Page 3 of Impregnated By the Alpha

“And you’re sure you don’t want to wait,” April said.

“What would I wait for?” I asked.

April shrugged. “Love.”

I smiled ruefully. April had no way of knowing, but I would never marry for love. In many ways, the civil arrangement I had agreed to was much more preferable than any of my alternatives for marriage.

I had already given my heart away once, half a decade ago. I was determined never to make that mistake again.

Chapter 2 - Nile

Every wolf in Pinedale was getting ready to head to the forest for my mating ceremony. Since this was my second wedding, I wanted a more casual affair, so I had opted for a simple ceremony followed by a light meal and dancing. I could only hope that my future bride agreed with the arrangements I had made.

The Pinedale wolves were excited to be getting a new luna today, but I was equal parts nervous and ambivalent about my impending nuptials. I had no need for companionship or love. I had lost my true mate shortly before my first marriage, followed quickly by the loss of my wife. Consequently, I had spent a long time doing things on my own. I could happily continue without the worry of a partner.

What I did need was an ally. The peace between all our neighbors was tenuous. I wanted a luna who was smart enough to help me advocate for harmony and goodwill. All I could do was trust that the Dark Moon wolves had selected a female who would be up to the task.

I hoped I might also find the piece that had been missing from my daughter’s life: a good and kind female caretaker for her to look up to and emulate. Up until now, I had neglected to provide her with a maternal figure. She was the light of my life and had wanted for nothing except a mother’s love. My greatest wish was that my new mate would be willing and able to fill that role. But first, I had to meet her.

The mating ceremony would be happening soon, but I had requested that Alpha Jasper bring the chosen she-wolf to meet me before we went through with our duty. It was importantto me that both of us had the opportunity to back out without having the entire pack witness our conversation.

My thoughts were consumed with my plans for a political marriage based on cordiality when there was a knock on the front door.

“Can you get that, Terry?” I asked one of my guards.

He nodded and left the room. I heard low voices from the front door, and within a moment, he had reappeared.

“The Dark Moon alpha and luna are here,” Terry said. “With your bride.”

Jasper and April entered the room first, and I could only see a glimpse of blond hair peeking out from behind them. She stayed hidden, allowing her alpha to speak on her behalf.

“As requested, we brought the female who was chosen to be your wife so that the two of you can speak before the ceremony,” Jasper said.

“Thank you,” I replied.

“Would you like us to stay until after you’ve had the chance to speak with each other?” April asked.

I nodded in assent. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting outside, I think it would be best if the three of you arrived at the clearing together.”

“We’ll leave you two to talk, then,” Jasper said. “We’ll be by the car.”

The alpha and luna parted to the side, allowing the young woman to come into my view. She took a few steps toward me, and they absconded from the room quietly.

But I barely noticed their departure. All thoughts of a simple, friendly marriage had gone out the window when Irealized that I already knew my intended mate. It was her—my true mate. The woman I had brutally rejected years ago.

I had done it to protect her, but I had broken my own heart in the process. I couldn’t imagine how the twists of fate had conspired to bring us back together, but I knew that there was no chance I would let her go this time. Somehow, some way, I would make her understand why I had to leave. But now wasn’t the time.

“Violet,” I said.

I couldn’t think of anything to say other than her name. It was a name I hadn’t spoken in almost seven years. I had barely allowed myself to think of her, knowing that I had done the right thing in saving her from the horrors she might have experienced in my presence.

She was more beautiful than ever. Her hair had become a richer honey color since I had seen her last, but her eyes were exactly as I remembered them. The freckles that had always adorned her skin had become even more prominent, and I could tell she had been spending more time outdoors. Her expression was indecipherable as she stared at my face, her bright blue eyes sparkling.

“Nile? You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said.

“I take it you weren’t expecting to see me here,” I replied, wincing slightly.

“That’s one way of putting it,” Violet said. “You’re the alpha of the Pinedale Pack? How in the world did that happen. Last time I saw you, you didn’t have a pack at all.”

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