A Bride For The Alpha

He Has Changed

Marianne’s POV

The days passed slowly after the marriage. The citadel felt like a cage, its grand halls and towering walls suffocating me with every step I took. My every flow changed into watched, my each word measured. The maids whispered at the back of my again, and the courtiers cast judgmental glances my way. I could feel it — the load in their stares, the pity and disdain.

Jerome barely spoke to me. Since that night time, he had stored his distance, continually cold and indifferent. He could spend long hours in conferences along with his council, discussing percent affairs, at the same time as I become left by myself in my chambers, with not anything however my mind for agency.

I had quickly found out my place in his international. I was nothing greater than a spouse in identify. An inheritor bearer. A responsibility he changed into pressured to fulfill. His lack of affection wasn’t a marvel, but it nevertheless harm. Every time I saw him, I felt a pang of craving for some thing more — a flicker of wish that he may soften, that he would possibly see me as greater than just a pawn in this recreation of strength.

But he in no way did.

I observed solace within the lawn. It turned into one of the few locations wherein I felt somewhat at peace. The soft rustle of the wind through the trees, the fragrance of blooming flowers — it reminded me of simpler times, before my life have become entangled within the politics of the pack

One afternoon, as I sat on a stone bench, watching the solar dip under the horizon, I heard footsteps at the back of me. I grew to become and noticed a person drawing near, tall and wide, with kind blue eyes. He wore the uniform of the palace guards, but there has been some thing specific about him. He wasn’t like the others — his gaze didn’t convey the same weight of judgment or pity.

“Lady Marianne,” he said, bowing slightly.

I forced a smile, though my coronary heart became heavy. “Please, call me Marianne. No need for formalities.”

He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “I’m Garrett, one of the palace guards. I’ve been assigned to defend you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Protect me? From what?”

His expression softened. “The Alpha ordered it. The pack Is not without its dangers, even inside the fort partitions.”

I glanced across the garden, feeling a sit back creep up my backbone. I hadn’t taken into consideration that there might be threats lurking so near. “I see.”

For a few moments, there was silence between us. I could feel his gaze on me, however it wasn’t intrusive. It became… comforting. I hadn’t felt that in a long term.

“If you ever want a person to speak to,” Garrett said quietly, “I’m right here.”

I seemed up at him, surprised by his phrases. It had been so long given that someone provided me kindness, without an agenda or ulterior reason. “Thank you,” I whispered, my voice slightly audible.

Over the following couple of days, I noticed greater of Garrett. He would stand shield outdoor my chambers, but from time to time, we’d share some phrases. His presence became a small beacon of heat in the in any other case cold and remote castle.

One evening, as I sat with the aid of the fireside in my chambers, a knock at the door startled me. I opened it to locate Jerome standing there, his expression as unreadable as ever.

“We want to speak,” he stated, his voice low.

I stepped aside to permit him in, my coronary heart racing. It changed into the primary time he had come to my chambers in view that our wedding ceremony night. I wasn’t certain what to expect.

He stood in the front of the fire, his returned to me, as he spoke. “I know you don’t like this marriage. Neither do I.”

I swallowed hard, the truth of his phrases stinging. “Then why did you compromise to it?”

He turned to face me, his gray eyes piercing via the dim mild. “Because it was essential. For my role.”

I crossed my arms, trying to preserve my feelings in check. “And what approximately me? Do I mean not anything on this equation?”

His gaze softened, just for a second. “You’re now not not anything, Marianne. But this isn’t a fairy tale. You understand that by way of now.”

I felt a lump in my throat. He was proper. This wasn’t a fairy story, and I turned into foolish for ever thinking it can be. But that didn’t make the truth any simpler to endure.

“I will satisfy my responsibilities as your spouse,” I stated quietly. “But I deserve extra than just being a pawn in your recreation.”

Jerome’s jaw clenched, and for a brief second, I thought I saw some thing like regret flash in his eyes. But it changed into long gone as speedy as it regarded.

“I’ll be leaving for some days,” he stated, changing the difficulty all of sudden. “There are subjects I want to take care of. Garrett will keep watch over you at the same time as I’m long gone.”

I blinked, surprised by the point out of Garrett. Jerome had never stated the guards earlier than, not to mention mentioned one via name. “Garrett?”

He nodded. “He’s unswerving. And I accept as true with him to keep you secure.”

With that, Jerome grew to become and walked toward the door, leaving me status there, by myself yet again. But because the door closed in the back of him, I couldn’t help but surprise if there has been more to this than he was letting on.

For the primary time because the wedding, I felt a unusual combination of desire and confusion. Jerome wasn’t as bloodless as he regarded. But what did that suggest for me?

....And what function did Garrett play in all of this?....