The Alpha's Enchanted Bride

I could not stop shaking after what happened in the great hall. The prisoner’s words kept repeating in my head. A trap on our wedding night. William Hawthorne working with the shadows. Everything felt too real and too close. Alexander stood near the fire with his side still bleeding. He looked tired but determined.

“You should not have seen that,” he said in a low voice. His eyes met mine across the room and the bond pulled tight again. It felt like a living thing between us now. Warm and demanding.

I crossed my arms and tried to sound stronger than I felt. “I am part of this now whether you like it or not. Tell me the full truth about the rifts. No more hiding things from me.”

He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed. “The pack elders believe the main rift is under the old temple in the eastern mountains. Every full moon it grows wider. Shadows slip through and corrupt everything they touch. Your magic is the only thing strong enough to close it for good. That is why the bond chose you.”

I walked closer to him. The cut on my own arm throbbed in time with my heartbeat. “What about Hawthorne? Why does he want me so badly?”

Alexander looked away for a moment. “He wants power. He thinks if he takes you before the ceremony he can control the moon magic himself. His pack has grown desperate. They lost many wolves to the darkness last season.”

A servant brought fresh bandages and warm water. I surprised myself by stepping forward to help clean his wound. My fingers brushed his skin and the bond flared hot. He sucked in a quick breath but did not pull away. His body felt solid and warm under my touch. I tried to focus only on the cut.

“You are good at this,” he said softly. His golden eyes watched my face carefully. “Most women in your position would be crying or begging to go home.”

“I am not most women.” I finished wrapping the bandage and stepped back. My cheeks felt warm. The room suddenly felt smaller with just the two of us.

Victoria Lane appeared at the door with some food and clothes for me. She gave me a small smile before leaving us alone again. I ate a little bread while Alexander told me more about the pack. How he became alpha after his father died fighting the shadows. How he carried the weight of every life lost on his shoulders.

The bond made it hard to stay angry with him. Every time he spoke I felt his pain and his strength at the same time. It scared me how much I wanted to understand him.

Later that night I lay in the big bed staring at the ceiling. Moonlight streamed through the window and called to my magic. I let a small ball of soft light dance above my hand. It felt comforting. But then the light flickered and a cold feeling crept in. The same whisper from the forest returned.

The bride will break the alpha.

I sat up quickly and the light vanished. My heart raced. Was the darkness already inside the keep? I slipped out of bed and put on a robe. The guard at my door nodded when I told him I needed fresh air. He followed me at a distance as I walked the stone halls.

The keep was quiet except for the occasional howl far away. I found a balcony overlooking the forest. Cool night air brushed my face. I closed my eyes and reached for my magic trying to sense any danger nearby.

Strong arms suddenly wrapped around me from behind. I gasped but the scent told me it was Alexander before I even turned. His chest pressed against my back. The bond sang between us loud and clear.

“You should be sleeping,” he whispered near my ear. His breath was warm. His voice sounded rough with worry.

“I could not sleep. The shadows keep talking to me. They say I will destroy you.”

He turned me around so we faced each other. His hands stayed on my waist. In the moonlight his face looked softer. “You will not destroy me, Eleanor. We will face this together. The bond is not just a chain. It can be a strength if we let it.”

Our faces were very close. I could see the small scar on his lip. My hands rested on his chest without thinking. His heart beat fast under my palm. The pull grew stronger until I could barely think. He leaned down slowly giving me time to pull away.

When his lips touched mine the world narrowed to just us. The kiss was gentle at first then deeper. Heat spread through me like moonlight turned to fire. The bond wrapped around us both glowing bright in my mind. For a moment there were no shadows, no rivals, no prophecies. Only him and me.

He pulled back first, breathing hard. His eyes glowed brighter. “We should stop. The ceremony is soon and I want you to choose this with clear eyes.”

I touched my lips still feeling the warmth. Part of me wanted to pull him back. Another part felt terrified of how much I already cared. I nodded and stepped away.

Back in my room I lay down again but sleep took a long time to come. The kiss replayed in my head over and over. Alexander Grant was dangerous in more ways than one. He made me feel things I never expected.

The next morning loud voices woke me. I dressed quickly and followed the noise to the main courtyard. Warriors were gathered around Alexander. Charles Beaumont looked angry.

“Hawthorne’s pack was spotted near the river,” he reported. “They left another warning. A dead wolf with a message carved on its side. The bride belongs to the void.”

Alexander growled low in his throat. His hands clenched into fists. “We ride out at noon. Eleanor stays here under guard.”

“No,” I said, stepping forward. Everyone turned to look at me. “I am not staying behind. My magic is part of this fight. Let me help.”

Alexander met my eyes. The bond pushed me to stand my ground. After a long moment he nodded. “You ride with me then. But stay close.”

As we prepared the horses my heart pounded with fear and excitement.