The sunlight slanted through the office windows, casting long, sharp lines across the polished floor. Fia felt the weight of the building around her, the hum of expensive electronics, and the distant chatter of staff she didn't know. She had never imagined herself in a place like this not in a million lifetimes. Yet, here she was, standing in front of the man who had broken her heart and changed the course of her life in one merciless moment.
Hazel's absence still stung. The memory of her half-sister laughing, radiant in white, had cut deeper than any knife Fia had ever known. And the phone call the phone call that left her utterly rejected by the man she had sworn to love was a memory she couldn't erase. But she had a plan now. She wouldn't let anyone take what was hers without a fight.
She was about to make her move.
The elevator chimed, and the doors slid open with a soft whoosh. Fia stepped inside, her heels clicking decisively against the metal floor. She adjusted her coat, smoothing down the fabric over her shoulders, trying to look calm and composed. Inside, she wasn't the naive girl who had been betrayed; she was someone else entirely someone determined, dangerous even in her silence.
The ride up felt interminable. Every passing floor, every flicker of light, reminded her that she was closer to him. Closer to seeing him, the man who had crushed her hopes. Fia swallowed hard, forcing herself to stay poised, to stay in control.
When the doors finally opened on the top floor, she stepped into the spacious office. And there he was.
Ronan. Her fated mate. The Alpha who had rejected her.
He was leaning against the mahogany desk, his broad shoulders framed by the city skyline behind him. The light caught the edges of his face, highlighting the sharp line of his jaw and the dark intensity of his eyes. He didn't smile. He didn't move. And somehow, that stillness made Fia's pulse race.
"Fia," he said, his voice a low rumble that seemed to vibrate through the room. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to speak to you," she replied evenly, holding his gaze. She refused to waver. "We need to talk about Hazel."
His lips twitched, a shadow of amusement or perhaps irritation. "Hazel is gone. There's nothing to discuss."
"Nothing to discuss?" Fia echoed, stepping closer. "You left me without a word, without even a chance to explain, and now you're pretending it's all fine? That's not how it works, Ronan."
He straightened, his height intimidating, and folded his arms across his chest. "I've made my decision. Hazel is my mate. You should accept it."
Fia's laugh was short, sharp, almost bitter. "Accept it? No. I'm not here to beg for what's mine. I'm here to claim it."
Ronan's eyes narrowed. "Claim it? And how exactly do you intend to do that?"
She took a deep breath, letting the calmness she had fought so hard to cultivate settle over her. "I have a proposition."
He tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his gaze despite his usual composure. "Go on."
"I will take Hazel's place," she said firmly. "At the altar. I will marry you temporarily until everything is sorted. I want what was promised to me from the start. And if you don't agree…" Her voice dropped to a whisper, dangerous and low. "Then you will see what happens when someone fights for their rightful place."
There was a long silence. The air between them seemed to crackle with tension. Ronan's jaw tightened, and for the first time, Fia saw a flicker of something in his eyes bewilderment, respect, or perhaps the tiniest hint of fear.
"You're audacious," he finally said, his tone neutral but edged with something she couldn't quite place. "And reckless."
"Maybe," Fia admitted. "But I don't intend to lose again."
Ronan studied her for a long moment, and then, surprisingly, he nodded once. "Very well. I'll consider it. But know this, Fia: you're stepping into a world that's not forgiving. You'll have to play the game carefully."
"I always play to win," she replied, her eyes never leaving his.
For the first time, Ronan seemed intrigued. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers. "I want to see how far you'll go. But one wrong move, and everything falls apart for both of us."
Fia's lips curved into a determined smile. "Then I'll make sure my moves are flawless."
As she turned to leave, she felt a new sense of power, a newfound confidence. The battle wasn't over it had just begun. And this time, Fia wasn't going to lose. She would claim what was hers, even if it meant walking through fire to do it.
The office door closed behind her with a soft click, sealing the pact she had made with destiny. A temporary marriage, a daring game of strategy, and the chance to reclaim everything that had been taken from her. Fia knew it wouldn't be easy, but she didn't care. She was ready.
Because some things were worth fighting for. And she would fight until the end.