Page 5 of Curvy Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #4)

Xavier’s words hit me like arrows to the heart. I stare at him in disbelief, a combination of anger and pain crushing my chest. My hands start to shake, and I don’t know if I want to run away or throw myself into his arms.

All this time, and the first words out of his mouth are another rejection?

“Mabel, I’m sorry,” he says quickly. “I didn’t mean—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” I mutter, cutting him off. “The more you talk, the less sense it makes. The best thing to do now is contact Iris.”

“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea,” he agrees.

Both of us pull out our phones, but even as I begin typing, I don’t have much hope she’ll answer. I’ve heard about how she vanishes like an apparition after matches are made, ghosting her clients.

But usually, after conflicts settle down, she sends a gift. Maybe she knows from the start that everything will be okay. Or maybe she’s just a sadistic businesswoman who doesn’t even care.

As much as it would suit my current situation to believe that, it doesn’t track with the way she always seems to appear at the right time and has inside information about what both people need.

Yeah, well, she sure dropped the ball this time. I don’t need anything Xavier has, and clearly, he’s not happy to see me.

To my surprise, a few seconds after I sent my message to Iris, three dots show up. I wait cautiously, fully expecting an automated message.

Or a really friendly AI. Almost prefer talking to them most of the time, anyway.

Mabel! Iris’s message appears. Thanks for checking in. Is everything okay?

No, Iris, it’s not okay. I’ve been matched with Xavier Harris.

Correct. What seems to be the problem? It looks like he’s messaging me, too.

Yeah, he’s not happy about this, either. He flat-out told me he doesn’t want me.

Well, I know that’s not true, Iris replies with a little laughing emoji.

Well, that’s what he just told me!

There is a pause, and I hear Xavier tapping his screen, so I assume she’s talking to him now. After a moment, I see the dots appear on my phone again.

I can see you both feel very strongly about this. The contracts have been signed, and both of you have agreed to the legal terms. I don’t usually do this, but I did add a cooling-off clause. If you complete a seven-day trial, then I can let you both out of the contract with no consequences.

I don’t get this, Iris, I reply. Both of us volunteered for this, and we had our own reasons. If we want to walk away, you can’t stop us.

That’s correct, Mabel. But considering that my business has allowed a significant amount of resources for this deal to be made, I still need to be reimbursed.

I haven’t spent any of your money? And didn’t Xavier pay you? Just give him a refund.

Both of you employed a third party because you wanted a contract to protect your own interests. That is the service I provide, and it must be paid for even if you decide you no longer want the contract. It’s all there in the document you signed.

I resist the urge to scream at my phone and hurl it to the ground. I start pacing, a low growl hissing between my teeth.

“Yeah, I’m having the same problem,” Xavier mutters. “I’m just going around in circles with her. This is bullshit!”

Can’t we sue you? I type back, still pacing.

You can certainly try, dear, but after one reading through the contract, any lawyer will refuse the case. It’s ironclad.

But you made a mistake!

Did I?

I want to slam the screen with my finger as I punch in an all-caps retort, but an odd feeling sweeps through me. My stomach twists, and my heart aches.

If I really could go home right now, what do I have to look forward to? Going back to my room to stare miserably at the walls and listen to sad songs?

I look over at Xavier, who is glaring at his phone, and think about the pics Iris sent me. The pretty little cabin, the humble townsfolk, and the handmade wares. She promised me a shopping allowance as well as getting paid, and taking a nice vacation.

My face draws into an ugly scowl as I flick my phone open again.

You mean it? I ask. Seven days, and I still get all my benefits, then walk out scot-free?

Yes, Mabel. If you complete a seven-day trial, then I can dissolve the contract. My reputation is on the line here.

My hand tightens on my phone, and I almost throw it again. This is my life, and she’s worried about her reputation!

Fine, I’ll do it, I type back. But I want you to link me to those services so I can order stuff. I expect to be pampered on this little vacation.

That’s wonderful news, Mabel! I’m sure you’ll have a great time out there. Xavier has also agreed, so I’ll let you two go ahead. I’ll send through those details soon.

I shove my phone back in my bag and look up at Xavier. He looks almost shell-shocked, as if he just crawled out of an explosion, only to find himself in front of a firing squad.

“You said yes?” he asks.

I nod. “You did, too?”

He sighs, nodding as well. He reaches out a hand. “Come on, let’s go to my car.”

I glare at his hand, then back up to his face. “I said I was doing this, not that I was actually going to play wife with you.”

“But you have to, Mabel,” he says. “That was the whole point of the contract. The people of Valentine Creek are counting on me bringing home a luna. It’s very important to them.”

I tilt my head to the side, studying him. “You really care about them, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do. Initially, they resisted the idea of me pairing up, but they’ve recently decided it’s essential. When I told them the ceremony would be tonight, they started celebrating right away. It really means a lot to them.”

“Okay,” I answer, sighing. “Let’s go to your car then.”

“Aren’t you going to hold my hand?”

“No way. Not here. I don’t want anyone in Cyan Lock to see us. They’re not the ones we have to convince.”

“I suppose you’re right about that,” he mutters. “Come on, then.”

I follow Xavier through the rose garden and out to the parking lot.

Walking a step behind him, I keep my eyes peeled for any sign of someone I know checking us out.

I really don’t want to explain this. Hopefully, I can get back to town with this being a purely ceremonial arrangement, a contract with no strings attached.

Even though I have that very nicely sorted in my mind, I’m pretty sure Cass and Lexa won’t leave it at that.

Xavier holds open the car door for me, but I barely glance at him as I get in. He tries to initiate conversation a few times, but I don’t have anything to say and can barely manage one-word responses.

As we cross the high peaks of Lycan Pass, the sun crosses over us, casting dark shadows into the valley as we approach. I feel a sudden chill that seems to have nothing to do with the temperature, but comes from deep within my bones.

As we descend towards Valentine Creek, I feel a faint touch of fear tingling through me. It’s very different from the anxiety I feel about my marriage to Xavier. By the time we reach the valley floor, the feeling has settled a bit, and I’m so enchanted by the scenery, I almost forget about it.

“The buildings are so pretty!” I exclaim as we cruise through the main street.

“Handmade,” Xavier says. “No machinery. Their ancestors put them together, rock by rock.”

“That’s insane,” I say as we pass a tall structure with magnificently sculpted archways.

“There are some statues in the park, too. You should see some of the woodworking in the smaller shops.”

“It’s amazing. Like everyone out here is an artist.”

“You don’t know how right you are. Because there has been no trade or commerce outside the town for so long, they make everything from scratch. They’ve devoted their whole lives to making the town secure and self-sufficient.”

“It’s wonderful,” I say. “But also kind of sad that it had to happen.”

“I agree,” Xavier replies.

“Do you think we’ll ever know why they ended up at war with Gryphon Eyrie?”

“Probably not.”

My excitement at seeing the town flickers a bit as we park in front of what must be Town Hall. The building has wide double doors open on every wall so people can come and go easily, and lots of picnic tables and extra seating around the outside of the building.

As we approach, a few people come out and wave at us. They look so happy and excited. I wave back.

Xavier extends a hand to me, and I give him a sideways look.

“You have to,” he mutters.

I know he’s right, and even though the nerves are shredding my stomach, I reach out and slide my palm into his. The effect his warm skin has on mine is immediate, and all my anxiety transforms into a more intense feeling I’d long forgotten.

Focusing on the doors up ahead, I take deep breaths and try to ignore my body’s reaction.

I can want him, but not give in to him. I’ll probably always have a reaction to him that I can’t control, and that’s fine—it doesn’t have to mean anything. All I have to do is stay here for seven days, and so long as the marriage isn’t consummated, I can leave without consequences.

“Xavier, my dear!” A tall, slender woman, one I recognize as Xavier’s mother, hurries out of the hall towards us, grabbing Xavier’s cheeks to kiss him on the forehead. “I’m so happy for you. This is a great day for us all.”

“Hello, Finnah,” I say, holding out my hand. “It’s nice to see you.”

“Actually, this is my Aunt Serra,” Xavier says. “My mom—I mean, Finnah and Serra are identical twins.”

“Wait,” I mutter in disbelief. “Finnah isn’t your mom?”

“No, dear,” Serra says, hugging me. “Finnah left town with Xavier, not long after his mother died, to keep him safe. She didn’t know if she would ever be able to come back, so she raised him as her own. With all the violence here, it was far better for him to stay away.”

“Okay,” I say.

This is weird.

“Oh, Mabel!” another voice cries out, and I see Finnah coming up behind Serra. She pushes past her sister and hugs me.

“It’s so wonderful to see you,” she gushes. “And you’re Xavier’s bride! I was wondering when he was going to get over himself and ask you out.”

“Yeah,” I mumble. “Thank you.”

Finnah lets go of me, and the two sisters flank us, linking our arms on either side as we walk up the hill.

I think this is supposed to be comforting, but I feel like I’m being marched to my doom.

“Here we are,” Finnah says, gesturing into the town hall as we reach the door. “This is the rest of the council: Rhiannon, Ninette, Eileen, Hector, and Ivan.”

“Pleased to meet you,” I say shyly.

The others come forward and shake my hand one by one, big smiles on their faces. Their eyes have a strange gleam to them, and it puts me on edge.

What’s wrong with these people? Something is off…

“Are we ready to begin?” Serra asks, taking her place on the low stage at the front of the room.

Xavier takes my hand and leads me towards her while the rest of the council close ranks around us and follow.

Even though everyone is really friendly, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m a prisoner. Behind all the warm smiles and bright eyes, a menace is lurking. A great and terrible secret that, if left undiscovered, could swallow me whole.