MARRIAGE

‎Cleopatra's POV

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‎“Substitute bride” till date I thought that was a myth, just part of another fairy tale.

‎Except! this isn't a fairy tale, it's real life, and I am the substitute.

‎The one he never wanted but was tricked into marrying. I never wanted this for myself, marrying a man who doesn't even know my name. But at last that's the fate I'm forced into,  because my perfect twin sister, Caitlin Montess decided it was okay to eloped with our shared mate, the alpha prince, Nickson of the Rare wolf pack.

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‎Today should have been Caitlin's wedding day, but she chose to be selfish, running away with the only man who accepted me. And now, I am forced to marry Lorenzo in exchange for the loan my parents took for her kidney transplant.

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‎“Caitlin Montess do you take Lorenzo Quavas to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest's voice echoed through the elaborate wedding hall, an innocent smile plastered on his face.

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‎My heart skipped a beat. How was I supposed to answer that, was I truly ready for a loveless marriage.

‎Taking in a sharp breath, I stared up at the face of my supposed future husband. A man handsome beyond reason, normally he should have been every woman's prayer point, except, he was the one and only Lorenzo Quavas. A ruthless alpha known for his heavy involvement with the mafia and rogues.

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‎He was brutal as they come, a cold mafia don, known for his cruelty and ruthlessness.

‎He was heartless, and used the darkest methods to deal with anyone who crosses him, never giving them a chance to scream.

‎He was a notorious womanizer, who moves between women without caring about them, solving all his problems with money, and violence.

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‎24 years, and this is what I get, another one of my sister's used toys, handed down in the form of a husband.

‎I always knew I was nothing more than a poultry bird. Destined to walk in the shadows of my perfect sister, but not once did I envision that I will be traded off this shamefully, by trickery, to a man who wouldn't hesitate to kill me if he ever found out about our deceit.

‎It would have been better if they had traded me off in the black market instead, at least I would have gotten some reasonable offers, and wouldn't have to live in danger of being killed.

‎Nah! that would have been worse, what if an ugly old man bought me? I rather be murdered by this monster, atleast he is charming on the outside, and young.

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‎Ah! all this thinking is killing me. I should have had some food before coming here, why didn't I have any again?. Oh! I remember I was angry. How stupid could I have been to let anger get in the way of my food, when I know I can't function properly without it.

‎“Cielo the priest is waiting" Lorenzo whispered in my ear, dragging me back to my senses. A worried frown engraved on his perfectly symmetrical face.

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‎“Sorry” I whispered back, swallowing a lump in my throat. I quickly glanced to where my parents were seated hoping that by some divine intervention, they could speak up and call this sentence off, but to my surprise they were all smiles.

‎They had this broad, genuine smile engraved on their faces. It was a smile they only gave to their favorite daughter Caitlin.

‎A warm feeling erupted in my chest, was this a sign that my parents finally accepted me as their daughter, not just a mistake from an unwanted egg division.

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‎I stared back at Lorenzo, curious to know if he did notice any abnormalities with my behavior.

‎If he found out I was a fake bride, my family will be doomed. My parents would have to pay all the millions they owe him, or worst pay with their lives.

‎With trembling lips, I exhaled and responded with a, "Yes, I do," my heart nearly leaping from my chest.

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‎Lorenzo's lips curved slightly, as he gazed down at me, his gorgeous hazel eyes gleaming with mischief. He moved closer and whispered the words, "You're mine now, kitten."

‎His bold declaration of ownership, made shivers run down my spine. Maybe this was my punishment, for the reckless life I lived. Guess 5 years in prison wasn't enough, now I had to undergo another lifetime sentence in a prison with no escape routes.

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‎My chest felt heavy through out the entire event. Our kiss, half hearted, just like a signature on another receipt.

‎The nightmare I'll never escape began today, and there was nothing I could do about it.

‎The rest of the wedding proceedings went according to plan and as though time was in support of my terrible marriage, it was night fall in a flash.

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‎I walked into my husband's bedroom and my mouth immediately fell open, not because it was beautiful, but because it was breathtakingly girlish. It was painted with Caitlin's favorite color “pink”, the furnitures and curtains equally following the same trend of bright colors, sky blue and yellow. The better part of the walls were adored with beautiful Portraits of Caitlin, each one more beautiful than the last.

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‎‘He is obsessed with her, alright. If only Caitlin decided to stayed the perfect little princess, and fulfil her own part of the bargain. But no... she just had to take another one of my boyfriends, like she couldn't get any man she wanted,’ I grumbled to myself,  running my fingers over the portrait's edges.

‎Just then my stomach growled loudly and I recalled that I hadn't eaten since morning, the only thing I had was a piece of cake at the wedding reception, and quite honestly it wasn't very good.

‎“Stomach stop grumbling so much. I can't go asking for food, we just got here” I said to my stomach, gently rubbing it.

‎‘Gosh! if only there was a way to ask for food without saying it’– I thought to myself, and as though fate heard my prayers, the door slammed opened and Lorenzo sailed in.

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‎He was now just in his unbuttoned white shirt. On his face rested a broad smile. He walked towards me, hugging me tightly from behind.

‎“It's beautiful, isn't it?” He said rhetorically, casually planting a kiss on my cheek, “But you are even prettier in person”

‎“What are you doing, Lorenzo?" I doubted,  my body toughening underneath his warm touch.

‎“Holding my wife” He said nonchalantly, planting soft kisses on my neck, “I'm so hungry.”

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‎A spark of excitement quickly erupted in my chest.

‎“Really? cause I'm hungry too” I confessed turning towards him, a gigantic smile creeping to my face, “I have been hungry since we met at the church, and I can't wait to eat"

‎A smirk crawled to his face as he stared down at me, running the back of his hand against my cheek. “I'm glad you feel the same way.”

‎“Why wouldn't I? you're not the only one who likes good things" I informed, my mouth already salivating from the thought of food, “So where are we having it? Here or on the dinning”

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‎His eyes widened, “Why will we have it on the dinning?” He doubted with a raised brow.

‎Yes! I finally got him. Everyone says I don't know anything, but see I managed to out smart the mighty Lorenzo at common sense.

‎“Cause it's better there. A lot of people say so” I informed and he chuckled. “You're right wife, it is better there, but for tonight I think we should just have it traditionally on a bed” He divulges and I nodded in agreement.

‎“I think that will work, cause I am sure I will be too tired to move when we're done”

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‎“I assure you, you wouldn't be able to walk when I'm done,” He said, making me chuckle. That means I will be well fed by the end of the day.

‎“So where is the food? I'm starving," I asked, my curiosity plagued.

‎“Right here,” Lorenzo voiced, planting a soft kiss on my lips. His lips were soft, and tender, they made goosebumps surface on my skin.

‎He pulled away and I smile, trying not to make the scene uncomfortable.

‎“Where is the dinner you spoke of?” I asked tilting my head to the side, but saw nothing.

‎“I think you don't understand what I mean” Lorenzo stated, his tone filled with displeasure.

‎“I think I know. Weren't we talking about food?” I informed grinning from ear to ear.

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