Mated To My Mafia Alpha Stepbrother

The cold Sunday morning gave me chills as the cold floor felt sore on my feet, my eyes were drained of life, I could tell, I walked to the room of the sisters to ask about the meal for the other kids when I overheard their whispers “She is old enough, why won’t she leave?” One sister spoke in a low tone, one I could still comprehend. “Let’s not discuss this, the Velcrose are hosting a feast and ask that the children be there” the head sister said, I could hear footsteps approach the door, I hurriedly walked away trying not to give off signs that I was there. I didn’t want to be punished, not again. I went to the room where the other children sat, awaiting me “Sister Ariel , when can we have some food” young Claudia asked with her pouting lips “Soon, soon, the sisters were just having an important meeting, I couldn’t interrupt” I answered patting her head “But they’re done now, we can ask them for a meal” I answered holding up a smile. I looked forward to the children’s happy faces that I rarely see. Soon after a while, the young ones got some food and I remembered that I needed to sell some of the wares to support the orphanage. I took them out and went into the town market. “To all inhabitants of Storia, there is an announcement, for all the young maidens of this kingdom” the man in the long black jacket said holding a paper in hand “The Velcrose house is holding a special competition for those who want to alleviate themselves in the eyes of one of the most powerful families in Storia, come and showcase your prowess” he continued, handing little slips to young girls. I looked at the wares and decided that I would go to the Velcrose home, I summoned up courage and collected the paper, my eyes gleamed, I wanted to do something better for the children at the orphanage and this would do. After I returned, I noticed the whole house was silent, awfully silent, where were the other kids? I said to myself “No one is coming to adopt them” I heard from the door close to the entrance, why were they so bent on giving them away “I think it’s best that we don’t conclude” another nun said, I understood the situation quite plainly, we weren’t wanted, either in the orphanage or outside. I held my tears as I knocked on their door, handing them the money later on “This is all I could gather from selling the wares” I said handing them some coins in my hand trying not to show my grief. When night fell, I took to my bed, looking at the little paper I was given at the town square, “I’m doing this for my family” I said putting the paper below my pillow as my eyes had begun to shut. The next morning, I decided to seep out of the house with a few belongings after writing a little note, how best I could explaining to my little siblings that I would be fine and back for them as soon as I win. I truly don’t know what had given me the courage that I could win, yet I wanted to try so bad. On reaching the Velcrose home, the doors were quite opened for all guests and I could see the maidens follow suite in a line, I quickly followed behind but it would be obvious that I was not prim and perfect, looking at their full gowns and beautifully styled hair, I clutched my bag tighter from anxiety. Soon we were in a large space filled only with what looked like the family members. Then our bewildered hearts and minds were interrupted by a deep calm voice “I welcome all the young maidens who thought it wise to come for the contest” he said as others had begun to clap, soon I had chills down by spine, a feeling telling me that i didn’t want to be here anymore. I had noticed that the girls who had failed were carried to the back, although it felt I didn’t belong here, I still didn’t want to fail. We were all told to do something we felt would be entertaining and channeling, I hadn’t thought of anything else than singing. I fidgeted where I stood, I clasped my hands and I had begun to sing, I calmly closed my eyes and let my chords work. Soon enough, the only thing I could hear was my voice while I sang, I felt the melody, which was suprising even for me. Everywhere had become silent and immediately after I stopped, the crowd stared blankly at me in awe “That was marvelous” I heard him say, it was Elliot Velcrose “I’ve never heard a melody so calm, it put a dragon to rest” he continued “We have a winner” he said as the crowd cheered. I was puzzled, I really didn’t understand since everywhere was dark except the stage, I smiled as a servant brought me down and kept me in a room “When will I receive the reward?” I asked “Soon mi lady” she answered calmly and there was a knock on the door, the person let himself in “Leave us” he said, his voice as gentle as a leaf on the water, “You are quite beautiful, I must say, miss..” “Ariel ” I said smiling at him as he came closer to observe, maybe I would now be married to a Velcrose, who knows and be able to help my siblings at the orphanage, I thought to myself “Welcome to the Velcrose home Ariel , you are now my sister, Ariel Velcrose” he said catching me off guard, his sister , why and how, “I am Damien by the way” he said introducing himself “I need to go back home, when am I getting the reward?” I asked again “This is your home now, I’ll let father brief you on the details later” Damien said smiling “For now, the maids will take care of you so you can join us downstairs” he said smiling closing the door as he left. I found myself rushing to the door, what did he mean? I kept banging on it, I didn’t want to be here, now my siblings back at home may suffer without my care, my eyes had become teary, what can I I could feel my eyes become filled with tears until I heard someone open the door “My Lady, I am here to prepare you” she said smiling, I felt unsteady, I pushed her, trying to make my way out when I hit Damien in my attempt to escape “This your home Ariel , you can’t go else where” he said as he held my hand gently leading to the room I once ran away from with the intention of fleeing back to the orphanage. I didn’t what came over as Damien’s skin touched mine as his hand clasped mine, it felt warm, it gave me a feeling of specialty, I followed him without complaining, it may not be so bad here, I thought to myself as the maid gently worked in my hair and arranged a set of dresses for me, just for me to be inaugurated as the Velcrose new daughter, soon enough I would be briefed by Mr Elliot because what had made him choose me. Soon I was ready and Damien was at the door, his warm dark brown eyes watching me as he put his hand out for me to hold “You look stunning Ariel ” he whispered, my ear felt his lips, it sent a shiver down my spine “Thank..you” I said smiling bending my head low. We had walked closer to the podium and I was announced the winner and all contestants should go home, Me Elliot smiled at me, holding my fragile hands, “Welcome to your new home Ariel ” he said, his deep voice having warmth in it. For some reason, their words were quite charming, I had almost forgotten about the orphanage completely. “My Lord” I said as my voice was shaky “I am from a lowly orphanage, I came here so I could provide even if it’s little for my siblings back home with the reward” I continued trying my best to be sober from the tears “Well then, I will send food and other supplies to them, now this is your new home” Mr Velcrose said smiling at me. I wasn’t quite sure what they saw in me, it suprised me “Don’t be scared, we won’t hurt you” Damien’s voice said from behind as he held me close, his body had some sort of warmth, his scent filling my lungs, my eyes charmed and lost in his gaze. “Just hold my hand, you’ll be fine” he continued as my eyes watched him, my hands clasped into his, his eyes gleaming. I couldn’t resist, I held on to his hand as he followed me into their grand home. I had never seen such beauty in all my life, my face could show it, I was in awe “Ariel , you might want to tread carefully with your mouths closed” Damien said smiling at me, my face flushed red. I bowed a little and followed him into a beautiful room “This is your room, do make yourself at home, it’s your home now” Damien said gesturing that I explore “Who do I share the bed with?” I asked touching the fluffy bed “It’s fully yours, this and everything in it” he answered smiling, his smile was so precious “Really? It’s all mine” I said ecstatic “Yes, Ariel ” he answered “I’ll leave you to rest but do get ready for dinner, it’ll be soon” he said closing the door, I walked round the huge room, this felt bewildering and untrue to me, I don’t deserve this, I said to myself. After changing from the dress, I finally made my way to the fluffy bed, the cozy feeling of such luxury “Is this what the nobles feel?” I said smiling.