MARRIED TO A CURSED ALPHA

r's

me soon, the clouds black and heavy jus

ike my

tore where we had come to pick up my dresses for the mating ball, an event I am bring forced to attend. We were

just needed an escape from the house for a while. Though I had agreed to participate in the Ma

est to my request " The mating ball is in barely 5 hours,why d

a horse? Please let me do this, it's t

or a while before sh

idn't give you any permission for thi

a carriage halted, I assisted my mother in climbing, then I wa

s I bumped harshly into someone. Roughly, I fell

a glimpse of the person that I bumped into. And I saw a handsome young

t I look like." The young

kly stood up, and dusted myself off.

sorry,are you okay?' "

say sorry? Didn't you see me

ing too? Why did you chose t

alking down the road with your h

y, prideful brats who think everyone should be affected by their presence. I hate to break it to you, but no

everything on being poor. Every conversation has to come

fists, his word

every single day for a pittance while you sit in comfort, commanding us like slaves. We must wear the finest clothes a

shed, not in comparison to the other man though. He was s

verything ok

could respond, I chipped

eing such a rude and arrogant jerk, don't y'al

outburst. The second man who I gue

? I'd advice you to please take back your w

t but did

em to him. Pfft! So much for being gentlemen" I sco

e but I didn't look back.

Would you like to h

ed at this. Wh

ed quite interesting"

didn't stop to think about what he meant, inste

could tell. I had a fun time riding the horses and somehow, I managed to put the problems in my life to the side.

r hurriedly dressed me up, complaining the entire time of how uncoop

aying the words I had h

ou, you have to be at your best behavior tonight and get all

s too tight and I was struggling to breathe. A

at the door, waiting. Mother and I got in and

d but I said nothing. We were directed through the huge gates after our names were checked on the

I felt a surge of anxiety. The fancy decorations, the crowd of unfamiliar faces clad in

ightened. "Smile, River.

friendly face. And then my eyes fell on him – the arrogant young man from e

's the

a beat. What wa

ading across his face. I quickly looke

, introducing us to anyone who cared to listen, as his 'lovely wife and bea

rapped in a never-ending cycle of shal

m fell silent. A figure emerged fr

reason we are present here tonight so

rom earlier stepped forward. My br

the A

yself and I believe that is why all of yo

words ringing in my head was, "He's

each candidate as we lined up before him. Whe

me, his movement

ondescension. "I must say, I'm surprised you c

his words, but I ref

sied, keeping m

ined cold. "You do remember me, right? Or am I

d feel the eyes of everyone

at makes you think you're

th disdain, and I fel

al, Alpha," I replied, meeting his gaze

sound sending shi

who admits to being a pawn. I th

, and I felt my face heat up

dare

espond, Alpha Novah

I'll choose my bride b

me onto the dance floor. His grip was tight and I h

e I had gotten myse

skin, bringing me back

here after your lecture about how we thread u

s my bride?" He

a distance between us. " I told you

sement. " So what if I ch

hile he smirked vilianously. Through the corner of my eyes, I caught glimpses of my

nightmare but the Alpha's

u mine, River?" he whispered, his

ause of what he said but becau

started, and Alpha Novah releas

en my bride"

et while all my h

dn't be h

ack and ran out of the palace, enteri

^

return immediately and tender an apology to Alpha Novah

y him." I retorte

ore the whole of Orkland. Should you refuse him, it will not only

e convent and resume my role as a Sister. Coming to Orkl

ace me this way. You ought to be grateful

ring ruin to the family. Moreover, this was not the arrangement I had with Mother. She promised that attending the ball would benefit your busines

Father did not care and he was rea

now this: Had Alpha Novah not chosen you, I would have arranged your marriage to the m

er, who was sea

" I asked, my

ologized, tears stre

This is the sort of thing you both have always done." I said

're min

fully, trying hard

not for being a girl, but because I was his only

eswoman who mistreated me badly. I was poorly fed,

me to a convent. Not out of a wish for me to become a Sister, but to exploit the church's financial aid given to families with a si

han extend belated birthday wishes, it was an announcement of a Mating Ball held by an

pes of persuading them-

ather swayed me. I agreed to participate on the condition that I would not marry but only aid

se, Alpha Novah may destroy both me and my family. If I agree, h

d murmured to myse

hands. I don't want to get married, I had grown to love my life as a Siste

my lungs out in frustrat

I supposed to know tha

e all so heartless. There were other ladies at the ball, more beautiful ladies from wealthier families than mine(if mine could

damaged being insulted by a nobody in front of his attendant. That was the reason for this

would probably let this go. Then I wouldn't have to marry him anymore. I could go back

ld work,

fresh air would help me think. Luckily, neither mother nor father was at the living room. I walked through the door as

e cool night air a welcome change f

ne call my name. Turning abruptly,

hispered, my

oothing melody I never seemed to

er in years, not since

approac

w you were back in town. What are you doing

" I replied, feelin

tened. "Trou

He knew, a

ext. Furgil and I were childhood friends, infact we were mo

letter about a month later. He never replied and I knew I had hurt him. With all

gil,

topp

't seen each other in a very long

!" I mu

ars while you tell me all a

le crept un

ure

ll, the moon casting a sil

say and he listened. And as I fin

you," he

rt flu

r leaving like

r a while, his eyes

you back?" He e

I couldn't tell him that I had

cting so she needed some he

intense look in my eyes makin

ll be home for a

feeling terrible for

Ye

ll away. It gave me the much needed comfort. Slowly, his f

about to touch, a harsh vo

Millb

Novah'

eart

and away, making Furgil

n at your fiance's favourite

ace twiste

ian

ed to

did you follow

gasped

shot to his feet an

on him, "Leave!" He comman

ied away, leaving just me and the A

you want

trides towards me, the a

ide, River." h

Sister at a church, we do not wed.

kes it even more fun ca

of his hand trail

pure, are

back in

know you were the Alpha, I am sorry. Please, spare my family and I. Pick another bride for I know t

chuckled m

ing to do with

h fanning my neck as he

for me than you. You're m

away as suddenl

ndeed, this was

ding ce

ack home and now I stood at my bedroom window, gazing out at the tranquil garden below. The

erie was s

he woods, carrying the royal palace'

y hair. I waited, quietly, hoping the carriage wasn't coming h

s use

I heard a kno

as arrived," Mother called out,

art d

't be ha

r called again whe

ace all glowed up and eager. I swall

airs, my feet heav

ming in his formal attire. The room suddenly seeme

tance away from him, his face be

nd immediately

the Alpha that he shouldn't have bothered to come. W

s fixed on me and I f

doing that, she is my bride afterall and after tonight..

getting married tonight?

was so difficult to look into his eyes

ready t

before I could e

I will quickly go b

ided with everything she needs i

hurried upstairs, returning in barely five minu

aughter is rea

e is waiting." He turned and b

der. Father approached, a mixture o

u're doing this. Do not mess t

back a

didn't know what the reason was. S

dear." sh

n't find happiness

waving excitedly as it drove

alace was tense. Alpha Nov

e opulent halls seemed to close in around me. We were greeted

ealized I was standing

amily." he

at them warily. I bowed respectfu

t I'd stand before the Duke and

s, gazed at me, her fa

me, young lady?"

I said, trying my

"I see why our son chose you, y

ke up. Her mother shot her a glare making her recoil. I im

uessed that she di

and, Alpha Novah's f

ur bloodline," he growled," but if our son cho

y head high despite th

didn't say a word. Not like I was expect

d before you." I said

id, with her h

epared for the wedding ceremony to

rately wanted to ask him why he was doing this to me. His fami

such a a

r where three female servants

mony!" Alpha Novah commanded an

^

king wedding venue. Golden lanterns hung from cryst

rned with diamonds and

n the soft light. The only people present was the roy

the front. Their faces sti

is eyes locked onto mine. A fleeting

The dress I had on was uncomfortable, it was

voice echoed in

the great Duke and Duchess of New Vimland, with

remained blank, his

riest

as your wife, to protect and cherish her

lpha Nova

st turne

and, to stand by his side, to support and obey him, to

sita

ah's gaze

" I wh

nounced us hus

eyes cold and calculating. When I didn't take his hand, he bent down

rotest, my skin beginnin

" Don't say a wo

wafchful eyes of everyone present. As we arri

hing I could think about was what would hap

mmanded again, w

doors were drawn shut immediately. The

him, he was undressing. My breath hitched and I took a wary step bac

y body with his eyes. It almost felt li

l on a figure lying on th

wo

ling with ease when he s

ay come

and porcelain skin, clad in not

round her waist and kissed he

" he began after the

sm

h a pretty nam

d with an emotion I

s this?" I ma

kled si

my companio

ng what'

ng down. Another woman on our wedding

ing as I wouldn't have to be the one beneath him ton

meless? Did his family

parents know this

arry me? What was

s at him but I bit my lips instead

in my bed tonight, did you?" Alpha Novah

bed tonight?" he added, his ey

me. Yet, I had to say something else this shame

, Alpha Novah." was all I co

t when I thought I'd have a fun

her hands on his chest,

he whispered seductively. I watched him - my supposed husban

looking back to see their reactions. I'

But why did I wa

owed on seeing me and remained ther

my room?

d it dawned on me that ever

ut ask myself, why did h

little distance from his. Once I was inside

well. They were making plans to send me out to another church as a well-trained Reverend. And now, I was married, not just

ncontrollable sobs racked my b

ow he must be feeling now, I was such a

agree to t

gony. I hated everything, I hated everyone. Would I e

n't continue like this. I cri

escape. But dawn broke,

sically and emotionall

uldn't spend another

de this thought in my head. I grabbed a

s. I would find my way to the Convent and then, I'd leave with the rest of the sisters out of t

oped I w

my way to the palace gates, my heart racing in my ches

the entrance, a hand c

er?" Alpha Novah's voi

in my mouth. His eyes

y think you cou

off his grip but

're going?" he demanded,

you," I da

h laughed

id I hurt you?" He said, his voice lo

red a

ng another woman home on your weddin

It was only when I heard him snicker and saw the sim

ving my

t you?" he scoffed." So

to snap at him but I had already

nning away is some

I was half pleading

to step back, he slipped his hand around my waist and sw

n!" I tried,

rds his chambers, ignoring all the eyes that were staring at us. I caught that of his little s

down but he continued, till he reached the bed. My heart skipped. I had no

own!" I tr

leave my waist and we were

you have no desire to be

him but his breath was fanning upon my face and

vows, Alpha Nova

ext thing, his hand was

s meant n

s an

hy didn't you choose someone with whom the vows would

t tightened, pulling me

for one night.

be. Why don't you get

decide if you want to be my wife or not because

ting so frustrated. Being so close to him made

tus is ten times higher than mine. Why would you stoop so

ain, this time

t called re

h seized completely. I shut my eyes

ed taking w

touch was no longer there and wh

king an

n me earlier today. I am kind of glad, I mean. Being around him made me act rash and uncollected, let

him in any

I thought he was him and I immediately rose to

trying her best t

e sometime to spare. I want

former disapproving gaz

d, taking my seat

actly set off on the right

ged a

meet you, Virna." I respon

e cushion oppo

wanted to talk

looked like she

nt, waiting for

ned this morning."

y brows in

You and Novah.

Oh

ught you seduced my brother into choosing you which I why I was rude to

thing to this, m

cont

ever existed. When he mentioned he was going to choose a wife, I was pained. And when he chose you, I

. I had no idea what or w

do not know who yo

tell she was contemplating whether or n

!" Virna f

ovah was one of the rare alphas to

ead." Vir

I exc

ed to her?" I

s, Vir

to tell you any more

o and reached

an I don't even know and it's scary. Any information

felt like ages, and then, she

face, but we know she was here and it's so pain

ed to her?" I

hook he

ould be mad if he finds out. He goes into a ra

sappointment w

he knows more and is not directly under Nova

ind him?" I imm

. Tell them I sen

ghtly in ap

k you,

ited my room with

ds at the second wing bowed to me on recognizing who I was. I told th

ry. He sat surround

's wife." he acknowl

t he didn't look much

gs you here

on the right words to

seeking answ

Alpha's previou

me, like he wasn'

ow you're he

ok my

ouble, you know?" He said, pushi

you won't tell

a while, before gestur

you?" he asked, leanin

hadn't mentioned her but

know she existed and that the Alpha goes into

f no

hat happened to he

d. The Alpha kill

hock. That was not w

reaction an

ned but whenever there's a blood moon, he goes into a blo

e by piece in my head

ed her during

never forgiven h

te, digesting the informa

w about his bloo

that Novah recognizes no one in that state. I suppose

ldn't." I mum

Zeref repeated, w

of her! I

Why did Alpha Novah

pression t

can answer th

, he chose to rev

dy disappeared mysteriously and all of a sudden, no one could remember what she looked like. He was desperate,

hide. I know he still hears her voice and every time he goes into a b

listened, I was the one who

ay think he has. His marriage to you was just formality, he needs an hei

d it feel like his words were a ste

r time and information, it is highly apprec

lcome." Zer

e and then I rem

her name?

his eyes scrutinizing my

ndo