Aria's POV
The pressure to choose a mate started again. It came from every direction, especially from my father and Joshua. It was always disguised as concern, strategy, and duty.
I was told it would strengthen my position, secure my future, and help me win the Council's support.
Every time I entered a council meeting, I could almost hear the same unspoken question hanging over the room. Who will stand beside you? As though I wasn't enough on my own. As though being an Alpha without a mate made me incomplete.
I sat behind my desk in my study, staring at the stack of documents in front of me without reading a single word.
Lydia stirred inside me. You look quite distracted and angry.
I just don't understand why Father and Joshua can't let me be. Why can't they understand that I can do
