Page 2 of Curvy Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #4)

As I walk down the main street, the silence of Valentine Creek wraps itself around me like a shroud. It isn’t exactly peaceful or comforting, and ever since I arrived six months ago, that stillness has slowly electrified my blood with anxiety.

It feels like something waiting, a storm about to break over our heads. Or the pause of indrawn breath before someone starts to scream.

I pause and shake myself a little, looking around to get my bearings. The main street is very short, with just a couple of shops and a main hall. Around me, people look happy and relaxed, and I try to reassure myself that everything is fine and my nerves are a result of my own anxiety.

Why wouldn’t I be anxious? Six months ago, I learned that my mom is really my aunt and her twin sister Serra, is acting alpha of Valentine Creek… holding the position for me since my father died.

To say my world changed that day would be the understatement of a lifetime. It was soul-shattering enough to learn that I had a mom and a dad who were dead—but I also had to leave everything I’ve ever known to go to a place I’ve never been, and lead a new pack as alpha.

“Xavier? Are you okay?” a low, sweet voice asks.

I snap myself out of my thoughts and realize I’m still standing in the middle of the pathway like a brain-damaged fool.

“Yeah,” I say. “Ah…”

“Rhiannon,” she answers, saving me from the embarrassment of admitting I’d forgotten her name. “It’s okay, son. We know it will take you some time to settle in here. I saw you standing around, and I wondered if you’d gotten lost.”

“No, not lost,” I reply. “There’s only, like, three streets in the whole town. I’d have to be a real numbskull to get lost here.”

Rhiannon chuckles. “True enough. I’m over at the bakery if you’d like to join us for some cake and tea?”

“No, thanks,” I answer, shaking my head. “I want to get a real handle on these three streets so I don’t get lost again.”

Rhiannon laughs gaily and pats me on the shoulder. “Fair enough. We’re very happy you’re here, Xavier, don’t forget that. We also need to talk further about that other matter brought up by the council, okay?”

“Okay,” I mutter, my sullen feeling returning. “Thank you, Rhiannon.”

To my relief, she heads back to the bakery without further discussion. She’s an elder, and I’m supposed to show her respect, but I’m also the alpha, so I should be able to make decisions on my own.

Especially about my life.

I walk quickly along the sidewalk towards the town hall. It’s one of the largest buildings in town, but that doesn’t mean it’s very big. Every structure in the town is handmade from stone and wood, and all are built painstakingly by hand.

Cut off from the world, completely isolated and alone. No wonder everyone is quirky as fuck.

I stop on the grassy hill next to the hall and look up into the mountains. A lazy breeze flows slowly down from the peaks, ruffling my clothes and hair as it sweeps around me. When I look back toward the town, everything is still too quiet.

People don’t speak much above a whisper. In the whole time I’ve been here, I haven’t heard a single person shout. Everyone moves slowly and carefully, without making sudden noises. It’s as if the entire town is afraid to wake a sleeping beast.

Sighing, I turn my back on the mountains and walk back towards the main street. Even though it feels like something menacing is rising behind me, I stubbornly face forward, refusing to give in to my paranoia.

I don’t know if this place will ever feel like home.

I miss the cozy room behind the town hall in Cyan Lock, and the cakes and treats we’d share as we held a meeting. I miss just chilling, not taking on massive amounts of responsibility, and the casual bickering between all the council members.

Especially Mabel and Cass.

I close my eyes, drawing in a sharp breath. I’ve tried to keep my thoughts away from her, but when it comes to Mabel, I’m utterly powerless.

Oh, God, I miss her. I miss her more than anything.

I’d watched her for so long, always hoping I’d get to know her better. That night at Kit’s party was like the first step toward the rest of my life.

And I was right. My life just didn’t go in the direction I wanted it to.

I was so messed up after finding out about my family that I couldn’t even begin to explain it to Mabel.

Everything happened so fast, and my mom—my aunt—told me we had to leave town immediately, and I couldn’t bring anyone with me.

The conversation runs through my head again, still as clear as the day the words were spoken.

You have to come alone. Don’t bring anyone with you—especially a girl. You don’t have a girlfriend, do you, son?

No, Mom—I mean, Aunt Finnah.

Don’t trouble yourself, boy. I’ll be calling you my son until the day I die. I know this hits hard, but it’s time to go and live the life you were born for.

I understand. But do I really have to go alone?

Valentine Creek can be a treacherous place, boy. You’ll be the one to carry on your father’s work and make it safe again, but until then, don’t risk any outsiders in our town, understand?

Yes, Aunt Finnah. I understand.

I didn’t understand, and still don’t, but I am glad I didn’t bring Mabel. If I felt out of place here, she’d feel ten times worse. At least I have family and duty. Mabel would have nothing.

Except me, and I can never be enough for her.

I flirted with her for years, and she never responded. Even though she was so visibly upset when I left, I still feel that her feelings didn’t run deep enough to abandon her home and everything she’s ever known to come out into the wilderness and be my partner.

How would I know? I never even asked her.

Swallowing hard, I remember how adamant Aunt Finnah was about me coming out alone and not bringing anyone with me.

The command gave me a weird vibe at the time, which has only intensified every day I’ve been here.

I pick up my pace as I leave the main part of town, heading for the lake.

I take long, quick strides, trying to clear my head.

It was one night. Her feelings for me weren’t too deep. She will have gotten over me and moved on by now.

I feel terrible for what I did to her, but I still think it was the kindest way to handle it. I’ll never go back to Cyan Lock. She’ll have no reason to come here, and eventually, I’ll be able to forget about her.

Well. I think that’s the greatest lie I’ve ever told.

I know I’ll never forget Mabel, but I do have to forget my little fantasies. The “other business” Rhiannon mentioned is now looming over my head, and it will force me to change my path forever.

Now they want me to find a mate.

Within the first two months, Aunt Finnah was very strict about the town rules.

She made sure I was never out in the wilderness alone or beyond the town line after dark.

The elders practically ordered me to stay away from women and told me to be prepared to rule alone.

It was a situation that suited me just fine.

On nights of the new moon, everyone was especially jumpy. But by the third month, their expectant fear slowly shifted to hesitant hope, then confidence.

Even though the majority of the town still followed the rules, the atmosphere became more relaxed. And at our last meeting, the entire council—Aunt Finnah included—decided it was time for me to find a luna.

As I come to the shore of Lake Redhorn, the wind from the mountains picks up, tearing at me with brutal force. I can feel tiny chips of ice cutting my cheeks as I stare across the lake, watching the water shimmer with the light of the setting sun.

Sighing, I watch the wind whipping up the surface of the lake, feeling like the choppy water is a perfect mirror for my soul. I have to put Mabel behind me and find a match that benefits the pack without compromising my heart.

My life has become a complete mess, and if I really love her, I can’t bring her into my problems.

For the past week, the elders have pressured me every day to choose a mate. There hasn’t been a luna here since my mother died, and before her, it was rare to have one.

Even stranger, there aren’t any children in Valentine Creek, and few girls around my age. I’ve met all the young women and can’t say I’m romantically interested in any of them. They didn’t exactly throw themselves at me, either.

Not a single one of them offered to be my luna, which is strange, but I’m grateful for it. I couldn’t marry any of them. It would just be too much of a lie.

Looking down at my feet, I start walking back towards the town hall. It’s too far to my father’s cabin to make it back tonight, and I’ll have to stay here. Even though the elders told us the old rules are no longer needed, it’s a force of habit by now to be packed up and indoors by full dark.

The council believes that if I take a mate, everyone will be able to move forward and let go of the old superstitions. Valentine Creek has lived in fear, and now I can bring them into the light. But no one will believe it until I have a mate by my side.

Mabel fills my thoughts again, and it brings me nothing but pain. I could never face her again after what I did, and the sense of lingering danger in this town makes me feel like I’d rather she stayed far away.

I suck at goodbyes. Even at the best of times, my words don’t come out right. I know I fucked up hard when I left Mabel, and it’s all the more reason to never see her again. She must hate me so much, and I can’t ever face that shame.

I stop at the doors of the hall, pulling out my phone. I know there’s only one option left to me if I want to fulfill my duty to the pack and move forward as alpha.

Iris Porter.

My stomach twists up in knots as I click the link Kit sent to me. I talk to him regularly, and without his ongoing support, I’d be pretty lost.

He can’t relate to me, though. He was raised to be alpha. I had it shoved onto me out of nowhere!

Even though it was Kit who suggested Porter’s to me, the other alphas quickly backed him up. Considering my predicament, they agreed it was the only solution.

How can I just marry some random girl? I spent my life dreaming of marrying for love.

I harden my heart as I glare at my phone.

The boy who had those dreams was a nobody. I’m an alpha now, and my pack is counting on me.

Images of Mabel drift through my mind again. I allow myself one last moment of weakness and immerse myself in memories of her.

The way her dark, curly hair gleamed in the light, and how her gray eyes lit up when she laughed. The soft feel of her curves under my hands. The taste and scent of her, sweet, luscious. Making my mouth water and my body hard…

I take a long, slow breath, opening my eyes and banishing the images from my mind.

The only way for me to move forward on this path is to marry by contract, without personal feelings involved.

The only woman I’d choose as my mate is lost to me, and I just have to pray that she never finds out what I’ve done.

Flicking open my phone, I click the link. Before I can even open the application form, the chat box opens.

Xavier! How nice to hear from you. What can I help you with this evening?

I’m looking for a bride, I reply awkwardly. Isn’t that what you do?

Indeed, it is. Thank you for contacting me. I know I can find you a suitable match! I’m aware of your circumstances, Xavier, and I’m here to help.

Even though they’re only glowing words on a screen, they seem to have warmth to them, and a sense of comfort rushes through my chest. For the first time in months, I finally feel like I’m going in the right direction.

Ready to begin, Xavier?

Hope and determination settle in my chest, and a real smile springs to my lips. Everything is going to be alright! I tell myself.

I can’t explain it, even to myself, but I trust Iris Porter.