**King Magnus's POV**
Seeing the little woman in front of me, made my heart flutter in a way I hadn't felt in decades. I had long given up on the idea of finding someone who would ever love me, or even understand me. But here she was—**my mate**. A woman twice younger than me, fragile but strong in her own way.
Aria stood there, unaware of how much she stirred something deep inside me. I knew she had been dealt a harsh hand in life. Yet, despite all the hardship, I could see a spark of confidence buried within her. She carried herself with resilience, but I could tell her spirit had taken a beating. Now, it was up to me to make her see her own worth again.
As we spoke, I decided that I needed to give her more than just words. She deserved a future filled with opportunities, to rise above the circumstances that had held her back. I glanced at **Fergus**, my second-in-command, who had served me faithfully for years. In the Lycan Clan, the second-in-command was known as the **Beta-Lord**, a title that came with immense responsibilities, including overseeing matters of importance when I was otherwise occupied. Fergus had always been my most trusted confidant.
"Fergus, I want you to gather some information for me," I whispered,
He nodded immediately, understanding the weight of the request. "What do you need, Your Majesty?"
"I need to know about the largest and most prestigious school in town. I want to secure a place for Aria." My gaze flickered back to her, standing across the room, unaware of the plans I was already putting in motion.
Fergus gave a curt nod. "I'll have the details within the hour."
As we continued to chat, I was momentarily distracted by the buzzing of my phone. Glancing at the screen, I saw that Fergus had already gathered the information. Efficient as always.
I turned to Aria, feeling a sense of purpose surge through me. "Aria, come with me. There's somewhere I want to take you."
Her eyes widened slightly in curiosity, but she trusted me enough not to question it. I informed her mother and brother, Owen, that we would be heading out for a while. Her mother smiled warmly, though there was a flicker of worry in her eyes, while Owen was already lost in his own world of excitement.
As we got into the sleek black SUV, Aria sat quietly, staring out the window as the city passed by. I could sense her unease, wondering where I was taking her. She didn't speak, but I could tell her mind was racing. I didn't offer much explanation, wanting to see her genuine reaction when we arrived.
When the car finally came to a stop, I saw her visibly stiffen in shock. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight before her.
One of the biggest, most prestigious schools in the city stood towering in front of us. Its sprawling campus stretched out, bustling with activity as students moved between classes. The building itself was an architectural marvel, a symbol of success and opportunity in this town.
"Magnus... what is this?" Aria whispered, her voice laced with disbelief.
I stepped out of the car, walking around to her side to open the door. Offering her my hand, I helped her out and gestured toward the school.
"This, Aria, is where you're going to continue your education," I said softly.
She looked up at me, confusion clear in her wide eyes. "What? No, I... I can't. I'm not..." She shook her head, backing away slightly. "I dropped out. I don't belong here."
I took a step closer, gently gripping her shoulders to steady her. "You do belong here," I said firmly, my eyes locking onto hers. "You are more than what this pack has made you feel. You are my mate, and you deserve every opportunity in this world to grow and thrive."
Her lips trembled as she looked between me and the school. "But... Magnus, it's too much. I can't afford this. My family—"
"Your family will be taken care of," I interrupted gently but with conviction. "And as for the cost, don't worry about that. I've already arranged everything. All you need to do is show up and let the world see how brilliant you are."
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly. She was strong, so strong, but the weight of this moment was clearly overwhelming.
"I don't know what to say," she murmured, looking down at the ground. "No one's ever done anything like this for me."
I cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at me. "You don't have to say anything, Aria. Just accept that you're worth it. You're worth everything."
For a long moment, she stood there, taking it all in. I could see her walls slowly breaking down, the disbelief giving way to something else—hope. A small, tentative smile pulled at her lips.
"Okay," she whispered finally, her voice barely audible.
I smiled back at her, proud of this step she was taking. "Good. Now, let's take a look inside, shall we?"
As we walked toward the entrance of the school, I knew this was just the beginning. Aria had spent too long living in the shadows, feeling insignificant and overlooked. But with me by her side, I would make sure that those days were behind her. I would make sure she saw the strength and worth she possessed, and together, we would forge a future where she no longer had to question her value.
Because as long as she was mine, she would never be anything less than extraordinary.