The Alpha's Bride Chapter 5 - Excuses And Reasons

The following day passed in a hazy state for Marcy as she fought to process her new reality while lamenting the very moment she stepped back onto her home soil.

The sequence of events—the tea parties hosted by Luna Layla, Nora’s attempts to lift her spirits by dragging her to various spots under the assumption that Marcy was simply struggling to re-acclimate to pack life, and the constant fabrication of excuses for why she hadn't shifted into her wolf form—all merged into a blurry void of superficial faces and insincere smiles.

The realization that she had encountered her fated mate only to lose him was akin to sampling the finest delicacy, only to know it was permanently forbidden. Yet, what other path could she have taken?

Marcy’s choice to reject George had not been a reckless impulse.

While she held the title of the Red Moon pack’s princess, the decade she spent away had granted her independence and a broader perspective on the world. She was far from naive.

Marcy understood perfectly well that her parents viewed her as a valuable asset to be traded for political leverage. Her exile to Europe was a calculated move to shroud her in mystery and brand her as a sophisticated she-wolf with worldly experience.

Like any other she-wolf, Marcy had once indulged in fantasies of finding her soulmate and being swept away by his passion.

The man of her dreams was a towering, muscular figure who looked at her with an intense, burning desire. By day, he would lead thousands of werewolves to victory in brutal conflicts, and by night, he would possess her with an unyielding stamina through every position of the Kama Sutra.

George possessed the height and the physique, and his heated stares did indeed suggest nights of carnal intensity. However, he commanded no one; he was the one who took orders from others.

Marcy had deduced that George must be flawed in some way. Had he been a capable wolf, he would surely be serving in a warrior unit rather than working as an Omega on the cleaning staff.

There was no world in which her parents would ever grant him their blessing.

After mentally simulating various futures based on her mate's identity, Marcy realized that if her partner wasn't someone of high status, the kindest act for both of them was to sever the bond before it could fully take root.

An Omega is a wolf stripped of status, rank, and wealth.

Her parents would never tolerate such a match. If Marcy dared to stand by him, they would either cast her out or subject him to brutal punishment. He might not even survive their wrath.

Alpha Edward and Luna Layla would never permit a union that would tarnish their lineage and waste twenty years of careful investment in Marcy's future.

As the princess, Marcy was expected to sacrifice her own happiness for the prosperity of the pack. While that sounded noble, she knew it was merely a facade maintained by her parents and the powerful figures backing them. The cold truth was that they were driven by an insatiable greed for more power.

Severing a mate bond is agonizing, and the pain only intensifies the longer the connection exists. Some wolves have even perished from a broken heart shortly after their mate’s passing.

Despite the pain, Marcy remained certain that rejecting George was the correct path.

Since the bond was still in its infancy, she believed they would both endure and eventually move on.

Perhaps the Moon Goddess would grant them a second chance, or maybe by completing the mating ritual with others, these lingering feelings and broken bonds would finally fade away. At least, she hoped so.

…

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In the quiet hours of the early morning, Alpha Edward summoned Marcy to his private study.

The room was occupied not only by her father but also by Luna Layla, her brother James, Beta Raymond, and Nora. Seeing such a significant gathering, Marcy immediately sensed that something monumental was happening.

A wave of anxiety hit her. Was it possible they had discovered her rejection of George?

She forced herself to remain composed. Being rejected was a mark of shame; George likely wouldn't have breathed a word of it, and she certainly hadn't told anyone.

Could they have been spotted kissing in the garden? Even if they were, a kiss wasn't an unforgivable sin. She began mentally preparing a lie about it being a simple dare or a bet.

"Sit, Marcy," Alpha Edward ordered. Once she was seated, he made his announcement: "Alpha Damon of the Dark Howlers pack will be arriving tomorrow. He is expected to join us for lunch."

Marcy was confused as to why this required such a formal meeting. It was just a visiting Alpha who would eat a few meals and discuss business with her father.

"The Dark Howlers are the most powerful pack in North America," Luna Layla added, fixing Marcy with a pointed look.

Marcy nodded, fully aware of their status.

Even while living in Europe for a decade, she had kept up with the major shifts in the werewolf world.

Alpha Damon had earned a terrifying reputation as a warrior who remained undefeated among his peers. Other Alphas viewed him with a mixture of admiration, dread, and resentment, largely because he had claimed his position at such a young age and refused to be intimidated by anyone.

Rumors suggested that Alpha Damon possessed a volatile temperament.

Marcy suspected her father harbored a secret hatred for Damon. It wasn't personal animosity, but rather the fact that the Dark Howlers kept the Red Moon pack in second place—and her father loathed being second. It surely stung his pride that Alpha Damon was only half his age.

She wondered why her father looked so pleased until his next words provided the answer: "He is visiting to meet you and to finalize the arrangements for you to become his Luna."

Marcy’s heart skipped a beat. A deal for her to become his Luna? Did he mean marriage?

Suddenly, everything became clear.

The various classes and training she had undergone—the etiquette lessons, the household management, and the budgeting courses her parents insisted upon—were all designed for this. They had been grooming her to be the mistress of a powerful estate. They had been preparing her to be a Luna.

Marcy realized her parents had been orchestrating this for years, perhaps since her birth.

Upon her return, her father’s immediate inquiry about whether she was mated was likely a move to ensure there were no obstacles to this plan.

She felt a secret relief that she hadn't mentioned George. She prayed he would keep their secret, for if her parents ever found out they were fated mates, George’s life would be in grave danger.

Looking at her parents, Marcy saw that an arranged marriage had always been her destiny. She had hoped for a chance to actually know her future husband before discussing marriage, rather than being part of a cold business transaction.

She glanced at Nora, wondering if her friend had known all along. Ultimately, it didn't matter; the outcome was the same.

"What are your thoughts, Marcy?" Luna Layla asked with forced excitement.

Marcy clenched her teeth. It was a pointless question. Did she even have the right to refuse?

"I'm still processing this news," Marcy replied, keeping her tone neutral.

"You have until noon tomorrow to process it and fix your attitude," Alpha Edward stated, his face darkening with a stern look. "This marriage is vital for many reasons, so ensure you make a perfect impression."

Marcy offered a strained smile in response.

She had nearly forgotten that her father’s actions were always self-serving. He likely viewed Alpha Damon as a young man he could easily control. It was never truly about her happiness.

"Yes, father," Marcy whispered. "If you'll excuse me..."

Luna Layla gestured for Nora to follow her. Since Marcy's return, Nora had been tasked with making sure Marcy stayed in line.

This was a turning point, and they needed Marcy to be the composed, obedient daughter they had raised her to be.