Wanted by My Fiance's Uncle

Chapter 3: To Ashes

Maria’s POV 

Alan’s weight pressed into me, and no matter how I struggled, he wouldn’t budge. “Get off me! You blaggard!” I shouted, twisting and squirming to no avail. He only tightened his hold, his smirk darkening as he watched me struggle.

“If this is your way of proposing,” I spat, “you’re doing an awful job.”

My chest heaved as I tried to push him away again. “Get off! Get off me, or I’ll call the guards.”

But Alan didn’t seem the least bothered by the notion. “Call the guards, Maria, do it.”

“Your father knows I’m here. In fact, he was the one who suggested that I come talk to you.”

“What?” I murmured, feeling frightened.

Alan’s grin widened. “You see, he wasn’t too happy after I told him you ditched me last night. And once I mentioned to him that your rude behavior could threaten our pack alliance… Well, let’s just say he was far from pleased,” he chuckled softly, his free hand brushing a strand of hair from my face as I recoiled. “And, of course, the old man didn’t want that. So he suggested I come ‘talk’ to you, which is what I’m doing right now.”

I stared at him, trying to make sense of it all. I couldn’t believe my father was the one who put Alan up to this. Although Alan was an evil, conniving snake, I expected my father to at least have my best interest at heart.

“This doesn’t change anything, Alan,” I hissed. “I’ll never marry you. You may fool my father and everyone else, but you can’t fool me. I know exactly what you are. I know you’re nothing but a selfish runt who doesn’t care about anything or anyone except himself.”

For a moment, his smirk disappeared, replaced by a flash of fury. His hand shot up, gripping my face tightly, his fingers digging into my cheeks. My heart raced as he leaned down.

“Listen to me, you wench,” he snarled. “Do not mistake my leniency for weakness. I will not condone such insults any longer. You will marry me, and you will bear my children. So, you can either start now and get used to it or be miserable. It makes no difference to me.”

When he finally let go, I realized I had been holding my breath the entire time. My chest heaved as I gasped for air, my wrists aching where he had gripped them. I watched in silence as he straightened his collar and cuffs.

“Tonight, there will be a banquet in honor of our engagement,” he said coolly. “You will be presented as my fiancée and will stand by my side. Do well to arrive on time.” His gaze flickered to my bruised wrist. “Or else.”

With that, he turned on his heel and left, slamming the door shut behind him. My legs trembled as I slid off the bed, my heart still racing. Alan had assaulted and threatened me in my own home, and my father had allowed it.

I needed to tell him. He needed to see the kind of man Alan really was. I grabbed a fresh outfit and stormed out of my room.

“Father!” I called as I entered his bed chambers, my voice echoing off the high ceilings. But there was no answer. The room was empty, and the bed was neatly made. I sighed and turned back toward the hallway.

I tried his study next, then the library, then the art room, the stables, and the pantry. Every place I thought he might be, I found only silence. Frustration burned in my chest as I stepped into the indoor gardens, scanning the lush greenery for any sign of him.

As I was about to give up, I noticed a servant walking by. “Excuse me,” I called out, my voice sharp.

The young man turned, bowing slightly as he approached. “Lady Maria, is there anything I can do for you?”

“Yes,” I said, trying to keep my tone steady. “Have you seen my father? I’ve been looking for him everywhere.”

His face paled slightly, his gaze darting to the side. “He’s, um, he’s out in the yard, my lady.”

The hesitation in his voice unsettled me, but I nodded. “Thank you.”

I made my way to the yard at the back of the manor, and as I approached, I noticed dark smoke billowing toward the sky. What was burning?

I turned a corner and saw a grim sight. My father and a few servants stood before a fire, but what scared me wasn’t the fire. It was what was being consumed. I caught glimpses of the colorful covers and vivid illustrations just before they began turning to ash. They were burning my books. “No, No, No!” I screamed and lunged forward toward the flames.

“Stop her!” my father barked, his voice cutting through the chaos.

Two male servants grabbed me, their hands like iron clamps on my arms. I struggled against them, tears streaming down my face as I watched the fire devour my books. My books. The ones my mother had left me. The only tangible pieces of her that I had left.

“Why?” I choked, my voice breaking as I turned to face my father.

He met my gaze. “It was for your own good,” he said simply.

“For my own good?” My voice rose in disbelief. “But Mother left them to me! You’re destroying her memory!”

My father winced, as if the words physically hurt him. “Leave your mother out of this! Those books have made you so deviant that you can’t even tell the difference between real life and fantasy. Hopefully, after today, you’ll learn to become a good wife.”

I could barely speak as I watched the flames destroy all I held dear. It broke my heart. Even after my father and the servants left, all that remained was ash. I knelt there wishing this day had never happened.

I needed to escape this life, this place. It was the only way I could pursue my dreams, but I wasn't sure whether I dared to do so.

Later that evening, I got dressed in my ball gown and headed down to the banquet hall.

When I arrived, the banquet hall was already in full swing. Golden chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, their light refracting off crystal glasses and polished silverware. The sound of a live orchestra filled the air, blending with the hum of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter.

Near the center of the room, I spotted Alan’s parents, Alpha Moore and Luna Rebecca, both standing in quiet elegance.

I walked over to a self-serve table near the back of the room, piled high with delicacies. I wasn’t hungry, but I needed something to distract me. As I approached, I overheard a whispered conversation between two guests standing near the table.

“Alpha Moore actually has a little brother,” one of them said. “As it turns out, he’s also Prince Alan’s uncle.”

“Wow, that’s crazy,” the other replied.

“And get this,” the first continued, leaning in closer. “Alan’s uncle is considered the strongest werewolf in the world.”

“Oh, yeah, I think I remember him now,” the second said. “Wasn’t he the one who turned down being Alpha to go explore the human world?”

“The very same. I think he’s back in town now. Hopefully, he’s had his fill of the humans,” the first woman replied with a smirk. They both laughed softly and moved on.

I hadn’t known Alan had an uncle. Just then, I saw Alan, but he wasn’t alone. He was surrounded by several princesses. Apparently, he was very popular among she-wolves. Each of them probably wanted to be his future bride from the way they doted on him. It was hard to watch. I wanted to be out of this place as soon as possible, but I couldn’t leave without at least letting Alan know that I had honored his invitation.

I walked toward him, forcing my steps to remain steady. As I approached, the chatter among the women died down.

“Alan,” I said with a slight bow, keeping my tone polite. “I trust you’re enjoying the evening.”

“I certainly am,” he replied, his voice thick with self-satisfaction. He turned to the women at his side, who giggled as though he’d said something profoundly witty. I felt my stomach turn.

I rolled my eyes and turned to leave, but Alan’s voice stopped me.

“Maria, where are you going?” he called, his tone laced with mockery.

I turned back, meeting his gaze with thinly veiled annoyance. “Pour me some wine first,” he said, his voice loud enough for others to hear. “It’s one of the things a wife should do for her husband.”

Heat rose to my cheeks, and I clenched my fists at my sides—every fiber of my being wanted to refuse him, to leave him standing there humiliated. But as I glanced around, I saw my father and Alan’s parents watching me from across the hall. Their expressions were unreadable, but I knew what was expected of me.

Swallowing my pride, I walked to the self-serve table, picked up a pitcher of wine, and poured a glass. My hands trembled as I carried the glass back to Alan. When I reached him, I held out the glass, refusing to meet his gaze.

But instead of taking it, Alan grabbed my wrist and pulled me closer. The suddenness of it caught me off guard, and I almost dropped the glass.

“Feed me the drink,” he said.

I blinked at him in disbelief. “What? No way.”

Some of the girls with Alan gasped at my tone. It wasn’t customary for a woman to refuse her husband. Alan looked at me with angry eyes but hid them behind a smile. “Oh, Maria, you have so much to learn.” He pinched my cheek. “And you better learn quick, because you’ll be doing this a lot once we get married.” 

I couldn’t take it anymore. The humiliation, the condescension, it all boiled over. Without thinking, I shoved him back, breaking free of his grip. His expression was filled with surprise, and the murmurs of the guests around us grew louder.

I didn’t care. I turned and rushed out of the banquet hall, my vision blurred with unshed tears. The cool night air hit my face as I stepped outside. I kept running, my heels clicking against the stone pathway as I made my way past the manor gates and into the darkened streets of town.

The further I ran, the heavier my chest felt. As I crossed a narrow street, I heard the screech of tires and the blare of a horn. I turned just in time to see a car swerving toward me. The headlights blinded me, and I stumbled backward, losing my footing and falling hard onto the road.

Pain radiated through my head and arms as I tried to push myself up, and tears streamed down my face.

Then I heard the sound of a car door opening. Footsteps approached, hesitant but quick.

“Are you alright?” a voice asked.