Obsessed With The Wrong Bride

"Do not be deluded into thinking that I need a wife. I don't need one, and you will get nothing but hate from me..." "But... you're my mate." The words automatically left my mouth. Couldn't he at least feel something? My words seemed to enrage him further. His eyes flashed and in an instant, I felt his strong hands on my neck, restricting my airflow. "What did you say?" I flinched as he snarled, cold eyes glaring at me. I could feel the hot rage emitting from him as he clutched my neck. "Say that vile word one more time, and I would treat you like those dreadful mutts." I nodded sharply, not because of what he said, but because I needed him to let go of me so I could breathe. My eyes began to water and his hands left me abruptly. "Undress. And get on the bed." There was no expression in his eyes. My hands fisted beside me as I stood there anxiously. A million questions in my head, but one that stood out was if he doesn't feel the bond still? Or am I hallucinating? I'd never been mated before, but I was dead certain we were mates. I should be repulsed by his touch... but rather, sparks shot up on my skin where he touched me. I should've ran for the hills the moment I realized where I was, but the second I took a whiff of his scent, I knew he was mine, and I was his. My goddess given mate. I couldn't be wrong. But do I just risk it and tell him I wasn't who he think I was? I shuddered at the thought, knowing what they do to werewolves who trespassed. I couldn't risk it. So I took off the little dress I wore. And walked on wobbly feet towards the bed. "Face down. Legs spread." I climbed onto the bed, pressed my face on it and spread my legs. All my life, I had saved myself for my mate, but never had I thought it would be in a situation as this. But I didn't mind. It's better him, than anyone else. PROLOGUE ~Grimhowl Pack ~ Twenty Years Ago. Queen Luna Amaya didn't look back as she ran. The night was dark and cold, but she didn't let it deter her. She needed to get there quickly. She clutched at the tiny child in her arms, whilst still sore between her legs from the morning's birth. She finally crossed the familiar gates of the Beta's residence, until she got to the door. Heaving a deep sigh of temporal relief, and without bothering to knock, she pushed the door open. They were the only ones who could save her now. The only ones with whom she could guarantee her child's safety. After all, Denise, the Beta's wife, and her very good friend had also put to bed...or should have. She'd gotten into labor at the same time the queen did. The familiar face of the Beta appeared in front of her as she stepped into the dimly lit room. From the look in his face, she could tell he was beyond shocked to see her there. "Q.... Queen Amaya? What are you doing here?" The Beta asked as he peered beside her out the door in concern. The queen whipped her head back and quickly shut the door behind her with one hand. "I do not have much time." Her voice was desperate: "He would be here any minute." She said, clutching the child to her chest. The moment she entered, she could feel the tension in the air. She could sense something was off, but she couldn't place her fingers on it. Her eyes flickered towards her friend, Denise, sitting on the mattress as she looked down on the swaddled child in her arms. Oh. Thank goodne.... "We lost her." The Beta's voice cur off her thought process and Queen Amaya literally froze. Her eyes found him, confused, "W...what?" Silent sobs echoed in the room. Denise. Her shoulders trembling, her cheeks swollen, eyes red. Oh no.... The color drained from Queen Amaya's face as she instantly fell on her knees, her throat closing up. Queen Amaya didn't have the time for this. Her life, and that of the baby in her arms was literally at stake, but this was a scenario she didn't see coming. She didn't expect this at all. She knew just how much they'd both anticipated this day. How much they'd all looked forward to meeting the babies. Especially Denise, who'd been trying for YEARS. Queen Amaya knew it was only a matter of time until her husband, the king, caught up with her. She had intended to hand over her baby to her friend, Denise, and then run into the woods. As far as she was concerned, no one would be able to prove that Denise didn't birth twins. The Alpha King could kill her for all she cared—having committed a treacherous "offense." But it wasn't her fault that she'd given in to her desires with another. It wasn't her fault that she was unable to fight the mate bond. She could still recall the day she saw him for the first time. She'd known instantly. But she was already married to the Alpha King of the Grimhowl's Pack, King Conrad. She was his chosen mate, but not everyone knew that. But her fated mate was a Sangrith. An abomination to the werewolves. A union between them had never been heard of. Never happened. But even if it did, and worse, a child is born out of it, it would be considered treason, and death was the ultimate punishment. Queen Amaya knew the King would never let this go. She had betrayed him and the pack. But she was only a slave to the bond. And now, she was ready to pay the price. But she'd be damned if she let anything happen to her child. She forced her gaze back to her friend, the words of the Beta echoing in her head, as she tried to process it. She still couldn't believe it. "I'm so sorry. I had no idea you lost the child. How did this happen?" Denise couldn't speak. She tried to wipe the tears, but they kept flowing faster down her cheeks. Mere looking at her was heart wrenching. Queen Amaya's hold on her child instinctively tightened. She didn't know what she would do if it were her child that died in her arms. The thought alone made her shiver. The Beta shook his head, his eyes sad, "We had no idea. She just stopped breathing. There was nothing we could do." It was a girl, too. The Beta finally crouched down and gently took the dead child from his wife, placing it on the bed beside them. And that was when they heard it. The sound of the King's warriors approaching. No, no, no.... Queen Amaya's heart hammered in her chest, and her eyes widened in fear. They weren't supposed to find her here. Not now, at least. "Listen, Denise," her voice trembled with urgency, "I know this is extremely bad timing. And I am really really sorry for your loss," she choked, "I swear on tht moon goddess, If I had known...I wouldn't have come here. I don't want to do this right now, but you have to help me. Because I won't be living for much longer." Denise stared back at her tear filled face. The distraught look in her eyes was immediately replaced with confusion and fear. "What's going on?" "The King will be here anytime soon," Queen Amaya continued, her voice cracking as she held her child tightly. "I do not regret bringing her to the world. But I'd regret not letting her grow to be the woman she's meant to be. Please, you are the only ones that can help me. Please, my friend." "W...what are you talking about--?" Denise's eyes widened. "Promise me, Denise. Please. Promise you would take care of her. Keep her safe." With trembling hands, and after placing a kiss on her baby's forehead with tears dripping down her cheeks, she placed the child in Denise's arms. "Queen Amaya, what are you doing? What is going on?" The Beta asked. The footsteps were fast approaching now. They were close. "She's yours now. She'd have grown with a lovely sister by her side. But I believe the goddess has a reason for everything. Again, I am so sorry." Denise looked stunned, unable to form a coherent word, as she simply stared at the child in her arms in bewilderment. A thundering sound made them all flinch. They could hear the quick, determined footsteps of the King's guards almost out the door. She stood shakily, clutching the dead child in her arms, tears streaking down her face. Her body moved on instinct. With trembling fingers, she untucked the swaddling cloth from her daughter and carefully exchanged it with the one wrapped around the lifeless newborn. Her heart bled with guilt, but she forced herself to move quickly and gently. The child in her arms was gone... and it broke her. But her own daughter might still live—if she played this right. Just as she finished, heavy boots thundered right out the door. They were here. Her breath caught as the door slammed open. She clutched the swaddled bundle tightly to her chest and stared, heart pounding, as King Conrad strode in like a storm. His presence consumed the room. The fury in his eyes, the betrayal on his face—it was everything she dreaded. She could barely keep her legs from buckling, but she held firm. Behind her, she sensed the Beta and Denise stiffen, but her eyes never left the King’s. His gaze swept past them all, cold and assessing, and landed on her. "Please..." Her voice cracked, hoarse with panic. "You can do whatever you want with me, but...my child is not breathing. I need to take her to a healer." For a breath, there was silence. Then his lip curled in disgust. "Bold of you to assume that "that" abomination doesn’t deserve to live." Queen Amaya took a retreating step back, just as the King's guards entered behind him. One handed him a sword immediately, and without a word, as if this had all been rehearsed. She clutched the child tighter, shielding her even now, though she was already gone. Her knees nearly gave out. "Please," she whispered again, eyes pleading. Her gaze flicked toward Denise in a silent plea. Please… keep her safe. Don’t let this be in vain. "I’m sorry, my child," she whispered, holding the dead child tight as she pressed a lingering kiss on its cold forehead, "Forgive me..." And then— In a flash--and before anyone could register, the sword sliced through the air. The Queen's head hit the ground with a thud before her body followed, blood splattering across the floor. The child tumbled from her arms. Denise screamed in horror, almost lunging forward to catch her baby, but husband caught her just in time. "Take care of that bastard, Beta Callan. Burn it if you must. I do not want any remnant of this abomination in my land." With that, he stepped out of the house, his guards in tow. Leaving behind the metallic scent of blood.