Chapter 6

Isla

The study door clicked shut behind him and the sound echoed far louder than it should have in the heavy silence.

Or maybe that was just my brain overreacting.

The study was empty now, even though I was seated in it and except for the faint ticking of a clock somewhere in the corner nothing seemed to be breathing.

The air smelled faintly of parchment and cedarwood—Tristan’s scent still clinging to the space he’d just left. I hated how my chest tightened because of it.

I stood there, staring at my copy of the marriage contract still resting on the desk. My name was scrawled across it in shaky letters, black ink on white paper — the worthless omega had sealed her fate to one of the most dangerous men in their territory and pack.

I’d signed it for my grandfather, that’s what I kept telling myself.

It was not for Tristan or the pesky little feeling from my annoying omega wolf screaming to me that this man was my mate. The bond in my chest throbbed like a living thing, pulsing with every heartbeat and my wolf curled against it, satisfied, like she’d been waiting years for this connection. I wanted to claw it and her out with a spoon of I had to.

So yes, definitely not for Tristan. My mind reminded me sarcastic. This was why I hated being an omega, it was like all my senses flew out of my body at the sight of a mate and then there was the fact that I moving into his chambers.

Tomorrow.

Which barely left me with anytime to comfort myself, I had seen what the mating bond did to people, made them loose control and become controlled slaves to the bond.

Being in close proximity with him, would break down my resolve inch by inch everyday. I gripped the edge of the desk, trying to steady myself.

Feeling a little bit annoyed that I hadn't pressed more,he hadn’t even waited for my answer.

He had just assumed that I would do everything that he said which was typical of everything in my life, someone else had made the choice for me.

The distant humming of voices and laughter from the ballroom seeped under the door. I really didn't want to go out there at all they were still out there — the Alphas, betas and high-ranking wolves who’d been whispering about me all night and would keep whispering even when I walked out.

I was the omega girl.

A stand-in and a mistake.

My hands itched to tear the contract to pieces. But instead, I picked it up and folded it neatly.

Rage was easy but defiance was easier , I didn’t have the power to walk away from this — not without burning the last bridge I had with my grandfather.

A knock startled me.

I expected one of the servants or maybe my stepmother. Instead, the door opened and a woman slipped inside.

She was tall, striking, with sleek black hair pulled into a knot and a simple slick gown that whispered wealth. Her sharp amber eyes swept over me like I it'swas something she wanted to dissect just so she could understand it.

She was a beta and had no need to be in the humiliating situation I was in right now.

“So it’s true,” she said.

"He chose you.” she whispered and I blinked.

“And you are?”

She smiled, slow and humorless.

“Rhea. Tristan’s aunt.” I stood almost immediately straightening my dress,

Her gaze dropped to the folded contract in my hand, then back to my face.

“Do you have any idea what you’ve just stepped into?” she asked and I huffed in my head,

" I'm not very sure what you're asking" I mumbled and she just glared at me steadily without saying a word in reply.

I swallowed feeling doubly uncomfortable now.

“An arrangement.” I said softly

Rhea tilted her head to the side like she was considering my answer

"That’s one word for it. But this? This is a war. And you, little Omega, just volunteered to stand at his side when the knives come out.”

Something in her tone made my skin prickle.

"I didn’t quite volunteer.” I mumbled a bit on edge

“No,” she said softly, almost kindly.

“But you signed. And now, everyone in this pack will be watch you. Waiting for you to slip. Waiting for him to replace you.”

I bristled, but before I could speak, she stepped closer.

“If you’re smart, you’ll learn quickly. Tristan plays a long game. And he never… loses.”

With that, she left, the door shutting quietly behind her.

Of course her first day as his contract mate and I was already getting dressed down.

I stood there for a long moment, my pulse pounding in my ears and then I straightened my shoulders, slipped the contract under my arm, and on unsteady legs stepped out into the corridor. and walked out of the side room back into the ballroom.

The castle-like halls of the estate seemed even larger at night, all polished marble and golden sconces casting warm light onto velvet-draped walls.

But there was nothing warm about this place. It was beautiful, yes, and cold.

The trappings of my glided cage prison, it was a sign that I would likely never belong here no matter how much silk I wrapped yourself in.

The temperature kind of dropped further as I walked down the corridor every servant I passed lowered their eyes immediately.

No one spoke. No one smiled.

It was as if the very walls was aware that I was just a placeholder, until the true queen returned but I ignored it.

It didn't matter if they liked it or not I was his mate, Vivian had run off and abandoned her duty and so like always I was here to pick up the pieces.

It was up to them to learn to accept me or to forget about it.

I already had enough problems on my plate.

Tomorrow, I’d move into Tristan’s chambers. Tomorrow, the real game would begin.

And if Tristan thought I’d be a quiet, obedient placeholder,that would let him walk right all over me he was about to learn exactly how wrong he was.