h seemed strangely disproportionate to her, as if she herself were only an intruder in this imposing residence. The day before, she had met Adrian for the first time, and despite their sober

ould not be the one from a fairy tale,

against the back of the room, motionless for a moment. He wore a close

vous at the intensity of his presence. There was something about him that disarmed her,

, trying to break the silence, but his

unease with him, especially after the murmurings she'd heard a

Master Guillemot, had slipped discreetly into the room. He observed them with

tant that you understand your role. As the future wife of the Alpha, your conduct must be exemplary. You will consta

gaining on them. She knew that her marriage to Adrian would not be a loving unio

for members of her own family, and a strict ban on speaking to male members of the family. the pack without being accompanied. Every word, ev

was icy, almost detached. "Do you understand, Kat

life peacefully, in the shadows. But his father, riddled with debt, had accepted this union without hesitation, seeing it as an opportunity to restore the family image.

she finally whisper

his attention to Adrian. "It's also essential that there be regular public appearances, Adrian

e far too big for her, a role that had been assigned to her without asking her opinion. However, she tried

alone in heavy silence. Adrian, still distant, stared

with all this? » he as

ook a breath, searching for words. "I...I do it for my family," she admitted, her voice barely audible. "M

ion softening slightly. "So you s

rength from it. " Yes. Just like you, I sup

re show. She wasn't as fragile as she looked, he realized. Maybe he unde

mured, as if speak

rought him a strange comfort. There was something about solitude and duty that b

his impassive Alpha mask. "I'll let you rest." We must follow the counc

this mark of considerat

r direction. "If you ever need anything... don't hesitate to t

mile playing on her lips.

he realized that this marriage, despite its obligations and strict rules, could be much more than just an ar