The Disabled Alpha's Bride

Coming To His Defense

Valeria's POV

Eric’s gaze paused on the menu, fingers stilled, then he slowly looked up, his eyes meeting mine for only the second time. His gaze lingered briefly on my lips, something in his expression flickering, as though he saw something intriguing. For a moment, he almost seemed… curious.

Then his lips parted slightly, and in a low, smooth voice, he murmured, “Miss Valeria, have I mentioned that you’re quite bold… interesting, even. You can call me Eric, if you like. It’s up to you.”

I paused, clenching and unclenching my fist under the table, nearly grinding my molars in frustration. But I thought of Bella’s desperate, teary pleas and forced down my irritation.

“You’re right,” I replied calmly, conceding. “I should call you Alpha Eric.”

Eric ordered a cup of black tea to go with the coffee and dessert I’d ordered, motioning to the waiter to bring it all out later..

I kept my hands in my lap, fidgeting with the dress’s unfamiliar neckline. The dress’s hollow water-drop design exposed faint lines on my skin, and I found myself hunching slightly, unaccustomed to the revealing cut.

Across from me, Eric Cromwell, Alpha of the Shadowridge Pack, lounged comfortably in his chair. His hand rested on the table’s edge, long fingers naturally curled. His expression was calm, effortlessly in control. “Miss Valeria,” he began smoothly, “you didn’t invite me here just for casual tea, did you?”

I took a deep breath, finally voicing the words I’d rehearsed countless times. “I hope Alpha Eric might reconsider this marriage.”

Eric looked at me, his calm eyes showing no hint of emotion, “And why is that?”

“What about your fated mate?” I pressed. “Wouldn’t it be a shame if you never met her, if she couldn’t become Luna of your pack?”

Eric’s eyes shifted subtly, the amber glint sharpening, his tone carrying the patience of a predator with its prey. “Marriage doesn’t require feelings. This would be a straightforward transaction. And if you expect me to trust I’ll just bump into my mate among all the werewolves in the world, I’d admire your optimism. But as an Alpha and a businessman, my priority is my pack and the benefits of this marriage. Unless you can offer a better reason to call it off, our marriage alliance will continue forward.”

I lowered my head; I could feel my eyelashes flutter from his words, and then I replied, “The Cromwell family’s jewel business hasn’t been faring well. You have already lost several key deals, nd stock prices—well, one misstep, and you might find yourself with little left to support your pack. Also, your pack, the Shadowridge, has also suffered a significant loss in your conflict with the European. Rushing into a marriage with me could only hurt your business and your pack. I see no benefit in our alliance.”

He listened carefully, his gaze behind the glasses steady and inscrutable. “I must admit, Miss Valeria, I expected the face that you had done your homework. But hadn’t you just woken up from a coma? I thought you’d a little less informed about the outside world.”

Shot! That’s right! Marcus’s real second daughter, Kendra, had been in a coma since she was nine. And because Eric still believed I was Marcus's second daughter, the one he was supposed to marry in a few days.

I had to act like a ‘sleeping beauty’ who had just woken from her years of coma. By now I had revealed too much about my knowledge and experience. If Eric discovered I wasn’t the girl he thought he was marrying, my position at this negotiation table would be lost, and with it, any chance to protect Bella from this marriage.

“Well, Alpha Eric,” I replied smoothly, “if I’m meeting with you, I might as well study your interests and history first.” I came up with an excuse. “I still don’t see what this marriage offers you beyond an alliance with the Nightveil Pack.”

A knock on the door interrupted us. A waiter entered, setting the black tea and coffee on the table. He moved with practiced ease, but as he placed the tiramisu in front of me, I noticed the rough calluses on his hands—not something a typical waiter would have.

Cautiously, I raised my hands, fingers slipping into the teacup’s handle as I steadied my breathing.

Swish! The waiter suddenly drew a small knife from the tray, lunging at Eric.

“Watch out!” I shouted, hurling the teacup at the attacker. He dodged just in time, but Eric had already moved, pressing a button and dodging as the knife missed its mark.

The would-be assassin kept lunging, each attack coming quicker and more desperate. Eric dodged smoothly, backed into a corner as the blade flashed closer.

I’d briefly encountered the attacker and sensed he was human. But what kind of human would dare confront an Alpha? Even a supposedly disabled one? And where the hell were Eric’s beta and his bodyguards?

I grabbed a porcelain plate, flinging it with a quick, precise movement that struck the attacker’s leg, sending him sprawling. But he quickly recovered, knife poised for another strike.

Those few seconds bought me an opening. I lunged forward, tackling the assassin to the side. This wasn’t my first brush with assassins. As a matter of fact, I've faced too many assassins in my life, some as vampires, some as humans, and others as werewolves.

But now, I was supposed to be Marcus’s fragile second daughter. I mustn’t show my power or my strength in front of Eric. Or he might become suspicious of my real identity… Perhaps I should appear weaker, or more, I could let myself hurt to gain more trust from Eric.

So, when Eric glanced over, I allowed the attacker to s***h my arm, letting out a small cry as if I’d made a mistake, as if I were helpless.

“Ugh!” Blood spilled from the wound, hot and red, as I winced in apparent pain. Without having fully awakened my wolf, I couldn’t heal as quickly.

The assassin raised his knife again, aiming directly at my heart this time. “Die, you filthy werewolves!” he spat, bringing it down in a swift, deadly arc.

I cowered, appearing to shield my face, counting down silently… Three, two, one. Eric’s Beta and his bodyguards finally burst into the room.

“Alpha Eric!”

“Who the hell is this stupid human?”

“Take him down!”

Chaos erupted, filled with shouts, the clash of fists, the confusion of struggle.

In the corner, I sat with my legs curled to the side, leaning against the wall, my arm bleeding heavily. Blood seeped through my fingers, staining the delicate pink wristband around my wrist.

Eric rolled his wheelchair closer, stopping just short of the blood pooling near me. He regarded me with a slight smirk. “Not bad, Miss Valeria.”

I slowly raised my head, wincing, a strand of hair sticking to my cheek where blood had splattered. I forced a small, pained smile. “It hurts, Alpha Eric.”

I hoped to convey a message: I’m just that delicate lycan girl he thought I was, weak and afraid of pain.

Eric's gaze lingered on me for a second, a flicker of curiosity flashing in his eyes before it faded back into his usual unreadable expression.

With a calm, practiced ease, he extended his hand, gesturing to one of his guards, who immediately moved to address the chaos unfolding in the room.

The assassin was subdued within moments, pinned to the floor by two of Eric’s men, his weapon wrenched from his grip.

"Take him away," Eric ordered, his voice as smooth as ice. The next second, his gaze shifted back to me, noting the spreading blood on my sleeve with a hint of a smirk. "It appears you weren't prepared for such excitement, Miss Valeria.”

I bit my lip, letting my fingers tremble as I pressed them over the wound. "I… I wasn't expecting an attack in the middle of tea," I murmured, sounding just enough like a fragile, sheltered girl who’d barely seen the world.

Eric leaned forward in his chair, one brow raised, his gaze sharp as he took in my injury. “Quite the predicament,” his tone maddeningly calm. "Though I must say, I appreciate the… enthusiasm you showed in coming to my defense, Miss Valeria. You saved me.”

I managed a small, wincing smile. "Well, I suppose… I did what I could, Alpha Eric.”

Just the right blend of innocence and a touch of reckless bravery. I had this Alpha wrapped around my finger.