Chapter 4

Lisa

I woke up after I heard the door creak open and close loudly. Alpha Klaus had walked in, and he had in his hands a box which he dropped off on the bed. 

"Get up and try them out." He informed me before walking into the bathroom to freshen up. It was obvious he hadn't slept in the room, and I was relieved to know that. I reached for the box in front of me and after opening it, had to prevent my jaw from rolling onto the ground. 

There were two dresses inside, and from the look of things, they were my exact size. I wanted to ask him how he got my measurements, but that would look as though I was  undermining his good intentions. He had been serious when he said we were getting married today, and I had no idea whether to feel good that I had received the most beautiful dress in my entire life, or be traumatized that I was getting married to a man who had no iota of affection for me. 

"What are you so surprised about? Get up and try them out already!" He yelled at me the moment he was done in the bathroom. 

I obeyed and slowly climbed down from the bed, my hands trembling as I reached for the box and took out the first dress.  My cheeks flushed red as the fine silk slipped through my fingers. Without having to ask I could tell that this gown alone must have cost a fortune, probably more than all the dresses I had back at home. 

The craftsmanship was eloquent, the feel of the fine velvety texture was surreal, and its soft silver color made it irresistible to the eye. I had no idea who had made this dress, but I suddenly felt immense respect towards them.

Slowly, I slipped into the gown while Klaus stood by the side, his eyes fixated on me throughout the changing process. He had no intention of giving me privacy, and I blamed myself for that. If I hadn't tried to escape last night perhaps he might have trusted me enough to leave me alone to change. 

"You're getting introduced to the entire kingdom as the queen and my bride. You better not try to pull any stunts tonight." He cautioned firmly, his deep baritone voice cold and devoid of emotions as he spoke. 

I knew instantly that disobedience would cost me more than just my life this time around. I could tell just from the look in his eyes. How could I do this? How would I survive? I asked myself. How was I supposed to spend the entirety of my life with a man who was willing to dispose of me at every minor inconvenience? I couldn't afford living my whole life in fear, I'd rather die than live like that. 

"Are you crazy? Don't you dare think like that!" Anastasia, my wolf reprimanded me. While she was happy that she had found her mate, she felt bad for me as well. The human we were mated to was not a good one, and she pitied me just as much as I pitied myself. 

"Thank you.." I whispered before lowering my head shyly. I didn't say those words because I was appreciative of the dress he had gotten me. I only said them so I could gain a little bit of favor in his eyes. If his attitude towards me could change even in the slightest of ways, then I might reconsider taking my own life. 

Alpha Klaus glared at me for a while, his eyes filled with mild disgust and even milder curiosity. He hadn't expected me to thank him, nor did he want me to thank him. "Don't thank me, you're going to my bride soon, it's my responsibility to make sure you look presentable to the public." 

I lowered my head as penance for my mistake. I'd make sure to never thank him again since it had become a crime to show appreciation for a kind gesture. 

After I was done admiring myself in the first dress, I changed to the second one which had the same design as the first, the only difference was its peach color and heavy embroidery at the hem. 

"Choose whichever one you want, just be ready by seven tonight." Klaus informed before finally exiting the room. 

I returned to the bed and sat there, my eyes glued on the gowns in front of me. If I escaped and sold these two dresses, I could make a fortune big enough for Mark and I to start afresh elsewhere. I glared at the open window and my instincts immediately yelled for me to escape. However, before I could take a step forward, the door flung open and Anna walked in with a tray of food. 

"Good morning." She greeted me before setting the tray in front of me. I gulped hungrily, but did well to hide my greedy appetite. After dropping off my meal, Anna headed into the bathroom and began to prepare my bath without me having to ask. I had been a nobody all my life, getting served by somebody who had a better life than I did seemed awkward, and I couldn't get used to it. 

After eating breakfast and having a bath, I spent the rest of my day doing absolutely nothing but lying in bed. Klaus didn't return to the room throughout the entire day, and the only visitor I got was Anna who had come to serve me lunch. 

I remained alone in the room until it struck five on the wall clock. Once again the door swung open and Anna walked in, but this time she wasn't alone, she had other maids with her, and they'd come to prepare me for the big night. 

The full moon was shining brightly outside by the time they were done, and only then did Klaus walk in cladded in the best suit I've ever seen in my life. He held out his hand for me, and shyly I slipped mine into his. His cologne was soft, and so was his hands when he held mine. I felt a cold shiver run down my spine the moment we made contact, but I managed to control myself. 

When we walked into the ballroom, everywhere instantly fell silent. There was no movement for a straight minute, everybody just stood still gazing at the both of us as we walked the aisle. 

"You're shaking, calm yourself down. Take deep slow breaths." Klaus whispered as his grip on me gently tightened. His voice was kind, soft and it almost felt as though he was speaking to someone he had known for the rest of his life. 

Reflexively, I obeyed his words. I gripped him tightly to steady my breath, and when I thought he would get mad at how closely I was holding him, he merely looked into my eyes and gave me a warm smile. "It's going to be fine, just a few more steps." He whispered in a gentle tone. His words fueled my confidence, as soon I was walking steadily beside him, a bright smile plastered across our faces. 

We both exchanged vows at the altar, and now it was time for Klaus to mark me. He leaned in closer and I felt his warm breath caress my nape. Once again I had begun trembling, but he had immediately pulled me into an embrace before my knees could fail me. 

"I..I..don't want to do this..." I whispered in his ears, my tears threatening to fall any second. 

"It won't hurt, I promise." He returned calmly just before I felt his fangs sink into my flesh. A soft moan broke past my lips, and a feeling similar to an orgasmic contraction flooded throughout my entire body. I held him tightly, my body firm against his bigger and muscular ones. 

"P.. Please.." I stammered just before I felt the pain suddenly go away. Howls from the other wolves filled the room, and the atmosphere was overthrown by an incessant ovation. 

Klaus flashed me another warm smile before the both of us finally walked off the stage. We had barely settled when Damon immediately approached us, his face tight with determination.

"He's here..." I heard Damon whisper to Klaus from behind. As though he had been stung by a venomous scorpion, Klaus immediately turned in response to Damon's words, and so did I. 

The first thing I noticed the moment my eyes caught the next figure that approached us was the striking resemblance between him and Klaus. It didn't take me more than a second to put together the fact that they might be siblings, and my theory was confirmed in the next second. 

"Long time no see, brother."