My Vixen Bride

CHAPTER 002

Everyone jumps out of the way as I storm into Mother’s chamber, pushing the guards away when they try to stop me. I barge into her room without warning, feeling anger and betrayal. It’s quiet here. Mother is sitting by the dressing mirror, calmly taking off her jewelries and ignoring the commotion I’d cause outside.

I walk forward, unable to control my rage and this bitter feeling inside of me. And before I know it, I am sweeping everything from the table in front of her and letting it all crash to the floor. Still, she is calm, and simply throws me a look.

“I suppose you’ve heard.” Mother’s cold tone does nothing to quench the fire inside of me. She is always as hard as stone and ruthless even to the people closest to her, and I have always wanted to believe otherwise but now--

“I am not going to marry that monster.”

“Why not? He is a good match for you.”

“Chaold is a good match for me. I love him. And he loves me too—“

“Are you sure about that?”

“What?”

“Are you sure Chaold loves you?”

“I know he does. You don’t know us. We’ve been close since childhood, mother.”

“I know that. It is exactly why I think he won’t be a good match for you.”

“And a ruthless man like the lord of Gorlan will be a good match for me? Are you trying to push me to my death?”

Mother smiles. A cunning smile she would usually only reserve when dealing with those vile officials.. She speaks softly now. “In my thirty years of ruling this city without your father, Maya, have you ever seen me make a wrong decision?”

“No. But I can bet that you are utterly wrong this time.”

“Am I?” her lips curl, and she stands, walking to the window side and just staying there, looking out, “The lord of Gorlan is indeed dangerous and should not be trifled with. People say he is as hard as steel, but you my dear, you’re soft. Use your softness to tame his hardened heart. At first, try to survive with him, then seduce him, tame him, make him become your pet. Make him surrender to you.”

A chuckle slips past my lips. “Make him surrender to me. Who do you think I am? What if he kills me before I even get any chance?’

“Maya—“

“This is not just a marriage alliance right? There’s something else you want— There’s something more going on--“

She swallows, and walks back to where I was standing. “I believe it is time you know everything. These days—Ravindor have been stirred. The enemies from the east have been attacking small villages which is why I offered a marriage alliance to their lord.”

My eyes narrow at her, but I remain quiet, just listening.

“At first, I chose Jenny to play that role. But knowing her, she will only get eaten by those monsters. She is not as soft as you are. She does not possess the wisdom you—“

“I don’t care.” I declare, trying not to think about what she just told me about the attacks. “I love Chaold, and I will stay here to pursue my love. If you push me, mother… I won’t mind eloping with him.”

Saying my piece, I turn around to leave and hear her scoff behind me.

“Go to the left wing of the abandoned servant’s quarters. I have a gift waiting there for you.”

I don’t pay attention to her words. I leave, closing the door harshly even the guards by the side jumps.

I am not going to let her decide my fate. She wants me to tame him with softness? What softness? How could a beast like that be tamed? Mother was going to regret this decision. I am going to make sure.

I head for my room, but her words earlier cut through my mind so I pause and fix my gaze in the direction of the abandoned servant’s quarters. My legs begin to lead me there and before I know it, my surroundings grow quiet and I find myself all alone in the large yard.

A few years ago, there was a fire here that took the life of a few. I don’t know why mother never thought to rebuild it, but gradually, people began to say this place was haunted. Thinking about it now made me feel a chill. I rub my arms, looking around.

There is nothing here to see so why did she have me come here?

I turn around to leave and hear a voice. It was female and sounds distant and muffle. My brows furrows as I go closer in the direction. It leads me into the quarters, and just after a turn, I freeze in front of a closed door.

I can hear the voice clearly now, and— soft moans filled with pleasure reached me outside the door.

A look of disgust crosses my eyes when I realize what was going on in there.

How could they be doing it in a place like this? It was so eerie.

But then, my lips curls up with a smile and I press my ear to the door, curiously, wanting to hear more.

I bet it was exciting to do it in a place like this too. How does it even feel?

“Ah… faster, Chaold, I want to feel you deep inside of me.”

My whole body freezes completely. I—I probably didn’t hear that right. Because I was thinking too much Of Chaold these days was why I misheard his name like that.

I step away from the door as if it burns. But I still hear it. The moans, the grunts, the laughter after it, and the clear, unmistakable voice of Chaold, and my cousin, Jenny, together.

“That was fun.” I hear her say and hear both of them breathing heavily.

“You’ll be the death of me, Jen. How are you always so sweet and so tight..”

Another round of laughter. “By the way, why did the Luna suddenly decide to engage us? I thought you were pushing it with Maya.”

“I was.” Chaold says, “I have her completely under my control for now, but her mother is the problem. Maybe she saw through our scheme.”

“There is no way she did.”

“Maya is her only heir. Of course she’d look out for her. If I can get Maya to secretly marry me without anyone knowing, then we can come back and claim her throne.”

“It won’t be easy. The Luna is fierce.”

“Not if she dies first.”

“Ohh…” Jenny whistled. “But if you marry her, isn’t that going to mean they’d send me to that monster?”

“Don’t you remember our plan? I’ll have my men kidnap you on the way.”

“That is kind of romantic.” She giggles. “Poor Maya, she has no wolf yet. Clearly, the others won’t follow her even if she takes control of the city. But if you step up as her husband, every other thing will fall into place.”

They break into another round of laughter while I stand there, stunned, as if struck by lightning. I can’t breathe. The air suddenly feels thick, and hot. My whole world is crashing and rotating around me as I stagger away, outside, forcing fresh air into my lungs.

Chaold… my heart hurts like hell. I’ve loved him for years. I’ve spent all my childhood chasing after him, focusing only on him, and all along… all along it was to steal my birthright?

No wonder mother called this a gift. It was indeed a cruel gift to open my eyes and make me do her bidding.

I fall to the ground, clutching my chest tight as I let the sound of my pain out.