The Disabled Alpha's Bride

The Qualities To Be A Luna

Valeria's POV

I placed my fork down, my fingers curling slightly beneath the table as I respectfully replied, “The Nightveil has shown my sister and me nothing but kindness. Without your help back then, Bella and I would have starved on the streets after our parents died.”

“Yes, that’s right,” Alpha Marcus nodded, clearly satisfied. I knew I’d given him the answer he wanted, but anxiety still prickled through me.

Then he spoke, “So if the Nightveil pack was ever in need, how would you and your sister repay my kindness?”

I nodded obediently, holding his gaze from across the table. “I’d do whatever it takes to help you.”

Deliberately, I answered with I, not we. But Alpha Marcus had clearly lost his patience for games and laid his intentions bare: “The Cromwell family and their Shadowridge pack want to form an alliance through marriage. My daughter Vicky can’t be married off this way, and my other daughter, Kendra, has been in a coma since she was nine. So I intend to marry your sister to them.”

The air went deathly silent, my heart pounding faster. I knew I couldn’t disobey Alpha Marcus, yet I had to protect Bella. What could I do to change his mind? What can I do now to change this marriage alliance?

“Alpha Marcus, my sister… she’s not even eighteen yet. She hasn’t met her wolf. An arranged marriage would be…”

His gaze turned harsh, his tone challenging. “Are you questioning the Alpha?”

I swallowed and shook my head, “No, I won’t dare to go against you. But may I ask which member of the Cromwell family this marriage would involve?” I looked up, facing the dangerous Alpha head on, and asked.

Alpha Marcus answered with only one word: “Eric.”

In that instant, it felt like my world had shattered, as though a champagne tower had come crashing down. My mind filled with dark thoughts, clouds thick with dread blotted out any light.

Even Vicky, Alpha Marcus’s eldest daughter, couldn’t stay silent. “Father, Eric Cromwell is dangerous. He’s already lost three wives in three years without mating or claiming their Luna titles. They just… died. Sending Bella to him is a death sentence.”

Beside me, Bella trembled, tears slipping down her cheeks as she put her fork down. “Alpha Marcus, please… don’t make me marry him. I have someone I care about. I don’t want to marry that disabled Alpha.”

I frowned, still clenching my hand beneath the table. With a steady but pleading voice, I said, “Alpha Marcus, if it’s possible, I’m willing to take Bella’s place.”

Alpha Marcus looked not surprised at all, as if he’d anticipated my offer, though his eyes flickered with a sense of irritation. “You’re not raised as Alpha’s daughter. I told you the day I took you in, you’re Nightveil’s sword. The sole purpose of your existence is to help me get rid of problems. Bella takes managing lessons. You learn combat. Bella socializes among packs and learns proper manners while you wield a knife. Bella has the qualities of a Luna. You do not.”

I lowered my head, my nails biting hard into my palms. He continued, “Bella and you nearly starved to death on the streets, it was me who gave you both food. You barely survived those brutal vampire assassins' attack. It was my Beta who saved you again. Nightveil has shown you kindness twice. Do not challenge me now.”

I couldn’t say anything more; the more I spoke, the angrier he became. I had to think of another way to get Bella out of this arranged marriage.

The dinner ended with Bella’s muffled sobs, which gained her no sympathy from the Alpha couple. Instead, she was locked in her room. I wasn’t even allowed to comfort her. I stood on the other side of her door, listening to her smash everything in her room until she cried herself to sleep.

Later, when I sought out Alpha Marcus and tried to have another word with him, he threw a vase at me, his voice like thunder: “Don’t defy me. This discussion is over.”

I can’t do anything more now. My heart sank, but a string of hope flickered… Perhaps if Nightveil and Marcus couldn’t refuse this marriage alliance, I could appeal to the groom himself.

And the worst outcome could be I marrying him, not Bella.

After pulling a few strings, I managed to get Alpha Eric’s number. When he answered, his voice was cold, slightly hoarse, with a hint of allure like smoke drifting through the night.

“Hello, Alpha Eric. I’d like to discuss your proposed marriage alliance with the Nightveil pack,” I said, keeping my voice as steady as possible, though my pulse uncontrollably raced.

He didn’t sound patient. “And who are you?”

I gripped the fabric of my pants, steadying my nerves. “I am Valeria.”

“Oh…” he replied, his tone unreadable. It wasn’t the tone of someone putting pieces together; instead, it was like a hunter sizing up his prey. “You are the one who is going to marry me? Marcus’s second daughter?”

My mind raced. If Eric hadn’t been told the name of his bride, I could perhaps pretend to be her to gain information. A perfect plan.

“Yes, I am,” I lied, maintaining composure. “But I thought you might want to reconsider. Marrying me may bring you no benefit…”

He cut me off, “How do you know there will be no benefit in this marriage?”

I choked and continued, “Marriage is a significant event. I think it shouldn’t be rushed like this. Especially since we haven’t even met yet. The bride and the groom are total strangers. It would be very weird…”

“When would you like to meet?” Eric’s thinking was frighteningly quick.

I could hardly breathe for a moment, suddenly understanding why this Alpha had a lousy reputation among packs. His impatience must be even worse than mine…

“Marriage between two werewolves should be based on mutual affection, and… what about the Moon Goddess’s choice of fated mates? Alpha Eric, marrying someone you haven’t even met seems… hasty?”

A cold laugh echoed through the phone. “Are you questioning an Alpha’s decision?”

I knew he must have thought I was speaking nonsense. After all, not every werewolf can find its mate. Let along the Alpha of a pack.

The Alpha should not only be responsible for his own, but also for his pack as well. And in this case, if Eric marries the Nightveil’s daughter, he can unite the only two werewolf packs together in Rool River Town.

He would be a fool to turn down such a deal. But I have to try, right? What if he had a better choice? What if he was a lovestruck fool that believed in fated mates?

I braced myself, responding in a very soft tone. “As I see it, Alpha Eric, marriage shouldn’t be just a transaction.”

His voice remained cool. “To me, marriage is nothing more than a transaction. You of all people should understand it. I mean, aren’t you the daughter of an Alpha?”

Transaction. I’d heard that word too often when I ran errands for Marcus. I was no stranger to deals, dangers, or sacrifices. And I certainly wasn’t afraid of any gunfire from humans, bites from vampires, and the curses from witches.

So why should I fear this infamous Alpha Eric?

“Does Alpha Eric sign contracts without looking at Party A?” I suddenly gained my calm tone back.

He considered my words for a minute, then replied, “Tomorrow, 2 pm. At Sunday Café. I look forward to meeting you, Valeria from the Nightveil.”

When I hung up, I felt exhausted, as though my strength had drained out of me. Despite Eric’s reputation, he didn’t seem as terrifying as the rumors claimed.

In fact, he was more intrigued than I’d expected. But me? I would be meeting him scarred and unrefined, hardly looking like a Luna-to-be.

Knocking on Mary’s door later that night, I asked softly, “Do you have Vicky’s stylist’s number?”

Perhaps, with a little help, I could appear as an heiress—one fit to stand beside an Alpha.