Not His Mate, But A Queen

Aria POV:

The morning I was discharged, Kaelen was waiting for me outside my room, his face set in a look of practiced concern. I walked right past him without a word, my gaze fixed on the man leaning against a sleek black car at the end of the hall.

Silas.

He pushed off the car, a charming, easy smile on his face. "Ready to escape this prison, Princess?"

I managed a small, tired smile in return. Kaelen stiffened behind me, his disapproval a palpable wave in the air.

"Where are you taking her?" Kaelen demanded, his voice laced with an authority he no longer had over me.

"None of your business," Silas shot back, opening the passenger door for me. "Some of us know how to treat a lady after she's been through an ordeal."

As I settled into the plush leather seat, I ignored Kaelen's burning stare. Silas slid into the driver's seat and pulled away smoothly.

"There's a special auction tonight," Silas said, his eyes on the road. "Rare herbs, enchanted artifacts, precious stones that can soothe a wolf's spirit. My treat. Consider it a 'welcome back to the world of the walking' gift."

"Spending my father's money to impress me, Silas?" I asked, a hint of my old fire returning.

He laughed, a genuine, rich sound. "Hardly. I have my own ventures. Overseas investments. More than enough to keep a future Luna in the style she deserves."

His blatant flattery was so audacious it was almost refreshing. I found myself smiling for the first time in days. "Fine. But I'm choosing the destination."

My target was a legendary blue diamond known as the "Tear of the Moon Goddess." It was said to have calming properties, to quell the inner turmoil of a werewolf's soul. Right now, my soul felt like a raging tempest. I needed it.

The auction house was a study in opulence, filled with the elite from every major pack. Silas and I took our seats near the front. Just as I was beginning to relax, a familiar chill went down my spine.

Kaelen had just walked in. And on his arm, looking doe-eyed and innocent, was Lyra.

My jaw tightened. Of course. He wouldn't let me have one evening of peace. I knew, with a sinking certainty, exactly what was about to happen.

When the "Tear of the Moon Goddess" was presented, a hush fell over the room. It was magnificent, a flawless diamond that seemed to pulse with a soft, internal light.

Lyra's hand shot up immediately, placing a bid. Then she glanced over at me, saw the desire in my eyes, and with a practiced, martyred sigh, she lowered her hand. She whispered something to Kaelen, her expression a perfect blend of longing and self-sacrifice.

Kaelen’s face hardened. He looked directly at me, his gaze a challenge. Then he stood up, his voice ringing through the silent hall.

"My companion fancies that stone," he announced, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Whatever she wants, she gets." He then named a price so astronomically high it made the entire room gasp.

The message was clear. It wasn't about the diamond. It was about humiliation.

Every wolf in that room knew Kaelen was my intended. They knew he was the future Alpha of Silver Moon. And they were all watching as he publicly chose an Omega over his future Luna, using my family's own wealth to do it.

The whispers started, hushed and pitying. I became the joke of the night, the jilted princess. A hot, furious shame washed over me.

No. I would not let him do this to me.

I raised my paddle, my hand steady despite the trembling fury inside me. I would have that diamond. I didn't care what it cost. This was no longer about a stone; it was about my pride.