Chapter 5 The Second Bride

Abby's POV

Since we returned from the gala event, no one has said a word to me. Not even Freya.

Well, I shouldn't be surprised, not after the way I embarrassed myself in front of everyone at the event.

Father left early this morning for pack business, as usual. Mother threw herself into wedding preparations like she's planning some royal coronation, and not her daughter's sacrifice. And Freya? She's out there supervising duties with Father's Beta, acting like the future Alpha already.

And me?

I spent the day ankle-deep in mud, scrubbing the stables, hauling hay, and cleaning horse stalls with the maids. Technically, it wasn't even my duty. But ever since I turned eighteen and didn't shift, Father made sure I never forgot my place. Not even now that my wedding is in a few days.

"You can't stay under my roof, eat my food, and be useless," he always says.

Useless. That word clings to me like filth I can't wash off.

I curled into the couch in the main living room, my muscles aching. I reached for the remote and turned on the TV. I just needed noise, a distraction.

And there it was.

Breaking News: Alpha Hayden accused of funding rogue factions.

My breath caught. My fingers tightened on the remote.

Alpha Hayden?

The name alone made my skin crawl, but seeing it across the screen in bold red font like that, it felt like a warning. A reminder.

Not that I needed one.

I remembered the way he looked at the gala event. Broad-shouldered, ice-eyed, so composed he made everyone....No, only me nervous.

Yes, he was handsome and wealthy. But for me, that isn't enough. Especially for someone I'll be getting married to.

Wait! Was I just thinking of him like that? No way. I swallowed hard. I must be running a fever. Thinking of a man like hayden, even for a second? I shook my head, my hot breath burning my upper lips.

"I hate this," I whispered. "I hate all of this."

I pressed the pendant Derek gave me to my chest, its chain digging into my fingers. I wanted to rip it off. Throw it across the room. But I didn't.

I couldn't. Because it's the only thing I have left of him.

"If only you were here," I whispered. "We could have run away... You always said you would protect me."

But he was gone. Vanished without a word. And now I was alone.

The days that followed passed in a haze. Gown fittings I barely registered, silent meals, and endless preparations. Boxes of designer dresses sent by Hayden's Beta piled up in my room.

The house looked like a showroom now, every table stacked with expensive gifts and wines bearing Hayden's name. It all felt more like a transaction than a wedding to me.

Perfect bride. Perfect offering.

That's all I was. Wrapped in a white lace for a man I didn't just know alone, but also ruthless. I rolled my eyes.

The night before the wedding, I sat alone in front of my mirror, staring at a girl I barely recognized. My eyes looked tired, like I hadn't slept in days. Maybe I hadn't. I couldn't even remember. My lips looked dry, cracked, and seemed to have forgotten how to smile.

A top-tier stylist had curled my hair into elegant waves and pinned them with sparkling clips. But no matter how perfect the style, it still didn't look like me

This is it, I thought.

Tomorrow, I belong to him.

The house buzzed with noise: maids fluttering about, decorators shouting instructions, deliveries arriving every hour. Everyone was busy making sure everything looked perfect.

Except me.

I sat on the single chair in my room, looking out through the window. "would anyone notice if I slipped out through the back door and disappeared?" I thought to myself. Probably not. Probably not until it was too late.

But even if I ran away. Where would I go?

I had no wolf. No strength. No chance.

Just then, a heavy knock landed on my door making my breath hitch. Not because of the sound. Because of the voice that followed it.

"Abby."

I froze. My right hand instinctively pressed against my chest, as if trying to calm the heart that had nearly leapt out

"Yes, Father," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

A chill crept up my spine as I crossed the room and opened the door slowly.

He stood there, straight-backed and stone-faced, the same look he wore the day he told me I was being married off.

"I want to have a word with you" he said, pushing the door open wider, as if to check if I'm planning any mischief.

I didn't say a word, knowing fully well that whatever he wants to say won't in any way make me feel better.

"You're marrying a man who's used to obedience," he said, his eyes locked on mine. "Make sure you give it to him."

I swallowed hard before responding "Yes, Father". This felt like one of those old pieces of advice parents give their daughters before marriage. But this was different. It wasn't guidance. It was a warning. A warning from my father not to taint his name or give Hayden a reason to take back his offer to help the pack.

"You'll smile tomorrow, Abby. No tears. No outbursts. Do you understand me?"

I nodded stiffly.

His gaze narrowed. "It's enough that you almost ruined the entire arrangement at the gala. Don't make it harder than it already is."

I swallowed hard, my lips parting, but no words came.

He didn't wait for a response. Just turned and walked away, leaving the door half-open.

I closed it quietly and leaned against it for a moment, my chest aching with everything I didn't say. Then I crossed the room and lay on my bed. Not to cry, not to think, just to rest. I hadn't slept properly in days, and after Father's warning, the last thing I needed was to show up tomorrow looking like a ghost.

I forced my eyes shut.

Even if sleep didn't come easy, I had to try.

The knock came early the next morning. "It's time," a maid said softly.

I was already dressed. I had woken up early enough to make sure of that with the help of another maid and a make-up artist.

I rose slowly, my heartbeat loud in my ears. My legs felt like stone as I moved. The wedding dress clung tightly to my frame with the corset biting into my ribs.

Downstairs, the main hall had been transformed. Flowers draped the walls, gold accents gleamed under crystal chandeliers, and high-ranking wolves from every major pack whispered behind forced smiles and too-perfect manners.

And then I saw him.

Alpha Hayden.

He stood there like the world owed him something.

Black suit, sharp as sin, the kind that probably cost more than everything in my closet combined. There was a white flower pinned to his chest, but it didn't soften him.

He didn't even blink as I approached.

Our eyes met, and something cold settled in my stomach.

The ceremony began. Elder Darius stood between us at the altar, hands clasped. His voice rang out, deep and solemn. "If anyone believes this bond is cursed or unjust, speak now or remain silent forever."

"If anyone believes this bond is cursed or unjust, speak now or remain silent forever."

There was a total silence in the hall. Until the doors burst open.

A woman strode in with confidence. Blonde. Slim. Wearing a white wedding gown of her own.

The room gasped, followed by waves of murmurs.

She didn't flinch. Didn't look around. Just kept walking, her chin high, lips curved into a smile too wide to be kind.

She stopped right at the altar, just inches from me.

"Alpha Hayden Roche of Duskfire's pack," she declared, loud and clear, "I'm carrying your child."