Hey everyone, I want to let you know that I have a brand new 18+ werewolf romance now on Wattpad that I would love if you could check out!

It's about a girl who gets sent to an enemy Alpha's pack and gets taken as his bride. But she has hidden intentions to acquire his mark for her own agenda. 

It's titled The Alpha's Mark

Word Count: 1905

~Lavelle

This is the final night I'll ever be in this palace.

It's so beautiful tonight. The stone exterior glows beneath firelight, the sweeping halls looking grander and more magnificent than ever.

I walk inside, greeted by a maid. She's a different one to usual, and looks far happier to see me. It seems the staff here are overcoming their disdain for me as a prospective wife for Avi, realising I'm not going anywhere.

Well, until tonight. This shall be my last with Avi.

"This way miss." The maid gestures down the hall.  "May I take your coat?"

I shrug it off, placing it in her arms. "Thank you."

Maybe it's for the best. I was never going to get used to being doted on by staff. Not when I feel as though I could be one of them. Tonight, I will tell Avi I sold off his family heirloom, and I'll explain why. Nothing will ever be the same.

"The Alpha is having drinks in the formal room. Shall I escort you?" She offers, gesturing down the corridor.

"I can manage. Thank you."

I stroll through the palace, trying to swallow past an impossible lump in my throat. Will Avi raise his voice at me? Will he demand I give him money in return for the heirloom I have lost? Will he kill me?"

Wincing, I pause as I reach the entryway to the formal sitting room. I can hear animated voices behind the thick wooden door, Avi and his family enjoying early drinks before dinner.

I reach for the doorhandle, my hand trembling.

Footsteps echo through the great hall behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I see Zyre approaching, his hands in his pockets, a dark smirk at his lips.

I turn to face him, cradling my hand against my chest like I've been burnt. Somehow, it's even worse having Zyre here to witness my fall from grace.

"I wouldn't look so disappointed to see me just yet, Lavelle," he murmurs, candlelight dancing across the dark curls in his hair, and over the strong arc of his prominent cheekbones.

"I'm not..." I whisper.

I'm not sure disappointed is a word I would ever use to describe his presence. Even if he irks me to no end, he is marvellously easy on the eyes.

His attire suggests he will be joining us for dinner, although it isn't so rigidly formal in comparison to Avi's usual garb. The collar to Zyre's shirt is loose and open, with the top few buttons undone. His jacket is sleek and well-tailored, carrying no additional detailing that would suggest nobility or rank.

"Not looking forward to this night?" He asks in such a way that suggests he is well aware of how mortified I presently am.
 
"Being that it may be my last in this palace, no, I'm not looking forward to it." I let my hand drift down the silk dress Mel allowed me to wear, wondering if I'll ever be able to adorn such beauty again. It's a soft pink with drapey sleeves and a modest neckline so as to appease Avi's parents.

Zyre takes his time assessing me. His eyes move in slow, purposeful sweeps down the outline of my figure appreciatively. I might be flattered if I weren't so damned depressed.

"May I ask why?" He prompts softly, his striking eyes clashing into my gaze.

I sigh shallowly. There really isn't any point lying to him.

"Truths will come out tonight about my low station and vile members of my family." My posture seems to sink lower with every word, although that might just be my dignity. "Avi will be so disgusted by the burden I bring into his life that he will send me away in an instance."

A quiet, dark anger appears to pulse in his jaw, lurking behind his whisky coloured eyes. It's gone in an instant, and thankfully, isn't replaced by the amusement, or even the pity that I was expecting.

"It doesn't have to be that way."

"It does, I'm afraid." I sigh hopelessly.

Zyre is quiet for a long moment. I can hear Avi's bright and jovial laugh through the door, although my focus is entirely on the male in front of me, and the tumultuous emotions rippling across his face like water.

"I've contemplated whether this is a good idea or not, but I'm afraid I cannot allow you to walk into that dining room to be eaten alive by those vultures," he mutters, reaching behind himself.

I frown. "I don't know what you mean."

He produces a carmine red bag made of velvet from his back pocket. I watch, confused, until he reaches in and reveals the glittering heirloom necklace Avi gifted me.

My jaw slackens. Holy fuck.

"For you," he murmurs, twisting it in his hand. Firelight makes the jewels glisten, their worth unfathomable. It really is Avi's family heirloom, in Zyre's hand.

"I...where did you—"

"The market," he confirms.

"How did you know to buy it?" I'm almost speechless. I never thought I would see that necklace again.

There is nothing devious or cunning in Zyre's gaze, like he intends to actually impart the necklace upon me. In fact, he looks...tired, like he's warred with a difficult decision for days on end.

"I figured that the large amount of money you so boldly handed your sister had to come from somewhere." He inspects the necklace with vague interest. "And you looked absolutely mortified when Avi asked you to wear the necklace to tonight's dinner."

"So you bought it." I still can't make sense of his motivations.

He gives me a pointed look. "I'm not exactly without money, Lavelle. I can afford to do this for you."

I exhale slowly, shaking my head in wonder. He can afford it, sure, but why do it? Why go out of his way to make note of the loss then seek it out himself to retrieve it? He could have let me suffer - it wouldn't have impacted him.

"It looks like once again, I owe you." I sigh.

"I'll cash those favours in soon, don't worry." He angles his head. "May I?"

"Please."

I turn, lifting my hair away from the back of my neck. He drapes it around me, the weight of the necklace pleasing. This is okay...I can handle Zyre. What I wouldn't be able to handle is facing Avi and his family without it.

He deftly works on attaching the ancient clasp. His fingers feel warm against my skin, making my stomach tighten.

Slowly, he lets go, hands hovering.

He hesitates behind me, his chest almost against my back. I can feel his hands, once strong and sturdy securing the clasp, now trembling ever so slightly. I wait with bated breath, a tension gathering force between us, either pushing us away or pulling us together.

He leans forward, mouth moving to my ear.

"You look beautiful tonight," he murmurs softly.

I step away, turning, feeling every inch of my skin warm. I'm thankful for the makeup I wear, concealing the worst of my blush. The way Zyre makes me feel is dangerous, forbidden.

"Thank you..." I smile weakly. "For the necklace, as well."

"I'm not exactly happy I am enabling your path to marrying Avi, but seeing the relief on your face made it just about worth it," he tells me, although the grim lines of his face give me pause.

He really is opposed to this marriage. I wish he could drop the pretence and tell me exactly why he doesn't believe I should marry Avi. A real reason as well, not just a basic excuse that poorly hides the real one.

"You've saved my life. You have no idea.

The sitting room door suddenly opens, revealing a gushing Avi. He's dressed in a royal blue jacket with silver filigree and many rings on his fingers. He parents voices float out of the room behind him.

"Lavelle, there you are." He sighs in relief. "Come inside and meet my parents."

"Of course." I pause, glancing over my shoulder. "Are you joining, Zyre?"

He dips his head. "I am."

As I breeze into the room past Avi, who holds the door open for me, I catch the quickest glimpse of irritation in his expression, directed at Zyre. Is he annoyed he's joining us, or is there something darker going on?

We stroll into the sitting room. Avi's parents turn to face us, wine flutes balanced between their fingers.

"Mother, father, please meet the woman I am currently courting." Avi beams, sliding his hand to rest on my lower back.

"I'm Lavelle, and it's an honour to meet you both." My stomach churns. Seeing them now, I couldn't be more grateful Zyre retrieved the necklace for me.

Both of their gazes drop to where it sits on my chest. They look vaguely satisfied to see it gleaming against my skin, like I've proven something to them.

They are both beautiful. I see Avi in them.

Cordelia is a refine looking woman with wavy chestnut hair and a sharp green stare. William has golden hair and broad shoulders, which he clearly passed down to his son. I remember them both from various announcements they've made in the village growing up, although they've aged significantly since Avi became Alpha.

"Hello Lavelle, my name is William and this is my wife Cordelia."

He sounds so stiff, but I can't blame him. This is an uncomfortable situation, but they haven't started ridiculing me for my appearance or accusing me of being poor and of low social standing.

"Oh I know." I clear my throat, flushing. "I mean...you were my Alpha and Luna growing up."

Cordelia smiles graciously, although she wrings her hands in front of her. She wears a stunning emerald dress that reflects the low lighting in here.

"So you're from this pack then?" William asks politely.

"Oh yes. Since I was born."

"My family necklace look incredible on you, dear girl." Cordelia strolls forward. "These have travelled far down my family lineage."

I reach up to brush my fingertips against the jewels. I can feel Zyre staring at me knowingly, while Avi remains oblivious. I still need to tell him the truth about my life, but that will have to wait until I've gotten

"It's a privilege to wear them," I murmur earnestly.

"Shall we move to the dining room? It is time for dinner." Avi claps his hands together, the sound making me flinch. I'm so on edge, I need to calm down.

We file out of the room, Zyre hanging back to hold open the door. He winks at me as I stroll out, promising that this night isn't going to be without excitement.

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If you want to read ahead, you can find this story on Inkitt 15 chapters ahead! The first five chapters are available for free (:

(Just search up my profile 'Midika' and you will find it under the stories tab!)

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛