Revenge: The Comatose Alpha's Substitute Bride

Vivianna POV:

Time seemed to freeze. I was staring into a pair of deep golden eyes that held no trace of a coma patient's confusion, only cold assessment and absolute lucidity. The scent of cedar coming off him intensified, thick with a pressure that was almost physical.

My heart hammered against my ribs, but I knew this was a battle of performances. I had to sell my character before he saw through mine.

My eyes widened in "pure" shock, followed by a flicker of... rapture? I stumbled back a step, my lips trembling as I formed a broken sound. "You... you're awake?"

I didn't scream. That was key. A truly terrified Omega would have screamed. But my character was a "naive, foolish, but kind" girl. Her first reaction to her husband waking up would be joy.

His eyes betrayed a flicker of surprise. My reaction was not what he'd expected.

I lunged for the door, not to escape, but to perform the act of rushing to share the "good news." "Oh my goddess! I have to tell Elder Alistair! The Alpha King is awake!"

A split second before my hand touched the doorknob, a powerful hand clamped around my wrist. His movement was lightning-fast, nothing like that of a man long confined to a bed.

His palm was scorching hot against my cool skin. I could feel the calluses on his fingertips, proof of his lethal power.

A low, raspy voice, rich with the timbre of disuse, sounded right by my ear. "Don't."

I froze, turning slowly, my face a mask of "confusion" and "fear." "Wh-why? You're awake. This is wonderful news!"

Kaelen Sinclair was sitting up now, the covers pooled around his waist revealing a hard, muscular chest. He stared at me, his eyes appraising me like some curious new object. "Who are you?"

I ran through my options. This wasn't the time to reveal anything. I needed a powerful ally, and my research indicated that the Sinclair Pack's Elder Patriarch, Alistair, was an old-school Alpha who valued tradition and honor above all else.

I bowed my head, adopting the most submissive posture I could manage. "I... I'm Vivianna Monroe. From the Hayes family... your new bride."

Just then, the sound of a heavy tread and the rhythmic tap of a cane echoed from the hallway. Alistair Sinclair was coming.

Kaelen's reaction was faster than mine. In a fluid motion, he was lying down, eyes closed, back in his "coma." The hand on my wrist released.

My mind raced as the heavy footsteps drew closer. He's faking it. The realization hit me like a jolt of electricity. The most powerful Alpha in the country was playing dead in his own bed. If he's going to these lengths to hide his recovery, he must have enemies close to home. A hidden agenda. A cold thrill shot through my veins. Whatever his reasons, this secret is the ultimate leverage. I just found my perfect weapon.

The door opened to reveal a white-haired but vigorous old man. Alistair. Behind him were Brenda and Carol Reynolds.

Carol didn't shout, but her posture radiated haughty disdain. She looked at me as if I were a stain on the expensive rug. "Elder Alistair, I apologize for the disruption," Carol said, her tone smooth but dripping with condescension. "It appears Miss Monroe is already overwhelmed by the simple task of sitting quietly. As I feared, she lacks the fortitude for this environment."

I didn't argue. I simply shrank back, letting silent tears spill over my cheeks. I subtly angled my arm, allowing the sleeve to slip down just enough to reveal the angry red bruising forming on my wrist—the undeniable proof of Kaelen's iron grip.

Alistair's brow furrowed. His sharp gaze flicked from my trembling form and the bruised wrist to Carol's cold, superior face. He let out a low grunt of displeasure. He clearly assumed the Hayes family's staff had been rough with me.

"That is quite enough, Miss Reynolds," Alistair's voice boomed with quiet, absolute authority. "To speak of the Alpha King's bride with such blatant disrespect in his own chambers is unacceptable." The Elder Patriarch was a figure of immense respect in any pack, his word carrying the weight of generations.

Carol's professional mask slipped for a fraction of a second, her jaw tightening, but she didn't dare argue with an Elder. "My apologies, Elder Alistair."

Alistair's gaze softened as it fell on me. "Are you alright, child?"

I shook my head, then nodded, looking utterly lost. "I'm fine, Elder. I just... I wanted to be alone with my... husband."

The words "husband" and "be with him" clearly pleased the traditional old wolf. He sighed.

"I know this is difficult for you," he said. "As a wolfless, marrying our Kaelen is both an honor and a heavy burden." His words reinforced my cover and revealed his own old-fashioned views.

He turned back to Carol, his tone icing over. "You may return to Gregory Hayes and inform him that Vivianna is a Sinclair now. She is Kaelen's wife. I will not tolerate anyone treating her like a second-class citizen."

Carol was promptly escorted from the estate, her parting glance cold and calculating, but ultimately powerless here.

Alistair addressed Brenda. "See to it that the Luna is settled. Provide her with anything she needs. From this day on, she is one of the mistresses of this estate."

The title "Luna" sent a jolt through me. It was the address for an Alpha's mate. I had succeeded.

Alistair patted my shoulder. "You're a good child. Take care of Kaelen. The Moon Goddess will watch over you."

After he left, Brenda's attitude toward me was one of genuine deference. She showed me around, informing me that a new wardrobe would be procured for me.

I had won the first round. I was secure in the Sinclair Estate with the Elder Patriarch's support.

That evening, when I was once again alone in Kaelen's room, I could feel that burning gaze on me the moment the door clicked shut.

I dropped the timid act entirely. I walked to the side of his bed, my posture straight, my eyes meeting his stormy golden ones with absolute calm.

"I know you're awake, and I know you have your reasons for playing dead," I said softly, a faint, knowing smile touching my lips. "We need to talk, 'husband.' We're accomplices now."