amal unbound by aisha saeed

When I was kidnapped by the rival tribe, my Alpha was watching the sunrise with his destined mate.

When he got the call, he spoke to the kidnappers in a detached tone. "Keep her tied up. Let her learn her lesson and stop pestering me."

In that life-or-death moment, I had no options left.

I clung to the rival tribe's Alpha, my voice shaking. "Please… don't kill me. I'll do anything you say."

By the time my Alpha finally remembered me, the rival tribe's Alpha looked down at my sleeping face in his arms and chuckled. "Too late. She doesn't have the strength to leave with you now."

...

On the tenth year with Alpha Locke Fowler, he finally agreed to swear an oath with me before the Moon Goddess.

I was thrilled and prepared a gift for him.

When I found him in the hotel suite, he was chatting casually with his men.

"Are you really swearing an oath with Julie tomorrow?" someone asked.

"No way," Locke replied. "A woman who can't bear children? She's got no right to be my mate."

Another voice laughed. "Aren't you afraid she'll leave you when she finds out?"

Locke smirked dismissively. "She'd have to be able to leave me first. Even if she storms off, she'll be begging to come back in three days. Bet on it?"

Laughter erupted. "Yeah, she's got no backbone," someone added.

I turned and left, my body ice-cold amid their mocking laughter.

At the oath ceremony the next day, Locke stood in the center in a tailored suit, basking in everyone's admiration.

I approached in my plainest dress.

His face darkened when he saw me. "On a day this important, you're trying to embarrass me?"

I looked at him steadily. "Let's get started."

His gaze was icy and sharp.

He suddenly turned and pulled Debbie Tucker from the crowd.

As he did, her cloak fell, revealing a dazzling wedding gown that stung my eyes.

"Honored Moon Goddess, I, Locke Fowler, declare Debbie Tucker as my destined mate. Bear witness to our bond!"

Everyone stared at the three of us.