Fragile shadows

Chloe's POV

I stared at my reflection in the mirror, my hand tightly clenched and my lips pressed together to keep the tears at bay. I knew I couldn't ruin my makeup, but I was so scared and sad. The only thing that kept me from completely losing it was my mother's words.

I kept replaying our last conversation in my head. "My beautiful Chloe's, you must not let the alpha king find out that you are not Sarah, or our family will be doomed," my mother had said, her eyes filled with fear.

"Mother, what about Sarah?" I wanted to ask about my sister.

"It's all Sarah's fault for eloping with that bastard before the wedding. If only Sarah knew how to behave like you do."

"You can do it, right? Promise me… or we are doomed!"

I wanted to refuse, but I owed my father so much. His next words reminded me of how much I owe him and how much he loves me.

"Chloe, although I had to foster you in the countryside all these years because I was worried about you being hurt by Sarah mother, you will always be my most precious daughter. Daddy will find a way to bring you home... Daddy loves you."

Why was I so against this marriage? Just imagine being marked by the most ruthless Alpha King of all time. Someone who kills at the flick of his fingers. Although it was a rumor, it sent chills down the spine of anyone who heard it.

King Andrew was rumored to be very brutal and despicable. He had rendered many families homeless and headless in a bid to expand his territory. The very air that he walked on smelled of murderous intent. His eyes breathed out death. That's how brutal he is.

That was the husband I was going to marry in place of my sister.

You might be wondering why I couldn't just refuse or run away. That's because I owe my family my life and every good thing I might be enjoying.

I had been living with my foster parents since the death of my father, who happened to be his mistress. Yeah, I was the illegitimate daughter of my father.

My father's wife only accepted me because my father died as soon as she gave birth to me. I never got to feel the warmth of a father, and I never got it from my father's wife either.

As soon as I was about two years old, my stepmother made a fuss, according to my father, and I was thrown into the foster home where I grew up. The only consolation I had and the only reason I was happy staying there was the occasional visit from my mother.

That's why I was willing to do something, even if it was to the detriment of my happiness. It was just temporary because I was sure that when Sarah would come back, my mother would find a way to save me from this monstrous wedding.

"It's time, Miss," a servant said, drawing me from my thoughts.

I looked up at her with glistening eyes, and I could see the pity in her eyes. Who wouldn't pity someone who was being escorted to the devil as his wife?

"You can do it, Chloe!" I cheered myself on.

The wedding ceremony went smoothly without a hitch, but deep down I was scared stiff! I hardly breathed throughout the ceremony. After everything was done, I was escorted to the bridal room, awaiting the Alpha King.