Rich Alpha's Bride

The car drove along the winding path, through green hills and thick trees that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see. Lyana leaned her forehead against the window, her gaze fixed on the landscape, while trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions that was growing inside her. Excitement, nervousness, and a slight pang at the thought of leaving behind everything she knew until now. She had just arrived in Crescentville, a place she had barely heard of until this hasty move. Yet something in the air of this city already fascinated her.

"Are you feeling ready for this new adventure, darling? » asked his mother with a kind smile, her gaze fixed on the road.

Lyana took a deep breath before answering. "Yes, I think so. It's just... strange. »

"Strange how? »

She hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "I don't know... It's like this place is hiding something. As if..." She stopped, feeling her own words too vague to express her feelings.

"You'll get used to it quickly, I'm sure," his mother replied reassuringly, while giving him a knowing look. "Besides, it's a beautiful place, isn't it? »

Lyana nodded silently, her eyes lost in the landscapes they were crossing. Every house, every alley, seemed to belong to another time. Nature itself seemed different, denser, deeper. A shiver ran through her when she saw in the distance an imposing silhouette silhouetted in the fading light. A castle, perched on the neighboring hill, stood majestically, surrounded by mist.

"Mom, look! That castle over there! »

His mother turned her head briefly. "Ah, this must be the famous Valmont estate. I heard he belonged to an old family in the area. They are discreet, but I believe they are very influential. »

"The Valmonts? » repeated Lyana , fascinated, her gaze still fixed on the dark silhouette of the castle.

"Yes, and from what I've heard, they don't come out often. The city considers them a little... apart. But you know what small towns and their rumors are like. »

Lyana smirked. She loved this kind of mystery, these stories that were told quietly, the rumors that circulated and brought life to a place. The Valmont castle became for her the promise of a mystery to be unraveled, an additional reason to be enthusiastic about this new life.

Soon after, they finally arrived in front of their new house. It was an old-fashioned house, with wooden shutters and a small wild garden where the flowers seemed to have grown freely. The place had a slightly old-fashioned charm, but Lyana liked it. She felt that she could quickly feel at home there.

"So, what do you think?" » asked his mother, taking the suitcases out of the car.

Lyana took a moment to look around the house. She loved the feeling it gave off, as if the walls carried within them a story, an experience. " I adore. It has a... mysterious side. »

His mother laughed softly. "I hope it's a pleasant mystery, then." »

They unpacked the boxes in a good mood, sometimes being surprised to find forgotten objects, old photo albums or books that Lyana had read years ago. While putting away her things, she took the time to explore every corner of the house. A small wooden door hidden behind a curtain particularly caught his attention. She opened it to find a tiny room that looked like it hadn't been used in years.

The ground creaked under her feet as she entered. The walls were covered in old, yellowed paper, and in one corner there was a bookshelf full of old books. She pulled out a dusty volume titled "Legends and Mysteries of Crescentville ." She smiles, amused by the idea of delving into these old local stories. She could perhaps find clues about the Valmont castle or the history of this strange family.

" Lyana!" Come see, you'll love it! » his mother called from upstairs.

She quietly closed the door to the small room and rushed up the stairs. His mother stood near the window of her future bedroom, looking outwards.

"Look," she whispered, pointing at the landscape with a smile. "You have a direct view of the forest... and the castle. »

Lyana approached the window, holding her breath. The Valmont castle was there, in the distance, silhouetted against the twilight sky. It seemed unreal, almost timeless, like a fortress from another world. Its dark and imposing silhouette blended with the mist that surrounded it, accentuating its mystery.

"It's incredible," she whispered, fascinated.

His mother nodded thoughtfully. "I'm sure you're going to love this new year, my darling. This place is... special. »

Lyana felt a shiver run through her, a strange certainty growing within her. Crescentville would not be a year like any other. She didn't yet know what awaited her, but she had the feeling that she would never leave quite the same.

Once night fell, she found herself alone in her room, looking towards the castle, which the darkness had engulfed. She couldn't help but wonder who really lived there, and if she would ever have the opportunity to unravel this mystery.

Lyana stood in front of the large doors of her new high school, her heart pounding with a nervousness that she tried to hide under a mask of calm. Students walked in small groups all around her, chatting, laughing, greeting each other with an ease that made her feel even more foreign. She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anxiety that was rising inside her. It wasn't easy moving to a new school, especially for your last year of high school.

She adjusted her bag on her shoulder and finally walked through the doors. Inside, the hall was filled with students heading toward their lockers or gathering in small groups, forming a sort of messy ballet. She felt a little lost, but an older lady, probably the supervisor, gave her a warm smile when she saw her hesitation.

"You must be Lyana , the new student, right? » she said in a friendly tone.

Lyana nodded. "Yes, it's me. »

"Welcome to Crescent High!" My name is Mrs. Gomez, and if you need anything, I'm here to help. You'll see, everyone here is very friendly. » She handed him a timetable. "Here is your program. Your first class is just down the hall, on the left. Good luck ! »

Lyana thanked her, touched by this kindness, and headed towards her first classroom. As she entered, she felt all eyes turn towards her. She took a deep breath, forcing a smile as the whispers rose around her. She spotted an empty spot at the back and slipped in quietly, trying to ignore the whispers.

"Hey, you're new here, right? » asked a voice to his right. A girl with red hair and a bright smile observed him curiously.

"Yes, my name is Lyana ," she replied, trying to hide her shyness.

"I'm Sarah, nice to meet you! You'll see, you get used to it quickly here. Don't worry if everyone stares at you today, that's normal. Most of these people have never left Crescentville , so whenever there's a new arrival, it's the event of the year. »

Lyana laughs, a little reassured. Sarah seemed like one of those people who could put anyone at ease with just a few words.

" THANKS. It's a little intimidating, but I guess I'll get used to it. »

They exchanged a few words before the teacher entered the classroom, and Lyana was relieved to see that she was not completely alone. At least she had made a first acquaintance.

The hours passed faster than she expected. Between classes and quick chats with Sarah between class changes, she felt less and less of an outsider. However, a budding curiosity animated him. During the break, as they sat down with their trays in the dining hall, Sarah gave him a playful look.

"So, have you ever heard of Kayden Valmont? »

Lyana raised her eyebrows. " Kayden Valmont? That tells me something..."

"The castle on the hill? He is the heir of the Valmonts. They are extremely rich and super mysterious. Kayden , in particular, is very... special. » Sarah raised an eyebrow, as if the word contained an implication. "He's not at school often, but when he's there, everyone notices him. »

Lyana felt her heart beat a little faster. Kayden Valmont. She remembered looking at this imposing castle the day before from her window, wondering about the secrets it might harbor. She didn't know that her owner was a student here. An inexplicable curiosity took hold of her, but she tried not to show it too much.

"Why is he so special?" » she asked, feigning indifference.

"Oh, you'll soon understand," Sarah said, shrugging her shoulders. "Some say he has... let's say, a special aura. He doesn't talk much, but everyone respects him here. Or rather, fears it, I would say. »

As Lyana was about to ask another question, a sudden commotion in the dining hall made her turn towards the entrance. A group of students abruptly dispersed to let a young man pass as he entered. Tall, slender, he had a confident, almost royal gait. His black hair framed a face of cold beauty, and his piercing eyes seemed to scan the room with an indifferent gaze, as if nothing he saw really interested him.

Sarah nudged him. "Well, there you have Kayden Valmont himself. »

Lyana felt her heart skip a beat. Something about him captivated her. It was not just his appearance, but the powerful aura he exuded, as if a dark and haunting mystery surrounded him. Their eyes met briefly, and she had the impression that he was scrutinizing her with an intensity that almost made her uncomfortable.

"He noticed you," Sarah whispered, a mischievous smile on her lips.

Lyana quickly looked away, feeling her cheeks flush. "I...I don't know. Maybe he was just looking in my direction. »

"Maybe," Sarah replied, snickering, as if she knew something she wasn't saying. "But he never looks at anyone that long. »

For the rest of the day, Lyana couldn't stop thinking about this strange encounter. There was something fascinating about Kayden , an energy that seemed to resonate within her in inexplicable ways. Even if she felt a little ridiculous dwelling on someone she didn't even know, she couldn't ignore the mysterious attraction that linked her to him.

Later, while she was putting some books in her locker, she overheard a group of girls talking not far from her. They whispered, casting furtive glances in his direction, but their whispers reached him clearly.

"Did you hear? It seems that Kayden Valmont is involved in some weird stuff. Like... rites or whatever. »

"Yeah, he always looked a little... dangerous. I don't know how to explain it, but there's something about him that makes me uncomfortable. »

"I heard that his family wasn't normal. That they are hiding something in their castle. Nobody really knows what they're doing up there..."

The girls' words disturbed her. She didn't know if she should give it importance or if it was just unfounded rumors, but this conversation aroused her curiosity. Kayden Valmont seemed shrouded in mystery, and she couldn't help but wonder what he could be hiding. Maybe Sarah was right: she would soon understand why everyone seemed to both fear and respect him.

The bell rings, marking the end of the day. As she walked down the stairs to go out, she stopped in her tracks when she saw Kayden again, leaning against a wall, alone, with his arms crossed. His dark eyes immediately fell on her. She hesitated, not knowing whether to move forward or slip away discreetly, but his captivating gaze held her back.

" Lyana, right? » His voice was deep, tinged with an icy calm, but strangely seductive.

She nodded, surprised that he knew her first name. "Yes...and you're Kayden , I guess? »

A crooked smile stretched his lips. "Good guess." » He stared at her for a moment, as if trying to read her. "So, how do you like Crescentville?" »

She forced a smile, trying to hide the nervousness that was gaining on her. "It's... different from what I knew, but I like it. There is a... mysterious side. »

He raised an eyebrow, amused. " Mysterious ? I guess that's one way to look at it. »

She felt a strange warmth come over her, as if every word he spoke resonated within her in an almost supernatural way. She had never felt such intensity in front of anyone.

"Okay, so I hope you like it here," he added, pushing himself away from the wall, as if he was about to leave. But before leaving, he turns

Na towards her again, looking darkly into hers. "Be careful what you look for, Lyana . Sometimes mysteries are deeper than we think. »

And before she could respond, he walked away, disappearing into the crowd.

Sitting at her desk, Lyana couldn't concentrate on her homework. His thoughts kept returning to Kayden , to this imposing castle, and to the furtive glances exchanged in the corridors of the school. She couldn't get rid of this mixture of intrigue and mystery that surrounded the Valmont family. As if something, a force she didn't understand, was irremediably drawing her towards them. She opened her laptop, typing the words "Valmont Castle Crescentville " into the search engine, hoping to learn more.

The first few pages of results offered fairly mundane information: a few articles on architecture, blurry photos taken from afar, and a list of events organized by the Valmont family for the community several years ago. But as she dove deeper, she came across blogs, obscure forums filled with disturbing theories and stories. Some claimed that the castle was home to an ancient family linked to the rites and secrets of times gone by. Others mentioned mysterious gatherings taking place in the surrounding forest.

One story in particular caught his attention. Centuries ago, according to this legend, a Valmont made a pact with the spirits of the forest. Since then, it was said, the heirs of this family were linked to a curse - or a blessing, according to some - transforming them into protectors of the region, endowed with extraordinary abilities. She couldn't help but shiver as she read these lines, although it seemed more like a legend than reality. Yet something inside her wanted to believe it, as if this story finally explained this feeling of danger and attraction she felt.

A noise in the hallway startled her, and she realized that she had spent several hours immersed in her research. She quickly shut down her computer, her heart still racing from reading these strange tales. She lay down, trying to push away the images of Kayden and the castle that lingered in her mind. But that night, his sleep was filled with disturbing dreams where shadows moved silently in the forest, where glowing eyes observed in the darkness.

The next day, during a break at school, Lyana found Sarah in the hall. She needed to talk to someone about it, even though she wasn't sure how to approach the subject.

"Sarah," she began shyly, "do you know more about the Valmont family history? The castle and everything around it? »

Sarah shrugged her shoulders, but her look became more serious. "Well, everyone knows the stories, you know. It's an old family, and there have always been rumors. Some say they... practice somewhat mystical things. But I think they're just inventions to scare the curious. For what ? »

Lyana hesitated, not wanting to appear too enthusiastic. "Oh, nothing... I just read things. Legends, I suppose. She tried to smile, but Sarah looked at her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement.

"You know, now that you mention it..." Sarah leaned towards her, as if she were going to reveal a secret. "There is an old legend here about werewolves . The inhabitants of Crescentville say that on full moon nights, howls can be heard in the forest around the castle. The Valmonts are said to be descendants of a line of protectors or... creatures, I don't know. It's part of local folklore. »

Lyana felt a shiver run down her spine. She tried to laugh, but her voice betrayed a certain uneasiness. "Werewolves? You don't believe these stories, do you? »

Sarah shrugged. "Of course not! Well, it's fascinating, but they're just stories, right? »

Yet upon hearing these words, Lyana felt even more drawn to the mystery. As if something was calling to her, a silent but powerful whisper that compelled her to learn more. After class, instead of going straight home, she took the path leading to the forest bordering the castle. The air was fresh, and the late afternoon light seeped through the trees, creating a captivating atmosphere.

She ventured down a small path, her heart beating with mixed excitement and fear. With every step, she felt a strange connection with the place, a sense of déjà vu as if these woods were familiar to her. However, it was the first time she set foot here. She told herself that she was undoubtedly influenced by the stories she had read, but that did not explain this oppressive feeling of being spied on.

The silence of the forest was heavy, broken only by the rustling of leaves beneath his feet. She moved slowly, observing every tree, every shadow, feeling something moving at the edge of her vision. Sometimes a breath of wind would rustle the branches, and she would turn suddenly, almost expecting to see a figure in the shadows.

Lost in her thoughts, she did not immediately realize that she had gotten closer to the castle. She could see the outlines of the tall towers between the trees, like an imposing, almost menacing presence. It was as if the building itself was scrutinizing her, measuring her. She stopped, her breath short, fascinated by this proximity.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps on the ground interrupted him. She turned around, but saw no one. Her heart raced, and she tried to reassure herself. "It's nothing, just an animal," she muttered to herself, but the thought didn't calm her. As she turned around to return to the path, she saw a figure appear between the trees.

It was him. Kayden.

He walked slowly towards her, his gaze dark and piercing, and she felt an inexplicable warmth invade her body. The air around him seemed to vibrate, as if emanating raw energy, an almost palpable force. He stopped a few meters from her, and a crooked smile stretched his lips, giving him an air that was both seductive and menacing.

"What are you doing here, Lyana? » His voice was low, calm, but there was an intensity that made her shiver.

She felt trapped, but she didn't want to show her fear. "I was exploring. I had heard stories... about the castle. On your family. »

He stared at her in silence, his eyes seeming to read her with disconcerting ease. She felt vulnerable under this gaze, as if all her thoughts, her secrets, were exposed.

"You better not listen to everything people say," he said finally, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "Some stories are made to keep away those who should not come near. »

She held his gaze, defying his warning. "And you think I shouldn't come any closer? »

A mysterious smile blossoms on his lips. "I think you've already made your choice. » He took a step forward, closing the distance between them, and she felt his breath mix with hers, the heat of his body radiating into hers. She should have stepped back, but something was holding her back. An inexplicable desire to stay, to discover what he was hiding behind this mask of coldness.

"The woods can be dangerous, Lyana, especially for someone like you," he whispered. "We could get lost in the shadows. »

She clenched her fists, defying this warning. "Maybe I like taking risks. »

Kayden stared at her for a long moment, and she thought she saw a spark of amusement cross his eyes. "Then I advise you to be careful. Because certain paths... once taken, there is no going back. »

And with these words, he turned and disappeared into the shadow of the trees, leaving her alone in the middle of the forest. She stood still for a moment, her heart racing. Every word he spoke resonated within her, like a warning and an invitation at the same time. She felt that this meeting was only the beginning, the prelude to something bigger, more intense.