Chapter Two: Never Have to Worry

The wedding was beautiful, cold but beautiful. As the king and Queen of Ketria recited their vows, light snow fell in the mountains, matching the warmth of the sun perfectly.

An event with less than forty people: I truly am lucky I met the queen at her somewhat lowest. This way, I can brag that we are friends, or at least close enough that I am her bridesmaid.

I wonder if the friendship we have is real.

I hate myself for standing in a bridesmaid’s gown filled only with envy.

By this time next year, I die in the woods alone, but she has a second child with her mate, the Lycan. How can I not be jealous?

Still, why can’t I remember the scent that hung in the air as I was dying?

‘You should know better than anyone else the answer to that question.’

Simon’s words ring in my mind.

If I can find the source of the scent, I’ll have my killer and the reason for my death.

At what point does Simon become my driver?

The ceremony ends with my mind away. I only realise this as I watch the bride and groom walking towards the exit in each other’s embrace.  As guests stand to follow the couple to the reception, the scent of the ocean and its salt surrounds me, and on instinct, I halt.

"Ruby Clive, I presume?"

Every inch of me recognises the deepness of the voice.

The beat of my heart must be because of my surprise; otherwise, how in the hell can I still flutter in his presence after the cold way he served the divorce papers?

A thought lingers that he could have been the one to instigate my murder, but I know he wasn’t.

He wanted me alive to bear his hatred.

"Alpha Adrian, my groom-to-be."

Smile, Ruby.

The corners of my lips lift all too naturally as I turn to face him; I hope my smile reaches my eyes.

I am the only one with the memories of our marriage. The only one with the memories of the days he chose to rush to his mate without caring how I appeared in my social groups. The only one who was comforted with words like ‘Men cheat, it is okay to excuse him as long as he comes back to you.’

The look of disgust forming on his face must be because of my choice of words-- ‘groom-to-be’. He doesn’t bother to school his expression.

He doesn't want this marriage, and neither do I—who would want to run back to him? But I need to leave home; I need first to escape Mother’s claws; the rest will follow.

"We have terms to discuss pertaining to our soon-to-be marriage; permit me to drive you to the reception."

The men behind him flex. Anyone can tell he is not asking but threatening.

"Certainly."

I offer my hand for him to escort me; the freezing ground makes the rocks at the venue slippery to navigate in heels.

His hand reaches his pocket to pull out black gloves that he slides onto his hands before taking mine.

I have lived with him; this shouldn’t hurt. But it does.

I can’t believe I begged him to stay with me.

Ugh…so embarrassing.

Never again.

**

The car he guides me to is a familiar large deep royal blue SUV that matches the shade of his eyes, a car I have been in only thrice because he couldn't stand being in an enclosed space with me when we did not need to pretend.

One of the men behind him opens the door for us; I slip in at his gesture and settle on the cosy warm leather seat; he does the same on the seat opposite mine, his large frame eating up a tremendous amount of space.

The second the door closes, the soothing scent of the ocean, complete with its saltiness, washes over me, and for a second, the sound of waves crashing against each other rings remarkably clear in my ears.

Before my eyelids can flutter shut at the dangerous calm he induces, he hands me a familiar document.

"We are going to get married a month after today. That document holds my terms; Read through and sign it so that our union is, at the very least, a civil one."

"Are you really in a position to ask me to sign your terms when you are the one who needs me to be recognised as Alpha?"

My body rocks backwards as the car starts moving, and for a second, his gaze drops to my chest before flying back to my face.

The bridesmaid’s dresses were one design for the three of us, and while they looked decent on Lily and Sharon, the other bridesmaids, my chest is bigger than theirs.

I should have worn a jacket; it must be the chill that stiffens my nubs inappropriately, not his gaze.

"You say that as if I do not know your disgusting family is falling apart. Let us agree that we need each other. Now read my terms and-”

He responds with an arrogant sneer.

"I have only three terms."

A frown laces his brow at my interruption.

"Read mine first; you will find that I have covered everything, Ruby.”

I don’t need to read to recite what his terms are.

He used to remind me every time I stepped out of line.

Firstly, the marriage will only last a year, and not a day more. Secondly, I should stay out of his life, and he will grant me the same courtesy and stay out of mine. Lastly, I must accompany him to all social events and play the role of wife accordingly.

"As I said, I have three terms to add to yours, Alpha."

I insist.

Last time, did I ask for anything? No, I wanted him to love how ready I was to yield to him.

How foolish.

The loudness of his sigh emphasises his irritation.

"Name them."

"I am searching for my mate; if I find them, I will choose them over you."

As you did me, but at least I have the decency to warn you.

His lips curl into a smile that does not meet his eyes.

"No. Even if you find your mate, you will finish your term. I don't care if you sleep with them. Just stay out of my business."

"Fine."

"Next."

He says as if already bored by the sentimentality in my words.

"Six months after our wedding, I will take up a project abroad. You can send the divorce papers to my new address."

I don't want to be with him when he recognises Elaine as his mate after she returns from the academy, having newly turned eighteen.

"Fine, but bear in mind that the council will only accept the divorce as ‘logical’ once a year passes after the day of our wedding. You already know I must marry a ‘Clive’ to establish myself as Alpha, so while abroad, do not do anything foolish that will make me marry another ‘Clive’ for another year. The idea sickens me, so if you misbehave, I will drag you by your hair and lock you in my mansion for the remaining time. Are we clear?”

He asks as his hands fold against his chest; the tightness of his suit calls my gaze to the bulge of his muscles.

A dryness finds my throat.

Aside from his build, he is dangerously handsome. The first time we made love, I licked his face because his desperation looked delicious—of course, he finished as he called Elaine’s name…has anyone ever called another’s name in his large hands?

I want to.

I want to ruin all his firsts as he did mine.

“Fine, and lastly. I want to learn how to pleasure my future mate so they never think of anyone but me; that means I want you to teach me how to have sex."

A stillness freezes his expression for a moment before his brows betray his surprise.

Before his expression fully schools, his gaze again drops to my cleavage, only he holds it for longer than before, causing a burn to attack the stiffened buds that grow more sensitive as they brush against my dress’s bodice each time I breathe.

My arms cross instinctively to block his view.

His laugh fills the car, its bitterness making me horribly ashamed to have asked that term.

"I do not know if you are slow or if you are choosing to ignore the fact that I cannot even stand touching you; how in the hell do you expect me to get aroused by you?”

He asks, his disdain-filled gaze pinning me to stillness.

"I kind of don't want to have to think about that, Adrian."

"No, you will address me as Alpha."

Right...right, I am back to being the only wife in Ketria to address her husband by his title.

It's fine. Once I find my mate, any lingering bitterness I have toward him will vanish, and it will be as if I never loved him, and the memories will be nothing.

"What is your answer, Alpha?"

"Six times."

"What?"

"I will fuck you six times, Ruby. I'd hate to have you fall in love with me."

Hah...

“No. The Alpha will never have to worry about that.”

With the words in the air, I added my terms, signed the document and handed it back to him.