The Alpha's Ruined Bride

KessaIt was two days before Christmas, and the pack grounds looked heavenly as a blanket of pristine snow floated around it.Everyone else seemed excited about the annual Christmas celebration, but I felt nothing. Or rather, I felt too much... too much heaviness, too much dread.I wasn't allergic to celebrations in-fact I loved them, but as I grew older, I dreaded not only celebrations but my entire existence.The loud calling of my name snapped me back to reality. My father needed me downstairs.I adjusted the ruffles on my dress and pushed out a slow breath. After one final glance at the mirror, I stepped out of my room.The pack house was a circus; maids were running around trying to get the preparations in order. I wasn't surprised by the busyness. It was always the same around this time of year. The sound of my dad's voice coming from outside caught my attention and headed towards the entrance."Move faster!" A voice snapped behind me after I had taken a few steps forward.

RONANI don't do blind dates.I don't do surprises.I don't do sitting in overpriced restaurants pretending I'm some normal man with normal intentions.But tonight I had no choice. The man who had brought this offer to me was one of my business associates; who I had worked with for many years.I couldn't turn down his offer.So I put on my mask covering the ruin of half my face, the part the fire took from me, the part she stole.My mate. The woman who had destroyed everything I was and left me carved into this monster still lingered at the back of my mind.She had managed to escape my clutches but my vengeful heart still searched for her.I had longed for the day I would finally find her. The day I would tear her into pieces. I felt it in my bones that the day I was hoping for was closer than I realized.I paused my thoughts, focusing on the task at hand—my so—called date.The minute I arrived at the restaurant, I savored the feeling of festivity that was loud in this part of tow

KessaI didn't sleep. How could I? Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Ronan's scarred face inches from mine, felt his breath against my skin, his voice promising to help me destroy everything.The room hehad given me was bigger than my entire bedroom back home. A huge bed dominated the space, covered in dark silks that probably cost more than my father spent on me in a year. The tall windows overlooked snow covered mountains that glowed silver under the moonlight. It was beautiful, but it was a cage.I sat on the edge of the bed, still wearing the dress I had borrowed from Mia for the date, the date that had turned into a nightmare, or maybe a twisted kind of help, I wasn't sure yet.My phone buzzed for the hundredth time and it was Mia. I had been ignoring her calls since I got here, but guilt finally won."Kess! Oh my god, where are you?" Her voice was frantic. "I've been calling for hours. Your location says you are." She kept quiet for a bit. "it can't be right. It says you are in

Lauren"Are you crazy! What the heck do you think you're doing— Do you want to die!" An elder yelled as he gave me a resounding slap.My cheeks stung from the harshness of his palm but the pain was small compared to what I'd be able to endure for my mate.I was standing in front of the whole pack, a party was being thrown by the alpha and all the dignitaries were staring at me with shock."The alpha is my mate." I screamed loud enough for everyone in the huge hall to hear but above all, I was standing in front of the most terrifying and ruthless man ever.I wasn't just standing, I was gazing into his eyes, a taboo that none had done and lived to tell the story. I was in front of Alpha Blade, proclaiming him as my mate.In front of me was the first and only childhood friend I had ever had, it had been years but the childhood memories were so vivid it felt like yesterday.The loud music and merriment halted immediately as I became the center of attention, people were dazed and for a mom

Ronan.A glass of whiskey was all I needed to cool off in the car. My nerves settled slowly, my eyes drifting to the leather seats while I undid the first two buttons of my shirt.The real question I kept asking myself was, why was I doing this? Was it because I truly wanted to get back at Alpha Winslow? Or because I believed Kessa was Aurora?But she had to be. The signs were there."We have to find out." My wolf said quietly.Despite how much I hated Aurora for what she had done to me, all I could think about was how to make her pay, the same way she had made me into this. But at the same time? I felt myself wanting her.Wanting. What a sad word for what it actually was.I finished the last of the whiskey, felt the warmth of it settle in my chest, and turned toward the window. The cold glass, the slow burn, it gave me the feeling that I had things under control. I held onto that.Aurora had taken everything I had quietly built inside myself and torn it apart in a way that only someo