A BRIDE FOR ALPHA AXTON

                         Kayla

I whistled gleefully as I scattered my whole wardrobe in search of a perfect dress.

Yes…

My boyfriend just called me a few minutes ago, telling me to dress up and come meet him at the five star hotel where he first took me on a date.

“Easy, my lady.” Lina, my maid and closest friend pleaded for the fifth time, when I almost tripped.

She had been my maid since I was five, after I lost my mother who was my best friend at the age of eight, Lina took over from her, and she did try her best not to make me feel the big mole my mother left in my heart.

“Come on, Lina, no one would be in my shoes and not be so happy.”

“I know,” Lina murmured. “But you can't go meet master Raven with a broken ankle.”

I chuckled softly, then dropped the long blue dress in my hand and moved over to her and slung my arm around her shoulder.

“You are scared my father would hold you responsible for it if something happens to me?”

She gave a slight nod.

I chuckled. “You never cease to amaze me, Lila. Why on earth are you scared? You've been in this mansion for decades now, you know more than anyone else that my father acts all sweet around me only for the show. We both know he prefers my stepsister, Vesper, to me.”

“Yes, I know, my lady. However–”

“Don't worry,” I cut her off. “Nothing would happen to me.”

“Only if you quit jumping up and now, my lady.” She insisted. She folded her hands beneath her breasts and cast a look.”

“Fine, but that's only if I get dressed quickly and join Raven at the hotel. Oh my God, I can't believe he's going to propose already. I mean it's just six months since we started dating.”

“You sound so sure of that my lady, what if he called for something different–”

“Something like what, Lina?” I asked, my face dropped in a slight frown.

“Like your sixth month's anniversary.” She replied with a smug smile on her face.

I shook my head. “We still have six more days until then, and besides, Raven wouldn't tell me to dress up in my best clothes if he wasn't planning to propose to me.” I dropped my hand from her shoulder and moved back to the blue dress which laid down on my bed.

“I will go with this one, it's quite simple though.” I murmured while looking at the plain dress, but it's Raven's favorite, so I'm going to go there dressed in it.”

“Then let's get you dressed, you are running late already.” Lina said just before she grabbed me by the arm and started to help me get dressed.

Thirty minutes later, and I was on my way to the hotel.

I refused to use my car despite Lina's pleas. “It’s not like anyone would kidnap me, and also, if I am coming back, I would be together with Raven so you have nothing to fear.”

She flashed me a worried look but said nothing more, and allowed me to have my way. Well, it wasn't like she could stop me.

As long as I made up my mind, no one, not even my father, the Alpha of Crestmoon pack could stop me.

I was so happy, very super excited that I found it hard to sit down without shaking my body.

‘For wolves sake, Kayla, can you stop turning from left to right?’ my wolf, Lara screamed in my head. ‘An innocent wolf is about to pass out from dizziness.’

I rolled my eyes like she could see me. ‘How about you just shut up and sleep like you've always done, I'm about to get proposed to, I don't want you to get me pissed off on such a joyous day.’

Lara snorted. ‘Dream on dear Kayla, are you blind or you are just pretending to be ignorant? Can't you see that jerk is just playing you?’

I sighed. ‘He’s not Lara, just because you don't like him means he's a cheat. Now, can you please go to sleep.’

Lara harrumphed. ‘Nice to hear you behave politely for once.’

I exhaled softly when I heard no sound from her again. I had no idea why, but Lara had never for once taken a liking to Raven.

More often than not, she took control over my body and attacked Raven.

I knew I was never to be in disagreement with my wolf, but I just couldn't help it, I loved Raven, a lot.

The car screeched to a stop, cutting through my chains of thoughts. “We are here.” The car driver announced.

Stretching forth my hand, I handed him some dollar bills, then I opened the car door and stepped out of the car.

The evening cool air breezed through my hair, scattering strands of my hair all-over my face. 

I groaned. Whatever made me forget my hair band at home.

Cheers and loud laughter coming from inside the hotel reminded me Raven was waiting for me.

In the midst of my excitement, I forgot to bring my phone. But I wasn't bothered, since I knew exactly where to go.

Inhaling deeply, I started up the stairs and went inside. The first thing my eyes caught was the red carpet rolled out with beautiful roses scattered beside it.

Nervousness was beginning to eat at my body. This is it, I was certain now.

Raven was going to propose to me.

I continued walking, taking a turn to my right, my excitement doubled, bright candles was lit on the sideway.

It felt like it was guiding me on the path to take.

What a great relief I did not bring my phone with me, I wouldn't have experienced all these, or maybe I would, because Raven would surely tell me…

‘You know where to find me darling.’ 

A soft sigh slipped through my lips. 

As I approached closer and closer, my heartbeat doubled and my heart raced faster.

However, the sight I saw happening just a few meters away from where I stood forced me to stop on my tracks.

W-what was happening?

Why was Raven kneeling before my stepsister? And why was he holding a ring box while smiling at her?

That was supposed to be me.

It was clear as crystal that Raven was proposing, however, I refused to believe, I did not want to believe my eyes, not until I heard him say the same words which he said to me the night he asked me to be his girlfriend…

“My dearest, from the moment I met you, I knew you would be the one to change my life. Your laughter is my favorite sound, your smile my favorite sight. You are the missing piece I didn't know I needed.”

My hands flew to my mouth as a painful gasp slipped through my opened mouth.

“Will you be mine?” I heard Raven ask Vesper.

My eyes trailed from the ring box Raven was holding to Vesper's smiling face, then to Raven.

I wanted to scream, to yell on top of my voice asking him why he had to hurt me, but I couldn't. I felt tongue tied.

My head started to spin. I felt like I've been doused in ice water. Anger, pain and humiliation pumped through my veins.

I was so sure, so certain Raven was going to get down on one knee for me.

So I had hoped.

A heartbroken smile spread across my face as I watched Raven slip the ring on Vesper's finger.

The look of adoration on Raven's face, the way Vesper held and kissed him, the joyous laughter coming from the onlookers, the yell of congratulations…all of it blurred into a cacophony of intense pain, it was too much for me to bear.

I turned and fled, crying all the way out of the hotel.

It felt like I had been punched right in the guts.

Hailing a cab, I said. “Take me to any nearby bar.” 

Without waiting for his reply, I hopped into the car. “Drive.” 

All through the ride, all I could do was sob. The cab driver kept glancing at me, but I ignored him.

He was the least of my problems, he could watch me for as long as he wanted.

On arriving at the bar, I went straight to the bartender island, pulling out a stool, I sat down. “A glass of whiskey and vodka.” I muttered in a small voice.

The bartender cast me a scornful look. “You don't look much of a drinker, why not request for a mocktail instead?” 

I glared at him. “Do you want to get your head smashed, or are you going to serve my drinks?”

“Woah, easy there little wolf. I was just kidding.”

“Well, you clearly suck at it.” I snapped and wrenched my glass of alcohol from him.

“More.” I rasped after emptying my tenth glass. I really wasn't much of a drinker and at that point, I was on the verge of losing consciousness but I still won't stop, not until I die.

“But–” 

“Don’t piss me off more than you've done, fill my glass this instant.”

He hesitated, but grabbed my glasses and did as he was told.

I suddenly felt the strong urge to puke, and a sudden dizziness hit me.

Clutching at my head, I fought to suppress a groan as the room spun around me.

“Here is your drinks.” I heard the bartender say.

I stretched my hand to collect it, but my hand felt as light as a feather…