Marrying the Dark Alpha

I received the bonding notification matching me with Kieran Darkmoor, the Alpha of the Wolf Pack, while standing outside my bedroom door.

Through the slightly ajar door, I caught the heavy scent of heather drifting out. I could hear a beastwoman's sultry moans mingled with a beastman's husky growls, coming at my ears in rhythmic waves.

A lace nightgown lay discarded by the doorway, draped carelessly over my red high heels. Those were the same heels that Nathaniel Fairfax once spent an entire month crafting by hand from the finest materials, just for me.

Now, they were stained with dampness from the lace nightgown, utterly defiled.

It was so revolting that my stomach churned, nausea rising to my throat.

The shoes were ruined, and so was Nathaniel.

Grace Pemberton traced teasing circles on his chest with her finger. "Nate, you truly spoil me rotten. Are you really willing to let Ms. Sinclair enter beast servitude to become my maid?

"She's so proud. What if she refuses?"

Nathaniel lovingly caught her hand and kissed it.

"She doesn't have a choice. Now that I'm the Eagle Clan heir, the Sinclair family is practically begging to work with me. You've suffered enough indignity serving as her maid all these years.

"It's time she returned the favor."

His words dissolved into another round of passionate coupling.

"Nate, be gentle. I'm carrying your egg."

I clenched my fists until my nails cut into my palms, eventually drawing blood.

When did the beastman who once worshipped me like the moon change? Where was the beastman who would scrub his hands raw if he accidentally touched another beastwoman, then anxiously ask if I thought of him as contaminated?

Perhaps it was when Grace deliberately tumbled into his arms, and he did not immediately rush to wash his hands.

Perhaps it was when Grace wept crocodile tears, and he cast suspicious glances at me instead of comforting her.

Perhaps it was during all those nights when he made excuses about being too busy to guard me personally…

I was turning stiffly to leave when I collided with Nathaniel, who was emerging to fetch Grace a towel.

Panic flickered in his eyes, but upon remembering something, he quickly steadied himself.

He cast his usual eagle shadow puppet against the wall, trying to charm me as he always did.

"Lia, I have my reasons. Grace came from nothing. If she's selected for that wolf's den, they'll tear her apart. Only by carrying my beast egg can I protect her."

The absurdity nearly made me laugh. "So, you'd rather force your own fiancee into beast servitude to become Grace's maid? Do you want me to serve you both and your beastchild?"

As the Eagle Clan heir, he had countless ways to keep Grace from being selected, yet he chose the method that humiliated me the most.

Even the Alpha's mate selection became part of their twisted game.

Nathaniel's fingertips trembled almost imperceptibly before he smiled with renewed confidence.

"Lia, I'm protecting you from being chosen. Once you're marked as a beast servant, the Alpha won't select you.

"Don't worry. After Grace delivers the beast egg, I'll help you escape servitude. Then, you and Grace will be equals."

He reached out suggestively. "If you're jealous that Grace is carrying my beast egg, I can give you one too."

He had just finished making love with Grace and now wanted to touch me!

How disgusting!

Humiliation crashed over me like a tidal wave. My mind exploded with rage as I slapped him hard across the face.

"Nathaniel, you're delusional! I will never be your maid. From now on, we're finished!"

His expression instantly darkened as he loomed over me.

"Aurelia Sinclair! Do you think you have any other option? Grace endured your abuse as your maid for years, so why can't you do the same?"

Years ago, Grace was an abandoned beastwoman. I took pity on her and brought her home.

Though she was a maid by title, she lived more like a young lady of the house. I practically treated her like a sister. How was that abuse?

I laughed through my tears as I watched Nathaniel's retreating figure.

Shortly after he left, the Wolf Pack representatives arrived with an engagement ring. The ring featured an extraordinarily rare heart-shaped sapphire.

The Wolf Pack messenger solemnly played a recording.

The Alpha's deep, magnetic voice emerged, "I made this myself. Do you think my wife will like it?"

My eyes widened in shock. The Alpha was nothing like I had imagined!