Filed to story: Owned by the Alphas Novel
“Well, I’d rather not marry at all,” I offered, and he smirked.
“Must be our cursed blood. Ruining us for marriage.” He laughed and so did I.
He walked straight, his hands behind his back. My father had trained him well, a true soldier, and I envied that he had something meaningful to do.
“Must be.” I snickered, then turned toward our hut.
“Mother and Father didn’t want to meet me at the carriages with the rest of the village?” I asked, trying not to let that sting.
He chuckled at that though. “No, but that is probably a good thing. You have marks all over your neck from the city savages, little sister. They are probably going to have a tantrum, and no doubt Father will sanction the wolves for coin and goods as an apology for their behavior.”
He smiled and I shrugged.
“Hmmm,” was all I could manage, my mind running back to my night with the three alphas. A night I wouldn’t forget anytime soon.
I didn’t want to.
Lucas led me inside my and Mother’s hut, his hat tucked under his arm, opening the door for me as I went in. And wanted to walk straight back out again.
Moans and grunts filled the tiny hut, paired with the banging of Mother’s wooden headboard against the wall. I wasn’t getting any sleep with that going on.
I walked back out and sat on the grass, looking out toward the empty meadow at the back of our house. Lucas followed and sat down next to me.
“So, what has life been like here for you?” he asked, and I shrugged.
“I grew up with girls and women that were terrified of me. That’s about it. You?”
“Trained with Dad. Learned about the wolves, the vamps, us. All the wars. Same stuff everyone learns,” he said, looking out at the meadow with me.
It was sunny but the wind was brisk, and I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, my dress brushing the green grass.
“We don’t get to know that stuff.”
And we should, but it wasn’t my place to question anything. I had no say, and normally I didn’t care about that, but the marriage thing? Really wish I got a say about that.
“You know, the council says the vamps are planning something. There’s been activity at the border the last few weeks, a couple of humans missing from the villages, even some sightings.
“They’re keeping it all under wraps, but I want you to be careful, yeah? Look out for Mom,” he said, yanking a dagger from his boot and handing it over.
I took it and twirled it between my fingers, then nodded. “Sure. But aren’t you and Dad staying now that we’re both eighteen?”
He shrugged. “Dad said technically but that we’d be mostly back in the men’s village because of training and managing the men.”
That was shit.
“So why don’t me and Mom come over there? I’ll be married, so will Mom.”
He gave me a wistful sigh, then shrugged sadly. “You can ask.”
But we both knew what Dad would say. I picked up a daisy and spread its stem, then chucked it away.
“Think they’re finished?” I asked, looking over my shoulder at the hut.
Lucas lay down and put his hands behind his head, closing his eyes to the sun in the sky.
“Maybe,” he said simply, so I lay down next to him and within seconds, fell asleep.
***
I woke to my mom’s soft face and voice. I was back inside.
“Sweetie,” she said, and I groaned, rolling over in my bed, wincing as my body ached with the movement. “We must get ready, love,” she continued, and I opened an eye.
The stupid choosing ceremony.
“I’m not going.”
I wasn’t getting married, and the crowd had looked women heavy, which meant multiple wives to the same men. They didn’t need me.
“Lorelai, I know it was hard on you, the offering night always is, but it’s over with.
They can’t hurt you anymore, and your father has already sent word to the alphas about the state you’ve come back in. It is unacceptable, winter born or not,” my mother said, tears in her voice.
I shot up at the mention of the alphas. “He did what?”
“We will be compensated, love, you will. That’ll help with tonight’s ceremony. I’ve even had the village seamstress put together a stunning dress to cover most of the werewolves’ indiscretions.”
She smiled like she was doing me a favor. She really had no idea. I loved her, but she was wrapped up in tradition, and I was not traditional.
“Mom, I don’t want to be married,” I said plainly, but she sighed.
“Well, I didn’t at your age either, but it’s the way things are,” she said, then stood and walked over to the dress lying over my vanity.
It was long and black, with a slit for me to show off my cleavage but with fabric that tied at my neck. My leg slit was on the opposite side than normal so my bite and claw marks wouldn’t show.
I hated it. I’m sure I would look stunning in it, but I wasn’t ashamed of my night with the alphas.
“Look how well they did.” Mom beamed, and I ran out of energy to break her heart.
The ceremony was happening, and I had to go through with it, so I plastered a smile on and tried, for her sake.
“It’s beautiful. Thanks, Mom.”
Her smile brightened. “Get dressed and meet us in the living room. Your father wants a word.” She smiled.
I nodded, and she left.
I slipped into some black panties and a black corset undergarment, then pulled the dress on. It was beautiful, I hadn’t lied, but I hated what it represented.
Swallowing back the tears in my eyes, I pulled the ties of my dress closed at the side and into a bow, then brushed out my hair. When I went into the living area, my parents and brother were waiting for me.
Lucas had straightened up, brushed back his hair, and had his hat on. He was ready too.
I cleared my throat as my father talked to Mom. His head snapped up when I did, and he smiled.
“Sweetheart. You are sensational. I have at least three lieutenants who are very excited to meet you.” He grinned, and I smiled tightly.
“Did you tell them I’m winter born?” I murmured, and he scowled. He hated it when I brought that up.
“It didn’t come up. Now, are you ready to go meet your future husband?” he asked proudly, like it mattered whether I was ready or not.
“Not really.”
“Lorelai!” Mother scolded, but I shrugged.
“Sorry,” I said, but I didn’t mean it.
“Lori, let’s just get through this, okay?” Lucas interrupted, and I looked to him.
I shouldn’t be the one complaining; he was the one getting the short end of the stick. I sighed and nodded.
“Fine, let’s go.”
We made our way toward the center of the village, where another bonfire roared.
The night was dark with the new moon, only stars and fire to light the night.
I walked behind my family, trying not to drag my bare feet, but I couldn’t help it. I missed the alphas. Their easy smiles and banter that made them seem more human than the ones I shared a village with.
I missed their touches, their taste. And I would never have it again.
The thought sucker punched me, and I held my stomach. Lucas stepped back and wrapped his arm around me.
“We’re going to be okay, Lori. Our shadows will protect us, no matter what,” he whispered, and I gasped, looking up at him.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?