MARRIED TO THE COLD-BLOODED ALPHA

anister of the marble staircase, the weight o

abella. No more excuses. This

ned-glass windows splashed the polished floor in hues of crimson and gold. The M

ire gown swayed gently with her movements, shimmering beneath the chandelier light like water beneath the moonl

s, etiquette lessons, elite boarding schools in Switzerland and France-Arabella's life had be

s, she had always known she was more than a daughter to t

away like an antique necklace,

ouble doors. Her mother stood like a portrait brought to life-immaculate, elegant, cold

ween them, sto

an B

ged his frame like armor. His dark hair was slicked back, revealing a strong brow and high cheekbones

eld no

eld se

lity of a business transaction. "Arabella, me

rted, but n

d, extending a gloved

oving. Not a demand,

p her arm-not uncomfortable, but unsettling. L

oice deep and precise. The kind of voice that

he murmured,

rward. "Lucian comes from an old family. Establish

er gaze shifted to her father, seeking... something. Reassur

my future," she said slowly, "b

n passed through he

" came the

e still. He didn't need to speak. He watched her like s

've had many offers, but none are suitable. Lucian understa

eyes locked on Lucian. "Do

ps twi

en fate

beside her window in the east wing. Her fingers pressed to the cool gl

ars refused to fall. Her mind replaye

ike an echo from an ancient nov

ind his gaze. Something

cold cathedral ceremony. A priest who spoke in

en with such confidence it felt rehearsed

t, barely remem

o, a ritual. One she had u

she was whisked aw

wilderness. Forests swallowed the roadways. Snow c

he fog-a towering relic of stone and iron, s

t her skin, and not just from the cold. It felt ancient here

es, no smiles, no words. Just shadows mov

urface was polished, every corner darkened by

ft within

e said. "I wo

't say

iron gates loomed like a myth waiting to be retold. Clouds shifte

en the

a

choing through the woods li

her hand t

she s

lowin

ound. Wide ap

ked and w

pped back. H

was full of servants, after all. But she

tching the thick duvet, listening to

eturned

wrinkled. His eyes a

nodded in passing, headin

locked be

ared at the

ing wa

en wrong from th

ot the man her par

ot a man

somethi

thin

ing da

had marr

e was t