Page 31 of Forced Alpha Bride
“Neither did I,” I answer with a sarcastic chuckle. “But here we are.”
“How did you guys survive out there? I heard it was one of the worst storms in recent history.”
“I found the cabin—well, Damon did,” I explain. “I got lost and… well. I almost died. If Damon hadn’t found me, I would have.”
“Oh.” Krista looks at me with wide eyes. “That’s… well. It’s actually kind of romantic.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snap. “He just needs me for the ceremony. He doesn’t care about me.”
“And how do you feel, Winnie?” Krista asks.
I look away, gulping down my shame. “He’s hot,” I admit. “Any girl would have to admit he’s nice to look at. He’s an absolute jerk, though.”
“Most girls definitely do agree,” Krista says, brushing my hair. “He’s got a reputation for one-night stands. There are broken hearts littered all around town.”
“Well, that’s just great,” I say tartly.
Isla comes in with a dress for me, a soft wool gown in deep forest green. We have to ask Logan to take off the ropesfor a minute so I can get dressed, then bind me again so he can report to Damon that his orders were followed.
“Are you sure you want to do this, Winnie?” Krista whispers as we leave the suite.
“No, I don’t want to,” I answer. “But I have no choice.”
We go to the main hall just beyond the foyer. Elders and first families are gathered, and the mood is somber.
More like a funeral than a wedding.
Damon is waiting at the head of the room, wearing fitted slacks and a collared shirt. It’s almost like a façade of civility, a camouflage that does very little to conceal the wild, feral beast he actually is.
When he reaches for my hands, his warmth sends a shiver through me, and my knees buckle a little. He keeps his eyes on mine as he takes the ropes off, and I can’t look away from him.
Mesmerized… like a little bird about to be munched by a snake.
I barely notice the elders performing the rite and murmur my responses at their prompting without much thought. My fear and arousal have faded, leaving me completely numb. Like I’ve survived a car crash and am still not sure if I’m alive or dead.
When we turn to face the crowd, I see Galen and Clara walking towards us with the first families. I’m so relieved, it knocks the breath out of my lungs, and I rush over to hug them.
“Are you alright, sweetie?” Clara whispers. “I didn’t like seeing those ropes on you.”
I blink back tears, biting my lip so emotion doesn’t take me over. “It’s okay. I signed the contract, and I shouldn’t have run away. He did what he had to do.”
“Don’t make excuses for him,” Galen growls. “Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here.”
“No,” I whisper, flicking my eyes over to Damon and his guards. “Not here, not now. He’s too powerful, especially now that he’s wedded to me.”
Galen struggles with himself for a second, looking over at Damon with a tense expression. “I don’t like this, Winnie. He’s not a nice guy.”
“So I keep hearing,” I shoot back. “And it’s getting worse the longer I’m around him. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt, though.”
“I don’t wantyouto get hurt!” Galen says.
I sigh, looking away. “He can’t hurt me—not really. It will threaten his position if he harms the luna. He’s bound by the same laws as any other wolf.”
“Okay,” Clara says, squeezing my hand. “I understand, but you get word to me the moment you don’t feel safe.”
I don’t feel safe now!
“I will,” I answer.
