Chapter 05

IRIS POV:

The car kept moving north for what felt like forever. The highway slowly turned into narrower roads, then into private lanes lined with tall pines. No more billboards. No more lights from other packs. Just the soft glow from the dashboard.

Finally, the Rolls-Royce slowed. Tall iron gates appeared ahead, opening automatically as we approached.

Beyond them stretched an estate that took my breath away. Massive stone walls, perfectly trimmed hedges, fountains lit up with soft gold light, and a main house that looked more like a modern palace than a home.

Everything screamed money and power. The kind only Trillionaires could own.

As the car rolled to a stop in the circular driveway, men in black suits stepped out from the shadows. Bodyguards. At least ten of them. All holding guns, big ones, held low but ready. Their faces were hard, eyes sharp. They looked like they would shoot first and ask questions later.

The driver opened Aurelian’s door. He stepped out calmly, like this was normal. The guards moved toward him fast.

“Sir, you shouldn’t go out alone,” one of them said. “Especially not tonight. The protocols…”

Aurelian raised one hand. “It’s fine. I just needed some air. A short drive. No issue.”

The guards exchanged quick looks but stepped back. Aurelian started walking toward the house without another word.

He forgot me.

I sat there for a second, still in my ruined wedding gown, feeling stupid. Then I pushed the door open and stepped out. My heels clicked on the stone. The train of the dress dragged behind me like a heavy chain.

“Aurelian,” I called.

The guards spun toward me so fast I almost jumped. Their guns lifted just a little. Their eyes turned dark with anger, like I had no right to say his name out loud. One of them took a step forward, looking ready to grab me.

Aurelian stopped. He turned slowly.

“Easy,” he said to them calmly but boldly. “She’s a guest.”

The guards lowered their weapons right away, but their faces stayed hard. They watched me like I was a threat.

I swallowed and started walking. The gown dragged across the ground, picking up dirt and small stones. I felt small and out of place next to all this luxury.

Aurelian waited at the top of the wide steps. When I reached him, he opened the huge double doors without a word. Inside, the house was even more impressive: high ceilings, marble floors, crystal lights that looked like falling stars. It smelled clean, like cedar and fresh rain.

He led me up a curving staircase, then down a long hallway. We stopped at a door made of dark wood. He pushed it open.

The room was huge. A massive bed with white sheets, a sitting area with soft chairs, a wall of windows looking out at the forest, and a walk-in closet that was bigger than my father's bedroom at our mansion. Clothes hung neatly, dresses, shirts, jeans, everything in simple but expensive fabrics.

“Change into something comfortable,” he said. “Pick whatever you like.”

I stood there for a moment, confused, wanting him to give me space or turn back or something rather than standing there looking at me.

He looked at me, head tilted. “You can’t get out of that dress by yourself.”

He was right. The back was full of tiny buttons and a tight corset tie. I had needed help even to put it on, but I didn't stand there for that reason. I stood there so he would leave, but he didn't.

I turned my back to him slowly. My face burned.

He stepped closer. His fingers moved slowly, unhooking my buttons one by one. He didn’t turn away. He didn’t act shy or polite about it. He just did it like it was nothing, like he had every right to look.

When the dress loosened, he stepped back and sat in one of the chairs. He pulled out his phone and started scrolling, eyes on the screen.

I let the gown fall to my waist. I stood there in my bra and underwear, arms crossed over my chest. I glanced at him.

He was watching.

Not staring openly, but peeking from the corner of his eye. When he saw me catch him, he didn’t look away. He just smiled a little, like he didn’t care that I noticed.

My cheeks went hot. I turned fast and tried to untie the rest of the dress. My fingers shook. I couldn’t reach the last knots.

He noticed.

Without a word, he stood up and walked over. His hands came around me again from behind. He loosened the final ties. The dress slid down completely.

Now I was almost naked.

He didn’t step back right away. He stayed close. His eyes moved over me, slow, calm, like he was allowed to look as much as he wanted.

Something in his stare made my stomach flip. Not fear exactly. Something else.

I stepped back. He stepped forward. I stepped back again, and he stepped forward.

My back hit the wall.

He reached past me and pressed something behind my shoulder. A soft click. A hidden panel slid open, revealing a luxury bathroom, marble everywhere, a huge glass shower, gold fixtures.

“You need a shower,” he said quietly.

I didn’t argue. I ran into the bathroom like it was the only safe place left in the room.

The door shut behind me. But it wasn’t a normal door. It was thick frosted glass. Blurry, but not completely private. I could see his shape standing on the other side, tall, still, watching.

I was sure he could see me too.

I turned on the water fast. Hot steam filled the air. I stepped under the spray and let it hit me. My skin burned from the heat, but I didn’t care. I scrubbed fast, trying to wash away the night, the ceremony, the video, the tears, everything.

When I finished, I grabbed a thick white towel and wrapped it around myself tight.

The glass door opened with a soft hiss. No handle on my side. Just his fingerprint, I realized. This was his room. His space. His rules.

I stepped out, water still dripping from my hair.

Aurelian stood there, closer now.

“Tell me,” he whispered, “are you frightened of what happens inside you the moment I’m near?”

I froze, the towel pressed against my chest.

“I… I…” My voice trembled.

He stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips.

My pulse spikes; it’s as if he can see right through me.