Page 15 of Her Cruel Alpha

Henrik nodded. “Alright.”

I expected him to argue back and not agree so easily. And the man smirked at me. “You’ll come to me in the end. Women always do.”

I felt my jaw drop slightly at his cockiness. Had he seriously just said that? After everything that happened?

“Wow,” I shook my head. “You’ve got balls on you.”

He smirked, nodding his head. “I do. And I thought you liked my cockiness?”

I had. It was what had drawn me to him so quickly, and it was how relaxed he made me feel. Even now, I felt that tug, but I shoved it down. Just because I wanted it didn’t mean I was going to get it.

I stepped closer to him. “Do me a favor, jump off a bridge, and don’t come up for air.”

Chapter 6 - Henrik

I stared at myself in the mirror, taking in my suit. It was a light grey color with a small blue boutonniere attached to it. Jay sat just behind me on the couch, stretched out. I felt a sudden deja vu. This was just like his wedding, not too long ago, to Sam. He was being forced to marry Sam, not really wanting to. Sam would have run…

He looked up from his phone and glanced at me. “You alright over there? You look ready to vomit.”

I nodded. “I’m fine. Just thinking how we were just here, not even a year ago.”

“I know for my wedding,” Jay set his phone aside. I had told him all about what happened between Katie and me since I knew he would understand. Jay had always been the one person I knew I could lean on, someone I knew I could tell anything to, and he wouldn’t judge.

“So, how pissed was the Council?” Jay asked, pulling himself off the couch and straightening his suit. “I imagine the tension was high.”

I cringed as I thought about the meeting I had to attend with the Council a day after the first. They were keeping a close eye on Katie from now on and would be watching to see if she stepped out of line again. Demanding that I remember that my main focus should be on the packs and that making an heir was ideal. They went on and on about how I was blessed to find someone who would be able to carry a child, and that I needed to remember that. Many couples out there wished they could have children, and I had found someone who would.

But I could see how hurt Katie was. She had voiced her opinion quickly, and sex and romance were not on the table.

“As you would expect it to go,” I grumbled. “They are pissed. They were going to be watching us from now on.”

Jay shrugged. “Well, she did run for it. That’s understandable.”

“Because she was paired off to be mated with me,” I counter. “Anyone would run.”

Jay scowled. “You aren’t that bad. Any woman would have been happy to marry you.”

“I’m not saying that, I mean…Jesus, even my sister wanted to run Jay. This is….I understand the need for us to find someone, but to force people to be together…I understand why she wanted to run. We hold positions with power, and not everyone wants that.”

I knew there was more to it besides just that. But I wasn’t going to dig any deeper.

“Well, I'm glad nothing happened. I think Sam would have been devastated if something had happened to Katie. She’s her best friend. Sam was freaking out the other day when I told her.”

I was glad that Katie had someone to lean on, even if it wasn’t me.

A few moments later, we stood at the altar. Jay stood next to me, and we waited as the doors just across the altar were pulled open. My eyes widened as Katie stood in a pure white dress. It was a simple dress that hugged her curves with dropped sleeves. She was holding a bouquet of pastel pink flowers, and her hair was curled loosely around her. She looked stunning and breathtaking.

My mouth dropped slightly as Sam walked with her down the aisle. Sam was wearing a light red dress and smiled at Katiewith happiness that shone. I had asked Jay before how Sam felt about the entire arrangement, and he’d said little about it. Considering she wanted us to be together, I’m sure she was thinking this was a good idea.

Katie stopped in front of me and swallowed, looking uncomfortable. “You’re staring.”

“You’re… you look amazing,” I said, scanning her again. If I were to picture her in a wedding dress, I wouldn’t have been able to imagine her looking this wonderful.

Her face went red, and the pastor cleared his throat. “Can we begin?”

The ceremony was quick. We didn’t have vows, and the kiss was short. Everyone clapped. Katie quickly left the altar with Sam in tow. I felt my shoulder sag, watching her walk away.

“That went well,” Jay said, patting my shoulder.

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