Chapter 4 ASHLY: WEDDING CEREMONY

I didn't expect my marriage with Alpha Stewart to be rosy and sweet but I didn't expect it to be this dreadful.

I didn't expect myself to be worried about another Alpha while exchanging vows with Alpha Stewart.

My words are empty, and the cheering from the crowd after exchanging our rings fades into the background as all I can think about is Arthur, my mate.

My husband's son.

Why did he do that? At first, he seemed like he was hurt by my decision to hide our bond and then he switched up immediately he discovered I was getting married to his father.

He was ready to expose our bond even when I tried pleading with him but then, he didn't go further.

He set the ladder, raised the tension, and gave a wrong answer.

He had lied about his mate being in another city, he had lied for me, which did flutter my heart but I still can't help but wonder why he brought it up to his father in the first place.

Does he like me?

"Ashly love" The deep and gravelly voice whispers in my ear, his breath tickling down to my neck causing my skin to crawl.

"You need to smile, don't make people have wrong thoughts about our relationship," Alpha Stewart says, the firmness and annoyance in his tone making his words sound more like a threat, like there's a punishment attached if I don't oblige.

And so I feign a smile, even though I feel chills run down my spine, my muscles tensed as I fear what will become of me after this ceremony.

We still have a few things left to do before the ceremony is over, the sun is starting to go down but there's still no sight of Arthur.

Unknowingly, my smile begins to fade at the thought of Arthur.

I feel a tight knot in the pit of my stomach, guilt washing over me as I recall the events of yesterday.

I must be a terrible person, I had told my mate to hide my bond and now I'm also hiding the truth from my husband.

I'm ruining two lives, what would become of their relationship when Stewart finds out about my fated bond with his son, and what has already become of Arthur?

I have a feeling I have hurt him deeply, I have a feeling that this father-and-son relationship will never be the same.

They seemed pretty close from the little conversation they had yesterday, I had noticed how Alpha Stewart was proud and happy for his son finding a mate.

But then, I can't help but wonder how dreadful the case will be when he finds out the true mate of his son.

I'm jerked back to reality with a squeeze on my arm as I am forced to get to my feet.

"We shall return to complete our bonding ceremony" Alpha Stewart announces as we are both get on our feet.

Then it all comes crashing down on me, there's no turning back I'm officially Alpha Stewart's wife, I'm officially his.

We say our goodbyes to everyone, though I don't speak to greet anyone neither does Alpha Stewart allow anyone to have physical contact with me, not even my parents.

I could not say goodbye to them properly but then they didn't seem to care.

The ride back to the royal pack house feels like years as my head is throbbing from overthinking.

And the silence in the limousine is nerving, causing me to be more tensed. It seems Alpha Stewart is very much displeased with me and I can't help but coil to a side creating a distance between us.

And immediately we reach the pack royal house my eyes scan around in search of Arthur, my senses sharp in case I sniff in the intoxicating scent of patchouli mixed with citrus, but there's no sign of him around.

I'm so lost in thinking about Arthur that I don't realize I have been led to Alpha Stewart bedroom, not until I hear the lock of the room's door.

My heart begins to pound against my chest, my thoughts racing through a million things.

We are both alone in such a large bedroom but I can't tell what's he's going to do to me, I don't know what to expect and this could only intensify my fears.

I swallow nothing but my saliva as I feel his presence behind me, his fingers tracing down my arm.

My breath hitches as his rough palms brushes against my skin.

I bite down on my lip, and try to hold on to my breath, try not inhale his pheromones.

A strong musty scent that seems to want to force its way into my lung even as I try not to take it in.

The scent is so strong I'm certain its aim is to force me into heat.

"If you are a good girl, I promise it won't hurt" Alpha Stewart whispers into my ear.

My fingers ball into a fist as my legs are unable to keep up standing.

I feel like I'm unable to hold my breath anymore. His scent is already slipping into me and forcing me to submit to him.

I can feel my body heat up gradually, my breathing getting harder by every inhale of his scent.

His fingers have made its way to zipping down my gown, letting it drop to the floor, leaving me with nothing on but my undergarments.

A sudden chill runs down my spine and I can only shut my eyes as I'm carried by Alpha Stewart to his bed.

I feel exposed, I feel like I'm about to be stripped away from my innocence by the wrong person.

The scent is taking a toll on my body and biting down on my lips is no longer helping in any way.

"H-hot" I stammer, my fingers gripping the sheets as Alpha Stewart traces his fingers along the sides of my face.

"Yes love, I will help you treat that" Alpha Stewart mutters.

I turn my gaze to the side unable to meet his gaze.

A heavy sense of wrongdoing rushing over me alongside shame as my thought drifts to Arthur. How can I be doing this to them, how can I be hurting both father and son?

My breath hitches as I feel wet lips trail down my neck, intensifying the heat already flowing throughout my body.

"I- "

"Don't"

I'm interrupted even before I can complete my statement, before I can beg him to get off me and stop releasing his pheromones.

My body instantly gives in to his demand, his pheromones are too dominating to the point I fear to say a word.

"You've angered me a lot of times today.

It's already a crime to look this good before others.

I don't like it, I don't like seeing others looking at you and neither do I like seeing you having eyes on others, I want you to myself Ashly" Alpha Stewart mutters and dread washes over me, my heart dropping.

His tone scares me and suddenly I feel vulnerable. I feel like I'm an object, his object.

"You are mine and mine only" He growls, biting and sucking the sides of my neck.

I can't help but cry out in pain, my eyes shutting close as I'm unable to push him away.

No matter what I do, he would certainly have his way with me, I can't stop him. I have no choice.

Tears slip down my cheeks as I let him continue attacking my body.

However, he suddenly halts, his fingers gripping my jaw as he turns my face towards him. My eyes shot open in fear at the suddenness of his action.

His eyes shooting daggers at mine, his jaw tight as he speaks "Tell me Ashly, what happened between you and my son yesterday."

I go rigid, my eyes widening instantly as I swallow nothing but my saliva.

Why is he suddenly asking this? Does he know about Arthur and I being mates?