The Alpha's Doomed Omega Bride

Lydia's POV

I stared at the document in my father's trembling hands, my name was printed clearly on it, Lydia Vale.

For a moment, I couldn't move, It felt strange seeing my name on a piece of paper that would decide the rest of my life.

I reached for it, but Father didn't let go immediately.

"Lydia..."

"I need to see it."

He slowly released the document and I opened it with shaking fingers.

The first few lines were exactly what Alpha Marcus had said.

Marriage between me and Alpha Ronan of the Black Moon Pack. A political union between the two packs, my family would have their land returned.

Our house would remain ours, my brothers would be allowed to work again. Everything would be restored, everything except my freedom. I turned the page.

My eyes moved down the list of conditions, I stopped.

"What is this?"

Alpha Marcus remained silent, I looked at him.

"There are conditions."

"Yes."

"What conditions?"

"You'll know when you arrive at the Black Moon Pack."

I frowned. "That isn't what a contract is supposed to mean."

His eyes narrowed dangerously at me, "I did not know I said you could negotiate."

I looked back at the document, there were several sections I didn't understand, but one sentence caught my attention.

The bride shall remain within the Black Moon Pack for the duration of the marriage agreement unless given permission by the Alpha. My stomach tightened.

"So I can't leave? What if I wanted a divorce later on?"

"You'll be his wife and there won't be any divorce except...death, which is pretty common there"

"That doesn't answer my question."

Alpha Marcus stepped closer, "You will live according to the laws of your husband's pack."

I looked at Father, he wouldn't meet my eyes and my heart hurt. He knew this was wrong, but there was nothing he or anyone could do. I turned another page.

The marriage would last for one year. If I die in the process, the contract could be renewed or terminated according to the agreement between the two Alphas.

I almost laughed, one year, they were giving me one year of my life in exchange for everything my family had already lost.

"Where is Alpha Ronan?"

"Black Moon Pack."

"He didn't come here?"

"No."

That surprised me, "If I'm supposed to marry him, shouldn't he at least be here?"

Alpha Marcus gave a small shrug, "His presence isn't necessary."

Something about that answer irritated me.

Apparently, everyone had already decided my future without even bothering to ask the man I was marrying to show his face. I closed the contract.

"I want to meet him."

"You will."

"When?"

"Three days."

My heart sank, "What?"

"The wedding will take place in three days."

My head snapped up, "Three days?"

Alpha Marcus nodded. "You'll leave this pack tomorrow morning."

Everything was happening too fast, yesterday, I was just Lydia Vale. The daughter of a poor farmer.

The eldest daughter who helped her mother cook, took care of her brothers and worked in the fields when Father needed help.

Now, I was someone's future wife, and not just anyone's, the future wife of Alpha Ronan.

The man whose previous wives were dead, I looked at Mother.

She was crying silently, I walked toward her and knelt in front of her.

"Mom." She touched my face, "I'm sorry."

I shook my head quickly. "Don't say that."

"But I should have protected you."

"You tried." She pulled me into her arms, I closed my eyes.

For the first time that night, I allowed myself to cry, not because I was afraid of Alpha Ronan.

I cried because I knew that once I walked out of that house tomorrow, I might never see my family again.

After a few minutes, I pulled away, "I'll do it."

Father looked at me, "Lydia..."

"I'll marry him." My voice was steadier this time, "But I have one condition."

Alpha Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You're in no position to make conditions."

"I know." I looked directly into his eyes, "But if you want my cooperation, you will keep your side of the agreement."

He smiled faintly. "You have my word."

"No, I want it written."

His smile disappeared, "Fine."

He gestured to one of the guards, "Add it."

The guard stepped forward and I pointed at the contract.

"My family's land. Our house. My brothers' jobs. Everything you've taken from us."

"It will be restored after the wedding."

"....before."

Alpha Marcus stared at me.

"After..."

"Before I leave."

His jaw tightened, and for a few seconds, neither of us spoke, then he nodded.

"Fine."

I knew I had won a small battle, but somehow, it didn't feel like a victory.

Alpha Marcus turned toward the door. "Prepare yourself, Lydia."

He stopped before leaving. "I hope you don't die soon"

I frowned.

"What does that mean?"

He looked over his shoulder, "Don't worry just make sure you survive."

Then he left and the guards followed him. The moment the door closed, my father sank into his chair. I looked at him.

"Dad?"

He covered his face with both hands. "I failed you."

"No."

"I couldn't protect my daughter."

"You protected all of us."

His eyes filled with tears, I walked to him and hugged him.

"I'm doing this because I want all of you to be safe."

He held me tightly. "You shouldn't have to, it's my responsibility."

"I know." I pulled away. "But I will."

That night, I barely slept, my mother helped me pack, there wasn't much to take. A few dresses, some personal belongings.

A necklace my grandmother had given me before she died and a small photograph of my family.

I placed the photograph inside my bag carefully, then I sat on the edge of my bed.

My eyes fell on the new wedding dress hanging beside the window. It wasn't mine, Alpha Marcus had sent it this evening.

A beautiful white dress looks and smells expensive, it was elegant, almost too beautiful for someone who had been forced into marriage.

I touched the fabric, tomorrow, I will leave. Tomorrow, I would meet the man who was supposed to become my husband.

And I couldn't stop thinking about the three women who had come before me. Three women, three wives, three graves.

I wondered what their families had been told, I wondered if they had been afraid to marry him. A strange thought suddenly entered my mind.

What if everyone was wrong about Alpha Ronan? What if he wasn't responsible for their deaths?

And then another thought followed. What if they were right?