Married to Alpha

Forced marriage. Ethan Valmy, Alpha of one of the most powerful packs on the continent, placed a hand on the crystal glass in front of him without really paying attention. The atmosphere in the room, cozy and heavy with the scent of leather and old wood, was not reassuring. In front of him, Edouard Morel, a man with a predatory smile and expertly styled graying hair, held between his fingers a thick file, almost insignificant at first glance. But its content? Ethan knew this could shatter everything he had built.

- So, Ethan, Edouard whispered in an icy voice, what are you going to do? My daughter is ready. All you have to do is say "yes."

The silence that followed was heavy. Ethan sat up straighter in his chair, staring at Edouard with an almost animal intensity.

- Do you really think I'm going to play along to your little game? he replied, his voice low and serious.

Edouard did not flinch. He placed the file on the table, slowly pushing it towards Ethan.

- You underestimate my determination, my boy. What I have here would be enough to shake your entire clan. These dubious contracts, these agreements that you thought were invisible... All of this would end up in the hands of the media in less than an hour.

Ethan clenched his fists. Each word spoken by Edouard sank into his mind like a blade. He had always been blameless, or at least he thought so. But this compromising evidence – although he did not know how Edward had obtained it – represented a real threat.

- Why her? Ethan asked, more to save time than out of real curiosity. Why Alayna?

Edouard's smile widens, revealing teeth of an almost frightening whiteness.

- Because my daughter deserves the best, obviously. And you, Ethan, are the best. Powerful, influential, feared and respected alpha... But above all, because with this union, my family gains power that we would never have been able to obtain otherwise.

A bitter taste filled Ethan's mouth. He hated the idea of being a piece on Edward's chessboard. But he had no choice. The eyes of his clan members weighed on him, their trust was his top priority.

- I will, he said finally, his voice laced with a mixture of disgust and resignation. But don't you dare think that will make me an ally.

Edouard nodded, satisfied, before getting up with calculated slowness.

- Wise decision. The ceremony is already in preparation. You just have to introduce yourself... like any good groom should do.

Ethan stood still as Edouard left the room, his musky scent leaving an unpleasant trail behind him. When he was finally alone, he slammed the glass on the table, shattering it.

The wedding was organized in three days. Three days were enough to transform the Morel property into an ostentatious luxury theater. Ethan, dressed in a tailored black suit, watched the crowd from an alcove. Politicians, industrialists, Alphas from neighboring clans... All were there to witness the union which would seal an unexpected alliance between two rival families.

But Ethan only had eyes for one person: Alayna.

She descended the main staircase with a grace that seemed almost unreal. Her white dress, light and elegant, perfectly fit her slim figure. However, what caught his attention was his look. Cold. Distant. Alayna Morel was anything but a docile woman.

Ethan looked at her for a moment. Her hair, pulled back into a sophisticated bun, revealed a graceful but taut neck. Her lips, delicately tinted pink, remained sealed in a neutral expression. She looked like a statue, magnificent but inaccessible.

When she reached his side, they exchanged a brief look. Not a smile, not a word. Just a mutual recognition of the situation they were trapped in.

- Monsieur Valmy, Miss Morel, we can begin, announced the master of ceremonies with a voice marked by studied solemnity.

The words that followed were lost in a fog. Ethan stood there, saying his vows like an automaton, his thoughts elsewhere. When it was Alayna's turn, her voice rang out, soft but firm, like a blade hidden in velvet.

- I, Alayna Morel, agree to become your wife... for better and for worse.

The "worse" seemed to carry more weight in this statement.

An hour later, in the icy silence of the car that was driving them to the Valmy estate, Ethan finally broke the silence.

- Do you know what you got yourself into? he asked, his gaze fixed on the passing landscape.

Alayna turned her head towards him, meeting his gaze in the reflection of the window.

- And you ? she replied calmly. Do you really think I'm here by choice?

His response stung Ethan, but he didn't show it. He just sighed, sinking further into his seat.

- This marriage... it's just a facade. I'm going to find a way to end this.

Alayna raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on her lips.

- Good luck with that, Ethan. But in the meantime, we're stuck together.

The car stopped in front of the huge gate of the Valmy estate. When the doors opened, revealing the imposing mansion, Alayna felt a knot form in her stomach.

- Welcome home," Ethan said sarcastically as he got out of the car.

She followed, her heels clicking on the gravel. The interior of the mansion was even more impressive than the exterior: crystal chandeliers, antique tapestries, overwhelmingly rich furniture. But despite all this luxury, the place seemed cold, almost inhospitable.

An hour later, Alayna was alone in her assigned room. She looked around the room: a four-poster bed, thick curtains, a dressing room that must have held clothes of unimaginable value. But it wasn't her home. Not yet.

A slight noise caught his attention. Turning around, she found Ethan in the doorway.

- Is everything to your liking? he asked, his indifferent tone poorly masking a certain tension.

Alayna stared at him for a moment before answering.

- If I say no, will you find me another room?

Ethan gave a cold smile.

- Probably not.

He entered, closing the door behind him.

- Listen, Alayna. I'm not going to lie to you. I didn't want this marriage, and I doubt you did either. But if we have to live together, there are rules.

She crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue.

- Rule number one: Don't interfere in my business. What happens in this mansion or in my pack is none of your business.

- Of course, she replied dryly. All I have to do is smile and stay in my place, right?

He clenched his jaw, clearly annoyed by her tone.

- Exactly.

They stood staring at each other for a moment, the silence between them filled with tension.

- Good night, he finally said before leaving the room.

Alayna flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. This marriage was just the beginning. She knew it. And despite appearances, she had no intention of remaining a mere spectator in this game.

***

Far away, in his office, Ethan, a glass of whiskey in hand, contemplated the events of the day. This marriage... he was just a pawn on the chessboard, a piece sacrificed to protect his kingdom. But as he stared at Alayna's reflection in a photo on his desk, a thought crossed his mind, disturbing and unexpected: he couldn't deny that she was more than just a piece in this game.

The clash of personalities.

The silence in the Valmy household was almost deafening, broken only by the steady clicking of Alayna's heels on the marble floor. She walked down the stairs, straight and dignified, although a whirlwind of thoughts fought in her mind. This marriage, this man... Nothing was like what she had imagined for her life. However, she would not let herself be crushed. Not by him, and even less by the palpable coldness of this home.

She found him in the living room, a space both impressive and oppressive. The walls covered in old books and the leather armchairs testified to Ethan's taste for control and perfection. He stood by the fireplace, a glass in his hand, his gaze fixed on the flames.

- So, is this how it's going to happen? she called out in a clear voice, breaking the silence with a boldness she didn't know she had.

Ethan didn't turn around immediately. He raised the glass to his lips, enjoying a sip of whiskey, before speaking.

- What exactly is going to happen? he asked, his voice low but icy, each word carefully measured.

Alayna took a few steps forward, her arms crossed over her chest.

- You, there, ignoring me, acting as if I didn't exist. If you want to erase me from your life, do it right away. But don't play this game.

He finally turned around, his dark eyes fixing on her with an intensity that could have made anyone tremble.

- Listen carefully, Alayna, he said as he approached, his voice dropping to an almost threatening whisper. I never asked you to come here. I never wanted you as a wife.

She held his gaze, refusing to give in.

- And you think that was my dream? To marry a man who can't say a kind word? A man who thinks it's all about alliances and strategies?

He clenched his jaw, his face hard and impassive.

- Once this threat is removed, he continued coldly, I will do everything to annul this union. I don't want you in my life any longer than necessary.

Every word was a slap in the face. Alayna felt a mixture of anger and pain rising within her, but she masked it behind a wry smile.

- And you think that scares me? she replied, her eyes glinting with challenge. Perfect. Do what you want, Ethan. But know one thing: I am not just another piece on my father's chessboard.

He raised an eyebrow, surprised by her response.

- Oh yes ? And what are you going to do?

- You'll see, she whispered before turning on her heel and leaving the room.

Dinner that evening took place in an even more tense atmosphere than expected. The long mahogany table, adorned with a massive chandelier and carefully prepared dishes, seemed like a battlefield. Alayna, dressed in a blue satin dress, sat silently, watching Ethan from across the table.

- "You don't seem to be enjoying the meal," she finally said, breaking the silence.

He looked up from his plate, his features impassive.

- I have nothing to complain about the meal.

- So it's me that you find indigestible?

His sarcastic tone brought a slight smile from Ethan, but he quickly hid it.

- You are insightful, he replied, putting down his fork.

Alayna pursed her lips.

- Why are you like this? she asked suddenly. Why the constant coldness?

Ethan rested his elbows on the table, folding his hands in front of him.

- Because I don't have the luxury of being otherwise. Weakness has no place in my world.

- Weakness or humanity? she replied.

Their eyes met, and for the first time, she saw a glimmer of emotion pass through his eyes. But he quickly turned his head away, as if refusing to let anything show.

- What about you, Alayna? he continued, suddenly changing the subject. Why did you stay? Why didn't you run away at the first opportunity?

She shrugged, playing with the cloth napkin in her lap.

- Maybe because I'm stronger than you think.

He laughed softly, but without joy.

- We'll see how long you last.

The rest of the dinner passed in tense silence, punctuated only by the clatter of cutlery on china.

Later that evening, Alayna stood in front of her bedroom's huge window, watching the moon shine above the estate's gardens. Ethan's words played over and over in his head. Every time she tried to understand this man, he seemed to put up a new wall between them. But she wouldn't back down.

A slight noise behind her startled her. She turned around to find Ethan in the doorway, an unreadable expression on his face.

- You're still awake, he noticed.

- And you too, she replied, crossing her arms.

He entered the room, stopping at a respectable distance.

- I just... wanted to check that everything was okay, he said after a moment of hesitation.

She frowned, surprised by his almost...concerned tone?

- Everything is fine, thank you.

He nodded, but didn't move.

- Listen, Alayna, he said finally, his voice softer than before. I know I'm not the husband you hoped for. And I know this marriage is just a farce. But...

He paused, searching for words.

- But what? she asked, her curiosity piqued.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

- But maybe we can... find a way to coexist, at least for a while.

She remained silent, looking at him as if trying to break through his defenses.

- I'm not here to make your life complicated, Ethan, she said finally. But I'm not here to be erased either.

He nodded slowly, as if he finally understood what she was trying to say.

- Good night, Alayna, he whispered before leaving the room.

She stood for a moment, looking at the door he had just left through. Maybe, she thought, beneath that icy facade was a man she could one day understand. But for now, he was just a mystery she wasn't yet ready to solve.

The first tensions.

Ethan's domain stretched for miles, a mix of dense forests, bright clearings, and winding paths that seemed to lead into infinity. Alayna, standing in the doorway of the house, took a deep breath. The air was clear, heavy with the smell of pine and damp earth, a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. She had spent the morning avoiding Ethan, feeling him tense, perhaps still irritated from their tense dinner the day before. Today she needed to breathe, to get away from this golden cage.

Without warning anyone, she ventured beyond the perfectly manicured gardens, her steps instinctively guiding her towards the woods. The light dress she wore swayed as she moved, and although she wasn't dressed for a hike, she paid it no mind. Freedom, even temporary, was worth a pair of damaged shoes.

She walked for what seemed like hours, enjoying the quiet, until a sound behind her shattered the illusion of solitude. Alayna froze, her heart suddenly beating faster.

- Who are you ? called out a deep voice.

She turned around to face two men. One was tall, stocky, with a dark beard and piercing eyes. The other, younger, showed a smirk, but his eyes shone with a hint of distrust.

- I...I'm Alayna, she replied, trying to maintain a calm appearance.

- We know who you are, said the youngest, crossing his arms. The boss's new wife. But that doesn't give you the right to wander around here as you please.

Alayna felt a mixture of anger and unease rise within her.

- I didn't know it was forbidden, she replied, her voice firmer.

The tall man took a step forward, his gaze heavy on her.

- It's not a question of prohibition, he said softly, almost warningly. It's a question of security. You have no idea what could be lurking in these woods.

She frowned, suddenly feeling exposed.

- So maybe someone should have warned me.

The young man burst out laughing, a sound that sorely lacked warmth.

- And you think anyone here has time to be a tour guide?

Before she could respond, a low growl sounded behind them. The three turned to see Ethan emerge from the shadows of the trees, his gaze black as a storm.

- What are you doing here? he roared, addressing the two men.

- We just found your wife wandering around, the tall man replied, raising his hands in surrender.

Ethan ignored their explanation and headed straight towards Alayna.

- What were you doing here? he asked, his voice low but full of suppressed anger.

- I was walking around, she replied, lifting her chin in challenge. Is this a crime?

- Without guard, without telling anyone? Do you realize how stupid that was?

The tone shook Alayna, but she refused to back down.

- Stupid ? Maybe if you had explained the rules of your little fortress to me, I wouldn't be here!

Ethan inhaled deeply, as if struggling to contain his temper.

- Go home, he finally said, his tone cutting. NOW.

Alayna felt a wave of rebellion rising within her, but she finally turned and headed back, feeling Ethan's gaze burning into her back.

Once back in the house, Ethan exploded.

- What possessed you to go out like that? he called, slamming the door behind them.

- I needed some air, Ethan, she replied, turning to face him. And honestly, I need it even more now.

He approached her, his gaze burning.

- Don't ever do that again, Alayna. You don't know how dangerous it is there.

- So explain to me, she retorted. Tell me what's so dangerous!

He remained silent, his fists clenched, before turning on his heel and leaving the room, leaving her alone with her frustration.

The rest of the day, Alayna wandered around the house, her thoughts swirling around the incident. Why did Ethan seem so angry? Was it really fear for his safety, or was there something else?

As she passed her office, a sudden impulse made her stop. The door was slightly ajar, and she knew he was busy elsewhere. The hesitation lasted only a moment before she gently pushed the door open and entered.

The room was a mix of dark wood and luxurious objects, every detail exuding authority. On the desk sat a pile of documents, and among them, an envelope marked with a red seal caught his attention.

She took it in her hands, her heart beating faster. Opening it, she discovered a series of letters, each bearing veiled threats and clear demands.

- So that's it, she muttered to herself.

She read each word, feeling a shiver run down her spine. These documents contained clues to the source of the blackmail, but they also raised more questions. Who was really behind this? And why did Ethan seem to keep this burden to himself?

A sound of footsteps in the hallway startled her. She quickly put the letters back in their place and left the room, her mind in turmoil.

There was something bigger at play, and she was determined to find out. But one thing was certain: the tension between her and Ethan would only be greater.