Chapter 4.

Time slowed the closer I got. My father gave me a kiss on the cheek, my brothers were barely containing their anger as they watched me walk up to the podium.

I stood in front of Alpha Aiden, my stature compared to his was tiny and his body was broad and trained as many of the males were. His piercing blue eyes stared at me with hatred brimming in the center.

The elder started speaking and everything went on autopilot. I said my I do’s and so did Alpha Aiden. The rest was closed out. My body couldn't function and I didn't feel my feet or my hands that were wrapped around the bouquet.

”Then I hereby present to you, Alpha Aiden and Luna Gabriella.” Everyone erupted in cheers and the floors began to shake from the impact.

”You may now kiss the bride,” He said and my eyes filled with the unshed tears I had been pushing down for so long.

His eyes darkened as he leaned in. His lips hovered over mine and I drew in a sharp breath.

”Push the tears down.” He said with a cold voice that made my breath stop in my throat. His lips pressed against mine, my first-ever kiss and it wasn't out of love or affection, it was pure hatred and loathing.

Alpha Aiden leaned back, plastered a smile on his face, and wrapped his arm around my waist. He pulled me closer to his body and faced his pack members and our families.

He leaned down, his lips brushing against my ear, and he whispered, ”You better put a smile on that pretty face. Remember, princess, as far as they know, this is a happy occasion,” His words sent chilling waves down my spine.

I lifted my head and forced a smile, hoping it would stay on all night.

” Congratulations you two,” My mom said as she came up and gave us each a kiss on the cheek. Dad shook hands with Aidens father and I could tell they were both happy with the deal that had been made.

”The pack is dying to meet you but I don't want you to feel overwhelmed,” Marie said softly.

”Oh, Gabby doesn't mind, isn't that right?” My mom said and flashed her pearl-white teeth.

I clenched my jaw and tried to soften my eyes.

”Not at all,” I said and smiled.

Marie walked me around and one after one they all came and said hi. I started feeling my throat closing up and my hands sweating but I couldn't break down, not here.

As the fifth person came up and I saw the circle that had formed around us of people wanting to meet me and ask questions, I knew I had to go. The room started spinning and I saw Marie's worried gaze.

”Excuse me.” I said and turned around. I ran out of the room as fast as I could and ran toward the hall. The door to the guest room I had been in was open so I walked in and slammed the door shut, leaning my back against it.

A loud bang shook the door and I pushed off, backing away so I stood next to the bed. I stared at the dark door, the room around me felt like it was closing in and my heart started racing. The door opened and Alpha Aiden stepped inside but he wasn't alone.

A girl had her legs wrapped around his waist and her hands were fisting his shirt as she pressed her chest up against him and kissed him deeper. Neither of them noticed me until I stepped back and hit the bedside table. The lamp fell to the floor and my eyes widened as they turned.

She unwrapped her legs and placed her feet on the floor. A feline grin grew on her face and she crossed her arms over her chest.

”So this is the whore that thinks she can steal my man?” Her laugh sounded like a cat being strangled. Her long, skinny legs walked slowly toward me as her eyes scanned me from top to toe. Aiden was standing still in his spot, his eyes locked down on mine. He seemed utterly unbothered.

”I don’t give a fuck that you’re married to him and that this pack thinks you’re their Luna. It was an arrangement, he is and always will be, mine.” She seethed and glared at me.

I stepped forward, lifted my head, and scoffed.

”That’s fine-” my eyes went past the catty bitch and landed on the man I had just married.

”-you can have him.” I said and walked past her, slamming into her shoulder with my own on the way out.

I walked out and closed the door behind me. I clutched my stomach which felt like it was twisting and turning and the theory I had about this going to be hell, was coming true.

”Gabriella, how are you?” Marie came around the corner and I straightened my back.

Don’t be weak, Gabby. You got this.

”I’m good, just needed a little break,” her lips parted in a half smile but it disappeared just as quickly. The door opened behind me and her eyes were staring daggers at whoever was standing there. Marie's eyes turned obsidian and her scowl deepened the more she looked.

I looked over my shoulder slowly. The girl was standing with her chin dropped to the floor, Alpha Aiden was showing no emotion but his eyes were glued to his mother's.

”Samantha, leave.” She growled. The girl, Samantha, scurried away. Her voice stuck in her throat and her feet moved quickly as she patted down her dress. I was waiting for Marie to ask me to leave next but it didn't happen.

”You get out of my sight too.” She seethed and her son clenched his jaw before walking around me. Just as he rounded the corner he turned his head and the hatred in his eyes doubled as he glared at me before disappearing.

~Aiden’s POV~

”Dude, what’s up with the frown?” Cole asked with a smug grin as I walked into the study.

I poured myself a glass of whiskey and chugged it down. Three bottles of this and I might feel a twitch. I groaned and in these moments, and these moments alone, I envied humans and their low tolerance for alcohol.

”Already causing problems, is she?” He took a drink from his glass and turned his head. His hand lowered and his eyes fell. I raised my arm and tossed the glass onto the brick wall.

The door opened again and a pissed of Sam stepped in.

”That bitch is turning your mom against me!” She screeched and walked up to me.

”Lower your fucking voice.” I said and glared at her. Her lips twitched down in a frown and she scoffed.

”So that’s what this is about.” Cole said and placed his glass down.

”It’s none of your business,” I said.

”Actually it is, remember the bet? There’s a lot at stake here. You better stay away until I get my money,” he said and pointed at Sam.

She crossed her arms over her chest, pushing her boobs up to her chin.

”What bet?” Oh fuck.

Cole fumbled with his words and when he realized he’d fucked up he brought the glass up to his lips and turned his head the other way.

Sam turned her glare on me and rose a brow.

”What bet, Aiden?” She asked and stepped in closer.

”It’s nothing, we betted on how long it would take me to get her to submit to me,” I said. The words tasted like trash as they rolled off my tongue.

”No, we betted on the spoiled princess out there to be wrapped around his finger by the end of the year,” Cole said, sounding astonishingly excited.

Sam's lips turned down in a deep frown.

”What did you bet?” I flicked my tongue and side glanced at Cole who looked too proud of himself for my liking.

”Ten thousand,” Sam stepped in and dragged her fingers seductively down my arm.

”Well then you better win, because you're taking me to Hawaii with that check,” She said and bit down on her bottom lip.

”Don’t count on it, Sam. From what I've heard that girl doesn't get down on her knees for anyone. Not even money can buy her because she’s loaded,”

”Then you’ll have to charm her,” She said and shrugged a shoulder.

”Just no touching, wouldn't want you catching something irreversible and giving it to me,” She said, followed by a high pitch laugh and Cole pitched in.

My wolf growled in the back of my head and I rolled my fingers up to a fist. Why the fuck was I reacting like this?