Page 70 of The Alpha's Forbidden Heir

The guard shifts uneasily. “Her wedding, Alpha. It’s set to take place in a week.”

The room falls deathly silent, the air thick with tension. My mind races, thoughts spiraling out of control.

Rook is the first to break the silence. “That bastard’s marrying her off?” His tone is incredulous. “What kind of sick—”

“Enough,” I snap, cutting him off. “Who’s the man?”

The guard hesitates. “I… I don’t know, Alpha. Vittorio hasn’t revealed his name yet. But it’s someone he trusts. Someone who’s agreed to take in Elias as well.”

A low growl rumbles in my chest. The idea of Aria being forced into a marriage—to anyone—makes my blood boil. And Elias? My son? Being handed over like some afterthought?

“I should’ve seen this coming,” I mutter, pacing the length of the room. My hands run through my hair, tugging at the strands as frustration mounts.

Markus, one of my head guards, steps forward cautiously. “Alpha, this could be a power move. Vittorio’s trying to secure control over Aria and her child. If he succeeds…”

“He won’t succeed,” I snarl, my voice echoing through the room. “I won’t let him.”

Rook crosses his arms, his expression grim. “You’re acting like you have time to spare, Bane.”

Those words hit harder than I want to admit. Is Rook right? Have I waited too long, assuming I could handle this at my own pace?

“She wouldn’t go through with it,” I say, more to myself than anyone else.

“Wouldn’t she?” Rook challenges, raising an eyebrow. “You’ve been ignoring the bond for years. You’ve kept her at arm’slength, refusing to claim her. And now, she’s alone, surrounded by enemies, with no one to protect her or Elias. What choice does she have?”

The truth of his words is a knife to the gut.

Markus shifts uncomfortably, not used to seeing me talk like that. “Alpha, we need to act quickly. If this marriage takes place, it’ll solidify Vittorio’s hold on her. Even if we manage to rescue her afterward, the damage might already be done.”

I slam my fist on the table, the wood groaning under the force. “She’s mine,” I growl. “And that child—my child—will not grow up under Vittorio’s control.”

“Then what’s the plan?” Tobias, another trusted guard, asks. “We can’t just barge into Vittorio’s territory without a strategy. We need to think this through.”

“We don’t have time to think,” I snap, my patience wearing thin. “We move now.”

“Move where?” Rook asks, his tone sharp. “We don’t even know where she is. What’s the point of charging in blind and getting yourself killed? Or worse—getting her killed?”

I glare at him, but deep down, I know he’s right. Charging in without a plan would only make things worse.

“Then we find her,” I say, my voice calmer but no less determined. “We find her, we stop this, and we bring her and Elias home.”

The guard who brought the news hesitates, then speaks up again. “Alpha… there’s one more thing.”

“What is it?” I ask, my patience fraying.

“There was also information that Luna Aria didn’t agree to the engagement willingly. But…” He trails off, his expression troubled.

“But what?” I press, my chest tightening.

“They said Vittorio threatened her—threatened Elias. That’s why she gave in.”

The room erupts into low murmurs, anger rippling through my men. My vision blurs with rage.

“That son of a bitch,” I growl, slamming my fist into the table again. The wood splinters under the force, but I don’t care.

Rook steps forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “Bane, focus. Aria’s holding on, but she won’t last much longer.”

“I’m aware,” I snap, shrugging off his hand.

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