THE ALPHA KING'S MUTE BRIDE

Chapter 4 The Chosen Bride

POV: Astoria

The house had been restless since Alpha Raiden’s first visit. Everyone spoke of nothing else, except him. If you ask me, not that anybody would, I don't see what's special in him. They spoke about him like he was some God and my sisters walked around as if they were already Luna.

Mavis was the worst. She carried herself like a queen, telling anyone who would listen, “He looked at me the longest. It’s obvious I’ll be chosen.”

"Stop making things up," Eloise shot back. "He nodded when I spoke. That's something."

Molly burst into laughter. "You both, please. He likes confidence, and I was the only one who had the guts to be different."

I sat in the corner, fixing a tear in one of my old dresses. No one asked me what I thought. They never did.

By the next day, the whole family was thrown into chaos, I was beginning to get tired of hearing his name. Father had received a letter with the Blackwood crest. His face went pale as he read.

"What is it?" My stepmother demanded quickly

"He's coming back," Father said curtly.

The room was once again filled with chatter.

"So soon?" Eloise cried.

Molly stamped her foot. "I told you! He couldn't forget me."

Mavis smiled. "Don't be ridiculous. It only proves he wishes to see me again. He just couldn't resist."

I concentrated on my needle, sewing peacefully, but my stomach twisted. Why would he come back so soon?

When the day arrived, the estate was prepared once more. Red carpet out, fruit and wine tables set up, candles burning in all the corridors. My sisters spent hours getting dressed. I was instructed to remain in the laundry room, out of sight.

I obeyed. I always did.

I wanted to spend the night doing laundry, but then I heard the door slam open and Father's loud voice.

"What does that mean?"

Curious, I crept closer, looking from the crevice behind the kitchen wall.

Raiden Blackwood stood in the entry hall again, tall and unyielding, but his voice was colder.

"You said you had three daughters," he said, his voice as unforgiving as steel. "You lied. You have four."

The room went still.

My stepmother stammered, "Alpha, surely you've been mistaken—"

Raiden cut her off. "Do not even dare me. I checked. I would like to see the fourth daughter. Now!"

My heart rate increased.

Mavis stepped forward quickly, creating a laugh. "You don't mean Astoria, do you? She's… well, she doesn't matter."

"She's wolfless," Eloise added quietly, eyes darting nervously.

"And she's plain," Molly said, tossing her hair back. "You'd be wasting your time."

Raiden's eyes closed in a tight line. "Bring her."

Father's jaw snapped shut, pride clearly bruised. "She is not worthy to stand in your presence, Alpha. Let my other daughters—"

Raiden's roar shook the room, his mood went from peaceful to rage in a matter of seconds until even the guards trembled. "I said bring her!"

No one dared dispute again.

I barely had time to return to work when two maids rushed into the laundry room.

"Stand up," one snapped. "They want you."

"Why?" I signed hastily, confused and terrified.

The younger maid hesitated and then spoke in a whisper, "The Alpha asked for you."

I froze. My chest tightened, my hands trembling. He remembered me?

Before I even had time to think about it, the sisters burst in.

"Here, put this on," Mavis commanded, throwing a dusty old dress over me. It was wrinkled and smelled of dust.

Eloise came with a box of powders. "We will make her look ugly. She does need it."

They plopped me down in a stool, slathering heavy makeup on my cheeks, reddening my lips too much, blackening my eyes so much that I barely knew myself looking back at me.

Molly snorted. "Beautiful. Now she's a clown. Let's see if he's still interested in meeting her."

I swallowed hard, holding in my tears. But I said nothing. I never did.

When they drew me out into the corridor, the chatter and laughter ceased at once. Everyone stared.

Mother struggled to put on a smile. "Alpha, this is Astoria. Our… youngest."

I kept my head lowered, embarrassed at how I looked. The thick makeup burned, the ancient dress clung awkwardly.

"Look at me," Raiden said.

His voice was soft just like how it sounded on the first day he spoke with me at the garden.

Unsteadily, I raised my eyes.

He stared at me for a very long time. His expression didn't shift, but his eyes twinkled with something that no one else seemed to notice.

"Come closer," he commanded.

I did. My sisters fidgeted behind me.

Mavis tried to say something. "She's not what you believe—"

Raiden stopped her with a glance. "I wasn't speaking to you."

Molly edged. "She's wolfless, Alpha. She has no wolf. That makes her vulnerable and useless."

I winced, but Raiden's eyes did not look away.

"Is that so?" he whispered.

I nodded slowly. My wolf had never shown itself. I had learned to live with the shame.

He did not look away. He leaned forward, his eyes inches from mine. "And when I came to the garden. You didn't look afraid."

A murmur ran round the room. My sisters' faces turned white.

I blinked, surprised he remembered. I wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Instead, I folded my fingers nervously together.

Raiden finally straightened up, his voice ringing down the hallway.

"I have seen enough."

Everyone leaned forward, waiting.

"I choose her," he said bluntly.

The hallway erupted.

"You can't be serious. She's cursed!" Mavis cried.

"She isn't worthy!" Eloise screamed.

"This is madness!" Molly stamped her foot.

Mother gasped, placing a hand against her chest. "Alpha, please reconsider—

Raiden silenced them all with one glance. "My decision is made. Astoria Riverton shall be the woman I marry."

I stood frozen, shocked by his words. Me? He had chosen me?

Disbelief, anger, and jealousy filled the room. But the only thing I could hear was my beating heart.

I've been chosen as the bride and future Luna of Alpha Raiden Blackwood.