Page 4 of Alpha Bride

"We've discussed a solution," Callum finally says. "Marian and I have spoken at length about the need for a union between our people. A witch and shifter alliance to build trust and stop these attacks." He looks at me, a silent plea for understanding, as I simply fold my arms and glare at him.

"You've spoken?" I snap, anger clouding my judgment. "Without consulting me? When did this happen?"

Marian clears her throat softly, and I turn to glare at her. Her face is carefully neutral, but a glint in her eyes tells me she already knows she's won this round. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm within me. This isn’t helping anyone. My pack, our sanctuary, our safety—it’s all being threatened by politics and lies. And here we are, arguing about who gets to decide what happens next.

“Don’t fret, Alpha,” she chides lightly. “If you hadn’t arrived late, you’d probably have been involved in our little chat. Poor Aiden was too busy playing host, so he missed it, too.”

"I—" Aiden begins, his fury evident, but Callum cuts him off.

“Marian,” he growls in warning. “We’re not playing games. If you genuinely want a union, stop pissing everyone off.”

The high priestess seems to consider her position for a moment before brushing it off with a wave of her hand, a small action that still dazzles with magic from her fingertips.

“Fair enough,” she laughs. “Wolves are so easy to piss off, though. It’s rather your default.”

I roll my eyes, and as I do, I turn toward the crowd and instantly find Emily again. She looks about as happy as I feel, and I can’t help wondering what about all this has her riled up. She’s a witch; they live for this chaos and drama.

Callum takes a deep breath before turning to Aiden and me. I feel my wolf bristle, but force myself to remain calm and hear him out. “Don’t think for a second I agree with everything Marian suggests,” he starts. “Or her take on the integration of witches. Therehasbeen a lot of progress there, even if she doesn’t want to admit it. But there is also lingering tension. I agree a union would help. It is our way, and it’s worked for millennia; I don’t see why it won’t help here.”

I scoff, “Have you heard yourself? Can you even imagine what Ralph would say about this stupid plan?” I snap.

Aiden laughs. “All the more reason to do it, though, right?”

I turn and glare at Aiden, all thoughts of his growth as an alpha evaporating when I consider that he’s so led by his dick that he’d support the union just to bed more witches. I shake my head at him, not even bothering to reply.

Marian sighs dramatically. “I know that some of you,” she begins, staring at me pointedly, “cannot look past your prejudice. So to make it easier on your small, closed minds,we’re offering a very palatable choice. One of our sisters comes from an illustrious line in our coven and is blessed with excellent magical knowledge, but no practical magic of her own…so as not to scare the wolves.”

Marian continues talking, but the blood begins to race in my ears, and a sinking realization begins to dawn.

“Emily,” Marian calls out, “will you step forward, dear?”

Emily freezes, her gaze snapping to mine as the crowd parts slightly. I feel like someone has punched me in the gut as she takes slow steps forward, clad in a dark blue dress that clings to her curves and makes my mouth water. Even Ava looks shocked, and I look at Callum, his expression telling me instantly that he didn’t know Marian was going to choose Emily, though it makes sense in some ways—she’s been traveling between the packs, helping with the rune placement. Her specialty, apparently, though I assumed that was bewitching spells.

Time seems to stand still until Marian claps her hands. “So, any takers? Betas or alphas only, please, don’t insult the witches any more than you already have.”

I look at Marian, exasperated. I quite often think the high priestess is insane. Now I’m sure of it. She claims to love all hersisters, yet she’s practically throwing Emily away with glee. Something doesn’t add up, and I can barely think straight.

“This isn’t a damn auction, Marian,” Callum snaps.

My wolf is going crazy, growling and snapping, ready to rip Marian’s head off. The thought of Emily bewitching another wolf the way she did me in the forest is filling my veins with rage.

Aiden nods, his face serious. “Quite. The plan is solid. Let’s adjourn and discuss who will be considered properly. We each have several betas who wo—”

“I’ll do it,” I grind out, loud and clear.

The clearing falls silent except for one very feminine voice from the crowd.

“The hell you will,” Emily states, walking away with her head held high.

Chapter 2 - Emily

The crowd suddenly seems endless as I wade my way through it. Even though I know there are fewer than a hundred people here, it feels like thousands. Their stares feel like a thousand pinpricks attacking my skin as I push through toward the trucks and a couple of pop-up tents, hoping to find some peace away from the awe and drama so I can think clearly.

I’m dimly aware of someone following me, and I hope it’s not Tristen or Marian—I don’t even want to look at either of them right now.

Should I be surprised that Marian would throw me under the bus like this? Probably not. Like most witches, she values magic above all else. Her close personal ties to my mother before she died and my knowledge of the runes keep me somewhat in her favor, but it’s never been enough to shield me from her overall disappointment completely. She probably thinks I’m finally living up to my potential by helping the coven.

By becoming a mate to a shifter.

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