CHAPTER 004
1232 Words
CHAPTER 004
My gaze was on the windshield throughout the ride. I could hear my mom in the car, but nonstop, murmuring about how pretty I was and how this day was going to be a celebration.
Edmund, sitting in the driver's seat, grumbled, "Perhaps you might say less, Mum."
She shot him a look. Oh hush, I am saying nothing but the truth. This is a joyous day.” She smiled very broadly, and her red lipstick made her teeth nearly white. She had a white and blue dress on, her pearls glittering on her neck and ears.
You are talking about other than the fact that you are selling off your daughter against her own wishes? The eyes of Edmund glared through the glass at her.
“She will be happy soon enough. It will all turn around. You will see.”
“No, it will not, and—”
“That is enough, Edmund.” The voice of my mother became brash and as sharp as a blade. He fell silent. When she spoke in that tone, nobody challenged her.
Our family was easy to laugh with and to anger. We were all short-tempered in my family. Everyone but me. They exploded and bought themselves out. It was customary to give gifts after fights. I did not know how to scream like they did, but only to eat my emotions inside and to smile.
All the rest of the ride was quiet. I shut my ears to her humming and drew my breath in against the pang in my heart.
My heart stopped beating when the car came to a halt.
“We are here.”
I came out and looked at the estate. Three stories, a balcony across the front. Even larger than my family home.
The other car pulled up. My brothers and father brought out their shoulders. Only us. No pack members were invited. The news would come to them later and be told in a manner that this was a reason to rejoice.
A moment before we went in, my father turned, his black eyes drawn down as his spine straightened.
Before we go inside, you must know one thing. “There will be no scene. No talk of rebellion. You boys will behave.”
“Or what?” Edmund challenged.
The eyes of my father were a little light; there was a deep growling in his heart.
“Or nothing. I am your father, and I was your Alpha before that. You will obey.”
“Or what?” Edmund reappeared.
“Or your sister suffers. You will not see her again.”
My throat closed. His words sliced through me.
My brothers looked at me with hostile attention. I stood straighter, chin high. I would not break here.
I wheeled around to face the house, but his arm trapped mine, and his iron-like fingers caught my arm. His eyes locked on mine.
“Do you understand, Isabella?”
I pulled my arm back and had to restrain my voice.
“Yes, Alpha.”
I saw the flicker in his face. This time he bore no resemblance to my father but only to a stranger.
The guest room was neat. The bed was completely made, and there was a vanity table with a mirror. I would have liked to remain and disappear.
There was some knocking, very tenderly, at the door. My chest tightened.
“Come in.”
The door creaked open. One of the women intervened, and she was of nearly the same age as my mother. She smiled tenderly and had kind eyes.
“Is it alright if I enter?”
“Yes.”
“I am Marie, Edward’s mother.” She held out her hand.
I leaped to my feet, but she stayed me with a wave of her head.
“No need. Please, sit.”
I bent down gradually; I continued to look at her. I regret I had no idea it was you.
“No worries.” She smiled again. I just came to see what you were doing before the ceremony. You look beautiful. How are you feeling?”
“I feel great,” I lied. The reality was stifling in my chest and the choker. I was more terrified to lose my brothers forever.
Her lips curved. I might act as though I believed you. Or you might be frank with me and say you would rather make a fleece out of us.
Her voice was warm. It threw me off. My mother always spoke coldly and sharply and clipped. This was different.
I replied that I was okay, again with a counterfeit smile.
She examined me a long time, nodding her head. “Trust takes time. You will be safe here to talk to me one day, I suppose.
Her tone unsettled me. It felt real. And that made me feel more naked still.
“Is everyone ready?” "Yes," I said and turned my head.
“They are. But perhaps I had some last-minute things to do, you see.
I could not refuse. I nodded.
She followed me, and with very tender fingers she unloosened my hairpins. My breath caught. My mother used to get hysterical.
“What makes you smile?” In the mirror Marie and I were looking at each other.
I am visualizing the face of my mother when she knows that her job is not done.
Marie laughed a little but made no reproach of me. She just worked and made my hair a braid and soft waves, rather than the bun. She rubbed part of the thick makeup off. My face was like mine once more.
"Thou art," said she at length with smiling.
I almost thanked her. Almost.
But dread pulled me back. The ceremony was coming.
"You will become accustomed to this place," said she. You are always welcome in your family. Friends too. Even your parents, had you a mind to keep them.
My jaw clenched. “I would rather they did not.”
The door opened. A man entered, his voice flat. “They are ready.”
The floor seemed to sink under my feet. This was it. The end of my freedom.
Marie touched my hand before we left. Her eyes held something unspoken.
“I will see you at the end of the aisle,” she whispered, giving my hand a light squeeze.
She walked away. I stood frozen.
The murmur of voices carried through the double doors ahead. Behind them waited a man I had never met. Alpha Edward.
Would he be as unwilling as me? Or worse?
The doors opened.
Eyes turned toward me, rows of them, people whispering, judging, envying. My father placed his arm firmly through mine. Together we walked down the aisle.
It stretched endlessly, every step echoing too loud in my ears.
Some smiled. Others glared. Girls who had dreamed of being chosen as his mate now watched me with sharp hatred. If only they knew how badly I wished to give this role away.
At the end, he stood waiting.
His tux was crisp. His dark hair was slicked back neatly. His face was unreadable.
And I wondered—would this stranger, Alpha Edward, be the man to destroy me? Or the one to save me?
What was waiting for me at the end of that aisle?
- Writer
