The Arranged Alpha Marriage

ONE WEEK : DAY ONE

BETHANY'S POV    

    I was more than surprised by the fact that he was a rogue, yet he lived in such large cabin here. It looked as if we are secluded, but still most rogues live amongst themselves in camps throughout  neutral lands. I felt his hand tighten around mine as if he could read my thoughts. I slowly looked up and found my self at a loss at the sight of him looking down at me with sadness swirling within his eyes. One week. He asked for a week. Just one week, Bethany. Get it together, girl. I held my breath as he started to twist the door knob to open the door. A gasp accidently escaped as I gaped at the house before me. It was beautiful. It was an open, rustic style home. To my surprise it didn't appear the way I had imagined a single man would live. Everything was neatly arranged and put away. I felt his gaze on me as I took everything in. I turned to him, he smiled brightly at me, and pulled me into his arms. 

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"For giving me a week."

    I nodded and looked down at my feet. The feeling of guilt is growing inside me. The mate bond is also strengthening with each moment I am near him. I cannot lose sight of what is important. I already made a pact with the coven and the rogue. If I were to go back on it now the consequences would be dire. Oh, Axel. I am so sorry.

"I am going to take a shower and then I will start supper, darlin'. There is a guest room at the end of the hall if you'd feel more comfy there."

    With that he went up the stairs and soon followed the sound of the shower. I plopped down onto the couch and let out a huge sigh. What are the chances I would have met my mate while traveling to get back my ex boyfriend. What did I do in my past life to be dealt such a heavy blow. I just do not understand. My mate looks as if he were make believe. His body, carefully sculpted from top to bottom. His eyes, that could stare straight into your soul and oh my goddess, let's not even get started on those lips! My Goddess, he is such a fine ass specimen of a man. If it really worth it to throw away my mate for just the potential chance of being queen? I mean hell, Aaron acts as if I never existed since he met her. Could Axel replace all of the history I share with him too? Can he make me feel complete as well?

"You comfy?", he asked with a giggle from the bottom of the stairs.

    I felt it as my cheeks heated up and quickly sprung up on the couch. I didn't even hear him come down. Again, he has managed to sneak up on me.

"Um, yeah."

"Well, do you like spaghetti?"

"Yeah, it is one of my favorites."

"Good, ha just lay back down and watch some television while I cook. Okay, Darlin'?"

"Uh, Okay."

    He walked out of the living room and I sunk back into the couch. I cannot believe he just walked in on me sprawled all over his couch like I own the freaking place. What was I thinking? I turned on the television like he suggested and found a Christmas movie on hallmark to watch. The smell of spaghetti mixed with garlic started to fill the room causing my stomach to growl. 

"Hungry?"

    Oh my Goddess. Not again. What is with this guy and just appearing?

"Um, yeah. I have been traveling for a while."

"I understand. The dining room is this way."

    He came over, extending his hand to help me from the couch that seems to have eaten me. Then, led me through the kitchen to a small table with candle light. It all looked so romantic. My heart lurched as he pulled my chair for me to sit. 

"Thank you."

    He smiled with a slight nod before fixing me a plate of spaghetti. Then, poured us both a glass of were-wine before taking the seat across from me.

"So why were you traveling?"

    Oh no. I cannot tell him that I was looking to take back my ex boyfriend that met his mate, but at the same time, I cannot tell him the same lie that I told my family. Because then he would not understand why it was that I was planning to reject him.

"Um.."

"It is okay. When you are ready, you can tell me.", he smiled.

    I am feeling with guilt the more I lie to him. He is so understanding and welcoming. Yet, all I am doing is lying again and again. He does not deserve this. I do not deserve someone like him. Even if he is a rogue, I can tell he is an amazing person. 

"Why are you a rogue?"

"Oh, I knew you would ask. It stems from my father, he wanted me to marry an Alpha's daughter to form an alliance between the two. Essentially, our pack would absorb theirs eventually. I didn't want to marry her, I wanted to find my mate. I needed to find her. To find you. My father took that as treason against my pack and exiled me. Forcing my younger brother to go through with the marriage and become Alpha. My brother and mother keep in touch, but I have not heard a word from my father since the day that he banished me. I never expected that power and taking control of the neighboring pack would trump the love for his own son. I don't think any of my family saw it coming, honestly. I knew that becoming a rogue would drastically lower the chances of my mate accepting me. So, from that point I settled here in my mother's family cabin that she gave to me. I started preparing myself for the possibility that when the day came that I met my mate, she would reject me.", he explained as a single tear fell down his face.