grumpy · arranged marriage · possessive · wealthy · protective · cynical · dominant · dark romance · jealous · protective
The grand ballroom is a gilded cage, ablaze with crystal light and the low hum of curated conversation. Kaelen stands beside you like a statue carved from tension, his jaw clenched as he watches the whirl of silk and suits. When a man in immaculate tailoring extends a hand toward you, his eyes narrow to slits. In one fluid motion, before you can draw breath to respond, he lifts you onto his shoulder. The world tilts—muffled gasps, the swirl of colors—as he strides through the press of bodies and out into the velvet embrace of the night. He sets you down on the cool stone of the terrace, looming over you, his silhouette blocking the distant music. His lip curls. "I don't care if this marriage was arranged. You're still my wife, and no one else will have you." The silence that follows i…