All Chapters of Unexpected Mate: The Cruel Alpha’s Little Wolf: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

"It's time," my newfound friend, Mira, said. I'd been waiting for this night for so long. For weeks, I'd survived on a strict diet, forcing down bland, tasteless meals just to look perfect for the ceremony. Carefully, I rose to my feet, making sure not to wrinkle my white dress. It had been specially chosen for tonight. In fact, everything I was wearing had been selected with great care. Even Vera, my stepmother, had lent me her blue necklace—something that still shocked me. She'd told me it would bring me good luck and that I'd need all the luck I could get tonight. I never knew she cared. She'd never shown me an ounce of kindness before, but I wasn't about to question it. Even if she was only pretending, everything would change after tonight. Once I became Luna, she'd surely want to stay on my good side. Mira lifted the hem of my dress as we made our way toward the ceremony hall. My heart pounded with nervous excitement. I'd only met Lucas once, and we'd barely spoken, but I'

"Aurelia, we're leaving," Kael said. "Already?" Aurelia pouted. "But I don't want to leave Aria." She looked up at her father hopefully. "Can she come with us? Our house is big enough for all of us." I expected Kael to refuse. After all, he didn't know me. I was nothing more than a stranger. A stranger who had just been rejected by her mate in front of the entire pack. To my surprise, he simply said, "All right. She's coming with us." Then he turned to me. "No..." I said quickly. "I can't." I forced a small smile. "It wouldn't be appropriate. I don't want to impose." He took a step closer. The air between us suddenly felt heavier. "You have nowhere else to go." His voice was calm, but left no room for argument. "You're coming with us." I opened my mouth to protest again, but no words came out. What was the point? He was right. I had nowhere else to go. Aurelia immediately let go of her father's hand and slipped her small hand into mine. She smiled so brightly th

The next morning, I woke up with a sense of purpose. For the first time since the ceremony, I had a plan. It wasn't much of one, but it was enough. I was going to find somewhere else to stay. The room Agatha had given me was comfortable. Too comfortable. The soft mattress, the warm blankets, the expensive furniture, I could get used to all of it if I wasn't careful. And that was exactly the problem. This wasn't my home. No matter how kind Aurelia had been. No matter how generous Alpha Kael was being. Sooner or later, I would have to leave. The sooner I accepted that, the better. After getting dressed, I made my way downstairs. The smell of breakfast drifted through the hallways. As I entered the dining room, Aurelia's face lit up. "Aria!" She abandoned all interest in the food in front of her and practically bounced in her seat. I couldn't help smiling. "Good morning, Aurelia." I said. "Good morning, Alpha Kael." He gave a brief nod. "Come sit b

I headed back to the Blackwood Estate, exhausted and discouraged. The sun was already beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold. I hadn't found a place. Not a single one. Everywhere I went, doors seemed to close the moment people recognized my name. I wrapped my arms around myself. Staying at the estate was becoming a problem, but leaving seemed impossible. And after the conversations I had overheard in town, I couldn't afford to stay much longer. People were already talking. I couldn't let them think Alpha Kael was keeping me. The thought alone made my stomach twist. As I approached the gates, one of the guards immediately straightened. Relief flashed across his face. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're back, Miss Aria." I frowned. "What happened?" The guard shifted awkwardly. "Alpha Kael was considering sending wolves to look for you." I blinked. A search party? Surely that was unnecessary. Unless... "Aurelia?" I asked.

I helped Aurelia change to something presentable, so that we could go get breakfast. I picked out a simple outfit for her, a light dress, comfortable enough for movement but warm enough for her still recovering body. She watched me carefully. “Do you always dress people?” I paused slightly. “No.” “Then why me?” The question was innocent. But it landed deeper than it should have. I helped her into the dress before answering. “Because you’re sick.” She hummed as if accepting that explanat