THE ALPHA WEREWOLF'S UNWANTED BRIDE

I clasped Sergio’s hand, seeking warmth and “safety” before entering this “dangerous” gathering. “Scared?” Sergio’s voice was low. I could only nod. How could I not be scared? Everyone in this hall was a fully grown werewolf and could shift whenever they wanted. “Who’s here?” I asked Sergio, who understood Pack politics better than I did. Sergio scanned the room with his sharp eyes. “The Villanueva Pack, the Bustamante Pack, our Pack of course, and the…” Before he could finish, I spotted Marco. The most powerful man in Santiago. “The Reyes Pack.” “Marco. Of course, he catches your eye. It’s not just you—all the women are the same. The craziest Alpha there ever was,” said Sergio, though I couldn’t tell if he was complimenting or mocking. Strangely, Marco’s eyes from across the room managed to lock onto mine as I watched him. I could never stand up to Marco Reyes’s intimidating gaze. How pitiful a person like me—an Alvarez—really is. These “friendly” gatherings of the Packs in Santiago always take place every six months. I’ve never attended these meetings. But this time I’m standing in for Pablo, my older brother. Sergio handed me a glass of red wine. “You’re twenty-one now. You’re allowed to drink this.” I took it with a sigh. “Don’t remind me about my age again. Look, everyone keeps staring at me with amusement.” Sergio knew exactly what I meant. He offered a sympathetic, easy smile. “Don’t worry, you’ll change someday. You’ve been prophesied to become the Luna de Diamante. No one can take that away from you.” “I’ve been waiting for three years,” I said, avoiding the stares of the growing crowd. “No good signs have appeared.” Marco walked. He made his way through the sea of betas, omegas, and alphas who were far below his level. I held my breath when he stopped in front of me. Sergio moved back as well. Damn, Pablo. I’ll scold him later. “Carlota Alvarez,” he called out with a curious tone. “Finally, I’ve met the most famous girl in Santiago.” He’s bound to mock me—that’s what everyone else does. “I’m just an ordinary girl.” Marco tilted his head. His eyes didn’t blink. “You’re not an ordinary girl.” I could feel all the women here staring at me with envy. Talking to Marco was one of their desires. “Where’s Pablo?” Marco asked, changing the subject. “He couldn’t make it.” Marco looked at one of his Betas. He had five Betas. The Beta seemed to be communicating with him telepathically. Something I couldn’t do. “Carlota, I want to dance with you,” Marco requested in an authoritative tone. I looked at Sergio anxiously. If I refused, it would be very dangerous for Alvarez. Marco extended his hand, and I took it. His hand was warm. Would it be this warm when he transformed? We both stood in the middle of the hall. Everyone avoided standing too close to us. The soft, melodious sound of a violin accompanied our first steps. Marco placed his hand on my hip. His heavy breathing was against my ear. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. A very long time.” This is strange. Marco wants to meet me. He doesn’t need the Alvarez Pack. “Don’t tell me you’re curious why I haven’t transformed yet?” I asked bluntly. His nose brushed against my ear. “You’re overreacting. You need to relax.” He spun me around elegantly, bringing us even closer together. “Then why do you want to dance with me?” “Is it not allowed to dance with a beautiful woman like you?” My face must be flushing. I held myself back. “Pablo is too overprotective. A girl as beautiful as you should be out and about in the community more often.” “I don’t like crowds.” “Oh,” he said, resting his chin on my head. “You want to be a lone wolf?” It’s so sad to be a lone wolf. But rather than be the butt of everyone’s jokes, I’d rather live alone. We danced faster as the violin’s melody changed. “I want to take you out to dinner. Tonight,” he invited. I inhaled the scent of his body. Intoxicating. Marco could hypnotize anyone. “I can’t.” “Why?” “You’re asking why? What will people say when they see the two of us? Even now, everyone’s looking at us like we’re the headline of a scandal.” Marco chuckled. He didn’t look around. “I don’t care about other people. I only care about you.” What’s wrong with him? His lips then landed on my cheek. A soft, sensual kiss. My breath caught. “You look absolutely stunning today. I don’t want the other two Packs to kidnap you today.” Marco lifted me up and then set me back down on the floor with such professional grace. He’s such a skilled dancer. “No one’s going to kidnap me. I haven’t changed yet.” Marco chuckled. Then I saw all his Betas and Omegas form a circle to protect us in the center. I felt safe instantly. “To be honest, the legend of Luna de Diamante is truly phenomenal. I’m really looking forward to it happening. But you’re wrong if you think that’s all I’m seeing.” Does he have another motive? I have to find out. “Is this about the Alvarez Pack?” “You’re always focused on your Pack.” “Of course, they’re my family.” “Including your parents?” He touched on a sensitive topic. “Don’t bring them into this.” Marco touched my hair. “They’re not good for you, beautiful.” I hate them both. Only Pablo still acknowledges my existence. It turned out Marco was trying to kiss me again. His lips were searching for mine. I pulled away. This had gone too far. Marco ordered the violin to stop. With his absolute power, the violinists stopped their fingers. “You’re truly different, Carlota.” Fearfully, I replied. “I… I…” The sound of shattering glass rang out clearly. Several people near the window screamed. A dozen people were disrupting the party. Marco’s Betas and Omegas immediately stepped in. Striking them with their powerful hands. They hadn’t transformed. They were still in human form. Marco stood in front of me. Unmoving and completely unconcerned. “Marco…” “Don’t go anywhere,” he pleaded. I tried not to be afraid. But the atmosphere turned brutal. All the tables were broken, cups and plates shattered. I stood beside Marco. I saw his eyes turn a deep red, like rubies. “Marco… we mustn’t draw the humans’ attention.” “I know, beautiful.” What was he going to do? If the human police came and saw them transform? One of the villains managed to escape and ran toward us. Marco put me behind him. “He’s asking for trouble. It’s so pathetic,” Marco said sarcastically. I knew something big was about to happen. I closed my eyes. The sound of cracking and snapping bones followed. A man’s screams for mercy pierced through the chaotic scene. I opened my eyes. Marco had already managed to choke the man and lift him up. He lifted him until the man’s legs kicked wildly. “Get ready to die!” Marco shouted, then clamped his grip on the man’s neck until blood gushed out. I backed away as far as I could. Until I tripped and fell to the floor, completely drained of strength.