Mute

Caspian’s POV.

The evening of my bachelor party was nothing short of a spectacle. The grand hall was adorned with banners and lights, a lavish spread of food and drink set out on long

ered in

tables. Men groups, engaged in all sorts of activities–arm wrestling.

matches, drinking contests, and dart throwing. Laughter and rowdy cheers filled the air, and celebration that grated on my nerves.

I sat in the corner, nursing a glass of whiskey, my jaw clenching and unclenching as I watched the festivities. Everyone around me seemed to be having the time of their lives, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Elijah, my beta, approached me with a hopeful smile. “Caspian, come on, man. Join us in a game of darts. It’ll be fun.”

I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink. “Not tonight, Elijah.”

He frowned, his eyebrows knitting together. “It’s your bachelor party. You should be enjoying yourself.”

“Should I?” I muttered, more to myself than to him.

Elijah placed a hand on my shoulder, leaning in closer. “What’s going on with you? You’ve been in a foul mood all evening.

I looked up at him, trying to mask the turmoil inside me. “Just… thinking about

tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow is supposed to be the happiest day of your life,” Elijah said, his tone light but concerned. “You’re marrying Ellen. She’s perfect for you.”

“Is she?” I snapped, immediately regretting the harshness in my voice. “Sorry, Elijah. I just need some time alone.”

He sighed, giving my shoulder a reassuring squeeze before walking away. “Alright, but

I stay i the shadows all night.”

I watched him join a group of men around the dartboard, their laughter echoing in my cars. I couldn’t shake the feeling of regret that gnawed at me. Why had I been so hasty? Why had I let Aria slip through my fingers?

If only I had been more patient, more understanding. I had strangled the life out of her, forcing her to accept my rejection. Now, I was stuck with Ellen, a woman I had

convinced myself was perfect. She had the appearance, the pedigree, everything that should have made her an ideal Luna. Yet, every day, I realized more and more that I didn’t love her. Not the way I had loved Aria.

The truth was, I already had cold feet. I was forcing myself to feel something for Ellen because I thought it was the right thing to do. But love couldn’t be manufactured, and my heart wasn’t in

God, I hated myself for it. I clenched my jaw so hard it ached, trying to push the thoughts away. If I let myself dwell on them, I might just explode, and that would ruin everything.

“Caspian!” Elijah called out again, this time from across the room. “How about a drinking contest, then? You can’t sit out on that one!”

I forced a smile, lifting my glass. “I’ll pass, Elijah. I’ve had enough for tonight.”

His expression fell, but he nodded. “Alright, but don’t disappear on us.”

I watched as he returned to the others, feeling more isolated than ever. Men were supposed to be happy on their bachelor night, especially an Alpha. But here I was, confused and agitated, regretting every decision that had led me to this moment.

If only I had waited a little longer, seen what was right in front of me. If only I hadn’t been so blinded by the need to fulfill expectations. Now, I was trapped in a situation of my own making, with no clear way out.

I drained the rest of my whiskey, setting the glass down with a little too much force. The sound of it hitting the table seemed to echo my frustration. I knew one thing for sure: tomorrow was going to be a very long day.”

The bachelor party finally wound down, the echoes of laughter and the clinking of glasses fading as we made our way back to the castle. I managed to keep my composure, despite the turmoil churning inside me. As we approached the grand entrance, I saw my father waiting. His presence, tall and imposing, stood out against the backdrop of the castle.

“Caspian,” he called out as I approached. “I need a word with you.”

1 nodded, thankful I hadn’t drunk enough to cloud my senses. We walked together to a quieter part of the castle, settling in the dimly lit library. The smell of old leather and parchment filled the air, adding a somber weight to the conversation we were about to

have.

Charmer to

My father cleared his throat and began. “Caspian, tomorrow is a significant day.‘ werkding. You’re not just marrying Ellen; you’re choosing a companion, a wife, a for this pack. She’s going to be your best friend, your partner in all things”

I could feel my jaw tightening as he spoke, each word making the bitterness in m grow. He continued, his tone firm but gentle. “You need to take care of her, be go her no matter what Never hurt her. Remember, you’re not alone anymore.”

As his words sank in, I couldn’t hold back any longer. “What if I don’t want to go through with this marriage anymore?

The atmosphere in the room shifted, tension crackling like a live wire. My father’s darkened, and he growled, “You better not be serious.

“I am serious, Father. I said, struggling to keep my voice steady. “I’m a man, an Alp ruler. I have every right to make decisions about my own life.”

His expression hardened, and he took a step closer, his voice low and threatening. “Don’t try anything stupid. Caspian. You are going through with this marriage. That final

“It feels like I’m being forced.” I gritted out, my frustration bubbling over. “Nothing about this feels right anymore.”

My father’s face twisted with anger, his eyes narrowing. “You picked Ellen from the crowd yourself. You made her your chosen Luna. We’ve made preparations for this marriage for weeks. You cannot disgrace yourself as an Alpha. You cannot hurt Ellen.”

I wanted to scream, to tell him how ever fiber of my being yearned for someone else, but I couldn’t. Instead, I took a deep breath and met his gaze, trying one last time to make him understand.

“It’s not about anyone else, I insisted, my voice tinged with frustration. “It’s about me, about what I want, what I feel,”

But my father was quick to interject, his voice laced with suspicion. “Don’t tell me it’s because of that mute maid Aria, that you’re acting up,” he retorted, his gaze piercing.

Frustration boiled within me as I met my father’s gaze, the weight of his accusation hanging heavily in the air. “Yes,” I admitted, the words tumbling forth despite my reluctance. “It’s all about her. I love her. I can’t marry another when she has my heart.”

Shock registered in my father’s expression, his features contorting in disbelief. “You’re infatuated, he declared, dismissing my emotions with a wave of his hand.

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But I refused to back down, desperation fuelling me. “Aria is more than just infatuation,” I confessed, the weight of my admission hanging heavy in the air. “She’s my mate. I rejected her to be with Ellen, but the connection remains.”

Silence descended upon us, the weight of my revelation hanging heavy in the air. And as my father processed my words, a stunned expression crossed his features, his disbelief evident in every line of his face.

My father stared at me, his eyes wide with shock. “Is this a joke?” he asked, his voice low and incredulous.

“No,” I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me. “It’s not a joke. It’s the

truth.”

He looked at me as if he didn’t recognize the man standing before him. I could see the disbelief etched into every line of his face.

“I didn’t want to admit it,” I continued, my voice raw with emotion. “But it’s been hard for me to leave her. Every day, I feel the bond pulling at me. My wolf yearns for her, and no matter how hard I try, I can’t sever that connection.”

My father listened, his face a mask of impassivity. When I finished, he sighed deeply. “Caspian,” he said slowly, “Aria is someone you have already severed the mate bond with. What you’re feeling is guilt because you hurt her, not love.”

“Guilt?” I repeated, my voice rising. “You think this is just guilt? It’s more than that. I feel empty without her. Incomplete.”

He raised a hand, silencing me.” Enough, Caspian. Tomorrow, you are marrying Ellen. She will be crowned Luna of this pack, and that is final,” he said, his tone brooking no argument.

I opened my mouth to protest, but he turned and walked away, not waiting to argue or listen to me persist further.

His departure left me standing alone, the weight of his words pressing down on me like

a stone.

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