Chapter 1

Lia:

I walked down the aisle, by myself, looking at the man who was to be my husband in the next few minutes.

His parents stood, smiling at me, clapping their hands along with the guests, believing that I was his mate. The lie that the two of us have put up to ensure that no one suspected why we were getting married. His best friend, Armando, the one person who knew of our actual plan, stood as his best man, looking at me with the best smile that he could muster.

Our marriage was nothing but a deal, one for power, and one for revenge. A plan that was written on paper, or in other words, a contract.

He was to get the power that he wanted, guaranteeing him being ‘The Alpha of Alphas’ and I, the revenge that I have been living, waiting, and counting the years to take.

Alpha Killian, the man who has killed my parents, stood among the guests, smiling as he clapped his hands along with them. Having miraculously escaped that night, the Lycan did not know of my existence, at least, not until he saw me as Alpha Ezra’s mate. 

The man was still unaware of my relationship to the family. All he knew was that his rival, and partner, had found his mate and was choosing to marry her as a public figure of his businesses.

The Capo dei Capi or as the press saw him ‘the businessman’ was to be my husband, and I, his loyal wife and beauty, the love of his life, and the light of his day. 

The two of us have been building this, plotting, and planning for months, and now, we both knew that it was time to take action. The Lycan was to see his hands on our hands, and his days were now to be calculated.

I smiled as I reached the Alpha. And taking my hand in his, he pulled me closer to him, letting everyone know that I was his, and his alone. He brought my hand to his lips, gently kissing my knuckles, letting everyone know that me walking down that aisle alone did not affect his ‘love’ for me.

I was a bride with no father to walk her down the aisle, but that didn’t really matter to me. I knew why I was here, and it was not to have that fairytale wedding. The last thing I cared about was marrying the Alpha, but if it ensured the power that we both needed to defeat the Lycan, then I was more than willing to go all the way.

He nodded at me, smiling in satisfaction at my appearance. I had to admit, even I was surprised at how I looked when everything was done. In truth, I did not really care how this wedding would go, and it was the Alpha’s mother, Mariana, who chose my dress for me along with Madeline, Armando’s sister. But I was glad that I ended up looking as lovely as I did. I wouldn’t have known how the night would be ending if I didn’t.

“You look beautiful.” He said, and I blushed, looking away from his eyes as the two of us knew that we were being watched and heard. He put his finger under my chin, turning my face to look at him, and I, in turn, took his hand in mine and brought it under the veil, kissing his palm, letting my lips linger there for a few seconds like he had done with me, as our vows were being said. 

“Do you, Ezra D’Caprio, take Lia Elica, as your wife?” 

“I do.” He said, looking me in the eye. 

“And do you, Lia Elica, take Ezra D’Caprio, as your husband?”

“I do.” I said, taking a quick glance at the crowd that were watching us, ignoring the discomfort that I felt at the fact that I was being the ‘center of attention’. 

“I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss your bride.” Ezra removed the veil off my face and cupping my cheeks, he connected his lips with mine. I kissed him back, and smiling into the kiss, trying to make the whole thing as believable as possible. 

The last thing we both needed was for anyone to suspect anything, and pulling away, he rested his forehead against mine as cheers filled our ears. The two of us breathed, and sharing a glance, our silent message was shared as we noticed Killian getting up from the crowd. He took my hands in his, and kissed both my knuckles while keeping his eyes on mine, making my cheeks redden a bit before he pulled away and straightened.

“Welcome to the family, Mrs. D’Caprio…”