Marrying a stranger in place of my step sister

ELINNA

I should’ve known today would be a mess. Honestly, luck has never been on my side.

Still, I kept hoping things would change. Just once. Just one good day. But today wasn’t that day.

My name is Elinna Wright. I’m the bastard daughter of Alpha Tim Wright, leader of the Sunshine Pack. He never claimed me. I wasn’t born out of love—far from it.

My mother died giving birth to me. My father blamed me for it. He hated me from the moment I took my first breath. He never showed me kindness, and things got worse after he married someone else.

Early this morning, my step mother, Gina, had asked me to go to the farmers market to pick up some radishes..I'd never understood her obsession with radishes and they never made her cooking taste good..in fact, it tasted even worse than it normally was.

As soon as I got to the market, the only shop that sold it was closed and I just stood there looking because I knew that if I went home without them, it would be hell.

She hated me without bounds for reasons best known to her. But I had a feeling it had to do with the fact that her daughter, Lily couldn't have a share in my father's properties as per the pack's rules.

Also, another situation I couldn't control.

“Are you looking to buy radishes? Poor Mr Smith, he's out sick today.”

I knew he'd fall sick soon. I asked him to take a couple sick days off but he refused.

“Do you know anyone else that sells them?”

She shook her head.

“Shit.”

The blazing hot sun didn't help matters either. My throat felt so parched and it was like I was in the desert.

“You know, you could always go to the farm and get them. No one would mind. You're a sweet girl.”

At this point, I didn't care anymore. Gina just needed them so I could go home. She showed me to the place and due to the rain that fell the night before, it was so muddy but I just stood there and dreaded my life.

Knee deep in mud and dirt, I had to kneel to find the best ones. And I just kept cursing myself for even thinking to agree to.this in the first place but I couldn't back out now.

By the time I was done, I couldn't recognize myself again. I knew I was dirty but it didn't matter. If I didn't get home in time to cook dinner, Gina would beat the hell out of me. When we had guests, I was the one who cooked because at least, they could eat it. And she said we had a guest today.

I picked up the radishes and washed them and cleaned myself up even though that barely did anything for my appearance. 

Even though today was a complete mess, I still held on to a sliver of hope to the one good thing in my life—Ben.

As soon as I entered the house, I spotted his car.

My mood that had been in the dumps all day finally rose higher than the clouds and I began skipping like a little girl until I entered the house.

At this point, I'd forgotten how dirty I looked and I just wanted to see my face. Ben was the best person in my life and he made me believe things would be better again. I loved him so much.

He wasn't downstairs in the living room so I made my way to my room because I figured that's where he would be because wasn't in my room either.

He was sitting on my bed looking at his phone and I smiled brightly when I saw him.

I saw his eyes drag all the way down to my feet and I felt cautious as he stood up and walked closer to me.

“Don’t come any closer. I'm filthy.”

He rolled his eyes and put his phone in his pocket.

“And when has that ever stopped me?

Before I could protest further, he pulled me in for a tight hug and buried his head in my neck.

“I missed you. I haven't seen you in a week and you want to stop you from holding me in your arms? How many times do I have to tell you that you're the air I breathe?”

Gosh, how did I find a man like this? He was everything I wanted.

“I missed you too, Mr Corny. Hope I didn't keep you waiting. I had no idea you were coming.”

His bright blue eyes brought joy to my soul.

He shrugged.

“It's never an issue when I have to wait for you. Are you busy now? I want to spend time with the woman who will become my wife.”

I looked over at the radishes at the door. If Gina knew I was back and wasn't making dinner already, she'd kill me.

I turned back to him and nodded.

“Yes, I'm free. Come sit down with me.”

I'd met Ben on one of his visits to my father. I had no idea he was interested in me until he came to speak to me himself.

I'd thought that my father would not want him to marry me but to my surprise, he agreed.

“Did you have breakfast? I got you something..”

Was it possible to fall in love all over again? I spent some time with him while catching up on things that we'd missed. I didn't know who the guests were but we'd spent so much time preparing for them.

I was still speaking to him when a maid came and said that my father was calling for him. He placed a kiss on my cheek and stood up.

Ben kissed my cheek and stood up.

“I’ll be right back. Don’t go anywhere.” I nodded and watched him leave.

This man—he was the love of my life. One day, I’d be his wife.