*****I saw 50 reads on my book and I flipped! Thank you for encouraging me! Here's another chapter!! ❤️❤️
Xavier along with Edward arrived at the temple to see it crowded with people both on the inside and out, and their sight made Xavier grunt in displeasure.
Once out of the carriage, they made their way into the temple, which now had a narrow pathway that led to the altar. The wedding planners had readjusted the sitting pattern to accommodate the crowd of people expected and it still wasn’t enough, despite it being an unexpected wedding.
Yes, a royal wedding no matter how sudden has always seen much crowd, but he thought his would be different. He knew almost everyone present at the temple hated him and he hated every one of them right back. They knew of his feelings towards them, so he didn’t understand why they were still so many.
Perhaps they came to see his to-be bride. She was fair, kind, beautiful, and loved, and they came to see the monster in the body of the alpha king whom she was about to marry.
“You need to smile!” Edward whisper-yelled to him from behind while they approach the first row seat in the temple.
“I will snap your scrawny little neck if you as much as think you can tell me what to do on my wedding day.” he bit out harshly.
Edward heed his warning and remained silent. They made their way over to stand before the altar of the temple where the priest officiating the wedding stood in a grey robe with a purple cloak on it.
Just as they came to the altar, a mild trumpet sound went off, announcing the emergence of the bride in the temple, and a joyous cheer went through the crowd.
Xavier never felt nervous about anything in his life, but here and now, hearing the crowd cheer while he awaited his to-be wife, he could feel the tingle of excitement running through him. And along with the excitement, was his nervousness.
The bride came to stand beside him, adorned in a gold robe matching the one he wore and a veil shielding her face.
Ariel from today would become his fair and beautiful bride and queen of the kingdom. He hated the whole idea of matchmaking, but with the turn of things, it hadn’t been that bad yet.
He wasn’t considering changing his ways and becoming a new person, but perhaps he would get a wife he wouldn’t think about killing off so soon.
The priest cleared his throat and Xavier snapped out of his thought to keep his attention on the middle-aged man.
“Before the moon goddess and the people of this great kingdom we gather to join these two in holy matrimony of becoming husband and wife.” the priest’s loud voice echoed through the temple and Xavier mentally countdown to the time he would stop speaking.
Xavier glanced at his rather quiet bride, whose face hid behind them, and he felt a sense of happiness. A fair and submissive woman would be the answer to his prayers if he ever took the time to pray.
After reading out the portion dedicated to marital relationships in the holy books, the young temple boy presents the golden bracelets that signify the matrimonial union to the priest who takes it and continues.
“Do you swear to take this woman before you to be your wife and queen from this day and forever?”
“Yes, I swear,” Xavier answered, and picked the bracelet from the palm of the priest. He took his bride’s rather cold right hand and wore the bracelet on it.
The priest turned to the bride. “Do you swear to take this man before you to be your husband, your alpha and your King?”
“Yes.” she nodded, her voice small.
Her soft and fragile hands took hold of Xavier’s and the feel of them got him thinking about what they could do and how much pleasure they would bring him. She placed the bracelet around his wrist and thunderous applauds and cheer went through the congregation seated, celebrating their union and it took a while for it to die down.
“By the power vested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may now unveil and kiss your bride.” He instructed.
Xavier’s hands came up, and he took the veil off his newly wedded wife’s face and he leans in to kiss her and everyone awaited the action. He stopped and pulled away when he realised that the face behind the veil wasn’t the face he expected. This face wasn’t fair, nor was it beautiful. It was an ugly face.
Sure, he was never acquainted with Ariel, but he had seen her face a few times to know what she looked like. Ariel was fair, enchanting and beautiful and the ugly one next to him was the opposite.
His eyes narrowed for a second and when the realisation dawned on him, he stumbled back from her. With eyes filled with many emotions, he turned around to the eight elders of the council of alphas seated on the front roll of the temple and he silently demanded an explanation.
The crowd who had watched his every move so far gasped out in horror at seeing his blazing red eyes.
Edward steps up towards the altar where Xavier stood, ignoring the daggers his brother sent his way, and spoke with a subtle voice. “If you cause a scene. You will go down in history as the alpha king who was a joke!” though the eyes of the alpha blaze with fury, he grits his teeth and calmed himself.
Xavier hated to admit it, but Edward had a point. Losing it here and now and snapping the manipulative little throats of the elders and that of the ugly bride behind him would be the end of him. And so he walked away from the altar and into the inner court of the temple.
The eight elders which made up the council of alphas, along with Edward and Xavier stood at the inner court of the temple watching in silence as Xavier paces around, his hand running through his hair.
“Speak and explain to me what the hell happened back there! Why did I just marry that ugly maiden in place of my chosen bride, Ariel? Tell me why I’m now bonded in holy matrimony with someone different from the bride the council of elders chose yesterday?” he exploded, his eyes beaming bloody red as they darted between the elders.
Xavier’s anger terrified everyone, and at this moment, that was exactly what he wanted. Together the council of Alpha’s could set their mind in one accord and place the elder’s curse on him if he posed a threat to them, but he was certain that the rage coursing through him could give him the strength to rip their hearts out before they utter the first chant.
“Was this the plan all along? To mock me and make me out like a fool before the people of this kingdom? Speak or I shall rip out every one of your hearts and face the consequences!” he roared like a wounded beast.
“Alpha King, you need to remain calm!” Koz, an alpha of the council, spoke up, stepping forward toward Xavier.
“Be calm?” He chuckled amidst his fury. “Are you fucking kidding me right now? I just wedded and was about to kiss the wrong bride, an ugly bride, at that and you ask me to be fucking calm? I should have your heads!!” he surged forward, launching his long and sharp claws out to drive them through Koz’s chest.
Edward, being the only one who could stop his brother, dashed forward and stood as a shield before Koz and Xavier’s claws drove into his chest instead, piercing past his robe and the first layer of skin. He gasped out and his hand grip onto Xavier’s, stopping him before it could meet his ribcage.
Xavier realised what just happened, and he withdrew his claws from Edward and his hand dropped to his side.
Edward stumbled back a few steps but regained himself and Xavier turned away and in rage flipped over the reading table at the centre of the inner court with a few books and papers on it.
After a long moment of silence, Xavier turned back to Edward. “Did you know about this?” pain appeared in his eyes but disappeared almost immediately.
“I did not, but what’s done is done and we need to figure out the next step.”
“My King, nothing which has happened today was supposed to make you look like a fool,” Chike who had brought the scroll to him yesterday step forward towards him with boldness.
“Your chosen bride was Ariel of the house Asika, but due to some unfortunate forces yet unknown, she died in her sleep last night. As the custom demands, the younger sister takes the place of the chosen bride if there’s a tragic event such as death before her marriage and the same goes for the groom as well.” the other alphas behind nodded in agreement and Xavier’s fist clenched.
Chike continued. “This is the custom and we cannot change it, not even for you, my king. The bond’s already made and it can never be broken until death. If you still wish to put her away, then you will have to step down as alpha king.”
Unlike the ritual of most newlyweds in the kingdom, the Alpha king did not ride on the same carriage with his queen.Mia knew he still felt the resentment of being married to someone different. She’d seen the look on his face all the times he had glanced at her during the marriage ceremony earlier. Or perhaps his withdrawal could be because she wasn’t as fair or beautiful as he had expected... She wasn’t beautiful at all.It had been a long day and the worse day of Mia’s life. It had started with her losing her sister, her biggest supporter, and then losing her freedom.Flashback***“What happened to Ariel? Where is she?”“She’s dead, Mia, Ariel is dead.”Her heart sank, overwhelmed with pain at his word, and a raspy cry of agony left her mouth, already knowing the fate that awaited her but not wanting to believe it.
Thank you so much for hundred reads!! Hurray!! 🎉🎉🎉Mia felt the alpha King’s intent gaze on her as she moved her hand to the small hand of the white gown she had on. She shook from fear from the inside out because not only was he much older, he also terrified her.He was obviously hoping to see what was underneath the garment, though, but the look on his face already said he wouldn’t be impressed either way.She didn’t have the body that would blow anyone away. She wasn’t the right height or shape and she hadn’t felt insecure about it in a long time, but now, standing so vulnerable, she did.Getting married was never on her agenda, not since she turned fourteen, freedom and knowledge was. She remembered the first time she shared her dreams of travelling to the other side of the world to get an education with Ariel, and how her sister felt happy for her and su
Xavier ran his hand over Mia’s legs before letting it sink into her skin, and she shivered at his touch, whimpering in silence. This was even harder than he thought it would be. He’d had to force himself into her room after a few drinks because, according to the customary rites, they had to consummate their union on their wedding night for it to be valid. Yet, he couldn’t make his cock come alive and do the simple job. The fucking thing had a mind of its own. Perhaps it didn’t. Perhaps his cock was responding to how he felt. He didn’t want to touch her or hold her. She wasn’t his taste or class; she was the opposite of what he normally longed for in a woman. He had always picked them beautiful and fair until he met Zara, who was everything he wanted and he had cleaved to her ever since. He thought by thinking about Zara, his lover, and by replaying the images of her in his head, he’d be able to get into the moment. How wrong he was.
The chilled breeze blowing through the window brushed over Mia’s face, and her lashes fluttered to see the dawn of the day. She moaned and turned her head to the side, getting acquainted with her territory. The light illuminating her room got her better acquainted with everything in it. This was her chambers, where she’d stay unless needed and beckoned on by the king. At the thought of him, she felt a little tightening in her chest and she dragged herself to sit up in bed. Last night wasn’t a wedding night, at least it wasn’t a blissful wedding night. It was filled with heartbreak, but in the end, she fell into an ocean of confusion. Her husband had left a few marks on her skin with his claws, his teeth, his fondles, his grip. His touch was unloving and forced. He had moved to take every bit of what was his, only to change his mind without saying why. The voices in Mia’s head told her why, and it was the reason she’d known for a while now. She
Mia had since stopped crying and had got better control of her emotions, which were previously all over the place. After she returned to the living room, Lydia moved to bring her homemade remedies for her red and puffy eyes and they did magic after she used them. A knock came on the door while Lydia helped her put on the scarlet robe. She let go of the robe and headed to the door while Mia finished with the buttons of its sleeve before turning around to see who it was. “Good morning, my queen.” the tall king’s guard with dirty blonde hair and brown eyes stepped in and bowed his head. “Good morning to you, too. What can I do for you?” she asked with her tone polite. “The alpha king has summoned you to his chambers.” She felt a jolt of panic in her stomach at the words of the guard. Her eyes, however calm as she asked. “Whatever for?” “He didn’t disclose, my queen.” She nodded her head, permitting hi
“I didn’t think you would make it,” Jobe said, gratitude in his pale blue eyes as he stepped up towards Mia, pulling her into his arms for a comforting hug. “I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I missed it.” She didn’t think the alpha king would grant her permission to leave after she got words from her father informing her that the family would hold last rites before cremation tonight. She ran into Edward, the crowned Prince, on her way back from the garden where she had received the news. He saw the torn look on her face and pressed her until she opened up. She told him about her need to be at her sister’s funeral in the evening. After spending less than ten minutes with the alpha King, he returned and informed her she had his permission to leave. Edward then offered to come along as a representative of his brother, the alpha king, who had his hands filled with royal duties, and she couldn’t say no. Although he had helped her, she didn’t trust him; he
A week later, Xavier’s eyes opened in bed, his arms still wrapped around Zara whom he had fallen asleep with last night. Her messed up blonde hair fell onto her back and a few on his hands. A smile came into his face as he heard her mumbling something to herself and his hand came up to stroke her face tenderly. This made her squirm and turn around and as she does this, her eyes fluttered and those amazing orbs of hers met his. “My king.” she breathed and a small smile came into her face. “My love,” he replied, leaning in and kissing her soft lips. She sighed and kissed back, her hands wrapping around him and pulling him closer. Her hand slid underneath the bedsheets and she found his shaft throbbing and stretching, getting turned on already. She grinned mischievously at him before pulling him towards her. She eased up to guide him inside. They share a passionate kiss as they collapsed from the heights. A few minutes pas
A month later, "Are you looking forward to the wedding banquet tonight?" Lydia asked, handing over the white cotton towel to Mia as soon as she stepped out of the bathtub. "What banquet?" Mai asked, taken aback by her question as she wrapped the towel around her body. They stepped into the bedroom together. "Your wedding banquet. To celebrate your union with the alpha king. For ordinary citizens in the kingdoms, wedding banquets are a week after their marriage, but for noble-born kings and queens, it's different. They get to enjoy a month of marital bliss also known as the honeymoon and after that the banquet takes place." she explained, clarifying the queen's confusion. There were a lot of things Mia didn't know, many things she didn't place her heart to know. This was one of them. She never thought she'd settle in the kingdom much less to the king and so she never sort to educate herself in the affairs of marriage. Part of the blame was on her for never considering other opportu