Chapter Two: Alpha
1636 Words
The wedding was beautiful, cold but beautiful. As the king and Queen of Ketria recited their vows, light snow fell in the mountains, matching the warmth of the sun perfectly.
An event with less than forty people: I truly am lucky I met the queen at her somewhat lowest. This way, I can brag that we are friends, or at least close enough that I am her bridesmaid.
I wonder if the friendship we have is real; on her part, she offers nothing but love, but are we really friends if I feel this empty and envious of her happiness?
By this time next year, I die in the woods alone, but she has a second child with the Lycan.
How can I not be jealous?
Still, why can’t I remember that scent in the air as I was dying?
Simon’s words ring in my mind.
‘You should know better than anyone else the answer to that question.’
If I can find the source of the scent, I’ll have my killer and the reason for my death.
I look forward to our meeting in this life, Simon.
The ceremony ends with my mind away. I only realise this as I watch the bride and groom walking towards the exit in each other’s embrace. As guests stand to follow the couple to the reception, the scent of the ocean and its salt surrounds me, and on instinct, I halt.
"Ruby Clive?"
The deepness of Alpha Adrian’s voice rocks through me.
The beat of my heart has to be because of my surprise; otherwise, how in the hell can I still flutter in his presence after the cold way he served the divorce papers?
A thought lingers that he could have been the one to instigate my murder, but I know he wasn’t.
He wanted me alive to bear his hatred.
"Alpha Adrian, my groom-to-be."
Smile, Ruby.
The corners of my lips lift all too naturally; I hope my smile reaches my eyes.
I am the only one with the memories of our marriage. The only one with the memories of the days he chose to rush to his mate without caring how I appeared in my social groups.
For a while, the ladies called me pathetic, while their mothers offered kind words in the form of ‘Men cheat, it is okay to excuse him.’
"What can I help you with?"
I ask because the sneer that forms on his lips at the words ‘groom-to-be’ makes the corners of my lips falter. I should be used to his face that shows his disgust, but I haven’t had five minutes to give myself a pep talk on reliving the worst year of my life.
He doesn't want this marriage, and neither do I—who would want to run back to him?
But I need to leave home; I need first to escape Mother’s claws; the rest will follow.
"We have terms to discuss pertaining to our soon-to-be marriage; permit me to drive you to the reception."
The men behind him flex as he makes this request.
Anyone can tell he is not asking but threatening.
"Certainly."
I offer my hand for him to escort me; the freezing ground due to the snow makes the rocks at the venue slippery to navigate in heels.
His hand reaches his pocket to pull out black gloves that he slides onto his hands before he takes mine.
He despises me so openly that he requires gloves to touch me.
It was ridiculous of me to think that there was anything that could change between us when I was begging him to remain by my side.
This time, things will be different.
I will not repeat my mistakes.
**
The car he guides me to is a deep royal blue that matches the shade of his eyes, a car I have been in only thrice because he couldn't stand being in an enclosed space with me when we did not need to pretend.
One of the men behind him opens the door for us; I slip in at his gesture and settle on the cosy warm leather seat; he does the same, but on the seat opposite me so that our bodies face each other.
The second the door closes, the soothing scent of the ocean, complete with its saltiness, washes over me, and for a second, the sound of waves crashing against each other rings remarkably clear in my ears.
Before my eyelids can flutter shut at the dangerous calm he induces in me, he hands me a familiar document.
"We are going to get married a month after today. That document holds my terms; I want you to read through and sign it so that our union is, at the very least, a civil one."
"Are you really in a position to ask me to sign your terms when you are the one who needs me to be recognised as Alpha?"
My body rocks backwards as the car starts moving, and for a second, his gaze drops to my chest before flying back to my face.
The bridesmaid’s dresses were one design for the three of us, and while they looked decent on Lily and Sharon, the other bridesmaids, my chest is bigger than theirs.
I should have worn a jacket.
"You say that as if I do not know your disgusting family is falling apart.”
He utters as his upper lip lifts in disdain.
“Let us agree that we need each other. Now read my terms and-"
"I have only three terms."
A frown laces his brow at my interruption.
"Read mine first; you will find that I have covered everything, Ruby.”
I don’t need to read to recite what his terms are.
He used to remind me every time I stepped out of line.
Firstly, the marriage will only last a year, and not a day more. Secondly, I should stay out of his life, and he will grant me the same courtesy and stay out of mine. Lastly, I must accompany him to all social events and play the role of wife accordingly.
"As I said, I have three terms to add to yours, Alpha."
I insist.
Last time, did I ask for anything? No, I wanted him to love how ready I was to yield to him.
How foolish.
The loudness of his sigh emphasises his irritation.
"Name them."
"I am searching for my mate; if I find them, I will choose them over you."
As you did me, but at least I have the decency to warn you.
His lips curl into a smile that does not meet his eyes.
"No. Even if you find your mate, you will finish your term. I don't care if you sleep with them. Just stay out of my business."
"Fine."
"Next."
He says as if already bored by the sentimentality in my words.
"I want the term to be six months, not a year."
I don't want to be with him when he recognises Elaine as his mate after she returns from the academy having newly turned eighteen.
"No. Next.”
"No?"
"Yes, I said no. The council will only accept the divorce as ‘logical’ once a year passes after the day of our wedding. You already know I must marry a ‘Clive’ to establish myself as Alpha; if we dissolve our union before a year, I’ll have to marry another ‘Clive’ for another year. The idea sickens me, so no.”
“Well, what if we stay married, but after six months, I take up a project abroad? Surely that works?”
For a while, he is silent before a slow nod follows.
“Okay, but do not drag me into trouble. I don’t want to have to solve your problems.”
He utters as his hands fold against his chest; the tightness of his suit calls my gaze to the bulge of his muscles. He is a large man; I failed to notice how much of the car’s space he ate up before his movement.
Aside from his build, he is dangerously handsome. The first time we made love, I licked his face because his desperation looked delicious—of course, he finished as he called Elaine’s name…has anyone ever called another’s name in his large hands?
I want to.
I want to ruin all his firsts as he did mine.
"Lastly. I want to learn how to pleasure my future mate so they never think of anyone but me; that means I want you to teach me how to have sex."
A stillness freezes his expression for a moment before his brow betrays his surprise.
Before his expression fully schools, his gaze again drops to my cleavage, only he holds it for longer than before, causing a burn to attack the stiffening buds that threaten to expose my arousal at his defilement.
My arms cross instinctively to block his view.
His laugh fills the car, its bitterness making me horribly ashamed to have asked that term.
"I do not know if you are slow or if you are choosing to ignore the fact that I cannot even stand touching you; how in the hell do you expect me to get aroused by you?”
He asks, his disdain-filled gaze pinning me to stillness.
"I kind of don't want to have to think about that, Adrian."
"No, you will address me as Alpha."
Right...right, I am back to being the only wife in Ketria to address her husband by his title.
It's fine. Once I find my mate, any lingering bitterness I have toward him will vanish, and it will be as if I never loved him, and the memories will be nothing.
"What is your answer, Alpha?"
- Writer
