The Alpha’s Coffin Bride

"Luna, as you requested, we have prepared substitute blood and a staged death scene. Your 'death' will be unveiled ten days from now, during your mate ceremony."

Hearing the assurance from the other end of the phone, Aria felt a flicker of relief amidst her long-suppressed anger.

"Good," she replied, her voice low, laced with a restrained, feral edge.

"Please rest assured, no one will suspect this faux death. We’ll simulate a fatal silver injury—no werewolf can survive such damage."

With their promise, Aria exhaled deeply. After confirming the details, she ended the call and pushed open the door to the private room.

The lively chatter inside came to an abrupt halt the moment she entered. Every werewolf in the room could sense the faint scent of pine on her—a possessive mark left by Alpha Kane.

Seated at the center, Kane immediately stood up, his long, slender fingers clasping hers. His eyes brimmed with worry as his deep voice carried the weight of alpha authority.

"My little wolf, where have you been? I could smell fear on you."

Kane moved to lead her away. She looked into his eyes, seeing the deep possessiveness within them. Swallowing the bitterness rising in her chest, she shook her head.

"I'm fine."

Kane held her hand as they returned to their seats. The room’s atmosphere lightened once more, the conversations resuming until someone spoke up.

"Kane, your mate bond ceremony with the little wildcat is just around the corner. What do you plan to do about your beta pet?"

At those words, Aria's nails dug into her palms. As a wolf unable to shift, she had long grown accustomed to such remarks. Yet, she could still clearly detect the lingering scent of another woman on Kane.

The person next to the speaker nudged him with their elbow. "Hey, she's right here."

The man shrugged, his tone careless. "So what? The useless one can’t understand our wolf tongue anyway. I’m just curious how Kane plans to deal with his little bitch."

All eyes turned to Kane. A flicker of disdain crossed his face before he spoke.

"I’ll keep her."

He peeled a shrimp and placed it on Aria’s plate before continuing, "She’s just a pet I’m raising. My mate is Aria, and only Aria."

"But if Aria ever found out the truth, she’d bolt. That’s why I’ve kept it from her. Even after the mate bond ceremony, I won’t let her discover anything."

Kane’s sharp gaze swept across the room, his alpha pressure making the air heavy. "Mind your tongues. If anyone dares to slip up in front of her, don’t blame me for tearing you apart."

The alphas in the room, all accustomed to such dominance, merely smirked at his warning. Kane’s response even drew amused whistles.

"Kane, you’re really something. You’re even hiding a toy from your mate."

"Well, she is a useless wolf. Her mental resilience must be pretty weak."

Someone’s eyes lit up with a spark of gossip. "Kane, since Aria doesn’t understand anything, have you and your beta pet ever… you know… at home?"

Kane chuckled lightly, spinning the ring on his finger. His reply was deliberate, nonchalant.

"Of course. Very… wild."

The room erupted into primal howls of laughter, with many giving him approving nods.

"Kane really knows how to play!"

"A useless one like Aria is easy to fool."

"I’d love to see this little wildcat’s face when she finds out the truth!"

The vile laughter continued to echo in the room. No one noticed the way Aria’s hand, clutching her knife and fork, had turned white at the knuckles.

No one knew that three days ago, she had awakened.

And no one knew she had already decided to leave. There would be no mate bond ceremony with Kane. On the day of the ceremony, all Kane would find was a blood-soaked corpse—a fake one.

Kane’s gaze flickered toward her as he noticed the untouched shrimp on her plate. He turned to her, concern etched on his face.

"My little wolf, why aren’t you eating?"

Aria looked at the man whose eyes were filled with false tenderness, forcing a weak smile.

"What were you all talking about just now? You seemed so excited."

Kane smiled, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of her hand. "They were admiring our bond, saying we’ll surely be the most devoted pair."

Around the room, the others exchanged knowing glances. Aria caught the mockery and malice in their eyes.

It felt as though her heart was soaking in silver poison, the pain sharp and unbearable.

They had been talking about his affair, yet he twisted it into admiration for their relationship.

“Kane, I never realized you could lie so effortlessly, ” she hissed inwardly.