Page 6 of Curvy Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #4)

Standing at the bottom of the low stage in front of Aunt Serra, I stare at the floor and try to hide my discomfort. It seems impossible that the elders haven’t noticed the tension in the room, or the anxiety rolling off me in waves.

This can’t be happening. It’s just too unreal. Yesterday, I was hoping I’d never see her again. Today, I’m in front of the altar with her!

I feel Mabel’s soft touch on my wrist, and I barely manage to control my reaction. Instead of bolting like a startled horse, I raise my head slowly and meet Mabel’s eyes, hoping that I don’t look like a stone statue in my attempt to stay calm.

Mabel’s face looks soft, and her smile is gentle, but I can see flashes of light in her dark gray eyes. It’s her fury, a far-off storm, but rolling right towards me.

I can’t escape it. Nor should I.

The ceremony is a little more complicated than I’d expected it to be.

While Aunt Serra speaks ritual words, Aunt Finnah uses a silver ribbon to gently wrap our wrists together.

Then both women chant softly in a language I don’t recognize, with the rest of the elders standing around us solemnly, heads bowed.

The sense of unreality I usually feel in this town suddenly hits a high note. I try to reassure myself that nothing weird is going on—because it isn’t. This is just my reaction to marrying Mabel.

It’s only seven days. The elders will have their luna, their fresh start for the town. My duty will be fulfilled, and we can get on with our lives.

Of all the lies I’ve ever told, that might be the biggest.

“Now, by my word, you are the sacred couple, keeper of our power, protector of our territory,” Aunt Finnah intones. “An alpha so strong, his might reaches to the very peaks, and a luna so full of love, she is the blood running in our veins and in our hearts. So shall it be.”

“So shall it be,” the other elders repeat in unison.

Mabel stiffens, her hand suddenly gripping mine. When I look up, I see panic in her eyes, and she shudders, her skin erupting into goosebumps.

Yeah, I felt it, too. What the hell was that?

Serra laughs and takes the ribbon off our wrists so she can hug me. Finnah throws her arms around Mabel, and the other elders look towards the doors.

“You can come through now,” Rhiannon calls. “The ceremony is over.”

A small group of townsfolk comes in, carrying baskets, casks, and small packages. Everyone ushers us over to the nearest tables so we can sit together as the others present their gifts.

“Try this, my luna,” an old woman says, handing Mabel a ceramic cup. She carefully pours golden liquid into it from a jug, and Mabel takes a sip.

“Oh, my,” Mabel says. “That is wonderful.”

“Spiced cider,” the woman answers, bowing and smiling. “My own recipe.”

“I’m honored,” Mabel replies. “I love the cups and bottle, too. Did you make them?”

“I did,” she says. “You’ll find a set waiting for you back at the alpha’s cabin, my personal gift to you.”

“You’re very kind, ah…”

“Mary.”

“Mary. Thank you.”

As the rest of the townsfolk come forward one by one, I can see Mabel getting a bit overwhelmed. All of them have brought personally made gifts—sweets, cakes, clothes, or trinkets—and they clearly want Mabel’s approval.

Or her blessing. It almost feels like with her favor, she grants them power or protection.

I shake off the thoughts, trying to get into the spirit and enjoy myself. It’s slightly better with other people around, and Mabel and I aren’t forced to deal solely with each other.

In spite of this, I can’t stop watching her. When the younger women gather around and draw Mabel into conversation, she seems to relax a lot more, and I feel a faint flicker of hope somewhere deep in my soul.

Hoping for what? Her eternal love? Forget about it, buddy.

“Xavier,” Hector says, reaching out to draw me into a small group of men. “How does it feel to be officially mated?”

“Ah… good, I guess. It’s a bit weird.”

“Of course it is,” Ivan says. “But you’ll get used to it quickly. The two of you have an important duty.”

“Tell me, boy, what more do ya feel?” a guttural, harsh voice cuts through the others, and I see a wizened old fellow named Marcus standing behind Ivan.

He knew my father. He’s probably the oldest person in this town.

“Oh, hope for the future, excitement about my bride,” I say. “What else should I feel?”

Marcus shuffles forward and grabs my hand, staring into my face with big, milky blue eyes.

“Do ya feel a pull towards the peaks, and hear a singing like a siren song, beggin’ ya to run in the forest at night?”

“Stop it,” mutters Ivan, and I see Aunt Serra suddenly look up and cut through the crowd.

“Enough, Marcus!” she snaps. “Eileen, will you take him home? No more brandy for him tonight.”

“Mark me!” he yells as Eileen escorts him from the room. “It ain’t over!”

“What the hell?” I mutter, not even realizing I spoke aloud.

“It’s nothing!” Serra says, taking my hands and giving them a reassuring squeeze. “We’re full of superstitions out here, old ones that no longer carry any weight. Don’t trouble yourself.”

“She’s right,” Hector agrees. “We can move on with our lives now, and there’s nothing to fear. Finally, we have a luna and a strong alpha who can lead the pack with her.”

It sounds like there’s meaning behind their words I can’t grasp, but I assume they’re talking about the war with Gryphon Eyrie.

That’s why they sent me away when I was young, because of the war. They are really paranoid about danger here, but I suppose it makes sense. They’re so isolated, it wouldn’t be easy to get any help.

Serra steers me over to Mabel and the small group of girls. They are all talking excitedly as they share cider and brandy, and Mabel seems to have really loosened up. One of the girls, a delicate creature with very long, straight brown hair, has an arm around Mabel’s waist.

“Good to see you fitting in so well, my dear,” Serra says as we break into the circle. “I see dear Dove has gotten quite attached.”

Dove blushes and snuggles closer to Mabel.

“It’s like having a big sister,” she says. “I feel so safe.”

“Aw, that’s sweet,” Mabel answers, stroking Dove’s long hair. “I’ve never had a sister, either.”

“We’re all your sisters now,” Lyssa says, reaching out to rub Mabel’s shoulder. “It’s been such a long time since we had a female in power.”

“Excuse me,” Serra says, theatrically clearing her throat. “I’ve been acting as alpha since Allan died.”

“We know that,” Lyssa answers. “But the energy… it just isn’t the same.”

“That’s true,” Serra agrees, her voice soft. A short, intense silence follows, where everyone looks at Mabel, their eyes sharp and predatory.

As if they want to consume her.

Panic floods through my guts, some instinctual reaction beyond reason that forces me to push forward, grab Mabel’s hand, and pull her towards me. She frowns, resisting slightly.

“What’s up?” she whispers. “We’re just talking.”

Did you not see shit go completely Twilight Zone right then?

“I just think we should get moving,” I say instead. “It’s pretty dark.”

“It is,” Serra says in surprise. “I didn’t notice.”

“It’s alright now,” Dove answers, watching Mabel with big, shimmering brown eyes. “Our lady luna protects us.”

“Still,” Serra says. “We should all get home. Best not to take any chances.”

Once the night sky is brought to the attention of the others, everyone agrees it’s time to go home. They help pack our gifts into the back of my car, and then we head out to the lake.

Father’s cabin is a fair distance from town, isolated on a far point of the lake. Water guards it to the east, and a long plain to the west melts into forest, then slopes upward to the peaks. To the north, there’s nothing but rock, while the town is to the south.

Almost like this is a crossing, and the cabin stands within it, protecting the town. But from what?

I want to let that thought go, brush it off as further superstition from the town’s old, traditional ways. But it sticks with me.

In the past six months, I’ve gotten to know a lot about my father from cleaning up the cabin and putting away his things. In his small office are stacks of journals, old texts, and scrolls, most of which I don’t understand.

I suppose it’s not unusual for someone to write in a cipher in their journal, but who was he hiding from?

Father’s works are extensive, reams of information on a mysterious subject that he clearly studied the entirety of his life.

Even though wolves are traditionally wary of magic, there is a lot about sorcerers and spells in the old texts.

In my work so far, translating the cipher, it looks like my father was toying with magic as well.

I don’t know if I really believe that.

When I asked my aunts, they said my father had strange interests, and I should pack everything up and leave it in the cellar. They wanted the past forgotten, quite literally buried. When I asked if the obsessive research had anything to do with my real mother, both of them clammed up even worse.

Enough, boy! Aunt Serra said. We’re in a new age now, and the past is forgotten.

Maybe I’ll tell you about your mother someday, but all you really need to know is she loved you and your father.

And after we lost her, Allan refused to lose you as well!

We kept you safe, as your mother would have wanted.

Her words ring in my mind as I pull up out front of the cabin. Lights glow around the doorway, and I can tell by the golden flicker in the windows that someone has lit a fire for us.

“This is it?” Mabel asks.

“Yep. I’m sorry. I know it’s nothing like the estates of the other alphas—”

“No, don’t apologize,” she answers. “I love it. The manors of the old families are actually kind of terrifying.”

“Yeah,” I chuckle. “I agree.”

We get out of the car, and Mabel turns around in a little circle, a look of excitement on her face. Warmth blooms in my chest to see her so happy, and I dare to hope that the next week won’t be too awkward.

A chill wind suddenly slashes down from the peaks, and the sky gets noticeably darker. Mabel shivers and hurries to the porch, standing in the little circle of light cast by the overhead light.

“Let’s get inside,” she says.

I hurry to unlock the door, and we step into the main room.

Mabel smiles at the cozy living area, obviously liking the long couch set across from the fire and the thick rugs on the floor. As she takes off her coat, she observes the little kitchen to the left of the door before heading down the hall.

A second later, I hear a shocked cry and bolt down the hallway after her.

“What is it?” I yell, imagining unmentionable horrors.

“There are only three rooms back here!” Mabel huffs.

She’s standing in the bedroom doorway, gesturing into the room that makes up the back of the house. To the left and right in the hall are the bathroom and the study. There are no other bedrooms.

“I warned you it was small,” I say.

“I thought it went back further. Like, there’d be a few bedrooms or something.”

“Nope,” I shake my head. “This is it.”

“Well, it’s unacceptable.”

“I’m sure I could build you an extension, but not tonight, honey. I’ve had a long drive and a big day. You know, with the wedding and all.”

Mabel glares at me. “Stop being such a smartass! You could have told me there was only one room.”

“I thought I did. Well, I tried to.”

“Fine, then! If you want to be a jerk about this, that’s totally up to you, I guess, but I don’t have to stand for it.”

“What exactly do you plan to do?” I ask, chuckling.

Mabel gives me a look that suggests she’s thinking about chaining me up in the front yard like a bad dog.