Dante's POV
As I opened the door to step inside the chamber, I was taken aback by the sight before me. Aria was standing, her eyes wide with shock, and her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and guilt.
"What were you doing?" I asked, my voice firm and authoritative.
Aria stuttered, her words tumbling out in a clumsy manner. "Umm... nothing, I have been sitting here waiting for you, and I feel like my butt is on fire, so I stood up to exercise a little bit."
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical of her explanation. Who did she think she was, talking to me like that?
"You're supposed to wait for me," I said, my voice cold and detached. "People who are born out of wedlock don't have any right to complain."
Aria's expression transformed, her eyes blazing with anger, but she replied without fear. "Just because I was born out of wedlock doesn't mean I should be treated like trash, Dante," she said, her voice steady and firm.
I was taken aback by her courage. Since when did she become so bold? She was always timid and submissive, but now she dared to speak to me like an equal?
"Since when did you become this courageous?" I asked, my voice laced with disdain. "You think because you're now married to me, you can talk to me however you like?"
Aria's eyes flashed with defiance. "It's not about marrying you, it's about my right. I shouldn't be treated like trash. It's not my fault that my dad found my mom attractive and had a night with her."
I felt a surge of anger at her words, but beneath that, I sensed a spark of curiosity. Who was this woman, and what had changed her so dramatically?
"You dare to speak to me in such a manner?" I asked, my voice low and menacing. "You can be punished for your insolence."
Aria stood tall, her eyes flashing with defiance. "You can't punish me for speaking the truth," she said, her voice steady.
I was taken aback by her bravery. "Just because you're the Alpha doesn't mean you can do whatever you want and punish anyone as you please," she continued, her gaze locked on mine without fear.
For a moment, I was captivated by her courage. Something about her fearlessness was... soothing. But I couldn't let her see that. I needed to teach her a lesson.
I called out to the guard standing outside the door. "Take her away and lock her in the small chamber. She'll stay there for two days without food."
Aria's expression changed from defiance to fear. She clearly hadn't expected me to take such drastic action.
"Why would you lock me up?" she asked, her voice trembling. "We just got married today. How can you treat your wife like this?"
I sneered, my expression unyielding. "I treat my wife like this because she was being disrespectful to her husband."
As the guard dragged her away, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction. She needed to learn her place. But as I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of her frightened eyes, and for a moment, I felt a pang of doubt…
I shook off the feeling, telling myself that I was the Alpha, and I needed to maintain control. I couldn't let Aria's bravery and defiance undermine my authority.
As I walked away, I heard the sound of the guard locking the door behind Aria. I knew she would be safe in there, but the thought of her being confined and alone didn't sit well with me.
I pushed the feeling aside and made my way to the throne room. I needed to focus on the pack's affairs and not let my personal feelings get in the way.
But as I sat on the throne, I couldn't shake off the image of Aria's frightened eyes. I felt a pang of guilt, wondering if I had been too harsh.
Just then, my advisor, Victor, approached me. "My lord, I see you've taken care of the situation with your new wife."
I nodded, trying to appear confident. "Yes, she needed to learn her place."
Victor's expression was neutral, but I sensed a hint of disapproval. "If I may say so, my lord, perhaps it would be wise to go easy on her. She is, after all, your mate and the future mother of your children."
I frowned, feeling a surge of irritation. "I don't need your advice on how to handle my wife, Victor."
Victor bowed, his expression unchanging. "As you wish, my lord."
I watched him leave, feeling a sense of unease. Had I made a mistake by locking Aria up?
As victor left, I couldn't help but think about the pack's upcoming gathering. It was a crucial event, one that would solidify my position as Alpha and showcase the pack's strength.
Just as I was about to summon my advisors and council members, a knock at the door interrupted me.
It was freya.
"Dante, I see you've taken care of the situation with your new wife," She said, her voice dripping with malice. "But tell me, have you considered the implications of her behavior?"
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What do you mean?"
Freya smiled, her eyes glinting with calculation. "Aria's defiance could be seen as a weakness, Dante. And if the other packs sense that, they'll take advantage of it. You need to show them that you won't tolerate any disobedience."
My expression hardened, "You don't need to tell me how I'll treat my wife, Freya. I said, my voice sharp.
She looked at me with a mix of shame, anger, and disappointment. "I'm just saying what everyone's thinking," she said, her voice laced with emotion. "She wasn't like this before. She's changed today because she married you."
I raised an eyebrow, my expression skeptical.
"She thinks that just because she's married to you, we would have her regard," she said, her tone critical.
I held up a hand, my expression calm. "Thank you for your concern, but I understand your point. However, I'd appreciate it if you didn't worry about my marriage or how I choose to handle it."