THE ALPHA'S SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

*ARYA* "It's been a week since I mentioned the Alpha prince's proposal, am I right?" Father asked sternly. "Yes, Father" I said in unison with Janelle and I could feel Lady Lana's glare on me even without looking towards her. "It turned out the Alpha prince wants you, Janelle, for his bride" he broke the ice and I couldn't help but sigh in relief. It's not like he could ever choose me anyway. I wasn't recognized as my father's daughter to many, besides, I have my own mate. "So I hope you take necessary steps quickly and I'll inform the royal family about your readiness" Father added and walked out of the house immediately. I bowed slightly and turned to leave too, but Janelle's tight grip on my hair held me back. "You seem to be enjoying this, aren't you?" She yelled, pulling my hair harder and I tried to shake my head but her grip wouldn't let me. I was scared to talk as she might just use it against me. "I knew it! Mom!! This wench had a smirk on her face when Father said I'd marry the disabled Alpha prince" she yelled again, pulling me to face her mom, Lady Lana. "No, I promise you... I didn't..." I couldn't complete my speech before a resounding slap landed on my cheek. Tears pooled in my eyes rapidly as she continued her assault on my face. Ever since mom's death and dad's remarriage, all I've ever experienced in the hands on my new family was torture, pain and verbal abuse. I've tried to put up with all of it but I couldn't get used to it no matter how much I had to experience it over and over again. "Are you implying that I'm the liar here? You b***h!" She yelled to my face as she slapped me harder than the previous time, her free hand never leaving my hair. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." I apologized instead, despite knowing it would do me no good. I still had to apologize because I knew it makes her feel big and eventually she might let me go. She suddenly held my chin hard, her long dolled up nails digging into my skin and she didn't give a damn if my face gets clawed out or not, every single one of her assaults were deliberate. My eyes trailed off to Lady Lana and I didn't miss the satisfaction in her face as she watched her daughter deal with me like I was a piece of disposable trash. "Apologize properly, f*****g w***e!" She growled, her fingers digging deeper into my chin. It was so painful but I couldn't help myself. It was the cruel fate of mine, one that's been written for me by the moon goddess, that wicked wench goddess! "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" I cried, hoping she let go of my hurting chin but she wasn't close to letting go. She finds joy in watching me suffer, watching me swim in pain and she'll do whatever it takes to see me cry. "And what do you call me?" She whispered with a sly smile and I swallowed painfully. I am the daughter of the house, older than her with two solid years but she expects me to bow to her feet and call her name with respect. That alone, crushed my tiny long-lived pride, but it was inevitable. I either obey her commands or face hell of hells. "Are you hesitating right now? What? Does it hurt your pride to call me like a true lady that you aren't?" "Hey, Arya. You of all people don't have prides. I mean, your pride shouldn't get in the way of your survival, don't you agree?" She continued, pulling my chin towards her and I winced in pain. She pushed me to the ground and my knees felt bruised instantly. "What should you call me, you bastard!" She yelled as her heels found its way to my frail hands. She stepped on my hands and with the pressure she applied, I was sure my entire bones were fractured. "I'm sorry, Lady Janelle. Please forgive me" I cried out in pure agony, my hands totally at her mercy. "Now that's a good girl" she murmured as she bent to pull my hair back, but her heels remained glued to my hand. "Now do you understand what I mean by not letting your pride, get in the way of your survival?" She said and I nodded weakly. Right in the same moment, I could feel Clyde's presence lingering from a distance. "Mate! Mate is here... To save us" Devy growled within me and I held myself up, using my last ounce of strength. Janelle must have sensed his presence too because she immediately scurried away from me as her gaze stayed glued to the entrance. "He's here, mom!" I heard her say and I wondered what Clyde's presence has got to do with her and her mom. "Why don't you help your sister up first?" She said slowly and I saw Janelle stretch her hands out for me to take it, but I refused. If she thinks she can bully me and then faking redemption because she wants to entice my mate, I won't let that happen no matter what. He walked into the living room and his eyes settled on Janelle for a while before finally trailing on my weak frail figure that was sprawled on the floor. "Clyde!" I called in a scratchy whisper. My entire body screamed pain and tears pooled in my eyes, that he had to see me this way. He started to walk up to me and my joy knew no bound. Now that he saw me get bullied by my sister, he was going to take me out of here to stay by his side forever. And I'll definitely go anywhere with him. I felt my spirit jump out of my limp body as I watched my so-called mate walk towards my stepsister who had this pitiful teary look on her face a warm hug. "I'll leave you guys" Lady Lana said lastly before walking out elegantly, her stance oozing confidence and mockery. "Clyde!" I called again, even weaker than the first time. Was I too glued to the ground that he didn't see me? Or did I suddenly developed a striking resemblance to Janelle? My face held confusion as I watched him check all over her body in concern. "Are you okay?" I heard him ask her and I felt a lone tear spill out of my eyes. "What the hell do you think you're doing right now?" I asked, referring to the two irritating humans in front of me. "Can't you see it, Arya? Janelle is my priority right now, not some weak and frail omega" Clyde's response came and I bit the insides of my lips so hard that I could have sworn that it bled. "You said you didn't mind my wolf, Clyde. You said you didn't care as long as we're together" I cried out trying to bring him back to his senses, if perhaps he was possessed or anything like that. "That explains why you've always been busy recently. Always cooking up excuses to not meet me and even when you do, you complain about being stressed. I thought it was normal to be stressed out sometimes but this was it?" I muttered slowly while holding back my tears. "I can't keep dating you, Arya. I have a family's name to uphold and it's definitely not going to be possible if I stick to a liability like you. I need someone stronger, and useful for me" he replied again and with each word that came from his mouth, I felt my heart shatter even more. "You knew that before you claimed to love me! Didn't you? You knew all this before even dating me in the first place. Why are you doing this to me?" I cried hurtfully. "I loved you, Arya. But you know how family can be right? They're all against us being together. I can't possibly choose you over my family. You have nothing to offer except your so-called love" he said without a single remorse whatsoever in his tone. "Honey, leave her be, she's not worth the talk" Janelle murmured, her hands settling on each side of Clyde's face. Right in front of me, she kissed my mate and without a second thought, he kissed her back, just as much. "We can't let her get away with that, Arya!" Devy growled within me and I didn't realize how hard I had fisted my hands until I felt the sting of pain in my palms. Blinded by anger and Devy's fight for control, I shifted into my wolf form, and without thinking, I charged at Janelle. A single kick from her sent me flying towards the edge of the room. I could hear her mocking laugh and Clyde's amused one as I struggled to stay upright. Determined to make her pay, Devy guided me into another charge of attack and I received a bigger blow as Janelle had changed into her own wolf form, which was much bigger than mine. She laced her claws around my arms and I screamed in sheer pain. I dug my own claws into her limbs but she barely felt any pain. Even if she did, she'll heal much faster than me either ways. One claw was digging painfully into upper arm and another was pressing down to my throat. My entire breathing space was cut off and I struggled for breath relentlessly until she decided to let go at the last minute. "I definitely don't need you, but I can't let you die. If I do, there'll be no one to marry the crowned Alpha Prince in my stead" she said with a shrill laugh as she shifted straight back into her human form and I watched in a blur vision, how Clyde covered her thoroughly before handing her shedded clothes to her. I shifted back into my human form, laid naked on the ground and left to fend for myself and my stupidly earned wounds. I was bleeding excessively from my arm and my healing process would probably take three or more days. "I won't marry the Crowned Alpha prince. No one wants to, and I certainly wouldn't!" I said weakly before darkness claimed me.