The Alpha Who Claimed His Nephew’s Bride

She is my mate!” “And you are his uncle!.” My mouth hung open as I stared at the alpha and the Luna of my pack as what was meant to be the happiest day of my life turned into chaos. **** I was adorned in a gown so white the sun must be jealous of its radiance. It lit up my skin so much that one who sees me without knowing my story would assume I was the luckiest bride ever, but I was no bride, I was a slave. This was not a marriage, I was being sold off to a man, who couldn’t care less about me. I was just a piece of the puzzle needed to complete his grand picture. Anyone would be scared out of their wits over a marriage like this, but not me. I might be a pawn for him, but he was not anything different to me. I needed the protection he could offer, I was too weak to protect myself from the secrets I kept from the world; secrets that can amount to my death, and I was not afraid to use anyone, who can offer what I need. Five days ago when he came to the dungeon I’ve known as home all my life, fighting dirty every single day just to survive, I did not bat an eye when he picked me out of the ladies lined up before him. In fact, I prayed for the first time in my life that I would get chosen. It was no happy situation, but it would offer me the things I’ve always longed for - an actual life, and protection. “Are you ready?” A guard asked me and I just nodded, my entire face was covered by a veil, so I didn’t have to worry about controlling my expressions. “Let’s go then.” With no argument, I picked up the flower bouquet and followed him closely behind. I had no one to walk me down the aisle, but that did not matter even one bit to me. “I will protect you,” I whispered to my wolf, who has been with me for years, yet I’ve never heard her speak, not even once. She was all I had left, and I would protect her even if it costs my dignity. A solemn music played as I walked in, and everyone just stared at me, it felt more like a funeral than a wedding - at least, I get to say a proper goodbye to the life I once lived. I could see the audience through the veil but they couldn’t see me. The disgust on their faces were all very clear, they knew where I was picked up from, it was no secret, they also knew the very reason I was walking down this aisle, to have a ring put on my finger by a man who couldn’t care less about me. But I couldn’t care any less about them either. Once the gap between us was bridged, I stood face to face with Leo Franchester, the only nephew to the alpha of this pack, and the only heir to the alpha throne, hence this marriage. He needs me to secure the throne, and I need him to protect myself. The people might not respect me, but they will respect my status as Luna and that was all I needed. I would deal with his rumored ego and temper if it means not dealing with that of the world. People are cruel. I knew that much from the long time I spent down in that dungeon as an imprisoned omega, my only crime was being born and I was punished everyday for it. “Can we get this started and over with? I’m tired of standing.” “I’m sorry, but we cannot start the ceremony without your uncle, the alpha.” “I am here in his stead.” A very petite, but fierce looking brown haired woman who looked a lot like Leo said. She looked like she could be in her late thirties, and she looked scary as hell. I met her just once and I barely spoke, not because I was scared, she just never gave me the chance to. “Or is my position as Luna not enough?” The priest lowered his head, looking pale as hell from her question. “That’s not the case, Luna, we need the alpha’s blessing. It has to come from him, it cannot be compromised on.” “You should have said that long before now,” she snapped, her once brown eyes now glowed and I could tell her wolf was inching to make an appearance. After a while of glowering, she closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead. Then she beckoned on one of the guards, who immediately appeared by her side as though wasting a millisecond would cause his death. While she talked to him in a hushed tone, Leo walked away from the altar and took a seat with the audience. My mouth dropped open at the sheer audacity of him and I tightened my hold on the flower bouquet. If he can walk out of the altar, so can I, these heels are killing me anyway. Sending him a dirty glare I was sure he would not see, I tried to walk out of the altar, but a sharp cutting voice stopped me in my tracks. “And where do you think you’re going?” The Luna was glaring at him with all shades of disapproval dancing in her eyes. “Do not move an inch from that spot.” My teeth came down hard on my tongue and I forced myself to swallow what I was about to say, this was not the time to fight back. Giving a slight bow, I remained standing, while Leo sat next to his mother, whispering and laughing. My legs were going to give out anytime soon. While I was trying to lessen the pressure on my feet, I felt a flush of heat all over my body and my eyes slightly widened. It suddenly became so hot that the gown that rested coolly on my body now itched and the veil felt too sticky on my face. My wolf, whom I know to be very calm, her presence seldom felt, began pacing and clawing at me as though demanding to be let out. What was going on? I used my hand to fan myself, but the attempt was so pathetic it burned my skin even more. I looked around the room, trying to see if anyone else felt the same thing, but they all looked surprisingly calm. I was the only one burning. The door was pushed open, then it hit me, the most delicious scent ever in my entire life. My wolf growled and clawed even more as we got a proper view of the man taking long strides towards me. He was so sexy I felt something I hadn’t felt in a very long time, s****l attraction. I wanted to jump his bones right now. My wolf got even more restless the closer he got and for the first time ever, she spoke, and the thing she said made my heart drop. “Mate!” The man before me with glowing hazel eyes that seemed to switch to grey, a telling sign of his wolf’s dominance, echoed the word my mate just said and the crowd gasped.