THE ALPHA KING'S MUTE BRIDE

Chapter 5 The False Mate Bond

POV: Astoria

After his words, the room went silent.

No one moved.

"I choose her," the phrase echoed in my head on repeat so loud that I didn’t know if I was dreaming or hallucinating. My knees were shaking. Their faces warped in shock and my sisters were frozen like pillars.

Father stood first. "Alpha Raiden," he said, a tentative smile flickering weakly over his lips. "You must be joking. There must have been an error."

Raiden didn’t even glance at him. " Do I look unsure?" He asked.

Mother’s voice was shaky. “Astoria is…She is not ready for this.”

“She will be,” Raiden said bluntly. “Get her ready.”

And with that, he turned and strode out, leaving all of us in shock.

The moment he left, Father’s hand crashed down on the table so violently the plates shook.

“You dumb girl!” he hissed. "What have you done to him? What did you tell him?"

I shook my head and I started to back up. “N-nothing,” I signed, shaking hands as I mouthed the words.

Mavis snorted. "She must have thrown herself at him. That’s the only reason a man like that would even glance in her direction."

Eloise folded her arms over her breast. “He’ll regret when he finds out she’s wolfless.”

Molly snarled. “Or maybe he sympathizes with her. Silent Luna – a joke.”

"Enough!" Father yelled. “Do you all have any idea what this is? If he gets her, we lose control. She's untrained, unbonded, and too lowly to consider for alliance.”

Mother frowned. "Then get him to change his mind."

He turned to me, his eyes full of hate. "You'll turn him down."

I got the chills, looking around frantically.

"You will," he growled, advancing towards me. "Or you will regret it."

He yanked my wrist violently, his nails cutting into my skin. "Do you understand?" He asked.

I was in pain, tears flowed down my cheeks. I rapidly shook my head.

"Good," he said, releasing me. "We'll do it over dinner.".

The dining room was a little heavier that night. The table was set so nice — candles, silver plates, wine glasses that mined. When I moved in, my sisters were already there seated, whispering to each other, smiling.

Mavis moved closer to Eloise. "Watch her bungle it, she is going to stutter or faint most likely," said Eloise.

"She can't even talk," Eloise whispered.

Molly laughed. "Then maybe she'll just cry instead." So make that “cry” and “laugh.”

I sat in silence at the end of the table, the farthest end of the table, my fingers on my lap. Father and Mother were on the other side of me, the polite smiles suppressed. When Raiden arrived, there was an immediate change in the atmosphere. Everyone was anxious. He was in the room — calm, cold, commanding — his presence filled it.

He sat at the head of the table. "Let's not dely," he said. "Did you all accept my ruling?"

Father smiled tightly. "Certainly, Alpha. But perhaps. Perhaps Astoria would rather speak for herself."

I stiffened, my eyes snapping to him.

He glared at me as if warning me.

"Go on," he told me softly, though his voice was anything but.

Raiden looked at me as well, hopeful but unflinching.

My fingers trembled under the table. I swallowed hard, my eyes focused on the plate in front of me.

My tongue felt heavy as I looked between Father's glare and Raiden's expectant eyes, I couldn't tell which terrified me more.

Finally, I whispered — my voice a little more than a breath, cracking.

"I… I can't."

Mavis giggled. Eloise fought a smile.

Raiden's expression didn't change, but his eyes darkened. "You can't what?"

I looked down, unable to meet his eyes. "I… can't accept."

Silence.

Heavy air.

Raiden stood up, his chair creaking softly. "Everyone leave."

My sisters stared at me in shock. "W-what?"

"Out," he repeated firmly. "Now."

They scrambled up, muttering under their breaths as they scattered. Even Father hesitated before following, but Raiden's glare urged him to hurry along faster.

When the door was closed, the room grew silent once more.

Raiden stepped closer, standing in front of me. His tone was firm, but low enough to make my heart thump.

"Look at me."

I slowly raised my eyes.

"Tell me the truth," he told me. "Why did you reject me?"

I had my mouth open, but the words jammed. My chest was tight. I signed weakly: Father told me I had to.

He scowled. "He threatened you?"

Tears welled up in my eyes as I nodded.

Raiden let out a quiet sigh, his jaw clenching. "You're scared of him."

I glanced down once more, feeling ashamed.

He was quiet for a long time before he spoke again. "I can keep you safe, but I can't make you. If you don't want this, tell me."

I shook my head hastily. I don't want to get into trouble, I signed.

He stooped a bit, sinking to my level. "You already did, little one. Might as well finish it."

I blinked in uncertainty.

His lips twitched, ever so slightly. "I have a plan. If you're willing to trust me."

I hesitated, but ultimately nodded.

"We'll fake it," he said bluntly. "A pretend mate bond. You'll stay with me, and I'll make sure your family can't get you back again."

My tongue darted out of my mouth in shock.

He continued, unflappable. "They'll believe you're my mate. No one will question it. You'll be fine."

"But. why?" I panted, forcing the words out.

"Because I owe you," he said. "You reminded me of something I thought I'd forgotten."

I had no idea what he meant, but his tone was serious — and soft in a way I'd never heard him speak before.

I bit my lip, staring at my hands. "What if they realize it's a forgery?"

"Then I'll take care of it," he said. "Not you."

His tone of confidence convinced me completely.

He stood up again, adjusting his jacket. "So is that clear?"

I didn't hesitate for longer than a second before I nodded.

"Good," he said, the faintest glimmer of relief crossing his face. "Then just do as I say."

When they came back in, everyone's attention at once fell on us, Father, Mother, my sisters, even the servants who were standing next to us.

Mavis smiled sardonically. "So? Did she finally admit she's not deserving?"

Raiden ignored her. He stopped midway down the hallway and turned to the family.

"Since there has been confusion," he said slowly, "let me set things straight."

He glanced at me once before placing a friendly arm around my waist.

The touch was firm, persistent — guard-like, not clingy. My heart skipped anyway.

Raiden's voice boomed down the hallway.

"She is mine. My mate."

Gasps tore through the air.

Father's face reddened with anger. "Alpha, you can't—"

Raiden's glare froze him in place. "Do not test me."

Mother slapped a hand over her mouth. Mavis came close to spilling her glass. Eloise seemed on the brink of collapse.

And me. I just stood there, my heart pounding, the weight of his arm holding me back.