Page 6 of Curvy Alpha Bride
I walk quickly along the sidewalk towards the town hall. It’s one of the largest buildings in town, but that doesn’t mean it’s very big. Every structure in the town is handmade from stone and wood, and all are built painstakingly by hand.
Cut off from the world, completely isolated and alone. No wonder everyone is quirky as fuck.
I stop on the grassy hill next to the hall and look up into the mountains. A lazy breeze flows slowly down from the peaks, ruffling my clothes and hair as it sweeps around me. When I look back toward the town, everything is still too quiet.
People don’t speak much above a whisper. In the whole time I’ve been here, I haven’t heard a single person shout. Everyone moves slowly and carefully, without making sudden noises. It’s as if the entire town is afraid to wake a sleeping beast.
Sighing, I turn my back on the mountains and walk back towards the main street. Even though it feels like something menacing is rising behind me, I stubbornly face forward, refusing to give in to my paranoia.
I don’t know if this place will ever feel like home.
I miss the cozy room behind the town hall in Cyan Lock, and the cakes and treats we’d share as we held a meeting. I miss just chilling, not taking on massive amounts of responsibility, and the casual bickering between all the council members.
Especially Mabel and Cass.
I close my eyes, drawing in a sharp breath. I’ve tried to keep my thoughts away from her, but when it comes to Mabel, I’m utterly powerless.
Oh, God, I miss her. I miss her more than anything.
I’d watched her for so long, always hoping I’d get to know her better. That night at Kit’s party was like the first step toward the rest of my life.
And I was right. My life just didn’t go in the direction I wanted it to.
I was so messed up after finding out about my family that I couldn’t even begin to explain it to Mabel. Everything happened so fast, and my mom—my aunt—told me we had to leave town immediately, and I couldn’t bring anyone with me. The conversation runs through my head again, still as clear as the day the words were spoken.
You have to come alone. Don’t bring anyone with you—especially a girl. You don’t have a girlfriend, do you, son?
No, Mom—I mean, Aunt Finnah.
Don’t trouble yourself, boy. I’ll be calling you my son until the day I die. I know this hits hard, but it’s time to go and live the life you were born for.
I understand. But do I really have to go alone?
Valentine Creek can be a treacherous place, boy. You’ll be the one to carry on your father’s work and make it safe again, but until then, don’t risk any outsiders in our town, understand?
Yes, Aunt Finnah. I understand.
I didn’t understand, and still don’t, but I am glad I didn’t bring Mabel. If I felt out of place here, she’d feel ten times worse. At least I have family and duty. Mabel would have nothing.
Except me, and I can never be enough for her.
I flirted with her for years, and she never responded. Even though she was so visibly upset when I left, I still feel that her feelings didn’t run deep enough to abandon her home and everything she’s ever known to come out into the wilderness and be my partner.
How would I know? I never even asked her.
Swallowing hard, I remember how adamant Aunt Finnah was about me coming out alone and not bringing anyone with me. The command gave me a weird vibe at the time, which has only intensified every day I’ve been here. I pick up my pace as I leave the main part of town, heading for the lake. I take long, quick strides, trying to clear my head.
It was one night. Her feelings for me weren’t too deep. She will have gotten over me and moved on by now.
I feel terrible for what I did to her, but I still think it was the kindest way to handle it. I’ll never go back to Cyan Lock. She’ll have no reason to come here, and eventually, I’ll be able to forget about her.
Well. I think that’s the greatest lie I’ve ever told.
I know I’ll never forget Mabel, but I do have to forget my little fantasies. The “other business” Rhiannon mentioned is now looming over my head, and it will force me to change my path forever.
Now they want me to find a mate.
Within the first two months, Aunt Finnah was very strict about the town rules. She made sure I was never out in the wilderness alone or beyond the town line after dark. The elders practically ordered me to stay away from women and told me to be prepared to rule alone. It was a situation that suited me just fine.
