Three

My breath caught in my throat.

Husband?

The word shouldn’t have affected me, but it did anyway. I forced myself to look away from Alpha Graham, but it felt impossible. There was something about his eyes—the way they effortlessly held me in place, like I needed his permission to move my own body.

“Ciara!” My father’s harsh voice snapped me back to reality. “Apologies, Alpha Graham.” He lowered his head. “My daughter’s still learning to deal with her clumsiness.”

Of course he was going to blame me. That was all he did—act like I was more of a burden than his first daughter. He never looked at me like I was truly his own. I was just a pawn in his hands. I stared at the white shoes Stephanie had borrowed me, keeping my head down because, as an omega, I couldn’t stare into an Alpha’s eyes.

But Alpha Graham didn’t loosen his grip on me. He pushed up the sleeves of my dress and I panicked. I couldn’t let him see my scars. I instantly wrapped my fingers around the sleeves to hold it in place.

My father chuckled next to me. “There’s no need to rush, Alpha Graham. As long as you keep the end of the deal, she’s all yours. I can even skip the wedding if you’re that eager.”

I couldn’t believe this. My head whipped to the side to stare at my father, eyes wide with surprise, and Alpha Graham took that chance to push my sleeves until he could see the bruises.

I stiffened.

“Where did you get this one from?” A low growl rumbled from his chest. He brushed a thumb over the fresh bruise and I flinched. “Answer me.”

“Alpha Graham.” My father lowered his voice. “The..the guests are looking. You have to keep your voice down.”

“And since when do you tell me what to do?”

Blood drained from my father’s face. It was the first time I had seen him white from fear. He stuttered. “Al..Alpha—”

“Did he do this to you?” He directed the question to me, gaze burning through me like acid. My father tightened his grip around my arm to keep me in check. I knew I couldn’t mention his name. I knew he would torture me if I did.

So I just kept mute.

My father let out a nervous laugh, “you know how clumsy she is. She falls a couple of times, that’s where she got the—”

“Don’t fucking lie to me.” He sounded so deadly, my knees went weak. “I’m giving you one last chance. Where did she get the bruises?”

My father’s name was already on the tip of my tongue, but I knew the punishment that awaited me if it ever got out. So I put on the most natural smile on my face. “Work,” I said slowly, hoping he didn’t notice the tremor in my voice. “Like my father said, I’m really clumsy.”

He lifted a brow at me.

“You’ve heard her, Alpha Graham. Let’s proceed with the ceremony.”

Alpha Graham stared at me with that same gaze—like I was a puzzle he was trying to solve, like he couldn’t understand why I would cover up for my father when he could be dealt with right there and then. But he didn’t need to understand why.

Even I couldn’t explain it.

He roamed my face for a few more seconds before finally stepping away to the altar.

My father sighed in relief. Then he leaned in. “Embarrass me before the whole pack again and I’ll make sure you regret it. Now smile.”

My eyes burned with unshed tears as I sucked in a shaky breath, running my palm over the dress. I blinked back the tears and smiled at him. “Be rest assured. I won’t embarrass you anymore.”

Standing at the altar, we recited the vows like they were just mere words and that alone was enough to make an ache pang through me. As a child, I had always thought I would be getting married to someone I felt something for. Someone who said the vows like they really mattered, not just to get the wedding over with.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest echoed and my heart jumped into my throat. 

Can’t we skip it? 

Do we really have to do that in front of everyone? 

Sparks danced in my stomach when he leaned into me, brushing his thumb against my chin. His fingers went into my hair before he slammed his lips against mine. My whole body trembled. He went deeper, invading my mouth, letting out a small groan like he wasn’t devouring me in public. He pulled away and licked his lips.

Heat rushed up my cheeks at how intense his gaze was.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife!”

Loud cheers erupted in the hall.

I could literally hear my father’s boastful voice over everyone else, and Alpha Graham scoffed. “You lied for him, didn’t you?”

My stomach tightened. “No, I—”

“He can’t hear us.” Something dangerous flashed in his eyes as he urged me to tell him the truth. I gave him a small nod, acknowledging the fact that my father had given me the multiple bruises on my body, then his jaw tightened.

“From this moment onwards, no one touches you without my permission,” he said coldly. “You belong to me now.”