Stay Away From My Bride

Lucien's POV

I couldn't remember the last time I had enjoyed myself this much. Perhaps it was the look on Adrian's face when I announced that Bree and I had been having an affair behind his back.

Or perhaps it was the expression he wore when he realized that the woman he had just rejected in front of the entire kingdom was now supposedly mine.

Either way, it had been absolutely priceless.

I threw my head back and laughed, taking another generous gulp of whiskey.

My friends had gathered in my private entertainment room after the wedding disaster, and none of them could understand why I was in such a good mood.

Not that I intended to explain everything.

They didn't know that my supposed affair with Bree was entirely fabricated, and I intended to keep it that way.

Honestly, I couldn't have planned a better evening.

"There's just one thing I don't understand," Marcus interrupted my thoughts.

I raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Are you actually going to marry her?" He asked.

I almost spat out my drink.

"What? Why the hell would I do that?" I asked.

"Well, you announced that she's your lover in front of the entire royal family” Damon pointed out.

"That doesn't mean I intend to marry her” I said.

Damon exchanged a look with Marcus.

"The Alpha King and Queen have already announced that she must become pregnant before the end of the month. If she doesn't, she'll be executed for deceiving the royal family” he reminded me.

My smile disappeared.

Right, thatlittle detail.

I had been so entertained by Adrian's misery that I had almost forgotten the consequences of my ridiculous announcement.

I rubbed my forehead.

"That's an exaggeration. Surely, they won't actually execute her."

"Lucien, you know how your father is when it comes to the royal family's reputation. He won't tolerate being made a fool of” Marcus said.

Damon nodded.

"Besides, you were the one who told everyone that you've been sleeping with her for months. If she doesn't get pregnant, they'll naturally question the entire relationship” he added.

I stared into my glass.

Damn it.

I had only intended to irritate Adrian. I hadn't considered what would happen afterward.

Getting Bree to agree to pretend to be my lover was one thing. Convincing an entire kingdom that we had been secretly involved for months was another.

And now there was an actual pregnancy deadline.

"Well, congratulations," Damon said with a grin. "You've managed to get yourself a bride."

"Shut up” I snarled.

That was the last thing I needed. I wasn't attracted to Bree, not even remotely.

She was stubborn, emotional, and far too sensitive for my liking. I had spent years avoiding unnecessary conversations with her, and I certainly had no intention of suddenly becoming her devoted lover.

I emptied my glass and stood.

"Where are you going?" Marcus asked.

"To my chambers” I said.

Damon grinned.

"Don't keep your bride waiting."

I shot him a warning look.

"One more word and I'll throw you out of my mansion” I warned.

Their laughter followed me as I left the room.

The corridor was unusually quiet. I loosened the collar of my shirt and began walking toward my chambers, already wondering how I was supposed to handle Bree.

She would probably be sitting on my bed looking miserable.

I could almost picture her. Those wide eyes, that permanent frown, and the way she seemed to take everything so personally.

I sighed. Tonight was going to be exhausting.

I had already decided that nothing was going to happen between us. Whatever arrangement we came up with, I wasn't going to touch her.

I would find another way to deal with the pregnancy ultimatum.

I was still thinking about it when I reached my bedroom door and I heard Adrian’s voice.

I stopped.

What the hell was my brother doing inside my chambers?

I moved closer, my hand hovering over the doorknob.

"Please, Bree. Just listen to me."

I frowned, then came Bree's voice.

"Adrian, you need to leave” she begged.

"I made a mistake," Adrian started. "I shouldn't have rejected you like that."

I narrowed my eyes.

What the hell?

"I was confused, Bree. Things happened, and Sandra—"

"Stop” Her voice sounded strained. "I don't want to hear any of this."

"Please. You have to understand that I still love you” he continued.

My fingers tightened around the doorknob.

Love?

That bastard had publicly rejected her, humiliated her, and announced that he was in love with her sister. Now he was standing in my bedroom telling her he loved her?

I pushed the door open slightly and what I saw made my blood boil.

Bree was sitting on my bed, clutching the covers against her chest. Adrian was standing dangerously close to her, leaning over as though he had every right to be there.

She was moving backward, trying to put as much distance between them as possible.

"Adrian, stay away from me!"

He reached for her hand.

"Just give me a chance to explain” he begged.

"Don't touch me!" She pleaded, tears on the verge of spilling.

Something inside me snapped and I pushed the door open.

"Get your fucking hands off her!" I yelled.

Both of them turned.

Before Adrian could even process my arrival, I crossed the room, grabbed him by the back of his shirt, and violently pulled him away from the bed.

He stumbled backward.

"What the—"

My fist connected with his jaw. The punch sent him crashing against the side of the furniture.

"Lucien!"

Bree's shocked voice rang through the room but I barely heard her. I was too busy staring at my brother, who was slowly straightening himself.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I roared.

Adrian touched his jaw, glaring at me.

"You punched me?"

I moved between them, blocking his view of her.

"Listen carefully, Adrian” My voice dropped dangerously. "Stay away from my bride."

Behind me, Bree said nothing, and suddenly, I wasn't thinking about how much I hated my brother.

I was thinking about how close he had come to touching the woman I had just claimed as mine.