The Last Alpha Queen

Chapter 6

VALENTINO

Seeing Oriane in that wedding dress, looking so pretty and all dolled up, made me realise I wanted something I never thought I would.

A Life.

I wanted to be the one standing at the end of the aisle waiting for her. I wanted to be the one she would proclaim her vows to. I wanted to be the one to say “I do” to her, and I wanted to call her mine.

But I couldn’t have all that, not with Vale in the picture; he was the Alpha, and it was him she needed to get married to, if only she wasn’t being used as a pawn, then maybe, just maybe, I would have had a little consolation. Vale doesn’t love her, and it’s pretty much obvious from his actions that he only sees her as a means to accomplish his goals, and it’s not supposed to be so.

She deserves a lot better.

“Do you love her?” My wolf, Thorne, whispered in my head.

“I don’t know, buddy, I just know if it were up to me, I’d treat her just the way she deserves to be treated, and I know that I want her.”

But did I actually love her? For all I knew, she was just one lovely-looking, innocent girl.

“Let her go, our mate will come soon,” he sighed.

“I don’t want any other mate, it’s Oriane I want,” I muttered as I walked out of her suite and headed for the wedding hall. I never had plans to attend, everyone knew I had never been in support of the Goddamn marriage, but Oriane had begged me, she needed to see a familiar and friendly face to draw strength from.

“Didn’t think you would come?” Brianna settled into the chair next to mine, “Trust me, I’d rather not have,” I responded almost immediately.

“Let me guess, Oriane?” she asked calmly, and I turned my face away from her. The expression on her face by the time I glanced back at her revealed that my silence had given her all the answer she needed.

“She’s getting married now, you’ll have to let go, Val.” She placed a hand on my shoulder, and I sighed.

She was right, and that was what made it hurt.

The wedding had begun properly, and it was time for the bride and groom procession. The orchestra started playing, and Vale walked in, looking as handsome as always. He was my brother, of course, so I was going to compliment his looks.

Then we all stood as the double-barrelled doors opened to reveal a stunning Oriane, hands interlinked with my father’s, and she had retouched her makeup. The kiss scene replayed in my head; she tasted like vanilla.

She could make heads turn as she passed them. Her eyes darted around the hall for a while, and when they finally landed on mine, she smiled and continued her walk to the altar.

“Do you, Vale Hamilton, take Oriane Ahwood as your mate, and lawfully wedded wife to love, and to honour till death do you part?”

“I do,” he responded calmly, his face expressionless.

“And do you, Oriane Ashwood, take Vale Hamilton as your mate and lawfully wedded husband, to respect and to obey till death do you part?”

Silence.

Her head was lowered, and my heart skipped a beat. Was she having cold feet? Could this mean that there was still hope?

Murmurs had erupted from the audience, and the crowd had broken into factions, who spoke in hushed tones. At the altar, Vale had clenched his fists tightly at his sides, with large veins bulging out on his forehead; who knew the train of thoughts running through his mind?

“On one condition,” she spoke up finally, and a hushed silence fell on the hall. A quick glance at my parents showed the rage and impatience on their faces; they were not taking this whole thing lightly.

“I won’t be addressed as Luna, as I answer to no one but rather, all will address me as,” she paused, a wry smile on her face as she glanced around the hall, “Alpha Queen.” She dropped the bombshell, and loud gasps erupted once again.

“That’s my girl,” Thorne whooped inside my head.

I couldn’t help but form a smile on my lips. She was a true leader, and she wasn’t going to bend to the will of others.

“In the history of werewolves,” My mother, ever so lovely and quick to think, recovered from the shock first, and stood to salvage the situation, “Never had it been heard that a married female Alpha retained her title as Alpha Queen, only the unmarried do so,” she added slowly.

“Well, it’s either that, or we call off this entire sham of a marriage now. Besides, you all need me more than I need you,” she retorted, and surprisingly was still able to maintain her calmness.

“But…”

“That’s enough, mother. Vale cut her off. He had been so quiet the whole time, he had released his folded fists, and seemed more relaxed now, almost like he had confirmed it wasn’t something serious.

“It’s fine, let the lady be addressed however she wants to be; there’s not much of an issue.”

“I don’t think you get the point, son. If she’s addressed as Alpha Queen, she automatically becomes your equal.”

“Then so be it,” he shrugged, and Mother returned to her seat; he had the final say after all.

The priest inhaled deeply and brought out the sacred book; he bound their hands to the book, with a rope that was soaked in blue calamus weed and their blood for days.

“It’s time for your vows,” he announced, and I shut my eyes tightly. This was the part I dreaded the most.

“I…” They spoke simultaneously, “Vale Hamilton,”

“Oriane Ashwood,”

“Do solemnly swear to stay true to our vows, and to you,”

“To love and protect you,”

“To honour and cherish you,” Oriane completed.

“Until the moon goddess calls us home,”

I inhaled deeply. It is done.

“You may kiss the bride,” the priest announced, and Vale drew her close gently, and placed a light kiss on her lips, those same lips I had kissed passionately just a few minutes ago. I clenched my fists tightly by my sides, Brianna noticed, and placed her hand gently on mine.

As soon as their lips connected, I felt it, and I’m pretty sure every other wolf in there did, the sudden surge of power that flowed through us. Oriane had shared her strength with us. I glanced around, and as if to prove me right, every pair of eyes in the hall was glowing, even that of the omegas in our midst.

“All rise!!!” The priest announced.

“ I present to you, your Alpha, Vale Hamilton, and,” he paused and inhaled deeply, “Your Alpha queen, Oriane Hamilton,”