The Alpha's Bride

The next day was a blur for Marcy as she struggled to accept reality while cursing the day of returning home.

Luna Layla's tea parties, Nora taking Marcy places and trying to cheer her up while thinking that Marcy has difficulty adjusting to the life in the pack, Marcy coming up with excuses why she is not shifting into her wolf form, various faces, and fake smiles, it all blended into fuzzy nothingness.

The knowledge that she had a mate and lost him was like tasting the best delicacy and knowing it will forever be out of reach. But what were her options?

Marcy didn't reject George on a whim.

As much as Marcy is the princess of the Red Moon pack, in the last ten years, she experienced independence, met various people, and learned some things about life. She is not stupid.

Marcy is aware that her parents see her as a token that can be exchanged for climbing up the power ladder. They sent her to Europe to increase the mystery around Marcy's identity and to give her a label of a she-wolf who knows the ways of the world.

Just like any she-wolf, Marcy dreamed about meeting her other half and losing herself in his embrace.

The guy of her dreams was tall and muscular and his scorching gaze was directed at her. He would command thousands of werewolves during the day, and win fierce battles, while in the night he would make sure to tire her out in all positions of Kama Sutra.

George was tall and muscular, and his scorching gaze whispered promises of sleepless nights full of carnal pleasures. But he didn't have anyone to command because he was the one receiving orders.

Marcy concluded that something must be wrong with George. If he was healthy, he would definitely be part of some warrior unit and not an Omega on cleaning duty.

George would never get the approval of her parents.

Marcy mentally went through numerous scenarios and outcomes, depending on who her mate would be, and she knew that if her mate is not someone outstanding, the best outcome for both of them is to reject that bond before it solidifies.

Omega is someone without a title, without a position, without resources.

Marcy's parents would not accept him and if Marcy insisted on staying with him, they would either disown her, or they would punish him. Harshly. He might even lose his life.

Alpha Edward and Luna Layla would not approve of such union, because that would sully their family and ruin twenty years of investments they made in Marcy.

Marcy is the princess and it's her duty to ensure the prosperity of the pack, even if it means she needs to suffer. That sounds virtuous, but Marcy is aware how that is only a fa?ade created by her parents and other powerful individuals behind them. The truth is that they will use any means to grasp more, and it's never enough.

Losing a mate is devastating, and the longer two are together, the stronger is the bond. There are cases when one mate died and the other one followed soon after, due to heartbreak.

Rejecting George was the best decision, Marcy is confident about that.

The bond was still weak, and they will survive and move on.

Who knows? Maybe the Moon Goddess will give them second chance mates, or if they complete the mating process with someone else, any other crushes and bonds will disappear. Hopefully.

…

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...

It was early morning when Alpha Edward called Marcy into his study.

Other than her father, also present were Luna Layla, James (aka the brother), Beta Raymond, and Nora. Based on this lineup, Marcy knew that it's something important.

Panic swelled within her. Is it possible that they heard about her rejecting George?

Marcy told herself to calm down. Being rejected is a big shame, so George probably didn't share that with anyone, and she kept her lips sealed.

Or did someone saw them kissing in the garden? Even if that's the case, kissing is not a big deal. Marcy was already spinning a story in her head, how that was a dare or a bet.

"Sit, Marcy.", Alpha Edward commanded, and when she sat on the chair, he announced, "Alpha Damon of the Dark Howlers pack is coming to visit us tomorrow. He will be here in time for lunch."

Marcy didn't understand why that required her presence or why it sounded so official. It's just a guest, an Alpha. He will join them for lunch and maybe dinner, and spend the day with her father.

"The Dark Howlers pack is the largest pack in North America.", Luna Layla chimed in while looking at Marcy meaningfully.

Marcy nodded in acknowledgment. She knew this.

Marcy spent the last ten years in Europe, but she was aware of the major events among packs.

Alpha Damon made quite a reputation for himself as a fierce warrior, undefeated among Alphas. Other Alphas admire him, fear him, and despise him at the same time because Alpha Damon got his position very young, and he doesn't take anyone's shit.

The word is that Alpha Damon has a nasty temper.

Marcy could guess that her father hates Alpha Damon. It's nothing personal, but because of the Dark Howlers pack, the Red Moon pack is second, and her father hates being second. Sprinkling salt to his wounded ego is the fact that Alpha Damon is half of her father's age, so there is that.

Marcy wondered why her father was smiling, and his next few words answered Marcy's silent question, "He is coming to meet you and discuss with me the deal for you to become his Luna."

Marcy's word stopped. Deal to become his Luna. Luna? Like marriage, Luna?

And then things fell into place.

All the classes and training she took; her parents let her pick whatever she wanted as long as she takes etiquette lessons as well as various classes that are related to house and budget management. It all pointed out to the possibility of her parents grooming Marcy to be the lady of the house, a big house. Probably a Luna.

Marcy understood that her parents are working on this for some time. Maybe from the day she was born.

When Marcy returned, the first thing her father asked was if she is mated, probably to eliminate any potential problems.

Marcy shook her head inwardly while thinking how it's a good thing she didn't tell anyone about George, and she hoped that he kept his mouth shut about them being mates because if that reaches her parent's ears, George will be in trouble.

Marcy looked at her parents. From the beginning, they were preparing her for this, and she knew that the probability of an arranged marriage was high. However, Marcy hoped that it will be more on the lines of them meeting and getting to know each other before they discuss marriage, and not this… business transaction.

Marcy glanced at Nora, and she wondered if Nora knew about this in advance. Does it matter? It won't change anything.

"What do you say, Marcy?", Luna Layla asked excitedly.

Marcy grit her teeth. What kind of a stupid question was that? Does she have a choice to oppose?

"I am still taking in this information.", Marcy responded ambiguously.

"You have until tomorrow noon to take it in and adjust your attitude.", Alpha Edward said, and only then Marcy noticed that his expression darkened. "A lot of things depend on this marriage, so you better leave a good impression."

Marcy responded with a tight smile.

How could she forget that her father did everything for his own gain? He probably sees Alpha Damon as a youngster that can easily be manipulated. It would be stupid to think that this was ever about Marcy.

"Yes, father.", was the only thing Marcy could say. "If you excuse me…"

Luna Layla gave eye signals to Nora to follow after Marcy. From the day Marcy returned, Nora's duty was to ensure Marcy doesn't do anything stupid.

This is a crucial time for Marcy, and they needed Marcy to accept her reality and stay composed. That's what they raised her for.

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