The Alphas Mate

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Alicia’s POV

It had been a few days since I was dragged into Jason's car and forcefully brought to the Dark Moon pack. The wedding was supposed to be held that evening, but by a stroke of pure luck, it was shifted. Whenever Jason was anywhere near me, I would try to convince him to let me go, but it was to no avail.

I stood in the lavish bedroom that had been assigned to me when I arrived here, surrounded by maids who fussed over my appearance. The delicate lace of the cream wedding dress they had chosen for me felt suffocating, like a cage. A maid placed a bouquet of white roses in my hand. "These are considered a symbol of love," she smiled as she told me.

"You're very lucky to marry such a handsome and strong wolf as Jason. A lot of women would be so jealous of you."

I forced myself to smile back at her. She didn't realize that I wasn't interested in Jason's handsomeness or strength.

Tears teetered on the brink of spilling from my eyes, yet I willed them to stay hidden, reluctant to ruin the painstakingly applied makeup. Besides, I had to maintain an unflinching facade, even though every fiber of my being rebelled against this forced union. I had to pretend like I was okay with this arrangement, even if I was anything but. I wished my father were still alive, because I knew he would not even let this arrangement happen no matter what the other leaders of the pack said.

I remembered my mother's face as she told me that there was nothing I could do to avoid going with Jason.

Her eyes were cold, almost expressionless as she pushed me into the arms of a man I barely knew.

Simply because he was the heir of the Dark moon pack and apparently it would help our pack too. And so, here I stood, a pawn in a political game with no say in my own future.

I grappled with what hurt more—realizing that our pack's leaders had sanctioned my marriage to the heir of another pack, or the fact that my own mother had discarded my feelings, prioritizing the pack's needs over her own daughter's happiness.

"You're ready now," the maids informed me, and I followed their lead as they led me through the sprawling mansion. The grand hall was adorned with flowers and candles, casting a warm, romantic glow over the assembly of Jason's pack members.

They stared at me with expectant eyes, and I could read the expressions their eyes held. Some watched me with curiosity, but most of them—the women and a handful of men—had disdain in their eyes as they gazed at me.

I raised my head high and looked straight forward, as I walked down the aisle towards Jason. He stood tall on the elevated dais that served as an altar of sorts, his handsome face stoic.

As I reached his side, our eyes locked for a moment, and I detected a hint of unease and contempt in his gaze, mirroring my own emotions. We exchanged vows, promising to honor and protect each other, but the words felt hollow, devoid of genuine emotion, especially the love that should accompany such a commitment.

We both understood that this marriage was solely for political gain, nothing more, nothing less, so there was no need for pretense between us.

The officiant pronounced us husband and wife, and the room erupted into applause. "You may kiss the bride," he said, but Jason and I kept glaring at each other, neither one of us making the move to kiss the other.

Finally, Jason grabbed my hand and raised it, a symbol of our forced union. He leaned closer to whisper in my ear. "Don't think that this means anything," he warned and then turned back around.

As we turned to face the pack, their cheers and well-wishes washed over us, but I couldn't help but feel a profound sense of loss. My father, who was the only one that could stop this madness from taking place was gone, and therefore, I was now nothing but a pawn on a chessboard, moved at the whims and machinations of my mother and the expectations of both mine and Jason's packs.

Jason held his arm out for me and I took it as we walked out of the wedding hall, heading to where the wedding dinner was to be held.

The banquet hall was adorned with opulent decorations and an imposing feast laid out on three long tables. I had little appetite, but I had to play the part even if I didn't want to.

Jason led me to our designated seats at the head of the table directly in the middle of the room, and I took my place next to him, my fingers trembling as I clutched the delicate crystal wine glass.

Jason sneered as he turned to face me. "Smile, Alicia. We're in this together now," he said in a low tone that was almost akin to a growl. His words were laced with a hint of bitterness, mirroring my own feelings.

I nodded subtly, my forced smile barely reaching my eyes. The Dark Moon pack members took their seats, and a few approached to greet us. Jason introduced me to some of the most important figures in his pack, and I responded with polite but distant greetings.

I had earlier met his parents, and they came up to both of us with matching grins as they congratulated us on our wedding. I stretched my smile as far as it would go and thanked them in a sickeningly sweet voice that was an alien to my own ears.

Jason's second-in-command stepped forward after Jason's parents had turned to take their seats. He also congratulated us and took his seat, and the evening continued with different nobles coming up to Jason and I, the guests celebrating our union with fake enthusiasm.

I tried to maintain an appearance of grace and charm, but my cheeks had started to hurt, and my smile was slipping. It was glaringly obvious that my presence among the Dark Moon pack was met with mixed emotions.

I was going to play the part for now, until I figured out a way to get out of my gilded cage.