The Billionaire Alpha's Substitute Wife

Violet, The morning sun pours into the dining room, making the white tablecloth shimmer. The air is filled with the scent of buttered toast, cheese, and strawberry jam, and the clinking of utensils makes everything feel busy, almost normal. From the kitchen, Mom's voice rings out, firm yet rough. “Violet! Breakfast is ready!” She strides toward the table, carrying a jug of orange juice, but her attention quickly shifts when a soft voice calls her from behind, " Mom!" “I’m here, my baby Daisy,” she replies instantly, her voice soft and full of warmth. She brushes Daisy’s hair back gently. “Did I startle you? Momma is sorry.” Daisy giggles and claps, her eyes bright with simple joy. She makes a mess with a boiled egg and mayonnaise on her chair. I watch from the top of the stairs, unseen for a moment. It’s always the same. Mom’s love wraps around Daisy like a warm blanket, while I’m left out in the cold. We share the same face, but to Mom, we couldn’t be more different. Daisy is the golden child while I am the disappointment. “I’m coming, Mom,” I call, trying to sound cheerful. The knot in my stomach tightens when she glances at me, her warmth gone in an instant. Her tone is flat and disdainful. “Oh, Violet. Come sit. Breakfast is getting cold. I have a business meeting, and I hope you won’t disappoint me again today.” I nod, forcing a smile as I descend the stairs. Every step feels heavier, weighted with years of disappointment. I sit at the table, staring at my plate. The love in this room is not for me. They just tolerate a 25 year old Omega daughter who doesn't have any mate yet. Mom turns back to Daisy, feeding her like a baby. “Look at my good girl,” she says, her voice dripping with affection. She gently wipes her lips while cooing her like she is six. Well, practically, she is six now. Daisy beams, syrup-covered fingers grabbing at pancakes. “Daisy, use your spoon,” I say gently while placing the pancake plate away from her. “You’re making a mess, sis.” Daisy looks up at me, her eyes wide and innocent. “How do I hold it, Vi?” she asks softly. Sometimes her curiosity is like a kid too. She never argues or hates me like my parents do. She has changed after her accident. She hated me like I was the dirtiest woman alive. But after that unfortunate accident, she started changing into a kid with the kindest heart. I smile, pushing my own feelings down. “Like this,” I say, guiding her hand to hold the spoon. Her face lights up when she manages it. “I did it!” she exclaims. “Good girl,” Mom praises, her focus never straying far from Daisy. Her gentle caressing her head, makes me feel jealous. I wonder if my Mom ever loved me even when I was a kid. I lean back, swallowing the bitterness. At least Daisy is happy. That’s what matters, right? “Daisy is a superhero!” she shouts proudly, holding a pancake, playing with it like she is flying a plane. I chuckle. “Sister is intelligent,” I exclaim, clapping , trying to hold onto the smile. At that moment, the door of the master bedroom downstairs swung open. Dad enters the room, handling the tie. His smile reaches to his ear to ear when he sees Daisy. “Good morning, my baby,” he says, patting her head, planting a gentle kiss. Totally ignoring my existence. “Dadda, look! Vi taught Daisy how to use a fork!” she announces, her face glowing with pride. Dad's attention shifts on me with a hint of annoyance and discomfort. However, he takes his seat and looks at me coldly, " Good Morning!" I just nod, knowing this scene is normal for me, being neglected by them every single second, " Good Morning, Dad!" " I can do everything, Dad. I am a superhero!" Daisy shouts, playing with her own food. Mom’s face softens as she sits next to Daisy with a bowl of fruits. She puts another boiled egg on her plate before saying. “Daisy is so smart. She can do anything. If only she wasn't the one who was in that accident!” I clench my fists under the table, my smile slipping. Yes, My family still wishes that it should be me in her place, not her, their perfect golden daughter. " Honey? What's wrong? What's with that long face?" My mother asked Dad, noticing his deep frown between his eyebrows. Dad’s expression turns serious as he looks at Mom. “There’s something we need to discuss.” “What is it?” Mom asks again, her tone sharp, teetering between curiosity and anxiety. Dad hesitates, his jaw tight. “Do you remember the Jones family? The Alpha family from the DarkValley Wolf Pack.” Mom blinks, her expression shifting as memories resurface. “Yes, of course. How could we forget? We were close.” The silence stretches before Dad continues, his voice tense. “And their son… Noah Jones?” The air in the room changes, like a storm cloud just rolled in. Mom straightens, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Yes,” she says carefully. “What about him?” “He’s Daisy’s fiancé.” The words hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath catches. Fiancé? Because Daisy never talked about her personal life before, especially engagement with the Alpha son of Jones family, one of the richest and strongest All-Alpha family. But we all were aware of her relationship with him. I glance at Daisy, who’s happily fumbling with her fork, unaware of the bomb that’s just dropped. My mind reels. Noah Jones? It feels like a lifetime ago since I last saw him. Now I’m hearing he was engaged to Daisy? Alpha Noah Jones, this name used to bring shivers down everyone's spine. Even I heard he was friends with the Alpha of our Pack. He is a CEO with a domineering appearance. But it felt bitter nostalgic. I would meet him after a long time. Although I am sure he doesn't know my existence. Mom’s eyes flick to me briefly, her expression blank, before turning back to Dad. The room feels like it’s closing in on me. Mom’s face goes pale, then she pulls herself together. “I forgot all about that,” she says softly, tears already welling up. “After the accident, I couldn’t think of letting her go.” Her voice breaks, and she sobs quietly. Dad nods, his face grim. “They’re back from abroad and decided to settle in our pack. Alpha Thompson has allowed them to settle here,” he says. “And they still want Daisy as their daughter-in-law.” A knot tightens in my stomach. The last thing I want is to see Noah again. No, The last thing I want is to face Noah. Please dear God! I don't want to face him right now. But my mind shifts to the thought of Daisy. Daughter-in-law? The words don’t fit. Not with Daisy like this. She’s still playing with her fork, her mind far away from this mess. “You know Noah and Daisy loved each other,” Dad says, his voice soft, as if that explains everything. “Noah’s the CEO now. He wanted to visit Daisy, but I told him no. They don’t know how bad things are.” Mom sighs, her eyes full of pain as she looks at Daisy. “She’s not ready for marriage. She needs at least three more months of treatment. Also , She can't mate or be marked right now. What should we do?" The silence feels longer, infinity and unbearable. I don't know why but I feel like this conversation will somehow end up with something related to me. And before I can assume things, Dad’s eyes land on me, like he wants me to fix things or fix my sister. My heart pounds. I know that look. Something awful is coming. I clench my fists , staring at the unfinished pancake on my plate. Please don't involve me with this. Anything but Noah Jones. I can do anything but face Noah Jones. “We don’t have another option,” he says, his voice low. His dark brownish golden eyes flick with the lights as he is staring at me “If we call off the engagement, it’ll ruin our reputation. Reporters will start asking questions about Daisy.” His words somehow point to me. Does he want me to do something? What do they want from me? I can't fix my sister. I am not a genius like her. Mom’s face crumples, following a soft but despair sigh “Daisy deserves someone like Noah. If we lose him, she’ll be devastated. It’s just three months. Maybe she’ll get better by then.” Dad nods in agreement. And that moment, Dad’s gaze settles fully on me now, his expression serious and dangerously terrifying, “Violet.” I flinch, my chest tightening. “Y-Yes?” My voice is barely a whisper. He takes a deep breath. “You need to take Daisy’s place for three months until your sister is all good. Marry Noah Jones until she’s better. Do you understand?"