Page 7 of Curvy Alpha Bride
On nights of the new moon, everyone was especially jumpy. But by the third month, their expectant fear slowly shifted to hesitant hope, then confidence.
Even though the majority of the town still followed the rules, the atmosphere became more relaxed. And at our last meeting, the entire council—Aunt Finnah included—decided it was time for me to find a luna.
As I come to the shore of Lake Redhorn, the wind from the mountains picks up, tearing at me with brutal force. I can feel tiny chips of ice cutting my cheeks as I stare across the lake, watching the water shimmer with the light of the setting sun.
Sighing, I watch the wind whipping up the surface of the lake, feeling like the choppy water is a perfect mirror for my soul. I have to put Mabel behind me and find a match that benefits the pack without compromising my heart.
My life has become a complete mess, and if I really love her, I can’t bring her into my problems.
For the past week, the elders have pressured me every day to choose a mate. There hasn’t been a luna here since my mother died, and before her, it was rare to have one.
Even stranger, there aren’t any children in Valentine Creek, and few girls around my age. I’ve met all the young women and can’t say I’m romantically interested in any of them. They didn’t exactly throw themselves at me, either.
Not a single one of them offered to be my luna, which is strange, but I’m grateful for it. I couldn’t marry any of them. It would just be too much of a lie.
Looking down at my feet, I start walking back towards the town hall. It’s too far to my father’s cabin to make it back tonight, and I’ll have to stay here. Even though the elders told us the old rules are no longer needed, it’s a force of habit by now to be packed up and indoors by full dark.
The council believes that if I take a mate, everyone will be able to move forward and let go of the old superstitions. Valentine Creek has lived in fear, and now I can bring them into the light. But no one will believe it until I have a mate by my side.
Mabel fills my thoughts again, and it brings me nothing but pain. I could never face her again after what I did, and the sense of lingering danger in this town makes me feel like I’d rather she stayed far away.
I suck at goodbyes. Even at the best of times, my words don’t come out right. I know I fucked up hard when I left Mabel, and it’s all the more reason to never see her again. She must hate me so much, and I can’t ever face that shame.
I stop at the doors of the hall, pulling out my phone. I know there’s only one option left to me if I want to fulfill my duty to the pack and move forward as alpha.
Iris Porter.
My stomach twists up in knots as I click the link Kit sent to me. I talk to him regularly, and without his ongoing support, I’d be pretty lost.
He can’t relate to me, though. He was raised to be alpha. I had it shoved onto me out of nowhere!
Even though it was Kit who suggested Porter’s to me, the other alphas quickly backed him up. Considering my predicament, they agreed it was the only solution.
How can I just marry some random girl? I spent my life dreaming of marrying for love.
I harden my heart as I glare at my phone.
The boy who had those dreams was a nobody. I’m an alpha now, and my pack is counting on me.
Images of Mabel drift through my mind again. I allow myself one last moment of weakness and immerse myself in memories of her.
The way her dark, curly hair gleamed in the light, and how her gray eyes lit up when she laughed. The soft feel of her curves under my hands. The taste and scent of her, sweet, luscious. Making my mouth water and my body hard…
I take a long, slow breath, opening my eyes and banishing the images from my mind. The only way for me to move forward on this path is to marry by contract, without personal feelings involved. The only woman I’d choose as my mate is lost to me, and I just have to pray that she never finds out what I’ve done.
Flicking open my phone, I click the link. Before I can even open the application form, the chat box opens.
Xavier! How nice to hear from you. What can I help you with this evening?
I’m looking for a bride, I reply awkwardly.Isn’t that what you do?
Indeed, it is. Thank you for contacting me. I know I can find you a suitable match! I’m aware of your circumstances, Xavier, and I’m here to help.
Even though they’re only glowing words on a screen, they seem to have warmth to them, and a sense of comfort rushes through my chest. For the first time in months, I finally feel like I’m going in the right direction.
Ready to begin, Xavier?
Hope and determination settle in my chest, and a real smile springs to my lips.Everything is going to be alright!I tell myself.
