The Substitute Bride

”Isabella,”I flinched as the gates of my room rattled. A guard stood there with his spear in hand, all dressed for the ceremony that is about to happen in the pack.”Regina is waiting for her bath. Hurry up.” I nodded immediately and hurried with my clothing. He stood by the gates, and I sighed in relief when at least he decided to turn his back when I started putting on the dress that I was assigned to wear for today.”I’m done,” I said and rubbed a hand on the silk blue dress that hung around my rather malnourished body. I was grateful it still hung around what little chest I have and hips. Anton, one of the Alpha’s guards, looked me up and down. I fidgeted, feeling uncomfortable. I know I didn’t look much. Regina always said I couldn’t get any guy to like me because I didn’t know how to take care of myself. The thought didn’t bother me much today, though. Even the guard’s careful inspection. Because today is my birthday, and I get to see my mate. I’m excited since I could feel

The ceremony went on like a blur to me. I was physically there, but my mind was running around everywhere. I couldn’t grasp yet what this would mean to me. Had I really made the right decision to agree to this? Would my life even be better? Or am I just going to be a more battered servant the moment we go back to his pack?”… may now kiss the bride.”I sighed and fidgeted on my fingers. My life had just changed in just a couple of hours. I guess this is a happy birthday to me. “Isabella,” I flinched when someone suddenly took my hand. The owner of it froze and I looked up to the very tall man standing next to me. He looked at me as if expecting something. “W-what?” I asked silently when I noticed how quiet the entire hall had gotten. “You are now about to seal the union with a kiss, Luna.” The wedding initiator told me.Oh. I felt Alpha Logan’s skin on my hand. I turned to him and I sucked in a breath when I saw how intensely he was looking at me. “Where is your mind flying, w

  ISABELLA   I started backing away when he slowly crawled towards me. My heart was beating so fast as I felt like a prey at the mercy of her predator. ”Are you afraid, Bela?” He asked, a smirk still playing on his lips.  “N-No,” I lied. I could feel my insides trembling. ”Really?” A spark filled his eyes, like a predator knowing he’s gotten his prey. He once again watched my lips. I know that being married to him includes doing… wifely duties. I may not have ever experienced being intimate with anyone, but I know this is part of married life.  And as Alpha, I know they have much stronger urges. I learned that from Regina. She liked dating men with Alpha blood, saying that was the reason why she wanted to hang out with them.  

  LOGAN “You did not Mark her.” ”Why should I?” Father stared at me for a while, his dark gazes trying to read me. I clenched my fists, displaying nothing but stoic emotions in my face.  He sighed and stood up from his seat. He started picking a book among his hundreds of shelves.  He wasn’t much of a reader, nor was this his office. It was Mother’s. He just liked staying here since we lost her. He even became a reader because of it. ”The agreement was you having a wife before becoming king—“ ”And I have that now.” He shook his head and closed the book he was holding.  “That is no wife, Logan. That is a servant, urged to marry someone she barely knew. She was commanded to follow her mas

 ISABELLA  That didn’t happen. The entire day, Logan was busy. Until the next day, and the next and the next.  I hadn’t even noticed as a week flew by, and I’ve never seen him again.  “He’s still out of the pack.” I flinched and looked at Blake who suddenly came inside the kitchen. He was holding a mug, the aroma of his coffee filled the air.  “I-I wasn’t asking.” I faced my breakfast again and started eating, even when I didn’t have much of an appetite.  Blake chuckled and took a seat beside me. ”He gave me orders to stay and lead the pack as of now that he’s away. He’s finishing up the alliances we’ve made all throughout the year. But he’ll be back before you know it.” ”