Weeping bride (2)

Freya stood by the door, blocking Ophelia's way of escaping there in case she suddenly became sensible and decided to run, leaving her lover behind. 

It was amusing for Freya that Ophelia was unaware her lover was the one who spoke about her appearance and set up to bring her here.

'He's going to be very useful,' Freya thought.

Now they had a way to guarantee Ophelia would never disobey them. This saved Freya and her father from finding a way to threaten Ophelia so she wouldn't speak about their plans. 

The timing was wonderful since her father was going to get rid of the man outside. 

"What you have to do is quite simple. You'll marry the alpha today and go with him to the palace where you'll be our little spy. Once you do everything we say, we'll hand your lover back over to you alive, of course. Then you never have to see us again. Cross my heart," Freya drew an 'X' above her chest. 

Ophelia didn't believe this but she had to go with what was said. If she disobeyed then she would cost Alex his life. 

"Can you play the alpha's bride a little while for the sake of your lover?" Freya asked.

It pained Ophelia to nod her head. Since she saw Alex outside her tears had not stopped. 

"Good!" Freya clapped her hands. She didn't need to get married today. 

"There will always be someone nearby when you go to the castle to make sure you are well-behaved and don't ruin the plan. Had you not put up such a fight to get here, I could have prepared you a little more," Freya said, walking toward Ophelia to straighten out her dress. 

"Just stay silent and enjoy your wedding night. My father will tell you about your duties in the morning," said Freya.

There wasn't much time left to turn Ophelia into the perfect lady since it had taken so much time to find a woman who matched Freya's looks and then to bring her to the mansion.

"I almost forgot," Freya said, placing a special necklace around Ophelia's neck. "This will give you the scent of my family."

There was more to the necklace but Freya didn't bother to explain since Ophelia would find out if she ever tried to remove it. They had taken every necessary step to ensure their plan wasn't exposed. 

Freya was happy to have her replacement ready to take her spot. If only the alpha hadn't been told his mate was in the Porter home then she wouldn't need to dress up a peasant in such a beautiful wedding dress. 

Freya wondered if when the alpha saw Ophelia and there wasn't a connection, would he kill them? Would their plan be ruined then?

"Come," Freya grabbed Ophelia's arm, pulling her toward another door which would take her to where the wedding was starting. 

Ophelia was taken outside to where people she didn't know had gathered. 

Straight ahead was a man with a terrifying gaze fixed on her. He was no doubt the alpha who had recently taken the title of king to rule the kingdom. 

His appearance wasn't as Ophelia imagined him. He was beautiful face was deceiving considering all the terrible acts he committed. 

Ophelia tensed up, afraid of what the future held for her.

Freya released Ophelia's hand once they got close to the alpha.

Ophelia dared not meet the eyes of the man she would call her husband because she was too afraid. 

As the wedding proceeded, tears fell from Ophelia's eyes. All she wanted was to go home, but she was stuck here with people who would kill her and Alex. She didn't dare speak the truth or attempt to run away, knowing her life might come to a quick end if she did.

Ophelia didn't hear a word of what was said throughout the wedding. All around her became quieter with each passing second. Ophelia stared at the priest who smiled, seemingly enjoying the moment. 

On the contrary, she didn't have any thoughts and her body felt numb.

Ophelia flinched, startled by the sound of celebrations around her. She snapped back to reality now realising that she was officially married to the alpha.

"You may kiss the bride."

Those five dreaded words struck fear into Ophelia's body. She knew what she agreed to but she wasn't prepared for a kiss. 

The only man she ever kissed was held captive and though this was all to save his life, Ophelia felt like she was betraying Alex.

Could he forgive her for this?

"My sister seems to be shy today," Ophelia heard Freya's voice. 

To others, it sounded innocent but for Ophelia, she took it as an order to do as she was meant to.

Ophelia turned to face her now husband, Sylas Lucien.

Why did it have to be him?

Why did it have to be the man who wiped out countless packs and even killed his own family?

"They want us to," Ophelia started to speak, building the courage to touch his hand but he stepped away from her, his gaze mixed with disgust and hatred.

"Don't touch me," Sylas said, stepping away from Ophelia. He had done his part and wasn't interested in playing like a happy groom. 

Ophelia was confused. Was he angry she was the one who stood here and not Freya? 

Ophelia wanted to yell that she didn't want to be there. She wanted to inform him of how Freya was too afraid to marry him so here she was as a replacement but she couldn't. Not when Alex's life was on the line.

Ophelia didn't know what to do next. They just got married but he had rejected her in front of their guests and it was even more embarrassing when she heard laughter. She heard others pitying her and speaking of how she wouldn't last the night. 

Sylas lost interest standing around for the guests to gawk at him and his bride. He walked away to speak to the group he came with. Once the wedding night was over with, he had business to tend to which meant he could get far away from Ophelia and the Porters for the night. 

Ophelia watched her now husband walk away from her. Not only had she married a man who slaughtered many but he also hated her and Ophelia was clueless as to why he did.

She was forced to stand here to save the man she loved. What was Sylas's reason for marrying a woman he didn't want to touch?