Chapter 1
Ryan's POV
'‘I'm already 19. I will soon be given to mate. Why can't I just wait until then? Why must I be sold out, mum?'' I cried angrily. They hated me, of course they did.
My stepfather's business was about to go down the drain, and the only solution he could think of was to sell me off to the most dangerous and wicked alpha of our time as his wife, in the name of arranged marriage.
"We have never asked you to do anything, nothing!" Mum folded her arms, staring at me as if I had just committed the greatest crime of all.
"Since your father rejected me, Marcus has been here. Now all he needs from your ungrateful ass is for you to get married so he can regain stamina in his company."
"I understand, but I am not a toy that anyone can just sell or do as they please," I replied. I could feel my wolf snarling. I had no say in it, and I knew it.
"Go and pack your belongings. You are leaving tomorrow morning. The deal is done and signed." She gave a low hiss and walked away from the room.
"I hate you, all of you!" I screamed as loud as o could, hoping she would hear it and it would stock in her head.
Sometimes, I feel adopted. Or maybe she just hates me because I reminded her of her lover who rejected her.
"It can't be that bad, Ryan." My wolf, Sky, echoed in my thoughts. That was our way of communication. She was the only friend o had in this messed-up world.
"Of course, it is that bad. Haven't you heard of the terrible things the Alpha king has done? He massacred an entire village because this chief said no to him. He is a monster. Only God knows what will happen to me now."
"I'll protect you," Sky said boldly. I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't possible. No one could protect me, at least not from the alpha, not even the moon goddess.
Staring at the big mansion in front of me, I couldn't help but gulp. It was seven times the size of my stepfather's house. At least Mom was right about one thing - the Alpha was freaking rich.
"I'll carry your luggage to your room and inform the maids to dress you," The middle-aged man who drove me from my house to this place said. His eyes scanned my worn-out denim trousers and red checkered shirt as he emphasized the last words as if I were some dirtbag from San Francisco.
"Thank you," I forced a smile. Since I'll be living here for now, I might as well make allies.
A woman who looked like she was in her early 20s bowed to me at the entrance of the mansion after the driver had left. She gestured her hand toward the entrance, and I followed suit as she started walking inside. After what felt like hours passing different doors, we finally reached a room where she fumbled with a key and opened the door. I stepped inside and was genuinely wowed.
It was big, as big as four rooms combined. My belongings were already inside, and my bed had been made.
"This is your room, miss." The woman finally spoke up. "I am your maid. I'll attend to whatever needs you have."
"I don't want to be here," I said, tears filling up my eyes - the ones I had been holding in since I heard that I was going to be sold off.
"Oh, dear." The woman gave me a pleading look and helped me sit on the bed. She rubbed my back slowly.
"Will he kill me? The alpha," I asked slowly. I still had my entire life ahead of me. It was too early to die. I still had to find my mate.
"Of course not!" She blurted. "You wouldn't even need to see him. Alpha Aiden is rarely home."
Aiden. His name sounds wicked.
"I am glad," I let out a sigh of relief
"All you need to do is bear him a son, and you are free to run away. He wouldn't mind, and I would even help you," She chuckled, and I couldn't help but smile back.
All I had to do was bear him an heir, and I'll be free. I will find my mate and live happily ever after.
"Thank you for everything..." I looked up at her as she opened the door to exit the room.
"Anessa," She nodded before exiting.
I went around the room to inspect it. I had everything I needed. I had no reason to leave here, even in the next two weeks. They had already provided new clothes hanging perfectly in the wardrobe. How did they know my size?
I signed and sat back on the bed. As much as I hated to admit it, I missed home.
"The wedding starts in three hours. Is she properly dressed?" I heard someone scream from outside the room, probably in the passage that contained so many doors.
What wedding were they talking about?
"No, I thought you said he wouldn't be here until next month. You said the wedding would be next month," Anessa's voice echoed back.
"Well, he is on his way here already. Get her ready. Nothing must go wrong today," the male voice came through again before there was a knock on my door. Before I could say a word, Anessa barged in.
"Good morning, Miss Ryan. I'm sorry for barging in, but the news came so soon," She blurted all at once, trying to catch her breath.
"What's going on?" I asked, standing up fully from the bed. I was already awake but had to check some messages on my phone.
"Mr. Aiden is on his way here for your wedding."
"Wedding?" My mouth burst open. "I just arrived yesterday. It's too soon."
"I'm sorry. I thought he wouldn't be back until next month. You have to dress now," She finished but didn't let me say anything as she clapped her hands twice, six young women came into the room with different cleaning agents and surrounded me.
'What does this mean? What about my mate?' Sky's worried voice filled my head.
"I'll go and handle things outside," Anessa said in a rush as she jolted out of the room, leaving the six maids and me. I closed my eyes and let them do their thing.
I stood at the altar they had made for the small wedding. There were no strangers in attendance. I could see my mom and stepdad with their 12-year-old daughter sitting in the front row. Some women sat beside them, and they were all sneering at me as if I had stolen the love of their lives.
As if I asked for all of this. It would be all over soon. Once I give birth to a son, it will be over.
I held onto the white wedding and the flower Anessa had forced into my hands and waited. The woman who was supposed to bless the wedding stood in front of me. We were all waiting for the Alpha.
"Is Mr. Aiden ready?" I heard someone whisper behind me.
"He said he has something to do and won't be able to make it. I would stand in for him." The thick make voice completed, and I wanted to turn fully to see him, but he was beside me in seconds.
How rude. The maids had dressed me up so early in the morning for this godforsaken wedding, must for the groom to sat he was too busy to attend?
The woman in front of me gave me a questioning look to the guy standing next to me, who was not the Alpha, but he nodded for her to continue, and she did.
After minutes of blabbering, she finally said. "I crown you and Alpha Aiden, husband and wife,''
I placed around my room angrily. How dare he! Alpha or no Alpha, he had no right to disgrace me the way he did.
A smile spread across my face as an idea came into my head. All I was here for was to give birth to an heir anyway, so I might as well make my stay short. I was going to visit his room tonight.
"Anessa," I called out loud.