Alpha’s Substitute Bride

3

I smiled to myself at the recollection of the events from earlier this morning. Melona was right to have been suspicious about my motives for willingly submitting myself to marry the ruthless Alpha Aaron in Serena's place.

I had the choice of confessing to Melona that I overheard a part of her conversation with Sir Kane the night of the council meeting and that was all the incentive I needed to make sure Serena knows all about the vile and notorious actions of Alpha Aaron. I could have also admitted to Melona that I played a role in her daughter's escape since I did not alert anyone when I saw Serena leaving in the dead of the night. But of course, I wasn't stupid; if Melona knew that I had accepted this role for my personal benefit, she would rip it right out of my hands.

"Alpha Aaron is not only the most powerful Alpha, but he also rules the strongest pack. This marriage arrangement will make you untouchable. You'll have the power and access you've always wanted."

Sir Kane's words from the night of the council meeting replayed in my mind, causing me to smile widely. I was going to use all the perks that came with being Alpha Aaron's wife to my advantage and finally get my revenge.

Today was the D-day when Serena and Alpha Aaron were to get married so that our pack could sign the Alliance Deal with the Blue Moon Pack. And just from peeking out my window, I could see the streets bustling with life, busier than I had ever witnessed before; women decorating the streetlamps with ornaments and adorning tarred roads with flowers, baskets of food moving back and forth between the pack kitchen and the royal hall, singers and instrumentalists harmonizing to put the entire pack in a celebratory mood. It was clear that news had not reached them about Serena's escape and the bridal replacement.

Our pack's busyness was merely a reflection of what was going down at home. "Move faster! The ceremony starts in two hours!" Melona barked.

She had woken up cranky this morning, and after the whole Serena ordeal, she had become a notch more unbearable to be around, if that was even possible. All the servants were working at the speed of light, everyone trying their best to avoid being the unlucky person that Melona chose to unleash her current anger and frustration on.

I ignored the clanking and yelling coming from downstairs and resumed looking at myself in the mirror. I was unable to stop a smile from breaking out on my lips at my reflection. My smile was more because everything had worked out as I planned, and I was one step closer to getting my revenge on Melona and reclaiming all my parents had worked hard for. Nevertheless, I had to admit that this gown was beautiful; the pearls on the gown sparkled at the reflection of the sun, and the flowery lace material around the neck area complimented my pale skin.

'This is the most beautiful wedding dress I have ever seen,' I thought to myself. I looked beautiful, almost like a princess, and this realization brought a bittersweet feeling to my chest. I wished my mother was here to help me get ready instead of the servants; I wished my father was alive to walk me to the altar. I know it was a marriage of convenience, but having my parents with me would have meant something.

"It's time," one of the servants said, taking my hand and leading me down the stairs and into the carriage, while another servant helped me with the long train of the dress that swept elegantly behind me. We were heading to the Blue Moon Pack's territory.

Once I was comfortably seated, the escort in the carriage smiled warmly before bowing in respect, and just as the carriage door was about to get shut, Melona walked up to me. "Don't mess this up!" she warned, referring to me sticking to my role as Serena. I found that comical and couldn't wait for months from now when she realizes that I had masterminded all this.

"Miss Serena," the carriage driver called with a raised brow, and I nodded, indicating that it was okay for us to leave.

After what felt like a few hours on the road, the carriage came to a slow, deliberate halt, the creak of its wheels fading into the crisp air. I then reached out to lift the heavy velvet curtain.

As I peered outside, the scene before me was already alive with the festive spirit of the wedding celebration. Wolves from every corner of the pack had gathered, their laughter and chatter filling the air as they prepared for the grand event, mirroring the same merriness I had witnessed in my pack earlier.

Despite the vibrant atmosphere, something felt amiss. My eyes scanned the throngs of guests, but the one person I was hoping to see was nowhere to be found.

'Where was the Alpha?' I asked myself.

"It's time, Miss Serena," the escort who was with me in the carriage said with a warm smile before getting down from the carriage and holding the door open for me.

Hesitantly, I put one foot down and then the other. I was not sure what to expect, and it didn't help that I had to meet the members of this pack without their Alpha around to guide me or make the process simpler.

As soon as I was fully out of the carriage, the driver tipped his hat and zoomed off. It took less than a millisecond, but as soon as people picked up my scent, which was strongly different from theirs, hushed whispers began floating in the air, and the moment they noticed what I was wearing, the hushed whispers only increased, partially drowning out the festive music that was being played by the band.

I could have managed the hushed whispers, but the curious stares, judging glares, and demeaning looks were slightly unnerving. It seems Alpha Aaron was not the only cold person in his pack.

"Ignore them," the escort whispered; he was close enough to sense my discomfort. He held out his hand and led me to their town hall, which from the decorations around that area, I assumed was where the wedding ceremony would be taking place.

I was about to walk into the hall when the escort shot out his hand to stop me. "No, Miss Serena, you need to wait for Alpha Aaron," he stated, and from the look on his face, it seemed like this was supposed to be common knowledge. I sighed internally; I had never been to a wedding before, so I had no idea about wedding protocol.

"There's a waiting room," the escort continued, already walking in the direction of the waiting room.

I stayed put, staring into the town hall. It was packed with flamboyantly dressed people, and there was not even one empty seat in sight.

"Miss Serena," the escort said, dragging me away from the hall entrance before anyone could see me.

We walked into the waiting room, and a servant came right behind us, dropping a glass of water and a plate filled with cupcakes on the desk before rushing out. I sat quietly on the couch, trying my best not to let my irritation show. It was 3 minutes before noon...3 minutes before the wedding ceremony, and Aaron was still nowhere in sight.

I looked up to the escort who simply offered me a polite smile, but I could sense that he was also worried about the Alpha's absence.

'He better not ditch me at the altar,' I thought, helping myself to a cupcake.