The wedding celebrations continued into the night, a vibrant display of joy and love. Anaya did her best to blend in, smiling and making small talk with the other guests. But her thoughts kept drifting back to Rudra. Despite his harsh words, she couldn't forget the way he had looked at her in that brief moment of vulnerability. It was like he had let his guard down, just for an instant, and she had seen a glimpse of something deeper, something he was desperate to hide.

But now, Rudra was back to being the impenetrable wall he had always been, and Anaya knew better than to try and scale it again. She focused on enjoying the evening, reminding herself that she had no place in his world, no reason to concern herself with his secrets.

As the night wore on, the guests slowly began to trickle out, the music and laughter gradually fading into the background. Anaya was helping Ria gather up the last of the gifts when she noticed Rudra slipping away, heading towards the darker, quieter part of the garden. She felt a tug of curiosity, but she didn't follow him. Not this time.

Instead, she focused on her friend, who seemed to be glowing with happiness despite the lingering concern for her brother. Ria had finally found her own happiness, and Anaya was determined not to let anything spoil it. She smiled and laughed along with Ria, pushing thoughts of Rudra to the back of her mind.

But even as she tried to forget him, the memory of Rudra's cold, dark eyes continued to haunt her. She wondered what it would take to break through that icy exterior, to reach the man hidden underneath. But then she reminded herself that it wasn't her place to try. Rudra was a mystery she wasn't meant to solve, and she had already crossed a line she shouldn't have.

As the night drew to a close, Anaya found herself alone on the balcony, gazing out at the stars. The garden below was quiet now, the soft chirping of crickets the only sound in the stillness. She closed her eyes, letting the cool breeze wash over her, trying to find some peace.

But then she heard footsteps behind her. She turned to see Rudra standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable as always. He didn't say anything, just stood there, watching her with those cold, dark eyes.

Anaya felt a shiver run down her spine. There was something different about him tonight, something darker, more intense. She couldn't tell if it was the shadows playing tricks on her, or if Rudra had truly become even more distant, more impenetrable.

"Why are you out here alone?" Rudra's voice was as cold as ever, but there was a hint of something else in his tone—something she couldn't quite place.

"I needed some fresh air," Anaya replied softly, her eyes meeting his. "It's been a long day."

Rudra nodded, stepping closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "You shouldn't be alone. It's not safe."

Anaya frowned, confused by his sudden concern. "I'm fine, Rudra. The garden is peaceful, and there's nothing to worry about."

Rudra's eyes narrowed, as if he didn't believe her. "You shouldn't take risks. Not after what happened."

Anaya's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to bring up the attack, not after the way he had brushed off her questions earlier. "I'm fine, Rudra," she repeated, trying to keep her voice steady. "I'm not in any danger."

"You don't know that," Rudra said, his voice hardening. "You don't know what's out there, what's lurking in the shadows."

Anaya's breath caught in her throat. There was something almost menacing in his words, something that sent a chill down her spine. "What are you talking about, Rudra? Are you trying to scare me?"

Rudra's lips curved into a cold, humorless smile. "No, Anaya. I'm trying to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" Anaya's voice was barely a whisper now, her heart pounding in her chest.

Rudra didn't answer immediately. He stepped even closer, his eyes boring into hers, as if he were searching for something. "From everything," he finally said, his voice low and filled with an intensity that made her shiver. "From the things you can't see, the things you don't understand."

Anaya felt a surge of frustration, mixed with fear. She wanted to push him away, to tell him to stop playing these mind games with her. But she also couldn't deny the strange, twisted attraction she felt towards him. Despite his coldness, despite the darkness that seemed to surround him, she couldn't help but be drawn to him, like a moth to a flame.

"Why do you care, Rudra?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Why do you care what happens to me?"

Rudra's eyes flickered with something—was it anger? Frustration?—before they went cold again. "You're Ria's friend. That's all you need to know."

Anaya's heart sank at his words. She had hoped for something more, something that would explain the confusing mix of emotions she felt around him. But once again, Rudra had shut her out, leaving her with more questions than answers.

"I'm not a child, Rudra," she said, her voice firmer now. "I can take care of myself. You don't need to protect me."

Rudra's expression hardened. "Maybe not. But you're still under my roof, and while you are, you'll follow my rules."

Anaya bristled at his tone, at the way he seemed to think he could control her. "I'm not your responsibility, Rudra. I never asked you to save me, or to protect me."

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Rudra's eyes flashed with anger, and for a moment, Anaya thought he might actually lose his cool. But then he took a deep breath, his expression smoothing over into that same cold mask he always wore.

"Maybe you didn't," he said, his voice icy. "But I did it anyway. And as long as you're here, I'll keep doing it. Whether you like it or not."

Anaya stared at him, her mind whirling with emotions she couldn't even begin to untangle. She wanted to argue, to push back against his domineering attitude, but she knew it would be pointless. Rudra was a force of nature, and once he had made up his mind, there was no changing it.

Without another word, Rudra turned and walked away, leaving her alone on the balcony. Anaya watched him go, her heart heavy with a mix of fear, frustration, and a strange, inexplicable longing.

She knew she should stay away from him, knew that getting involved with someone like Rudra would only lead to heartache. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than he let on—that beneath the cold, impenetrable surface, there was a man worth knowing, a man worth loving.

But Rudra was determined to keep her at arm's length, and Anaya was too stubborn to back down. The tension between them crackled like electricity, and Anaya knew that it was only a matter of time before something—someone—would have to give.

For now, though, all she could do was wait, and wonder what the future held for her and the cold, enigmatic man who had saved her life.

***

The evening was supposed to be a grand celebration, a union of two powerful families. But for Rudra, every second felt like an endless torment. He stood in the middle of the lavish hall, his eyes scanning the crowd with cold indifference, masking the storm brewing inside him. Nisha's absence was a dagger in his chest, but he wouldn't let it show. The whispers were beginning to swirl, and Rudra knew he had to act quickly.

Spotting Anaya across the room, he made his way through the crowd with determined strides. His expression was unreadable, a perfect mask of calm that hid the dark tempest within.

"Anaya," he called out, his voice a low command as he grabbed her arm, leading her to a secluded corner.

Anaya looked up at him, startled. "Rudra, what is it? Is everything okay?"

"No," Rudra replied, his voice tight. "Everything is not okay. Listen, I don't have much time to explain, but I need you to trust me. I need you to do something for me."

The seriousness in his tone sent a chill down Anaya's spine. "What do you need me to do?" she asked, her voice trembling.

Rudra took a deep breath, his eyes boring into hers with an intensity that made her heart race. "I need you to marry me. Right now."

Anaya's eyes widened in shock, disbelief washing over her. "What? What did you say?(stammers) R-Rudra, are you crazy? You are already engaged to Nisha. You are supposed to marry her today. How can you ask me to marry you?

"I need you to marry me," Rudra repeated, (repeats firmly) I need you to marry me... Right now.!! his voice firm and unyielding. "Nisha isn't coming. She's run away with Raj Chauhan. They're married already, and they plan to ruin me, ruin my business. They've betrayed me and my father."

The revelation hit Anaya like a thunderbolt. "How... how do you know that?"

Rudra showed her his phone, the proof staring her in the face. "My assistant sent me their marriage certificate. They're in Delhi, ready to expose their marriage to the media and humiliate me."

"That's horrible," Anaya whispered, her heart aching for him. "How could they do that to you?"

Rudra's jaw tightened, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge. "I don't care about them. I care about saving my face, my business. I have to fulfill my grandfather's wish."

"But why me, Rudra?" Anaya asked, confusion lacing her voice. "We barely know each other."

"Because you're the only one who can do this," Rudra lied smoothly, his gaze unwavering. "You're smart, practical, brave. You can handle this situation."

Anaya searched his eyes for something more, some hidden truth, but found only a cold resolve. "This is too much, too fast, too risky," she said, her voice faltering.

"Anaya," Rudra's voice softened, just enough to sound genuine, "please. I don't have time to argue. Just say yes. I will make it worth your while. Money, fame, power—name it, and it's yours."

Anaya hesitated, her mind racing with the implications. Her future, her choices, everything seemed to hinge on this moment.

"Anaya," Rudra pressed, "if you agree, I will make it easy for you. We'll have a contract—one year, and it's over. Your rights will be protected."

Anaya swallowed hard, knowing she had no better options. Everything about this felt wrong, but she couldn't shake the feeling that refusing might lead to something worse.

"Rudra, I…" she started, but before she could finish, Rudra interrupted, his voice a mixture of desperation and authority, "Just say yes you don't have any reason to refuse this, Anaya."

Anaya in her mind was thinking abt Without another word, She knew she should stay away from him, that getting involved with someone like Rudra would likely lead to heartache. But despite her best efforts, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye—a man worth knowing, worth understanding.

Anaya looked into his eyes, seeing the urgency, the dark determination. "Yes," she finally whispered, sealing her fate with one word. "Yes, I'll marry you, but I have condition"!.

Relief smirk flashed across Rudra's face, but it was fleeting, replaced by the same cold mask he always wore. "Anaya you are the one who i need" he said, his voice void of warmth. "Let's go tell my family."

They walked back into the hall, a picture of calm amid the storm brewing beneath the surface. As they approached his family, Rudra's grip on her hand tightened, a silent warning to keep up the façade.

"Mom, Dad," Rudra announced, his voice steady. "Nisha isn't coming. She's run away with Raj Chauhan."

The room fell into stunned silence, the shock reverberating through his family. "But it doesn't matter," Rudra continued, his tone icy. "I've moved on. I've found a new bride."

The collective gasps echoed around them as Rudra pulled Anaya closer. "Anaya Malhotra," he declared, "is my new bride. We're getting married. Right now."

The murmurs began, disbelief and confusion swirling in the air. But Rudra ignored them all, leading Anaya to the priest, where the wedding would take place. Every step was mechanical, every word rehearsed.

As they completed the rituals, Rudra put the vermilion on Anaya's forehead, marking her as his wife. But beneath the solemn vows and the ceremonial fire, there was no tenderness, no affection—only a cold,calculated move to protect his empire.

Anaya, lost in her own thoughts, wondered if she had made a grave mistake. But it was too late now. The deed was done.

**To be continued...**