Chapter 3 Vivian's POV A man barges into my room at the crack of dawn the next day, and I freeze. I still haven't seen Alpha Orion. He hasn't come near me to consummate the wedding, and secretly, a part of me is relieved. I'm in nothing but my underwear, so I yank the sheet off the bed and wrap it around myself like armor. The man doesn't even blink at my state, as if barging into rooms uninvited is part of his daily routine. "I need you to sign these papers," he says, shoving a stack of documents toward me. I blink at them, trying to focus through the fog of sleep. My head is pounding, my eyes swollen, and everything is hazy. "What for?" I mumble, rubbing my eyes. "Your wedding certificate and your agreement," he says without emotion. I reach for them, frowning at the crisp papers in my hands. "Let me read the agreement first," I say, attempting to assert some control. "No time," he interrupts, shaking his head sharply. "The lawyer needs them back immediately. You and Alpha are leaving for his house in thirty minutes." Confusion hits me hard. "I'm not going to live here?" He shakes his head again. I already know there's no reasoning with him. No logic, no mercy. I sigh and sign the documents, forcing my hand to steady. With nothing else to do, I hand them back. No luggage. No clothes. No toiletries. Just this room and my own exhausted body. I'm left to make do. I grab the mouthwash from the bathroom and rinse my mouth. I splash water over myself, washing away the grim residue of restless sleep. In the wardrobe, I dig through the clothes and find a pair of slacks that look way too big for me. I wrestle them on and flop into the chair, sitting there like a statue, waiting for someone to tell me what to do next. I wish I could call my father, or even say goodbye properly. But Alpha Orion wouldn't allow it. I tell myself I'll call him once my phone is charged. Maybe there'll be signal at Orion's pack settlement. Maybe. Moments later, someone arrives to take me out of the room. I brace myself, thinking I'll be sitting next to Alpha Orion. But I'm shoved into a separate car, isolated from him, and we drive in a long, intimidating convoy. It takes two hours to reach the Ravenclan pack settlement. People line the streets, cheering for their Alpha. They seem genuinely devoted, and I can't wrap my head around it. How could anyone adore a man like him? A man so cruel, so calculating, so utterly evil? I'm escorted from the car into a vast building-the Packhouse. The settlement is immaculate, almost unreal in its beauty. The Packhouse dwarfs my old pack's house tenfold, ostentatious and commanding respect just by existing. A maid leads me upstairs, and my heart hammers. I brace for Orion's room, expecting the worst. But instead, she opens a small, plain room for me. The furniture is basic. The walls are neutral. There's nothing luxurious, nothing impressive-nothing at all. "Someone will bring your luggage," she says. I'm about to tell her I didn't bring any, but before I can, two men enter, carrying four massive suitcases. They still have the tags on them. New. Brand new. As soon as they leave, my stomach growls. Hunger claws at me, but I don't dare leave the room-I'm not sure where I would even go. I sit and wait. An hour passes before there's a knock. I call them in, and they set a tray of food on the table. Relief washes over me. At least I'm not starving. The food is enough to feed a small army, and I doubt I'll be able to finish it. I ask if someone can bring me a charger for my phone. One of the servers nods and promises to fetch it. True to her word, she returns. I plug in my phone, watching the battery creep upward, and I call my father. "Daddy, how are you?" I ask, my voice trembling slightly. He sounds overjoyed to hear me. 'How is he treating you?' he asks. I tell him I haven't seen Alpha Orion yet. "He's put me in charge of our pack," my father says. "I have to report to him, and I can't make any decisions without his approval. I guess he took you with him as insurance." A pang of relief hits me that he still has some dignity. I promise to call him often, and we hang up. The day stretches out endlessly. Kova, my wolf, wants to run, to explore, but I'm unfamiliar with this territory. I can't risk wandering into enemy land and getting myself killed. So I stay put, eating my dinner in solitude. Finally, I turn my attention to the luggage. Each suitcase is neatly packed with shiny, untouched items. One holds toiletries, makeup, and lingerie. Another is stacked with casual wear and pajamas. The third contains outfits meant for formal occasions. The last is overflowing with shoes, handbags, and accessories. I organize everything meticulously in the wardrobe, but after that, there's nothing to do. Except for the television in the corner. I hardly ever watch TV, but desperate times call for desperate measures. I flick through the channels, searching for something bearable. I land on a game show. Boring as hell, but it's the best I can find. I avoid romance shows-no point torturing myself with what I'll never have. After a couple of episodes, I switch to a comedy. It's supposed to be funny, but the romantic subplot gets me anyway. Tears slip down my cheeks despite my best effort. I want to stop crying, but I can't. Reality hits like a hammer, reminding me exactly what my life has become. I eventually shower, slipping into one of the soft pajamas from my new luggage, and I fall asleep, hoping for a moment of reprieve. I wake with a start to the sound of someone looming over me. Reflexively, I recoil. Alpha Orion stands in my room, and my stomach twists. I thought he'd ignore me forever. I was wrong. I don't want him here. I don't want him near me. "Wake up, Vivian," he says, his voice low, deep, commanding. I freeze, wide awake but unsure what to say. He steps closer, brushing his hand against my thigh. "Were you seeing someone before this?" I shake my head. Surprise flickers across his face, but he hides it quickly. "Okay. You're not allowed to date or sleep with anyone here. I won't claim you, and I won't sleep with you. This is the price for keeping your father and your old pack alive. If you run, I'll kill them. We might be married, but you're not my Luna, and you never will be. Are we clear?" I stare at him, swallowing hard. "Am I going to live like this forever? Are you ever going to let me go?" "No," he says, flat and unwavering. Anger flares, burning me from the inside. "Then it's only fair you let me have affairs. Maybe flings. I deserve that much." His eyes darken to absolute murder. "It's not that I care about you that way, but if my wife sleeps around, it damages my reputation. Learn celibacy-it'll serve you well." "Are you celibate?" I shoot back, my irritation palpable. He smirks, standing tall. "Don't cross the line with me, Vivian." He turns toward the door, and I can't help myself. "Can I at least run and hunt with my wolf?" He glances back. "Within this territory, yes." "Who's going to show me around?" A wicked smile spreads across his face. "No one." Then he's gone, leaving me fuming. 'How dare he hand me rules he doesn't even follow himself?' I'm livid. This isn't a marriage. It's imprisonment. The wedding was just a tool to manipulate my father. I look around the small, dull room, realizing I'm not going to be treated well here. Still, I steel myself. I refuse to let him control my emotions. I know I'm unwanted, and so is he. I curl back under the covers, wishing the days, months, and years would pass quickly. Maybe, just maybe, I'll die a natural death one day and finally be free of this bastard. Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.