The Alpha's Marked Mate

Henry

Mama loved Jane Austen; she named her children after her favorite characters. Isn’t it lovely of our clan, the Breeder can bestow names upon her offspring? They think it is a boon. Jane is Jane Bennet. She’s regal, the most beautiful girl in town, and delicate with exquisite manners. On the flip side, Mama named me after Emma Woodhouse. She created such a mess in her small town. It was okay in the end. I might be rich like Emma; however, my freedom to plot and plan is curtailed. I don’t have an older potential suitor hanging around town. Just a slam bam and thank you Ma’am. My beloved twin, Henry, named after Henry Tinley in Northhanger Abbey. Henry is rather funny like Henry. My brother’s deep blue eyes sparkle with merriment except we have identical eyes; nobody ever called me full of joy and merriment. Many sets of fingers stroked Henry’s sable mane during our years at Victoria Academy. Nobody had him on lockdown to protect his virtue. The only people who have ever stroked my hair besides my mothers and Nanny. A ludicrous amount of hair hangs down my back. Long hair is sexy and alluring per Nanny. Ten pounds gone with a haircut. Henry does serve a purpose for the Nannies.

Shopping with Jane focused on purity and preservation of our clan. Shopping trips with Henry are based on lust. Nannies select overtly s****l outfits for me to wear in town and clan events. I parade half dressed in front of my disapproving brother. It’s quite easy to distinguish which outfits are purchased. If Henry lowers his eyes, a dress is tossed in the purchase pile. A gentle smile on his lips, a top is returned to an overflowing reject rack. Flared nostrils translates yes to a sheer top, Nanny purchased six in every color. Today is a special day. We need to select a gown for The Drawing.

At The Drawing, I will meet the future father of Jane’s children. I am not allowed to call them my children. I just give them life, feed them, and nurture them. I must always remember the girls are Jane’s daughters. Never complain or question. Nor cry. Wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of crying in front of these people.

Nanny selected a rather slutty second dress. Henry finally learned his purpose of these little shopping trips. Who wants to see their sister dress like a w***e? I shouldn’t say the word,” w***e. It’s a feeling gnawed deep into my soul; why can’t I have more?

Henry doesn’t excitedly bang on my dressing room door to see me in my finery. I walk out to find him slumped down on a white leather couch. His face says anywhere, but here. We each have a role to play. What’s his role after I do my duty? Do they sell Henry to another clan for an alliance? So many questions without any answers. With a saccharine sweet smile, I stand in my half-dressed glory. Henry distractedly plays a game on his phone. No, I think he’s texting someone. Oh, he must have a girlfriend; who is the flavor of the month? Nanny rapped Henry in the back of his head. It doesn’t hurt; our hair is much too thick for him to feel her slap. Petulantly, my brother rolled his eyes over my dress. A look of horror crossed his handsome face. Nanny smiled like a cat with a tummy full of baby birds; in a fit of glee, she scurried almost as fast as a rat to a salesperson. My flesh bait gown has been selected.

It is downright awful. Black silk chiffon halter dress with a low back; it reaches to the top of my butt. My full back on display. A long slit almost to my hipbone. The halter exposes my boobies… modest enough to hide my n*****s. Of course, I have a super high pair of stripper shoes. Once again, I shouldn't think stripper shoes. I know Nanny selected them for a certain purpose. Nice sliver sparkly shoes.

“Take it off,” Henry ordered darkly. “I just can’t with them today. He closed his eyes briefly to mask his anger.

I didn’t need to be told twice. I hurried back to the dressing room. It’s an expensive dress; I could have shown more care for it. I tossed it over the door along with my killer shoes to a waiting salesperson. I didn’t want to wear it any longer. Sliding down a cool wall, hot fat tears hit my bare feet. I don’t want to do this. It’s not fair. I don’t to trade places with Jane. It’s not fair to her. I just wanted to be me. Who am I?

“I would give anything for my freedom.”

Roughly, I wiped my tears away. A bright orange T-shirt and pair of ripper jeans are my comfort clothes. I’m a jeans and T-shirt kinda gal with flipflops or boots. I love a good sundress with a wide brim straw hat. My eyes are a bit red. Nanny doesn’t care about my feelings. Does anyone? I don’t feel like driving back to the estate with them. What can I do?

Sauntering out into the lobby of the Salon, I noticed Henry waiting by the door. He pressed a tender kiss on my forehead,” I sent her home with that dress. I told her we were going to lunch. She loved to leave our company,” Henry explained. “We haven’t eaten lunch. Are you hungry? How about pizza?”

I didn’t need a second invitation. Henry was a perfect gentleman. he holds doors, waits for your food to come before he starts eating. He listens intently to your thoughts. He’s smart. He escaped from paradise to attend a college in another state. He graduated with a degree in Marketing. His ideas are fresh and innovate. He has ideas to push our stupid candy company into new areas.

I take a sip of soda,” Go to England. Explore Jane Austen’s homeroom town. Pretend I am Elizabeth Bennet. Copy and repeat with the Bronte sisters. Do the Shakespeare thing. Go on a tour searching for Jack the Ripper. Enroll in master’s program for English literature. Get a doctorate in English Literature.

“I miss Mama reading to us,” Henry admittedly sadly. “Let’s run away together.’

Wait, that's out of the blue. He wants out as well.

“How?”

“I have money saved. Lots of money. I used my allowance to day trade on the stock market. Made a few hundred thousand. We could hide. I am your ride or die”

Wait, Henry has plans for me? Henry wants me to live. Risk it all for me. Ruin his life. The council would love a reason to kill him. I refuse to give them one.

“They want to see your blood on the Council floor, our cherish family. I couldn’t ask it of you.”

“You aren’t asking. I offered. Just think about it.”

“Why should I dream?”

“Everyone has free choice, Emma, even you.”