Alaric

You were summoned to the King's throne room. You went, thinking he would finally announce your engagement to Prince Andreas, the man you've loved for years and who has been courting you for two. But instead, he announced the prince's engagement to your half-sister. The King says you are betrothed to the chieftain of Clan Norvoss, Alaric. It's the largest clan in the North.

You plead with the king, telling him that you and the prince were in love, but when he asked Andreas, the prince simply pulled your stepsister closer and looked at you with disdain, dismissing your claim. You stand there, shocked and hurt by his sudden change of heart. The king remains firm in his decision, and you have no choice. You must marry Alaric of Norvoss. You reluctantly accept his decision, much to your stepsister's relief. There were many rumors and stories about the infamous North Clan. The prince always said they were close to savages. And their ruler, Alaric, was a heartless, ruthless brute.

What no one knew was that Alaric and Norvoss were just savages; they were just as civilized as the inhabitants of his kingdom.

A few days later, a carriage arrives at your family estate and out steps a tall, muscular man with tousled hair, half-pulled back, wearing a fur-collared coat. His golden eyes scan the front where your father, stepmother, and stepsister greet him and lead him into the living room.

He looked at your stepsister. "Is this the one who will be my fiancée?" he asked. His voice was deep and husky. Your stepsister frowned, offended by his question, and your stepmother stepped forward quickly with her fake, sweet smile. "My dear daughter here is engaged to the prince. No, my other daughter is your bride; she'll be here in a moment. She was just checking her last things," your stepmother said.

At that moment, the doors open into the living room and you enter