The Alpha's Bride Chapter 3 - Marcy Redmayne

Author's note: Marcy's photo is available in the comments section.

---

~ Paris, France ~

As the princess of the Red Moon pack—the second-most powerful pack in North America—Marcy Redmayne carries a heavy legacy. She is the daughter of the pack leaders, Alpha Edward and Luna Layla.

Marcy was granted the freedom to travel the globe because her younger brother was designated as the future Alpha of the Red Moon pack. For the past decade, she has lived across Europe, beginning her journey in the United Kingdom, followed by two years in Poland, and finally spending three years in France.

Her time abroad was spent attending various schools, mastering new languages, and fully immersing herself in different cultures.

After graduating from college three months ago, Marcy assumed her stay in Europe would continue indefinitely since her parents hadn't requested her return. Breaking her streak of living in boarding schools, she rented a one-bedroom apartment. This small space represented her first true taste of independence, and she even secured a part-time job.

During her ten-year absence, Marcy never once returned home. Her connection to her family was limited to weekly video calls with her mother and occasional emails.

Currently, Marcy is halfway through a macaroon-making course and was already dreaming of an upcoming adventure in Spain. However, those plans were derailed by an unexpected phone call from her parents demanding her immediate return.

It was nearly midnight when a tired Marcy answered her phone.

"I have already booked your flight for tomorrow morning," her mother, Luna Layla, announced.

The news instantly jolted Marcy awake. "Did something happen? Is everyone alright?"

"Everyone is perfectly fine, but we need you back home immediately. Do you have any reason to stay? Your flight departs at 6 AM, and the e-ticket has been sent to your email."

Marcy stared at the ticket details in disbelief, checking the date and time. "Mother, you're forgetting the time difference. That flight is only six hours away!"

"In that case, I suggest you start packing quickly."

Feeling defeated, Marcy looked at her belongings, wondering how she would fit her life into a suitcase.

She had been looking forward to a breakfast meeting with her friends; instead, she was forced to pack and flee. Her mother hadn't even specified the duration of her stay. She worried if this move was permanent and if she would ever be allowed to return to her life in Europe.

With her favorite outfits still in the laundry and the clock ticking, she wouldn't even have the chance to say goodbye to her friends or resign from her job at the café. Since her lease still had three months remaining, Marcy decided to pack only the essentials, clinging to the hope that she would be back within ninety days.

Though her parents had always been domineering—a trait common among Alphas and Lunas—this level of urgency felt extreme. She couldn't help but wonder what was behind the rush.

Unbeknownst to Marcy, her parents and Elder Parker had been plotting her future as her graduation approached. They intended to use her as a political asset to bolster their influence. With a college degree and fluency in several languages, Marcy was far more educated than the average werewolf, most of whom rarely finished high school.

The time had come for her to serve the interests of her family and the pack.

Alpha Edward harbored no doubts that his daughter would remain submissive. He believed she was raised for a position of greatness and saw nothing wrong with their arrangements, convinced they would benefit Marcy as much as the pack.

...

-- This work is published on WebNovel (w e b n o v e l . c o m). Don't support illegal copies! Read from the original site to support the author --

...

~ The Red Moon pack ~

Marcy’s homecoming was met with a reserved welcome from her kin.

In the lavishly furnished living room, Alpha Edward, Luna Layla, and her brother James sat waiting for her. Refreshments, including a pitcher of lemonade and various pastries, were spread across the table.

'Do I really have to be here?'

Marcy jumped when her brother's voice echoed in her mind. Having spent a decade away from other werewolves, she had forgotten about the mind link. She quickly erected her mental barriers to shield her thoughts from the others.

Luna Layla gave her son a stern look. "You should at least welcome your sister."

"Welcome back," James muttered with a tight, insincere smile. "I'm sorry, but my next lesson starts in two minutes. If I'm late, I'll be buried in extra assignments. We'll talk later." With a quick wave, James hurried out of the room.

James had been only five years old when Marcy moved away, making them virtually strangers now. At fifteen, he was consumed by the rigorous training and education required to become the next Alpha of the Red Moon pack, leaving him with almost no leisure time.

Alpha Edward pulled Marcy into a firm embrace, then held her at arm's length, inspecting her beautiful features with a look of satisfaction.

Running a hand over her silky blonde hair, he remarked, "You are truly a beauty, Marcy. I am proud to call you my daughter."

Marcy felt a blush creep up her neck. Praise from Alpha Edward was a rare occurrence. "Thank you, Father."

"Have you encountered your mate yet?"

The question caught her off guard. "Uhm... no, I haven't."

"Excellent. Very good," Alpha Edward said, his smile growing wider. "I have matters to attend to, so I will leave you in your mother's care."

Luna Layla immediately began reciting the day's itinerary. "Darling, you must be starving. Are you suffering from jet lag? We didn't want to overwhelm you on your first day, so the grand welcome party isn't until tomorrow night. For today, I've booked a full spa session for us, and this afternoon, some of my friends are stopping by for tea. They still remember you as a little girl with freckles; they’ll be stunned to see the woman you’ve become..."

Marcy held up a hand to interrupt her mother’s stream of words. "I am hungry. Could I have some food sent up to my room?"

"Take a shower, and the food will be there," Luna Layla agreed. "You have one hour before we head to the spa. Regardless of how tired you are, the massage will help you unwind, and we can have another bite to eat there."

With a forced smile, Marcy retreated to her childhood bedroom.

The room remained exactly as she had left it, filled with shades of pastel purple and pink. It featured a queen-sized poster bed, a desk, and doors leading to a private bathroom and a walk-in closet.

A shelf near the bed was still lined with the stuffed animals she had loved as a child, mostly teddy bears.

While the room triggered many memories, Marcy didn't feel a sense of warmth or nostalgia. The sudden, urgent summons followed by this orchestrated welcome made her feel deeply uneasy.

Just as her mother promised, a tray with a sandwich, an apple, and tea was waiting by her bed after her shower.

Marcy collapsed onto the mattress, eating her sandwich distractedly as she processed her new reality.

She had walked away from her friends, her apartment, and her job. She had built a real life for herself, and she had never intended for her return to the Red Moon pack to be anything more than a short visit.

There was nothing inherently wrong with the pack. It was a massive, prestigious organization, and as the daughter of the Alpha and Luna, she lived in absolute luxury. The packhouse was enormous, and she had a private suite on the third floor with everyone eager to please her. Yet, it paled in comparison to the vibrant life she had in Europe.

The one thing she had in Europe that was missing here was freedom.

In Europe, she was the master of her own time and company. Here, she was bound by the protocols of a princess. To Marcy, this beautiful packhouse felt like nothing more than a golden cage.

Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm her nerves. She told herself it was just culture shock and that she would eventually adjust. Surely, with her family's wealth, she could return to Europe whenever she wished.

She tried to find one silver lining: on Red Moon territory, she could shift into her wolf form whenever she pleased without the fear of being spotted by humans or hunters.

Marcy was staring blankly at her half-eaten sandwich when a knock sounded at the door.

"Come in," she called out, wondering if her hour was already up.

"Hello there," a polished woman with dark hair said, peeking inside.

Marcy felt she recognized her, but she couldn't quite place the face.

The brunette gave a small, understanding smile. "It looks like you’ve forgotten me. I’m Nora, Beta Raymond’s daughter. Luna Layla asked me to check on you. I’ll be joining you both at the spa."

The mention of the Beta’s daughter sparked a memory of a young girl with pigtails and a face full of freckles. Nora had grown into a tall, elegant woman with a graceful figure.

Marcy realized she was looking at her pre-selected "best friend." It was just another example of what she had lost—the right to choose her own social circle.

Trying to remain positive, Marcy noted that at least Nora was her own age and not one of her mother’s elderly tea friends.

---

Author's note: Check the comments for Marcy's photo.

---