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Chapter 4
Huling Na-update:
2024-10-29 19:42:56NICOLETTE'S POV
I could not believe my eyes that he actually thought this was all that meant anything to me, money. I saw the transfer he made into my account which he termed shopping and I angrily threw my phone on the bed standing there by my bed stark naked. Clearly he either did not know what was happening exactly or he was trying to play me for the stupid one but I would not have it that way. I dressed up and eventually went down to eat when my phone started ringing. It was Zibelle.
"Zibs..." I said sadly
"Girl don't tell me you're still worked up over that, you are his wife and I really doubt he would let her back to his home. You are the real deal and you know that." she said over the phone.
I realized now that tears were already beginning to drop from my eyes because I sincerely was beginning to wish that what she had said to me would be true and that all this was a phase that would eventually pass but I knew for sure that should Laurel come back and decide on it then my marriage would be over. Maybe I was being greedy after all. I was the one who signed up for a loveless marriage but I would rather that this was too early a time for my marriage to start shaking or getting crumpled down. I sniffled and then used my hand to clean my tears.
"I want to believe you Zibs. Sincerely I really want to." I said to her
"Then believe me. You know what, let's hang out tonight at Barry's. We'll drown all this negativity with the fruit of the vine." she said to me.
I gave it a thought and yes, it was not shopping but it certainly would befit my purpose at the moment. I needed the timeout to go gather up my thoughts. I spent a lot of time getting ready to go out and towards the evening when it would be time, I started putting on my makeup. Nothing much, just a highlight here and there then tied my head up in a ponytail to make certain the look was absolute. That should certainly do that trick.
Finally it was time and I grabbed my keys and wallet as I started out. I was just approaching the door and ready to pull it open when someone did from the outside causing me to step away from harm's way. It was Xander and he stood out there looking at me. The way his eyes swept through my body from head to toe had a lot to say for me. It was clear that he was taking in what he was seeing but whether or not he was impressed or disgusted I could never tell. Xander barely talks to me on such petty matters. But then slowly his hand came up like he wanted to reach for me and I tensed immediately freezing up.
You could easily see my collar bones on full display but he stopped himself halfway and instead brushed his hands through his hair in a boyish way.
"You're going out?" he asked me
"Yes." I said.
Then the awkward silence. I had a strong feeling that he wanted to say something to me but somehow he could not fit in the right words on his lips. I waited because I wanted him to say something to me, anything at all even if it should be an explanation or confirmation. But when he eventually spoke to me, it was neither of the things I had been expecting.
"With Zibelle?" he asked me
"Yes." I said.
Seriously I was not enjoying this at all and was barely keeping myself from crying. He was holding back on something and I feared that worst.
"Cool." he said and stepped aside like the gentleman he was so I could pass.
We had to pass the most awkward couple challenge if such a thing should exist because we both knew we admired each other greatly but would rather keep on lying to ourselves. I knew well enough what things I wanted to hear precisely which was actually impossible.
Zibs was already waiting for me by the bar in a friendly chat with Barry, our favorite barman. She smiled at me the minute she saw me and got up from the stool to hug me tightly. She could tell from my looks that I was not only broken but shattered entirely.
"My marriage will be over soon Zibs, I can feel it in my bones." I said to her.
"Don't say that. Hey Barry we'll be over there in our favorite booth. Could you bring us good drinks?" she asked smiling and batting her eyelashes
"You got it girl." Barry responded as he clicked his tongue.
Leading me by hand, Zibs took me to our favorite booth back in the day. We would sit there away from all eyes as this was a dark corner where the lights were just too dim and we would watch everyone performing. It was fun. Zibs was about speaking when she saw Barry approaching with our drinks.
"We are only two Barry." Zibs said, noticing an extra.
"This one here is in the house for Nicolette. Been a while she came to say hello to us small people y'know." he said beaming.
I forced a smile on my face as I showed my appreciation to him for his kind gesture. And then he left, reminding us he was a call away from us.
Staying with Zibs and talking to her about my troubles eased me out a little as she asked why I was panicking when I mentioned my fears to her.
"Did he say anything about her to you?" Zibs asked me.
"No but he seemed to have wanted to." I said
"But he didn't because she doesn't matter." Zibelle mentioned and I thought of believing that yet at the back of my mind, I knew she mattered a great deal to my husband. She is his mate after all.
"She is his mate Zibs and I am nobody. I'm a runt." I said to her.
"Who says you are? Girl, grow up and see that your marriage is fine. Do not over assume and ruin everything." she said.
Those last words from her rang through my ears as I recalled her voice when she said them. I realized how right she was and decided to let my fears away. After our drink, I had to go home feeling a lot lighthearted.
I had just gotten home when I noticed the awkwardness of the house was screaming. The maids and servants were glancing at me weirdly. Some whispered to each other but I held my head high as I walked into the house towards my room. I heard my husband from the study which was on the way to my room. He was on the phone and the door to his study was rather wide open. I stopped right in front.
"Laurel, you are stressing me out. When would you be getting here?" I overheard Xander on the phone and he sounded worried.
How wrong Zibs was to say my marriage was fine when my husband was getting worked up because of another woman. I turned away when he noticed me and looked up. I made to hurry away
"Wait Nicolette please." I heard him say behind me.
Kaugnay na kabanata
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 5
NICOLETTE'S POVI knew I should have waited but the pain I was feeling within me was excessive already. I hurriedly tried to walk down the corridor when someone caught me by the arm. I turned to find Xander looking straight at me and he showed every sign of worry and sometime else which I could not tell. I had been stopped abruptly so the least I could do was turn around and look at him. He seemed to be fighting within himself for the right words to say to me and I myself could not help but feel intense. I could count the number of times when Xander and I shared physical contact but as I looked down at my hand, I could see his own covering my wrist. I looked up at him and he quickly let go."I'm really sorry, Nicolette." he said to me.I felt disappointed that he could not understand what I desired. He had suddenly let go of my arm like it was hot coal or perhaps even like there was some sort of contract between us that would weigh on us if he kept holding me. His touch had sent a lot
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 6
XANDER'S POV The most stressful two days of my life and it was all thanks to Laurel. The lady sure was something and she clearly still enjoys playing the same games she used to back then when we were kids and young. It seemed quite funny to her but to me, it certainly was not. It was this same game of chase that she had played when she left me three years ago. She had told me she had boarded her flight already and I actually believed her when she sent me pictures of her in the plane, making me panic for real. I still had a wife who if not anything at all, I owed her the clearness and transparency of marriage. I needed no soothsayer to tell me that she was hurting and even though she tried hard to stand out as brave, I knew Nicolette was hurting deep inside of her. When I had returned from that awkward meeting with Maxwell and suddenly met her on her way out, I nearly melted away and for real, my knees felt momentary like they were rubber. She looked really beautiful and
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 7
I could not get a wink of sleep that night as thoughts of that kiss I had shared with her stormed my mind. I just hoped she would understand the message I had been trying to pass on to her and not misunderstand. But right now, I needed to find a way to get a grip as it would seem that something had yet awakened in me the moment I had done that. So I thought it just might be time I had a run in the woods. It's been quite a long while since I last had any such activities and perhaps it was high time I fixed that. Quickly I took off my shirt and replaced it with a sleeveless over a pair of jeans. My running shoes and I were ready for it. I walked out of the house instructing the maids to keep a close eye on Nicolette and should anything strange start happening, they were to call me immediately. Seeing they concurred with my instructions, I took off from around the back of the house. It was going to be a long night but it should do me good as I felt less hot out here. The raci
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 8
NICOLETTE'S POV I must have been dreaming or perhaps fragments of my imagination were beginning to show themselves in my physical life. Else how would I attest or explain the fact that my husband had just kissed me a second time? This was something confusing yet so wanted. I recall standing there after he was gone for a while as my index finger touched my lips. A teardrop fell from my eyes to compliment the already drying tears. I eventually managed to get a hold of my emotions and enter my bedroom. I could have sworn that I spent longer in the shower that night than I had any other night because I could not think straight. It was when I got out that I started trying to analyze what had happened. I sat down to brush my hair for the night yet I could not think straight as the memory was flooding in. It was a mistake. At least that should be what I would stick to when I have no explanations to put up. Xander was a man of his word and clearly, he was not thinking straight. I reca
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 9
I had woken up that morning and was about to make my way to the kitchen so I would fix us some breakfast when I heard the whispers. I found myself listening as somehow it seemed like I had woken up with little extra heightened senses. I could hear the maids inside whispering. "Great, now Laurel is coming back then we could have ourselves a true Luna." the first maid was saying. "True but what do you think would become of her?" whoever her companion was asked. "Clearly she'll return to her sickening Omega life. She runt after all," she said and they all laughed. I felt so much pain weighing down on my heart as I never actually expected I would be going through such pain in my entire life. Now the maids had confirmed that Laurel was coming back, I was as good as a vanished soul. I stood up straight as I tried calming myself down to ease the pressure to let tears out. I did not want to cry for fear of confirming their words. To them, I would always be an Omega runt wh
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 10
NICOLETTE'S POV The next day I felt like I needed a break from all the negativities around me. It was little wonder actually that the maids had not yet connived and poisoned me yet with the ominous ways they were looking at me. Anyone could easily tell about the hate in their eyes each time they see me. Between today and yesterday, I had only seen Xander once and I sincerely did not want to start having or giving in to my fears. I could not accept the inkling in my heart that perhaps he was actually beginning to avoid me and did not mean all he had been saying. So I guess I am sure as hell needed to clear my mind out. Zibelle was going horse riding today and she asked earlier if I wanted to join her at the stables. I had initially told her I would be really busy but seeing how miserable I was at the time, I knew staying alone in the house was definitely going to drive me crazy. I packed up and got ready before texting her that I was on my way. This has always been a hobby
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 11
NICOLETTE'S POV It was Allen, my only defender since I got stuck in this sham of a marriage. He looked really angry as he approached like an avenging angel. "Are you alright, Luna?" he asked me, stressing the word like he definitely wanted it to sink directly into Maxwell's brain who truly was in the pack. Maxwell scoffed. "Luna you say? I doubt that else she would have shown her eyes color. She knows she's still not welcome here and never would be accepted because she is a nasty little buzz that would fly away someday." Maxwell said snickering. "What did you just say?" Allen demanded ready to pick a fight. "Let him be, Allen." I said as I started approaching Maxwell, smiling sadistically as I did. I seriously had just had enough of his uncanny name calling and even though it was all true, he had no right to speak to me that way. I stood now in front of him glaring. "What would you do not, Nicolette? Stare me down to death?" Maxwell asked me. "You w
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 12
LAUREL'S POV I know, you all think of me as the home wrecker but then what would you say about the little thief that had taken my position as Luna? I did leave him those few years ago because I sure as hell never thought that the self absorbed Xander would start spreading past his horizon as the alpha of the Red moon pack. I also had not thought that he would become this powerful. My boyfriend and I had been together for such a long while and he always affirmed to me that he had things in order. I agreed with him and never really cared to talk anymore to Xander. The guy sure was a dummy who could not read the handwriting on the wall. We had grown up together in the same pack and I always saw him as the bit of a timid heir back in the days. Hence, when our wolves suddenly recognized each other after a while, it was really shocking that the very alpha I looked down on happened to be my mate. It was a matter of shame for me because I had already boasted about his downfall to
Pinakabagong kabanata
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 117
XANDER'S POV I could not believe I had missed all of that in my rush. To think that Zibelle had been so aloof should have told me all I needed to know about what was actually happening. We arrived at the place she was hosting her show and then found the luxury cars that were scattered around outside the premises. It was clear the attendees were no persons of ordinary caliber. I turned to my men coming down from their car behind mine. "Smoke the area to make certain there are no other wolves. If she has taken Nicolette, then she's not in this alone." I said to them, "What about me, Alpha?" The werewolf who had driven me to the place turned to ask. "You're coming with me as backup. Where's the gamma?" I asked, noticing Adriana was nowhere to be found. "None can tell, Alpha. She's been missing since the proclamation of Allen's banishment." He said. I nodded my head knowingly. That could be understood knowing how much she actually cared about Allen. She probably was out there weepin
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 116
XANDER'S POV"Don't do this, Xander. You know I'm innocent." Allen said to me as he stood before me in the dark woods.I had already declared him a criminal and he was to be banished. The more I looked at him now, all I could think of was the fact that he had probably won Nicolette's heart."Tell me then, where is she?" I asked him."Buddy, I swear this to you. I have no idea where she is but together I know we can find her." He said to me,My face grimaced. He still had the nerve to lie to me after all this while. What was so hard about the truth."I actually thought you were my friend but apparently, you're a cheap liar. These are the borders, go and don't return." I said to him avoiding his eyes."Xander, please." He said to me,His voice was shaky and I knew he was probably crying at this point. "The next time I lay eyes on you,.it shall be your death. I'll give you the grace and time to get these fixed. Return my wife to me or I shall hunt you for the rest of your miserable life
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 115
NICOLETTE'S POVI could not go the way out as there was no telling how many men had been left out there to tame me. The only way I could think of was the high scaled window and what I needed now was a really big leap. One mistake and I would certainly be caught again. I thought of the baby, breathing within me and all I had endured all along. Nothing would have to go wrong, right? No way was I going to lose my child for my friend that so easily had backstabbed me.I looked right at the concoction that had been given to me. Who's to say it is not actually poison?Either way, I took a deep breath right now as I made the biggest leap yet of my life. It was a lot for me to take in as I jumped really high until I hit myself against the window pane. It suddenly burnt and I nearly let go and lost control as I had not been prepared to find that it was made out of pure silver. My feet had lost their footing and it took me a while to balance up. I started to climb over the window, burns and a
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 114
NICOLETTE'S POVI was locked in this room in the cabin. The cabin was divided into two parts and I could not help but notice how it was being built to have just a single entrance. My prison room had a window that seemed really high for me but I knew I needed to figure out a way to escape.As commanded, Maxwell's men did not attempt to lay hands on me for now because there was actually no telling what would become of me when the evil duo decided to come for me. They were working together crying out loud!Who knows right now what Zibelle has been up to acting selling me out cheaply. It was a little wonder as to what Laurel must have promised her and right now, I was beginning to question our entire friendship that seemed to be based on a lie.Was there a possibility that all these years together had meant nothing or had she been spying on me from the very beginning? I was confused at this point that I could not even begin to think about it. I sat down there, recounting and wondering if
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 113
MAXWELL'S POVSeeing Nicolette after all this while was really something and I suddenly felt this tinge of elation towards her. She seemed not so happy to see me and I could have sworn that there was fear in her eyes when she looked at me. Was she by any chance thinking that I would hurt her or something? I would never...I guessed I spoke too soon as suddenly I heard it. The faint beating of that steady heart that he had implanted in her womb. It made me feel a surge of anger swim through me as I watched her steadily."You're indeed pregnant." I said to her,"Let me go." She said to me,"Go? You're free to go, Nicolette. That's the way." I said pointing out where she had just come from.She looked rather confused as she stared back at me. It would come to seem as though I have begun playing games on her.A couple of seconds and she turned back to find that there was no one on her path. Not even Laurel stood there as they all cleared a way for her in the middle.Nicolette was skeptica
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 112
XANDER'S POVI suddenly felt restless after I had left the witch who apparently had been shot. She probably died on the way but something seemed to be bugging as suddenly, I felt a heart wrenching pain on my chest."Nicolette..." My wolf cried out weakly. "Trouble."I had to hastily return to my car and start the ignition immediately. Whatever this was, I would be needing to get to the root of it immediately. I tried to start the car again but the damned pain returned again, this time more searing and I knew she was in trouble.I quickly decided to dial Allen. He had probably gotten to her or something. The guy took the phone immediately on the second ring and then I asked if he had seen Nicolette today."Not really but I received a call from the pack house security. She's gone missing and is not taking her calls." He said to me,"Why didn't you call me immediately?" I yelled at him, putting the car in motion."Because they said you would react badly. We were hoping to find her before
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 111
NICOLETTE'S POVI could not believe that this was happening as I tried to take a quick glance at Zibelle who apparently averted her eyes. She was clearly not going to look at me after her sore betrayal.Laurel walked over to me and right then I saw some persons with torches go over to the entrance and block it off with the caution sign. That way, no vehicle would pass this way again."How could you do this to me?" I asked Zibelle who kept looking away as she came off from the vehicle."Oh, so sad but you should know that Zibelle and I have always been best buddies right from our school days. We love and care about each other. Hence, it should not come as a surprise that you have been sold out." Laurel said as she opened my side of the car. "Out."I hesitated but reckoned that she would deal with me even as I noticed eyes glowing in the dark. There were other werewolves here but certainly, not from our pack. They reeked and I knew being pregnant and outnumbered was not the time to fig
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 110
ZIBELLE'S POV"Just act naturally and lead her to us. We'll take it from there." Those were her words on the phone when she called me on this day that the plan had been set up.It was only a couple of days to Nicolette's birthday party which we all could tell now that in anticipation, Xander was making bigger plans. I have been keeping up tabs with her and playing the caring friend and anticipating godmother to Nicolette.I had a thing tomorrow also. My fashion show and hopefully, should things go as planned today then I would be a free woman and minding both my business and my show.Clearly, I had been lacking good sleep as all my thoughts were filled with the fear of being found out or betrayed by Laurel who had always been known to be up to no good.I got out of bed sluggishly dressing up and eventually got prepared. I decided that I would call Nicolette just so we could do some shopping."Zibs, what's up?" An excited Nicolette said to me over the phone.The happiness and innocenc
MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE: Married To The Mated Alpha Chapter 109
DELA'S POVI found out.To think that I had been smart and careful all along only to let down my guard upon my very first encounter with Xander was really something. It had been years since I stayed in the background, secretly watching Nicolette and seeking the best ways possible to get closer.We had separated at some point when I felt she would be able to stand on her own two feet as I went into seclusion which was a thing with us witches. It used to be the best time when we could gather up the potency of our powers and also return stronger.Mine had taken me years as my times out of practice when playing nanny to the child had been something else. I reckoned how young she had been when I fled away from her with a promise that I would always be watching her. It had been long years in the dark cave where I lost track of time.I returned to find my dear child as that was what I saw her as, married to someone dangerous. Xander was never supposed to happen and the more I dug into his fa
