Four

~CIARA~

The ride to Alpha Graham’s house was quiet to the point of suffocation. He wasn’t saying anything, and my mind was stupidly replaying the moment he said ‘you belong to me now’  like I was just property to be owned. Fidgeting with my fingers, I stole a quick glance at him, and he seemed rather relaxed. Like he’d done this a million times. Like this was just another chore he wanted to get over with. He’s used to this, but I just had my whole life flipped over like a damn bus. 

I was no longer Ciara Norman.

I was now Ciara Graham. 

And the thought of that made my whole body tense. 

After driving for what I’d call hours from my pack, the car finally slowed to a stop before a massive, black gate. My eyes widened when the gates opened to reveal a pack house that screamed order and power and every other thing Alpha Graham represented. It looked completely different from where I came from. More structured. More furnished. 

I stole another glance at him. 

How much money does this man have?

The driver hurried to open the door for Alpha Graham first, and the moment he stepped out, all the maids bowed their heads in fear. 

Praying to the Moongoddess I don’t trip over my wedding dress again, I carefully stepped out of the car, eyes taking in my unfamiliar surroundings. Then a mocking voice made me halt. 

“So, this is the breeder?”

My head snapped up to meet a young man’s gaze. He was leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, eyes scrutinizing every tiny expression on my face. He looked like the younger version of Alpha Graham, perhaps around my age, and the coldness in his blue eyes made my stomach drop through the fucking floor. 

Those same eyes dragged over me slowly before he smirked. “At least she’s prettier than the others.”

“Killan,” Alpha Graham warned. 

“What?” He lifted his both hands innocently, pushing his body off the wall as he approached us. He was nearly the same height as Alpha Graham. “I’m just welcoming your wife.”  He then paused before me. “I’m Killan Graham, Alpha Graham’s younger brother.”

I sucked in a shaky breath. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You think?” His eyes glowed with a dangerous glint, “trust me, it won’t be.”

Perhaps I could have escaped from home when I had the chance. 

I wouldn’t have to deal with this. 

Alpha Graham stepped up beside me, his expression unreadable, “she needs to be prepared for the banquet.”

Killan snorted. “You’re really going through with this?”

“I don’t remember asking for your opinion.” 

Killan’s jaw clenched. “We all know how this is going to end,” he nodded in my direction, clearly referring to me. “And judging from how spooked she looks, she doesn’t know about the others.”

Others?

What others?”

“She doesn’t need to know.” 

I looked up at Alpha Graham. “But—”

“Get my wife ready for the banquet,” Alpha Graham’s voice cut me off. He was referring to the maid who stood on the side. 

The maid bowed her head. “Yes, Alpha.”

Pushing the thoughts about ‘the others’  at the back of my mind, I followed the maid inside the pack house. My skin prickled with unease when each woman stared at me with pity. Including the kids. 

Do I look that pathetic? 

The maid closed the door gently the moment we entered the massive room. She finally looked at me properly, and the sympathy in her eyes made me frightened. 

“Is there something you all are not telling me?” I forced out. “About Alpha Graham?”

She shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

She ignored me and started to get me ready for the banquet. She spent nearly two hours making sure I looked perfect enough to stand by the Alpha’s side. She had a proud smile on her face, the kind Giselle always had each time she did an extremely perfect job. “You look so stunning.”

I stared at the reflection of the woman that looked nothing like me. Heavy make-up that hid my eye bags and the bruises on my neck, hair pulled in a messy bun with some loose strands grazing my cheeks. I do look stunning, but I also feel trapped. 

Is it too late to back out of this? 

The sharp knock on the door made me jump. 

“Alpha Graham is waiting,” someone said softly. 

“We have to leave now,” the maid smiled at me. “We can’t keep the Alpha waiting.”

She tried to help me up but I remained sitting, refusing to stand. 

Her brows furrowed. “Is something wrong?”

I fought the burn in my eyes. I thought I could do this. I thought getting married to Alpha Graham, the man feared across packs, wasn't a completely bad idea. I thought I was going to feel safer here, but it felt like I was being prepared for something dreadful. 

Everyone seemed to know something, but I was the only one left in the dark. 

I closed my hand around the maid’s palm. “I can’t do this.” 

She panicked. “But the Alpha—”

“Help me escape. Please.”