer. "What a naughty little one you are, huh?" His voice was low, almost a purr, and a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest—clearly amused.
A sweet shiver ran down Ariana's spine. She could feel the vibration of his laughter reverberate through her where he held her.
Zavren's lips curled into a smirk, still intrigued by her earlier reaction, as he resumed walking.
"You really know how to surprise me, hmm? Snowflake… I must say, I'm impressed."
Ariana's face burned even deeper as the weight of everything hit her—he had carried her, Zavren the Alpha King, in front of the entire hall. There was no doubt she would be the center of every whisper in the village by morning.
Finally, a large set of doors swung open.
Zavren stepped inside a grand room, the scent wrapping around her like a warm blanket. It made her heart race… and yet, strangely, calmed her at the same time.
There was no denying it—this was his room.
Wait…he j..just took..Did he just bring me to his room?
Her eyes widened in disbelief as he gently sat her down. She looked around—it was a large room that screamed luxury, from the paintings down to the marble floor. No denying this was a luxury.
"Do you feel better now?" he asked, his tone softer.
Ariana nodded silently. She didn't want to think about what could've happened if he hadn't caught her. Honestly, she might have lost more than just her footing—she might have given up her soul to the darkness creeping into her body.
Zavren stood and crossed the room, stopping in front of a table. He retrieved a small, golden book decorated with delicate pink ribbons. He picked up a matching ink pen and returned to her side.
Ariana stared up at him in shock. Was he…? Was he really—?
Her lips trembled, emotion welling in her chest. For reasons she couldn't explain, the gesture warmed her heart more than she expected.
Zavren extended the book toward her.
"Take this, Snowflake," he said in a husky voice. "Write one wish you'd like me to grant. I'll do it—whatever it is."
Ariana's lips parted slightly as she accepted the smooth little book. It was warm in her hand, almost like it had a heartbeat. Her fingers trembled around the pen.
"I'll be back," he said, straightening. "I have something I need to attend to. Your personal maid will be with you shortly."
Her heart dropped.
'He's… leaving?'
Zavren began walking toward the door, his pace unhurried, each step echoing in the quiet room. Just as he reached it, he paused, his hand on the handle. A slow, sinful grin curved his lips as he turned his head slightly, voice low and sultry.
"Consider the wish… your birthday gift from me."
He paused.
"Ariana.."