THE ALPHA KING'S MUTE BRIDE

Chapter 2 The Brides Of Wolfsburg

Astoria Pov

I was still sitting by the window when the ruckus started downstairs. I could hear the voices of my sisters before even opening the door. Their giggles intermingled with ear-piercing shrieks, and there was no doubt in my mind that news about the proposal of the Twilight Pack had spread quicker than a wildfire.

I sharply inhaled, placing my ear against the wooden door.

"We didn't get it wrong, did we?" Molly's voice was stretched tight with anticipation. "The message actually read Alpha Raiden Blackwood is coming here to select a bride?"

"Yes," Mavis replied, her tone condescending. "And it's obvious who he will pick. Me."

I scowled.

"Don't be so sure," Eloise cut in, her voice airy but still confrontational. "Mother demands I do it. I just took my wolf, and I'm younger, prettier, and better suited to a powerful Alpha like him."

"Prettier?" Mavis scoffed. "Please. You can't even handle a man. I was betrothed, remember? I know how marriage is done."

“You were engaged,” Eloise shot back, stressing the past tense. “And you’re about to throw that away just because you’re desperate.”

I heard something drop—maybe a comb or a brush—then Molly clapped her hands together. “Enough. Stop fighting. He’s going to choose me anyway. Beatrice, Alpha Raiden’s mother, wants me. She said so herself. She already told Father she believes I’ll fit in with their family best.”

My heart dropped. My chest clutched tight against my heart. They were all fighting over the chance to be his bride, and I wasn't even mentioned.

I leaned my forehead against the door, closing my eyes hard.

In the parlor downstairs, the chaos got louder as Flora entered the fray as well. I opened the door slowly and went towards the stairs. No one noticed me. They were all in the parlor.

“Mavis is right," affirmed Flora, smoothing out her daughter's hair. "She's the first daughter. It's fitting that she married the Alpha of Twilight. That's the best for everyone."

"No," Alpha Edward's voice cut in, stern. "We can't be emotional. We need to think of what is best for the pack. The Blackwoods are strong. Whoever is picked will have to be able to wield that strength. Mavis is smart, yes, but Eloise is attractive and she's new. She might have better chances."

"And me?" Molly insisted, rushing to get her say. "And what Beatrice wants? That woman is not to be trusted. If she advocates for me, that gives us leverage."

Edward rubbed his temples in frustration. "All of you are possibilities. But the fourth." He waved his hand away. "Astoria's not even in consideration. She is wolfless, tongueless, and a curse. Don't ever mention her in this."

They all laughed, laughing as if it was the funniest thing they'd ever heard.

I bit my lip, grinding my teeth, struggling to not let the pain in my chest overwhelm me.

"Picture Alpha Raiden seeing her," Molly teased. "He'd run back to his pack before dinner was even on the table."

"Don't be such a jokester about it," Flora warned, though she smiled. "Astoria must remain hidden. If he catches even a glimpse of her, it will be for nothing."

I stepped back into the darkness of the stairs, hugging myself. I knew they didn't love me, but hearing them say it. It still hurts.

---

Later, after the house had settled down, I sneaked into the kitchen. Eloise was there, sorting through a basket of fruit. She looked up at me.

"Oh, Toria," she said quietly. "You heard all that, didn't you?"

I nodded slowly.

She smiled at me briefly. "Don't take it personally. They can't keep their mouths closed."

I signed rapidly with my hands, something that only she would understand because she'd made the effort to learn: They don't even think of me as their sister.

Eloise's smile dropped from her face. She stepped forward and put a light hand on my arm. "I see you. And I know what they said hurts. But maybe… maybe it's for the best. Do you really want to be married off to someone like Alpha Raiden?"

I tilted my head, intrigued.

She lowered her voice. "I overheard whispers. They say he is cruel. He never smiles. He kills without thought. But still, all the women in the kingdom want to marry him. Can you imagine? Queen of the most powerful pack?"

I arched an eyebrow, trying to inform her in a whisper that she did not sound so opposed.

Eloise smiled reluctantly. "Okay, maybe I did think about it. But for real, I just want you safe. And I don't like him. Guys like that." She shook her head and didn't go any further.

I couldn't respond to her before Flora cut in with a shrieking voice. "Eloise! Why are you standing around wasting time? Go get dressed upstairs. The seamstress will be arriving soon."

Eloise squeezed my hand tightly before she slipped away.

Flora's eyes landed on me second. "And you. Clean the floors. Be useful."

I hung my head and went, although the ache in my chest still persisted.

---

I cleaned the floorboards of the dining room, my mind wandering. I had heard of Raiden too. Everyone had.

He was known as the cold Alpha, a merciless man. Harsh in battles, feared by enemies, and envied by all. They said he never smiled, never appeared vulnerable, and never kept a lady for over a day or two.

Yet every girl wanted him.

Every girl wished to be chosen.

For one stupid, momentary instant, I let myself imagine what it would be like if he looked at me. If he saw me and thought that I was enough.

But I drove the idea away soon enough. I wasn't enough. I wasn't even a daughter here. Just a servant. Just the cursed, wordless girl.

---

That evening, while I was setting the table, Mavis came storming in with her maid behind her. Her face was white, her cheeks blazed a deep red.

"Where is Father?" she snapped.

"He's in the study, Lady Mavis," said the maid.

Mavis pushed past me, slamming the study door so hard it shook. I hesitated, then leaned over to one side and listened.

"I called it off," Mavis shouted. "The engagement is at an end."

A heavy silence before Edward's voice broke, low and sharp. "What did you say?"

"I told him I ended things with my fiancé," Mavis said. "I will not waste my life on a man who cannot give me a decent standard of living. Alpha Raiden is coming, and I must be ready to receive him."

"You foolish girl," Edward growled. "Do you realize what you've done? That marriage was worth something for this pack."

“I don’t care,” Mavis shot back. “I am the eldest daughter. I deserve to be the one chosen. And I won’t let some weak fiancé tie me down when I can marry the most powerful Alpha in the world.”

The sound of something crashing echoed from the study, followed by Flora rushing in to calm them both.

I gripped the table edge tightly, my chest tight with unease.

Mavis had called off the engagement. Because of Raiden.