The Alpha's Bargain Bride

Chapter 4 - The Public Demand

Elara pov

Mist clung to the high grounds of Ironpeak, as I sat motionless, hands clasped together. Samantha was braiding my hair smoothing the knots out as she spoke lightly.

"Be brave, hold your head up high."

I did not answer her, my pulse quickened at the sound of approaching footsteps, Raina was the first to appear, a pretty girl, with a warm smile, she was close to my age if not older, she had been the intended bride of Lord Darien. She came closer her smile never fading.

"Do not be afraid of him he is not as cruel as he appears." She advised gently.

I met her gaze and sighed, shaking my head.

"I cannot be expected to make love to him, I was purchased and given as a gift I have no say in the matter!" I told her truthfully "How can I be expected to give what was never freely given?"

Raina grew silent her eyes narrowing at me, her hand brushing against my shoulder briefly as she considered my words

"Elowen!" The woman called sharply knocking on the door.

"Alpha Kaelen has arrived it is time."

My hands trembled slightly as we stepped into the corridor, Elowen was waiting with two other servants, her eyes fixing on me with a sneer of disdain.

"Look at her, such a breeding gift turned noble plaything, she will never belong here only that she is debt owed and not desired."

I winced bracing myself for the verbal lashing that was to come but it did not arrive, not this time a cold voice spoke cutting through the air.

"Speak ill of her again Elowen and you will answer to me directly."

I turned my head to watch as Alpha Kaelen entered the corridor his gaze locked onto mine. Elowen paled immediately her mouth tightening into a line, as she dropped into a deep curtsy her spine stiff.

"Aye sir, Elowen of the pack." She muttered bowing her head as he passed her. Alpha Kaelen paused at my side gesturing for me to walk beside him.

"Come." He ordered.

I fell into step with him my mind waging war with itself as he spoke again.

"Thank you." I murmured.

He did not look at me his voice as bleak as ever.

"It is merely my duty nothing more nothing less."

We rode to the council hall in silence, the moment we entered the chamber the weight of dozens hungry gazes was upon me. An elder pushed to his feet his voice like grating stone.

"When may we expect an heir? It has been months Kaelen!"

The others fell silent watching me with hungry expectant looks as the elder spoke.

"The pack requires a heir, it must be secured, it is duty bound!" He snapped his gaze snapping to me. "When will you give us what is rightfully ours?"

Alpha Kaelen answered for me this time his voice a clipped syllable of words.

" Soon."

The elder scoffed "Soon is not soon enough, the pack needs an heir, it is duty bound!"

Alpha Kaelen rose to his feet his voice cutting through the room sending a hush of silence over the pack.

"This matter will be concluded with immediate effect!" He snapped his gray eyes flashing dangerously. "Now is not the time for this discussion!"

Whatever the elders objections where they kept them to themselves, once the meeting was over the rest filed out leaving only Alpha Kaelen who stopped me as I turned to leave. His gaze was unreadable as he spoke.

"Think on what was said, my patience is not boundless."

I inclined my head my voice barely above a whisper.

"Aye sir."

He gave a short nod before turning away and walking toward his chambers. Left alone in the great hall I pressed my hands to my temples, my thoughts churning. The matter of an heir was no longer a secret, the pack was waiting. I knew my time was short until the next breeding cycle began or until I was publicly disgraced and cast out entirely.

The words of the elders echoed in my ears night and day it seemed, I had become one thing and one thing only. My worth measured purely in what my body could provide. Yet no matter how much they drilled it into me I did not accept it.

I could not change the expectations placed upon me but I could decide how to meet them. I opened the wardrobe smoothing my fingers over the fine fabrics until I found what I was looking for, a bold scarlet dress that caught the light and made it dance. I did not feel brave enough to wear it but I would show them, I would carry my choice as proudly as if it were made of steel.

Samantha entered the room giving me a curious look as she took in the color of the dress.

"Scarlet." She said her lips twitching slightly. "A bold choice."

"I have made my decision." I said simply smoothing the skirt of the dress. "I will no longer hide."

She stepped closer her expression darkening.

"He watches you Elara, the Alpha does not look upon you with stone hands, he sees."

I looked up at her my throat tight.

"He is waging war with himself, one moment kind the next cruel as if his heart belongs to another." I confessed my voice barely above a whisper. "As though his desires are not his own."

Samantha's smile vanished her brows knitting together as she considered my words.

"Lyra..."

The comment died on her lips as the door opened once more Brena stepped inside her gloved hands carrying a bundle wrapped in cloth.

"For you Lady Kaelen." The quiet maid said her tone unreadable. "From the Alpha."

I took the bundle from her hands unwrapping the fabric to reveal a set of scarlet garments far finer than anything I owned. Delicate folds of silk embroidered with thin threads of gold. Nestled amongst them was a note, a brief message telling me to wear the dress and to come to him directly.

My cheeks burned at the thought that he had even bothered.

I laid my own garments aside slipping into the soft silk, I fastened the dress in place and draped the cloak he had given me over my shoulders. With steadying breaths I made my way to his chambers, the moment I entered the heavy door shut behind me.

Light from the fire danced across the room casting long shadows as I took in the sight of Alpha Kaelen. He was lounging near the hearth his shirt undone revealing a broad bare chest, he looked pleasant if not severe in his usual fashion, his expression softened as he looked at me.

"Come." He said his voice deep with something I could not name.

I came to him willingly sitting on the edge of the seat at his side.

"Did it fit?" He questioned rising to his feet. He came closer running a hand over my cheek tilting my face up.

"I want you to know that I did not send that to you to take you as mine." He murmured his eyes searching my face. "It is because the red suits you and also because there are words I must say to you." He hesitated his fingers brushing against my jaw. "Elowen is family, nothing more nothing less. I should not have allowed you to think otherwise. I should not have allowed you to think we were anything other than pack. There is no future between us and I do not want you to hold a bitter resentment toward me if things change."

I inhaled sharply my fingers curling around the edge of his collar.

"I understand, you would not have chosen me had you thought otherwise, I respect that." I told him truthfully.

He looked at me for a long moment his expression thoughtful.

"If you are not ready to do this, if you need more time then we will speak of it again." He said his voice quiet but firm. "I will not force you to do this."

My heart pounded in my chest, I wanted to tell him that I was ready that this was what I wanted but I could not speak past the emotions waging war inside of me. He was giving me the choice he thought I needed.

I met his gaze letting the truth settle in my heart before replying

"I am, this is what I want. You have my consent." I whispered.

He released a slow steady breath as if he been holding his own emotions in check.

He pulled me to him his touches gentle as though I was something he dared not break, his mouth meeting mine with a quiet reverence.

I clung to him letting my feelings pour into our embrace, yet all the while another thought nagged at me.

Samantha had nearly said the name

Lyra.

Who was she? And what connection did she have with the Alpha?