Married to the Alpha

Chapter Four: Unexpected Visitor

|Maria|

I gazed at the white sheet in my hands, a document brimming with details about me and the man responsible for this predicament. How he obtained such personal information was a mystery to me. The crispness of the paper and its faint, musty odor suggested it had been stored away for quite some time. My gaze fixated on the words, unable to tear myself away since Lucas had presented it to me.

The Marriage Contract.

I scrutinized my name etched onto it, accompanied by his and our signatures neatly penned above.

I’m really married to Lucas Lancaster.

The authenticity of the document was undeniable. He had brought me to his office to prove that he wasn't merely playing games when he claimed I was his wife. With trembling hands, I placed the contract on the coffee table. I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned back against the sofa, feeling drained by the revelation. A lump in my throat made it difficult to swallow.

How did this happen? I couldn’t recall signing any marriage contract. I would never willingly agree to such a thing unless...

A sudden realization hit me. It was possible! Yes, it was entirely possible!

I sprang to my feet abruptly, catching Lucas’s attention even though he had been watching me intently since our arrival.

“You forged my signature!” I declared, grasping at the only explanation that made sense. Lucas arched an eyebrow at my sudden outburst.

“You think I have time to forge your signature?” he retorted with a touch of sarcasm. I pressed my lips together, my shoulders sagging as I considered that he might be right. But...

“Or perhaps you had someone else forge it?” I countered, desperately searching for a flaw in the situation. It was plausible! The forgery was so well done, it was almost identical to my own.

He sighed deeply, a gesture filled with frustration. His hands rested on his hips as he stared at me, clearly annoyed by my unverified accusations.

"Why would I do that?" he asked, his voice steady but controlled.

"I—I’m not sure!" I stammered, my mind racing. "I don’t remember signing any contract! The last time I signed something was…" My voice trailed off as a memory suddenly surfaced.

It was my last day in Red Brooke, and I was frantic to return to the city. With summer over and school about to start, my mother had pursued me that fateful day. She claimed my signature was needed on a document for my scholarship, which she needed to submit to the local authorities. Trusting her and believing it was important, I signed it without question, too rushed to read it thoroughly. My mom was there, but...

The realization hit me hard. It was entirely possible that my assumptions were correct. I felt a wave of anguish and betrayal—again. I met his gaze, and he remained silent, his eyes locked on mine. I swallowed hard, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to spill.

"You remember now?" he asked, his voice gentle but firm. My lips quivered as I lowered my head, ashamed that he was right. My hands trembled uncontrollably, despite my attempts to steady them.

How could my mother do this to me? I could forgive her for using me as collateral for her debt to the Lancasters, but to deceive me again? Was I so insignificant to her that she could so easily sell me to the devil for money?

Tears streamed down my face, and I barely noticed as they continued to fall. I tried to wipe them away with my trembling hands, but they persisted. The ache in my chest was overwhelming. I sobbed, questioning what I had done to deserve such betrayal.

Was there no end to this suffering, or was there more to come?

My heart had already shattered with the first betrayal, but learning of my mother’s deceit had reduced it to dust. They were the last people I expected to hurt me, yet they were the source of my pain.

Lost in my sorrow, I didn't notice Lucas sitting beside me until I felt his arm around me, pulling me into an unexpected embrace. I froze, momentarily taken aback by his touch. When I looked up, I saw a mixture of emotions in his eyes, predominantly worry.

"Shhh... stop crying," he said softly, brushing my hair away from my face. His gesture made me pause, and his smile, though faint, was reassuring. He drew me closer, pressing my face against his chest. I tried to push him away, but his tender kiss on my head and the gentle combing of my hair with his fingers stopped me. Instead, I clung to his shirt, letting my tears flow freely.

His embrace reminded me of how my father used to comfort me, hugging me and humming a lullaby until I fell asleep. Lucas held me tightly, and despite the circumstances, his embrace provided an unexpected comfort. It was ironic that the person who had caused my family’s suffering was now the one easing my pain.

I lost track of time until I finally composed myself. When I pulled away, Lucas’s hands remained on my waist. His deep silver eyes searched mine as I bit my lower lip, feeling the warmth in my cheeks from his intense gaze.

"Feeling better?" he asked softly, not yet releasing me.

I turned my gaze, immediately noticing his shirt, which was slightly damp—perhaps due to what had just happened. A flush of embarrassment crept over me, and I felt a pang of shame. His fingers touched my chin, gently but firmly, tilting my head to meet his eyes.

"Your shirt..." I stammered, trying to draw his attention to it.

He gazed at me for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Don’t worry about it," he said, his face shifting to a look of serious concern. "I hope this is the last time you'll cry. I hate seeing you like this..." His voice softened as he tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. I found myself lost in the depths of his silver eyes.

His words echoed in my mind. I hate seeing you like this. An odd, fluttering sensation tickled my stomach.

Why would he say that?

"Why... why are you so concerned about me?" I finally asked, unable to hold back my curiosity. He seemed momentarily taken aback, as if he hadn't expected the question. But his response surprised me.

"You're my wife. I have every right to be concerned about you..." he said, his tone earnest.

I pressed my lips together, absorbing his words. Of course, he had the right to be concerned, but we had only just met. He knew nothing about me, and I knew no more about him. Perhaps this was merely his conscience speaking, a misplaced sense of duty, because his concern felt too good to be true.

Don’t overthink it, Maria.

I lowered my head, closing my eyes to regain my composure. Then a troubling thought resurfaced. If I truly am married to him, then I’m... married to a….werewolf?

But how could I be certain that what I saw that night was real? What if I had just imagined it? Yet, I had been pursued by werewolves—seven of them! And Lucas seemed no different from those creatures!

I bit my lower lip, wrestling with these unsettling thoughts. If I wanted answers, I had to ask. I needed to confront someone about this—maybe Lucas himself. But would he be truthful?

As I wrestled with doubt, his fingers returned to my chin, guiding me to look at him once more. Questions lingered in his silver eyes.

His silver eyes are really…mesmerizing. I silently berated myself for being captivated by his eyes again.

"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his concern palpable. I blinked, momentarily stunned by his empathy. Just as I was about to assure him I was fine, a knock at the door interrupted us.

"Lucas? Are you in there?"

We both turned towards the door, where Aunt Helen’s voice called out. When no one answered, she knocked again and repeated his name.

"Lucas?"

"I'm here, Auntie. What’s up?" he responded, offering me a chance to create some distance. I suddenly realized how exposed I had been. Oh no, had I really let him see me so vulnerable?

"Ellie called. She wants to talk to you," Aunt Helen said.

I stared at my clasped hands, hoping she would come in soon. Her presence would make things less awkward between Lucas and me, allowing me to focus on her instead of my swirling emotions.

But as I was about to retreat, Lucas’s hands gently enveloped mine. I looked at his large hands against my own and sighed, meeting his gaze.

"Stay here," he said, looking into my eyes. "Or you can go back to your room and wait for me there," he suggested, his forehead creased in thought. "Or you can do whatever you want," he added, his tone reflecting his uncertainty.

He paused, his gaze fixed on me, as if he was waiting for my response. Too anxious to speak, I remained silent. His hopeful eyes urged me to answer, but before I could, Aunt Helen’s impatient knock echoed through the door.

We both sighed in unison. Lucas stood and moved toward the door, opening it to reveal Aunt Helen, who stepped inside with a quick glance in my direction before shifting her focus to him. She took a few steps closer and whispered something into his ear, causing Lucas to nod. Then their attention returned to me, and I looked away, feeling an unexpected wave of unease.

"Can you entertain her while I'm away, Auntie?" Lucas asked, drawing my attention back to him. Aunt Helen nodded in agreement, but my gaze stayed fixed on Lucas. He met my eyes with a smile, though my brow furrowed at his last statement.

Away? Where is he going?

Lucas’s smile turned guilty as he approached me again. He sat down on the coffee table in front of me, his eyes meeting mine. Reaching for my hand, he squeezed it gently.

"I'm going… somewhere,” he said, as if reading my thoughts. “It’s important, and my presence is needed," he explained, maintaining eye contact. I remained silent, absorbing his words. He sighed and sat beside me. I was startled by his sudden closeness, especially when he released my hand to embrace me from the side.

His breath tickled my ear as he whispered, “Just tell Aunt Helen what you want to do while I’m gone. I’ll be back before dinner.” I shivered slightly at his touch and inhaled deeply, catching his scent. After a moment, he pulled away, his forehead creased with concern.

“Is it okay though?” he asked, noticing my silence. Why did he seem to be seeking my permission?

Fearing he might change his plans for me, I nodded quickly. Who was I to hold him back?

His smile widened as he leaned in to kiss my forehead. My eyes closed instinctively at the unexpected gesture. I wasn’t prepared for this! My mouth pursed, trying to suppress a smile. Was he always this gentle?

Is this how a husband says goodbye to his wife? I could feel my cheeks burning. What was I thinking?

I cupped my face with my hands, feeling their warmth. As I sighed deeply, I recalled my first day here, when he had been so visibly frustrated. Though I hadn’t seen his outburst, his agitation was palpable. I wondered if staying here would reveal more of him. Despite this all starting as a mere deal, I felt a growing curiosity to understand him better.

Lucas gave a brief farewell before leaving. I watched him disappear as the office door closed. I didn’t realize how long I had been staring until Aunt Helen approached with a smile.

“It’s good to see you two so comfortable with each other,” she remarked. “Your husband is an honorable and good leader, Maria. You are safe with him,” she added.

Her mention of ‘husband’ caught my attention. I frowned, realizing she knew about Lucas being my husband. Was it common knowledge in this family?

Before I could ask, she turned and left the office. Noticing I hadn’t followed, she peeked back and invited me to join her. I quickly stood and followed her as she locked the door behind us. We walked through the hallways, my gaze fixed on her.

“Auntie, can I ask you a question?” I began, needing to confirm Lucas’s identity. Though I had witnessed it, I wanted clarity from someone else, as I couldn’t ask Lucas directly.

I still felt uneasy around him.

Aunt Helen’s voice cut through the silence. “Yes, what is it?”

I swallowed hard and cleared my throat, trying to steady myself. “Uh, Auntie, it’s about Lucas,” I said, hesitating over the words.

“What about him?” she asked.

I pressed my lips together, wrestling with doubt. Should I ask her? What if she finds it absurd? My mind raced, but I forced myself to focus. Taking a deep breath, I decided to start simple.

“How many years have you worked for Lucas?” I asked, causing her to halt mid-step.

Her response seemed delayed, almost as if the question was unexpected. Aunt Helen turned to face me, her initial shock quickly masked by a neutral expression. She cleared her throat and pondered for a moment.

“Hmmm. Let’s just say I was working for the Lancaster family before Lucas was even born,” she replied, her gaze now assessing. “Why?”

Nervousness made my throat tight, and I cleared it again. “So, does that mean you know a lot about Lucas?” I asked. She nodded, her interest piqued.

“Yes, you could say that,” she said with a knowing smile. “Why? What do you want to know about your husband?” she teased, emphasizing the last word. I managed a hesitant smile in return.

We continued down the hallway, me trailing behind her. Before I could frame my next question, we reached my temporary bedroom. I sighed as she opened the door and walked in, heading straight for the bed and the night table to make some adjustments.

I watched her, anxiety building as I bit my lip. The question I wanted to ask was urgent. Finally, I mustered the courage and took a step closer, preparing to voice my concern.

“Is Lucas… a wolf or something?” I blurted out.

Aunt Helen paused her work, stunned by my question. She looked at me, as if processing the words. I expected her to laugh, but she remained serious, setting down what she held and giving me her full attention. After a deep sigh, she spoke.

“I can’t tell you that. Maybe you should ask your husband. He can explain it better,” she said with a small, reassuring smile.

Disappointed, I nodded, accepting the lack of clarity.

“What do you want for lunch?” she asked, shifting back to her usual cheerful tone as if I hadn’t just asked an unusual question. I took a deep breath and told her I’d eat anything. She declined my offer to help, insisting I needed rest and wasn’t fully healed yet.

I stood by the bed for a few minutes before finally lying down. As the soft mattress embraced me, my mind swirled with unanswered questions. Aunt Helen’s suggestion to ask Lucas directly about his nature lingered in my thoughts. Would he even tell me?

Closing my eyes, I let myself drift into sleep, overwhelmed by the confusion and fatigue.

I woke to a gentle tap on my shoulder. Opening my eyes, I saw Aunt Helen’s slightly annoyed face.

“Goodness, you’re impossible to wake up! Just like Lucas when he’s in a deep sleep!” she exclaimed. She straightened up as I propped myself up, feeling a dizzying rush from my sudden movement.

“Get up and join me for lunch in five minutes. The food’s ready,” she said before walking out.

I sighed and climbed out of bed to follow her. As I closed the door, I saw her vanish around the corner of the hallway. Despite my relative newness to the mansion, I navigated the corridors with ease—an instinctive skill, perhaps, from always being at the top of my class.

Turning right, I was greeted by the grand staircase. I descended slowly, my gaze drawn irresistibly to the towering glass wall of the living area. The view stretched before me—an opulent forest and mountains visible through the vast expanse of glass. The sight was reminiscent of what I saw from my own bedroom, like a lingering memory from home.

I paused halfway down, absorbing the grandeur. I mused that if I had heeded my mother’s wishes, I might be in my own room right now, instead of contemplating this breathtaking landscape. I sighed, returning to the present.

Reaching the dining area, I was taken aback by the spread of food laid out on the table. Was there a celebration I hadn’t been informed about?

"Auntie, it looks like you’ve prepared quite a feast for just the two of us," I remarked. She glanced at the table, realization dawning on her.

"Oh my!" she exclaimed, chuckling as she added the final dish. "I didn't realize I’d made so much! I was so excited, I must have cooked for a crowd!"

I smiled at her enthusiasm, my thoughts drifting back to my first meal here, which had been far from pleasant.

Shaking off the memory, I was drawn to the mouthwatering aroma that filled the room. Aunt Helen encouraged me to dig in, so I pulled out a chair and sat down. We enjoyed the meal together, and I listened intently to her stories about her life and family.

It was my first time hearing about her, and I learned that she was single but still provided for her family. Contrary to my initial belief, she wasn’t the only staff member here; the rest were on vacation and would return Sunday afternoon.

I offered to help with the dishes, but she declined, insisting I needed to rest. I acquiesced and returned to my room, pausing to admire the paintings hanging on the walls. Each piece—depicting battles, wildlife, and abstracts—captivated me, but one painting drew me in particularly.

It portrayed a lone wolf howling against a full moon, perched on a cliff overlooking a dense forest. Below, a solitary figure lay on the ground.

"Maria?"

I jumped, turning to find Aunt Helen standing beside me. How long had she been there? Her sudden appearance caught me off guard. Noticing my interest in the painting, she offered a small smile.

"This is one of Lucas' favorites," she said, referring to the painting I had been examining. "He mentioned this was where he first saw you..."

I stared at the painting, puzzled by her words. “What do you mean, Auntie?” I asked, but her reaction was to avert her gaze. Her discomfort was palpable, and I sensed she was hiding something significant—something related to me or Lucas.

"Oh, I just remembered I need to tend to the garden!" she stammered, retreating quickly without meeting my eyes.

As she disappeared down the hall, I stood there, grappling with confusion and a myriad of questions. I sighed deeply, trying to calm the turmoil within. I focused again on the painting, my mind racing. How could this be the scene of my first encounter with Lucas? The single figure lying on the ground was unsettling, especially since my first meeting had involved wolves and Lucas appearing out of nowhere. Was it possible that I had just concluded he was a werewolf?

Setting aside my curiosity about the hastily painted artwork, I wondered whether the artist had painted it themselves or if someone else had done it. I examined the lower part of the canvas for a title or date, but found nothing. The only place that seemed to hold the information was on the back, which was securely fastened to the wall. I tried to shift it but it wouldn’t budge.

Frustrated, I gave up after a few minutes and headed back to my room. It wasn’t until I stood in front of the canvas, now right beside my door, that I realized how close it was. I entered my room, collapsed onto the bed, and found myself inexplicably tired despite having just woken up an hour earlier. My initial intention to simply rest turned into another nap. But I ended up dozing off.

I was jolted awake by someone shaking my shoulders—Aunt Helen, with her usual greeting. I couldn’t help but smile at her exasperation as she looked down at me.

“Why are you so hard to wake up?” she asked, clearly annoyed. I chuckled at her remark. I had always been a light sleeper back in Metropolis, often waking before my alarm. Maybe the comfort of home had made me sleep more soundly.

“We’re having dinner now. Please go to the dining room,” she said. I nodded, glancing at the clock in shock when I realized I had slept for six hours. I quickly got up and followed Aunt Helen, but called out as she was about to close the door.

“Auntie, wait!”

She paused and looked back. “Hmm?”

I hesitated, then asked shyly, “Has Lucas returned?”

Aunt Helen smirked at my question, and I grimaced to suppress a smile. She shook her head. “Not yet, but he might be on his way.”

I sighed in disappointment. Why was I so concerned that Lucas wasn’t home yet? It was barely past seven.

I got ready and made my way to the dining room, where Aunt Helen was busy at the sink. The table was set with leftovers from lunch—a practical choice rather than preparing new dishes.

“Oh… you’re here,” Aunt Helen said when she noticed me, placing a tray of dessert on the table before returning to the sink. I eyed the food, contemplating if I could manage it. I wasn’t a heavy eater; I had trained myself to eat minimally.

Just as I was about to wait for Aunt Helen to finish, the doorbell rang. My excitement surprised me, but I stood up eagerly. Aunt Helen was about to answer, but I quickly offered to do it.

“Auntie, let me get that,” I presented, and she nodded in agreement, returning to her task.

I nearly ran to the door, checking my reflection in the nearby glass. I smoothed my hair and dress, wondering why I was so eager. The doorbell rang again.

I cleared my throat and opened the door with a small smile, but it faded when I saw the person standing outside. It wasn’t Lucas.

“M-Maria?” he said, his surprise evident.

I was left speechless. Because the least I expected to see was him.