The Alpha's Fake Fiancée: A Holiday Mate

Aurora’s fingers traced the edge of her champagne flute as laughter and chatter filled the air around her. The luxurious christmas cruise was everything she’d dreamed of—golden lights twinkling in the evening sky, the ocean stretching endlessly beyond the deck, and the scent of exotic cuisines wafting through the air. But for her, the reality of this dream was painfully bittersweet. She sat at the edge of the grand ballroom, her presence barely acknowledged by anyone. The dazzling dresses, the tuxedos, and the shimmering decorations seemed to mock her. Aurora, the wolfless omega of her pack, was here by grace rather than invitation. Her boyfriend, Malakai, had reluctantly brought her along, more to use her as a convenient distraction than as a partner to share this luxurious experience with. "Why don’t you smile more, Aurora?" Malakai’s voice was smooth, almost taunting, as he approached her with a drink in hand. "You’re here on a cruise most people can only dream of. Lighten up." Aurora forced a smile, though her heart ached. "I’m just tired, that’s all," she murmured. "Yeah, tired of being dull," he muttered under his breath before walking off, his eyes scanning the room for more interesting company. Aurora’s smile faded. She clutched her glass tightly, her knuckles white as she watched him effortlessly charm a group of women. Among them was a stunning brunette in a shimmering silver dress, her laughter ringing like a melody. Aurora’s chest tightened when she noticed how Malakai leaned in closer, whispering something that made the woman throw her head back in laughter. The night wore on, and the games began—a round of dares designed to entertain the guests. Aurora sat in the shadows, unnoticed as always, watching as the crowd roared with excitement. “Malakai, truth or dare?” a voice called out. “Dare,” he replied with a confident smirk. A mischievous gleam lit up the eyes of the one issuing the challenge. “Kiss the hottest woman here.” The crowd erupted in cheers and laughter. Aurora froze, her heart pounding as Malakai’s gaze swept the room. For a brief moment, hope flickered within her—would he choose her? She had been by his side for years, enduring his coldness, his insults, and his indifference. But that hope shattered when his eyes locked onto the brunette in the silver dress. With a wolfish grin, he crossed the room and pulled her into a searing kiss. The crowd’s cheers grew deafening, but all Aurora could hear was the sound of her own heart breaking. Tears blurred her vision as she rose to her feet. She wanted to scream, to confront him, to demand an explanation. But as she stepped forward, she stumbled into someone’s chest—a solid, broad chest that smelled of cedarwood and danger. "Easy there," a deep, gravelly voice said. She looked up to find herself staring into piercing green eyes that seemed to see straight through her. It was Marcus. The rumors about him were as wild as the ocean waves outside—he was the notorious Mafia Alpha, a man who had supposedly killed his own mate in a fit of rage. He was the last person she wanted to draw attention from. “I-I’m sorry,” she stammered, stepping back quickly. Marcus’s gaze lingered on her for a moment before shifting to the scene behind her. His jaw tightened as he saw Malakai with the brunette, still locked in an embrace while the crowd hooted and whistled. “Is that your boyfriend?” Marcus asked, his voice laced with disdain. Aurora hesitated before nodding. Shame burned her cheeks, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet his eyes. Marcus exhaled sharply. “Pathetic,” he muttered, more to himself than to her. Before she could respond, the crowd’s attention shifted. Whispers began to spread, and Aurora realized they were now looking at her. “She’s his girlfriend?” someone sneered. “An omega? And wolfless?” another laughed. “She doesn’t even belong here. What a joke!” The mockery hit her like a physical blow. Her knees threatened to buckle, but she forced herself to stand tall. She turned back to Malakai, her voice trembling as she called out to him. "Malakai, what are you doing?" she asked, the words barely audible over the noise. He pulled away from the brunette and looked at her with annoyance. “What does it look like?” he replied casually. “You’re humiliating me,” she said, her voice breaking. Malakai laughed—a cold, cruel sound. “Humiliating you? Aurora, you’re an omega. You’ve been humiliating yourself since the day you were born. You’re nothing but wolfless trash.” The room erupted in laughter, and Aurora felt the walls closing in around her. The humiliation was unbearable, and her vision blurred with tears. She turned and fled, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she ran out onto the deck. The cool night air hit her like a slap, but it wasn’t enough to calm the storm raging inside her. She gripped the railing, her tears falling into the dark ocean below. “Why do you let him treat you like that?” Marcus’s voice came from behind her, startling her. She turned to see him standing a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his green eyes watching her intently. “What does it matter to you?” she snapped, her pain giving way to anger. Marcus stepped closer, “Because I don’t like seeing poor people get trampled on.” Aurora laughed bitterly. “That’s rich, coming from someone like you. Aren’t you the one who—” She stopped herself, realizing she was about to mention the rumors about his mate. Marcus’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, she thought he might lash out. But instead, he leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Believe what you want,” he said quietly. “But I know what it’s like to lose everything. To feel worthless. And I know that letting people treat you like dirt only makes it worse.” Aurora’s anger faltered. She didn’t know why, but something about his words felt genuine. “What do you want from me?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.