Dear Alpha

Eight

ALARIC’S POV

Angry did not cut it.

He was furious.

He had been hoping that he was going to get his wife and be on his way back home, but it rained.

How the f**k did it rain in October?

He wanted to rage and break things and point a finger at someone, but who? The clouds? God himself.

As soon as he had heard the rain drops, he had almost gone mad and then it went on heavily. It was so loud he knew it was a heavy storm.

And then he heard footsteps.

He looked up and soon saw his new wife descending the steps in a white dress.

She could have worn that to the wedding ceremony but instead she had insisted on remaining in her riding dress.

“The weather is quite unfortunate do you not think?” She asked him with a brow up. “We would not be able to go anywhere today then.”

He did not say anything he just watched her. What was he going to say? If he did, he doubted that she would be still alive.

“Should I prepare your beds or would you like to sleep in the stables?” She asked him. “I am not quite sure how well...”

Then she chuckled and said. “I beg your pardon. But I am not aware of how you love where you come from.”

His men rose up to that insult.

They spoke in fluent Gaelic.

“How dare she insult us?” One of the men said.

Alaric set his hands to them urging them to remain calm.

He looked at her and walked to face her very front.

Then he pointed outside the door.

“You see that weather.” He said. “You and I shall ride out there today. When I tell you that I would not stay on English soil for another day I mean my word.”

At this point, he did not care if his new bride was going to strangled by the storm they were going to leave here today.

“I am not going anywhere.” She repeated. “And it is highly unladylike for a woman to be seen under the rain.”

“And is it unladylike to be riding a wild horse?” He rose a brow.

She shut her mouth on that one.

Then the Earl came in.

“You would have to forgive us for the weather.” He apologised. “But it is quite unusual for it to rain in October. Frankly, I do not think I have ever witnessed such in my entire life.”

“If you would please spend the night here with us.” The Earl pleaded.

“Spend the night here you say?” Alaric asked. “Although I am not sure if by that you mean in a bedroom or in the cold stable.”

The Earl laughed uneasily. “Why would you think you would sleep in the stables?”

“Because your daughter said so.” Alaric tilted his head and he saw Demi’s face become a flushed red.

Her father gave her an angry look. And he saved themselves the embarrassment from an argument and turned to Alaric.

“Sometimes Deni acts on her own accord.” Her father said. Then he smiled. “Your meals would be served and Deni would have you assigned to your rooms.”

Demi’s face became red again.

“Is that not so Deni?” Her father asked her.

She blushed heavily and he could see that she did not want to submit, but she nodded and said.

“Of course Papa.” Denis curtsied and then she looked up at Alaric.

Was she trying to give him a warning glance. She had failed woefully.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

DENI’S POV

The rain had poured heavily non stop. It was now evening time and Alaric and his men were still here.

She had prayed to God that she would see that they would not want to carry her anymore and leave her behind.

But alas, fate was not by her side.

When she had encountered him earlier and spoken about the option of them sleeping in the barn, yes, she had to admit.

She had truly gone far.

But she had meant to only insult him and not the rest of them.

For the love of God the man had pinched her! He had pinched her just so that she could cry out in pain as a way of saying yes.

Who did that?

But apparently the rest of his men had probably taken more offence than he even had.

She noticed that they did not like her one bit and it was not just from the house but also the moment they had met in the fields.

She did not like him, she had to admit to that, but there was just something about him. It was dark and warned her against him, but then it drew her towards him more.

Now she was here still in her father’s house, but overseeing the food they were to eat tonight.

None of the servants in the house spoke to her about her so called wedding. Probably because they were sorry for her and would not like to be in her shoes.

It was unheard of. In the whole England. A British woman marrying a Scottish man.

What a joke.

“My lady the food is set.” The head chef said to her.

Deni turned and looked at the food. It was like a feast for a king. There was a large tray of pork, chicken, peas, fruits, vegetables, pudding and so much more.

“I would have preferred it to be worms.” Deni mumbled to herself.

“I beg your pardon?” The Chef said.

Deni shook her head.

“Nothing.” Deni said and then she nodded at the staff. “You may serve the men now.”