Asis was helping her mother on the Dholki night when Riya came rushing into the room, a mischievous smile on her face. "You need to see this," she whispered, grabbing Asis by the wrist. Asis frowned but allowed herself to be pulled into the main hall. The dhol players had started beating their drums with electrifying rhythm, and the sound echoed through the grand hall of Sinha Haveily. Women in colorful attire swirled in circles, their hands clapping, their laughter rising into the chandelier-lit air.
Riya leaned toward her and whispered, "Your Mr. Mysterious is here."Asis followed Riya's eyes, and there he was—Karl Marius—dressed in a deep maroon kurta with gold embroidery, standing by the entrance. He looked entirely comfortable, exchanging greetings with Aarav and other guests. But the moment his eyes found Asis, they softened, and the crowd seemed to blur for him.
Asis turned away quickly, muttering, "Why is he here?" Riya smirked, "He's a guest. And he's probably here for you." Before Asis could respond, her mother came bustling over, flustered and bossy as usual. "Bittu, go greet the guests properly, and make sure Karl doesn't feel ignored. He's one of Aarav's biggest investors now!"
Asis groaned inwardly but complied. She weaved through the crowd until she stood in front of him. "Karl," she said, forcing a polite smile. "Didn't expect to see you here again so soon." He returned the smile, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Your mother insisted. And I must say, this is quite the celebration. You look… enchanting tonight."She blushed, despite herself. "Thank you. You clean up well, too."
Just then, Mihika called for Asis to join a group dance. Asis hesitated, but Riya pushed her forward. As she moved into the circle, Karl stepped back, watching her. She danced lightly, the beat pulsing under her feet. But even as she smiled and laughed with the others, she was aware of his gaze.
Later that night, after most guests had eaten and the music softened, Asis stepped out onto the balcony for air. The warm night breeze was calming, and she stared at the moonlit garden below. "You dance beautifully," came Karl's voice from behind.
She turned, startled. "You're always sneaking up on me." He leaned against the balcony railing beside her. "I wasn't sneaking. Just... following the breeze." They stood in silence for a few seconds."Why do I feel like you always want to say more than you let on?" she asked suddenly. He glanced at her, surprised. "Because maybe I do. But you seem like someone who values honesty over flattery."
"You're not wrong," she said, crossing her arms. "And I get the feeling you're not just some business investor my brother brought in. There's something more." Karl met her gaze. "You're perceptive." Before she could press further, the sound of someone clearing their throat interrupted them. Mateo stood in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
"Asis, Aunty Mihika is asking for you," he said stiffly. She nodded and looked back at Karl. "I'll see you later." He gave a slight bow of his head. "I'll be here." As she walked away with Mateo, she could feel the tension radiating from him. "Are you alright?" he said lowly. "I am fine," she replied curtly. "You seem off today."
He stopped walking. "Maybe I have. And maybe you should stop expecting me to be who I used to be just because it's convenient for you." She blinked at him, stunned. He left him when she rejoined her mother in the main hall.
That night, Asis lay in bed staring at the ceiling. Her phone buzzed—a message from Karl."Can I see you tomorrow morning, just the two of us?"She stared at it for a long time before typing back: "Where?" "The bench near the lake. Sunrise."She put the phone down, unsure of why her heart was pounding.
The next morning, Asis slipped quietly out of the house before anyone woke. The early morning mist clung to the trees as she walked toward the lake. The water shimmered faintly under the pink sky, and the air was cool and still.
Karl was already there, sitting on the bench, his profile sharp against the rising sun."You're early," she said, approaching. "I didn't want to miss this." She sat beside him. Silence fell again, but this time it was comfortable.
"I feel like I know you," Karl said softly. "But every time we talk, you surprise me." "I could say the same," Asis replied. "There's a lot you haven't said." He turned to face her. "What if I told you I wasn't who you think I am?" She raised an eyebrow. "You're not Karl Marius?"
"I am. But that's just a name. The truth is more complicated."Asis stared at him. "Go on."He hesitated. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you. Not yet. But I promise you this—I'm here because of you. And I'm not going anywhere."Asis felt a strange warmth creep into her chest. "I don't know if I can handle any more mysteries." He smiled. "Then let me prove myself one step at a time."
Back at the mansion, Anders and Berit were staying there till Aarav's wedding since Asis invited them, and Harald Dyre is okay with it. Anders stood before Harald Dyre in the west-wing office. "You finally spoke to her?"Harald nodded. "She's guarded but curious. It's not time yet." Anders looked concerned. "And Mateo?" "He's a problem," Harald said. "But not one I can deal with the way I normally would. Not here." Anders smirked. "You mean, not with teeth and claws."
"Exactly," Harald replied dryly. "We're walking on human ground, Anders. And she's not just any human. Her heart's already been broken once."Ingolf growled in the back of Harald's mind. "That Mateo will get what he deserves if he crosses her again." "We wait," Harald said aloud. "We wait… and we win her trust."
That afternoon, Itzel found Asis sitting alone in the garden. "You look... conflicted," she said, settling beside her. Asis sighed. "Everything's moving too fast. Mateo's acting strangely and distinct after our fight. Karl is—well, Karl is different. And then there are all these expectations at home."
Itzel put a comforting hand on her arm. "Sometimes, we're pushed out of our comfort zones because fate needs us to see something we wouldn't have otherwise." Asis gave a half-smile. "That sounds like something Nona Abelona would say." Itzel smiled back. "Maybe she's right. Maybe fate brought someone to you when you weren't looking."
That evening, as the pre-wedding mehndi function began, Asis danced with her cousins, her hands stained with intricate henna patterns. Karl stood at the edge of the crowd, watching her with admiration in his eyes. He felt Ingolf stir, restless. "She's glowing. Ours. Soon."
He nodded slightly. "Soon."But as the music grew louder and laughter echoed through the estate, Harald's sharp hearing caught something else. A whisper. From the shadows near the forest line.A voice he hadn't heard in decades."She belongs to no wolf, Harald. Not even an Alpha king."Harald's eyes narrowed. He turned sharply, but there was nothing there. Only trees and mist.But the scent… it was familiar.And dangerous. Ingolf said, "Did you feel that?" Harald nodded grimly. "Something's coming. And it's not just about love anymore."
*****