Page 10 of Forced Alpha Bride (Wolfshade Brides-for-Hire #3)

“Oh, my dear!” Isla, Krista’s mother, rushes out of the crowd toward me, her arms open. “What has he done to you?”

“Stop right there,” Damon commands, coming around in front of me. His guys immediately fall in behind me, making sure I can’t escape.

Isla glares at him, standing her ground even though her lip is trembling.

“I’m going to give her to you now so you can clean her up for the ceremony,” Damon says. “I’ll even let Krista out of the dungeon. But she’s to keep her restraints on, and if she escapes, I’m holding you personally responsible.”

Krista’s in a dungeon!

Isla scowls. “The fact that you could do this to the poor child—”

“Isla!” Damon roars. “Do you understand my terms? If not, I’ll revoke my offer, leave Krista in the dungeon, and force Winnie to the altar immediately!”

Isla’s face falls, and I watch her struggle against her tears.

“I’m sorry, Alpha,” she whispers. “Your orders are understood.”

“Excellent,” Damon says. “Austin, you take Winnie with Isla and guard the door while she gets ready. Logan, go get Krista and take her to the girls’ suite. Flint, take me to a spare room. I assume you’ve found some clean clothes?”

“Yes, my alpha.”

Damon moves out of the way, gesturing to his friend Austin as Isla rushes forward and throws her arms around me. Both of us cry a little until Austin gives us a shove towards the manor.

I cling to Isla, fighting my ropes a little. After seeing Damon ordering the pack around in the courtyard, I’m feeling extremely intimidated. I realize it’s not just me he can hurt, but all my friends and loved ones, too.

When we get to Krista’s suite, she’s already there, looking almost as dirty and bedraggled as me. Isla breaks down, holding her daughter and sobbing.

“Oh, no, my baby! What did they do to you?”

“I’m alright, Mom,” Krista says, rubbing her on the back. “It was just really dirty and dark down there, that’s all.”

“You guys really have dungeons here?” I ask in disbelief. Krista nods.

“They haven’t been used in years, but yeah. We still use the ceremonial rooms, so I didn’t think the cells would be that bad. But they’re actually worse.”

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I won’t let him hurt you again.”

“You’re the one who’s hurt,” Krista points out.

“Girls!” someone roars from the other side of the door. There’s a sharp bang against the door that makes us all jump. “You don’t have all day. Get cleaned up and back out here, pronto!”

Shivering in shock and fear, I let Krista lead me to the bathroom, where she helps me wash.

“I wish I could take off the ropes,” Krista says.

I shake my head. “No, don’t risk getting sent back to the dungeon. Just do what he says.”

“Are you going to just do everything he tells you? How can you marry him?”

I shake my head. “I really don’t have a choice. There is too much risk to people I love. This way, I’m the only one who gets hurt.”

“I never picked you for being the brave one, Winnie.”

“Neither did I,” I answer with a sarcastic chuckle. “But here we are.”

“How did you guys survive out there? I heard it was one of the worst storms in recent history.”

“I found the cabin—well, Damon did,” I explain. “I got lost and… well. I almost died. If Damon hadn’t found me, I would have.”

“Oh.” Krista looks at me with wide eyes. “That’s… well. It’s actually kind of romantic.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snap. “He just needs me for the ceremony. He doesn’t care about me.”

“And how do you feel, Winnie?” Krista asks.

I look away, gulping down my shame. “He’s hot,” I admit. “Any girl would have to admit he’s nice to look at. He’s an absolute jerk, though.”

“Most girls definitely do agree,” Krista says, brushing my hair. “He’s got a reputation for one-night stands. There are broken hearts littered all around town.”

“Well, that’s just great,” I say tartly.

Isla comes in with a dress for me, a soft wool gown in deep forest green. We have to ask Logan to take off the ropes for a minute so I can get dressed, then bind me again so he can report to Damon that his orders were followed.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Winnie?” Krista whispers as we leave the suite.

“No, I don’t want to,” I answer. “But I have no choice.”

We go to the main hall just beyond the foyer. Elders and first families are gathered, and the mood is somber.

More like a funeral than a wedding.

Damon is waiting at the head of the room, wearing fitted slacks and a collared shirt. It’s almost like a facade of civility, a camouflage that does very little to conceal the wild, feral beast he actually is.

When he reaches for my hands, his warmth sends a shiver through me, and my knees buckle a little. He keeps his eyes on mine as he takes the ropes off, and I can’t look away from him.

Mesmerized… like a little bird about to be munched by a snake.

I barely notice the elders performing the rite and murmur my responses at their prompting without much thought. My fear and arousal have faded, leaving me completely numb. Like I’ve survived a car crash and am still not sure if I’m alive or dead.

When we turn to face the crowd, I see Galen and Clara walking towards us with the first families. I’m so relieved, it knocks the breath out of my lungs, and I rush over to hug them.

“Are you alright, sweetie?” Clara whispers. “I didn’t like seeing those ropes on you.”

I blink back tears, biting my lip so emotion doesn’t take me over. “It’s okay. I signed the contract, and I shouldn’t have run away. He did what he had to do.”

“Don’t make excuses for him,” Galen growls. “Just say the word, and I’ll get you out of here.”

“No,” I whisper, flicking my eyes over to Damon and his guards. “Not here, not now. He’s too powerful, especially now that he’s wedded to me.”

Galen struggles with himself for a second, looking over at Damon with a tense expression. “I don’t like this, Winnie. He’s not a nice guy.”

“So I keep hearing,” I shoot back. “And it’s getting worse the longer I’m around him. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt, though.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt!” Galen says.

I sigh, looking away. “He can’t hurt me—not really. It will threaten his position if he harms the luna. He’s bound by the same laws as any other wolf.”

“Okay,” Clara says, squeezing my hand. “I understand, but you get word to me the moment you don’t feel safe.”

I don’t feel safe now!

“I will,” I answer.

“Winnie,” Damon’s voice sounds behind me. “We have duties to attend to.”

“Coming,” I reply. “Just saying hello to my brother.”

“Pleased to meet you, Alpha Galen,” Damon mutters.

“And I you,” Galen answers. “May our alliance be long and prosperous.”

Even though the words are common ritual, Galen’s tone doesn’t match the sentiment. Damon scowls and takes my hand, shoving me ahead of him as he heads through the crowd.

I throw one last wave over my shoulder, then turn to meet my destiny.