The Alpha's Ghost Bride

Chapter 9 – Uncertain Future

Megan



Just then, the door opened, and Beta Lucas walked in. The moment he entered, Madam Lucille’s entire behavior changed. Her rigid posture relaxed, and a smile appeared on her face, though it was still tinged with arrogance.

“Beta Lucas,” she greeted him with a nod. “We’ve already chosen a bride for the deceased Alpha Jake. She is Megan Harris.”

Beta Lucas glanced at me, his eyes assessing me with a piercing gaze. “Is she truly committed to this role?” he asked. “If she is not sure, I will not allow her to proceed.”

Harry and Karla stiffened, clearly nervous about Lucas’s question. If I admitted that I was only being forced into this, their plans would be ruined, and they wouldn’t get their money. I could see the fear in their eyes as they waited for my response.

So, I took a deep breath and spoke, my voice trembling. “I… I agree to become the ghost bride. I’ll accept it wholeheartedly.”

Beta Lucas nodded slowly, his expression serious. “Understand this, Megan. As the ghost bride, you will not be able to leave the mansion without consent. You cannot have any new lovers or speak to other men unless it is absolutely necessary. You will not be part of the high council officials or be recognized as Luna. You will only be known as the ghost bride of the deceased Alpha until you die.”

Beta Lucas sighed and then turned to Lucille. “We still need to continue searching for Alpha Jake’s body. It is crucial.”

Lucille nodded in agreement. “Of course. But for now we will prepare for the wedding tomorrow,” she said, then she turned to Harry and Karla, her eyes narrowing. “You may go now. Return tomorrow for the wedding. And remember, you cannot visit the mansion without Beta Lucas’s consent from now on. You will not see Megan again.”

Harry’s eyes lit up with greedy satisfaction. “What about the money?” he asked eagerly.

Lucille rolled her eyes, clearly irritated. “You will receive it after the wedding,” she said dismissively. “For now, leave. We have preparations to make.”

Harry and Karla laughed, clearly pleased with the arrangement. “That’s fine with us,” Harry said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. “As long as we get the money, we don’t care about anything else.”

I stood there, feeling a deep sense of loss and resignation. Lucille’s disdain was evident as she looked at me. “It’s a good thing Alpha Jake is dead. He surely would not have accepted you as his bride.”

She then turned to Cindy, a young servant standing nearby. “Take Megan to her room,” Lucille ordered.

Cindy nodded and approached me with a sympathetic smile. “Come with me, Ma’am Megan. I’ll show you to your room.”

I followed Cindy through the grand halls of the mansion, feeling utterly alone and broken. My heart ached with the weight of the situation. She guided me to a small, plain room.

Then I cried all night until I feel sleep.

The next day, Cindy wake me up.

“Ma’am Megan,” Cindy said respectfully, “it’s time to get ready for the wedding.”

I wiped my face, feeling a mix of sadness and resignation. “Please, don’t call me ‘ma’am,’” I pleaded softly.

Cindy smiled kindly. “Why Not? You will be the Alpha’s bride,” she said gently.

I sighed. “It’s the ghost bride,” I corrected her.

Cindy’s smile remained. “Even so, you will be the wife of Alpha Jake, even if he is deceased.”

I nodded sadly. Cindy helped me into the bath, the warm water soothing but not quite easing my distress. She gently shampooed my hair, her hands working with a comforting care.

“You’re so pretty, Megan,” Cindy said cheerfully. “With some makeup and nice clothes, you’ll look even better.”

I gave a weak smile. “I don’t have money to buy anything,” I said softly.

Cindy giggled. “Now you will have an allowance starting today,” she said. “You can use it for yourself, as a reward. You know what? If Alpha Jake comes back and finds out you married him, even as a ghost bride, he might make you his mate and Luna.”

I frowned, feeling a mix of doubt and disbelief. “Madam Lucille said that Alpha Jake wouldn’t accept me if he were alive.”

Cindy rolled her eyes. “Madam Lucille is arrogant. Don’t mind her. She’s just envious because you’re pretty even without trying too hard.”

I managed a small smile. “I still believe Alpha Jake won’t accept me,” I said quietly. “I’m just an ordinary human.”

Cindy looked puzzled. “You know what? I thought you were a werewolf,” she said. “I even tried to sniff you, but it seemed like I couldn’t catch any scent. Maybe I just have a bad nose,” she laughed.

I smiled, finding a small comfort in her kindness. When the bath was over, two more servants arrived with a box. When I opened it, I frowned—it was a black wedding gown.

Cindy explained, “Since the groom is dead, you’ll wear a black wedding gown instead of white.”

I nodded, feeling the weight of the situation more heavily than ever. The servants helped me into the gown and applied makeup. They smiled and complimented me, but I felt numb.

“Where’s the veil?” I asked.

Cindy handed it to me. “Here it is.”

I nodded, pulling the veil over my face to shield myself from the eyes of others. I knew people would make fun of me, and I wanted to avoid their scrutiny as much as possible.

Just as we were finishing, Lucille’s voice echoed down the hall. “What’s taking so long?” she barked angrily. “Get this room cleaned up now!” she demanded.

So, I stepped out of the small room and into the sprawling garden of the Crest Moon Pack mansion.

The garden, a lush expanse of carefully manicured greenery and vibrant flowers, was now transformed into a somber venue for the ceremony.

Rows of seats were filled with both pack members and other guests. The sight of so many people, all of them exuding an aura of power even in their human forms, made me feel like a small, insignificant speck.

The murmurs from the guests reached my ears, their comments a mix of pity and scorn. “She’ll be lonely forever,” one woman whispered to her companion.

A few giggles followed, and I could sense their eyes lingering on me. The voices seemed to drift in and out of focus, but one name stood out—Mika.

At the end of the aisle stood the altar, a simple but elegant setup adorned with flowers and candles. I approached slowly, my steps feeling like they were dragging through a thick fog of dread.

The priest of the pack stood there, his expression solemn and serious. He was dressed in traditional robes, a symbol of his authority and the gravity of the occasion.

“We are gathered here today to honor Alpha Jake, who has departed from us,” the priest began, his tone somber. “Though he is no longer with us, his legacy lives on. We remember his contributions to our pack and to the human world, and we celebrate his life as we also conduct this unique ceremony.”

The priest continued, “In accordance with tradition, we will also celebrate Alpha Jake’s wedding to Megan, who will take on the role of his ghost bride. Though he cannot see it, we are confident that Alpha Jake will be pleased to know that there is someone who will light a candle in his honor and pray for his soul to the Moon Goddess.”

I clutched the framed photograph of Alpha Jake tightly, feeling the weight of the moment settle heavily on my shoulders.

But I could hear the faint murmurs and whispers of the crowd, their comments more distinct now.

“Isn’t it sad?” one woman said to her companion. “She’s going to be alone for the rest of her life. How will she ever find happiness?”

The mocking tone made my heart ache, but I kept my eyes focused on the floor.

“Megan,” the priest’s voice called out, bringing me back to the present. “Do you accept to be the ghost bride of Alpha Jake, to honor him and uphold his memory as his eternal bride?”

I took a deep breath, my voice trembling as I replied, “Yes, I accept.”

The priest nodded solemnly. “Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you as the ghost bride of Alpha Jake. May you carry out your duties with honor and devotion.”

With that, the ceremony was officially over. I felt a wave of relief mixed with a deep sense of sadness.

The guests began to move around, and Mika, her parents Harry and Karla, approached us, their faces masks of forced cheerfulness.

“Congratulations, Megan,” Mika said, her voice sweet but laced with a hint of condescension.

Harry turned to Beta Lucas and Lucille with a grin that was almost unbearable. “Now that Megan has fulfilled her role as the ghost bride, it’s time to discuss the p*****t of the one hundred million dollars,” he said eagerly.

Beta Lucas nodded, his expression impassive. “I will arrange for the p*****t to be sent to your account later,” he said.

Karla’s eyes lit up with a mix of greed and curiosity. “But I heard that Megan will also receive a monthly allowance,” she said. “How much is it?”

Beta Lucas’s gaze grew colder. “Megan will receive one hundred thousand dollars monthly,” he said. “This is her compensation for her role as the ghost bride.”

Harry, who was known for his insatiable greed, looked stunned. “One hundred thousand?” he repeated, his voice filled with disbelief. “That’s a lot. Are we getting any allowance too?”

Beta Lucas’s expression hardened, his irritation evident. “A greedy human like you and your family do not deserve any further compensation,” he said sharply. “You’ve already been paid more than enough!”

Karla and Mika’s faces fell, their greedy grins fading into frowns.

“Beta Lucas,” she said, her voice trembling with practiced sincerity, “please forgive us.”

Beta Lucas’s gaze remained stern as he looked at them. “Get up and leave.” he said.

Mika nodded and rose to her feet, her expression one of barely concealed frustration. “Thank you for your understanding,” she said softly. “Beta Lucas, if there are any opportunities available, like become your assistant,” she said, her voice sweetly insistent, “I would be more than willing to apply.”

Beta Lucas’s frown deepened. “I don’t need a one,” he said flatly. “Now, Megan, come with me. We need to discuss your role further.”

I nodded, my heart sinking further as I followed Beta Lucas away from the crowd. The weight of the day’s events felt heavier with each step. As we moved toward a quieter area, I could feel the eyes of the guests on my back, their judgmental whispers trailing behind me.

I cast one last glance at the garden, my heart heavy with a mix of relief and sadness. The world seemed to shrink around me as I followed Beta Lucas, feeling as though I was stepping into an unknown, uncertain future.