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chapter 4
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2024-04-08 22:10:02CHAPTER 4
MARA’S POV“What did you just say?” I inquired, totally confused and dumbstruck.“You heard me right, Mara. Stop acting like you didn’t. This your reaction here is why I don’t like dealing with you. You always try to play down the situation till it suits your liking. I said you are getting married to our new sponsor. There! I said it again. Hope you heard this time around?” Her snide remarks or the fact that she said she doesn’t like dealing with me didn’t even get to me this time as I was too busy processing thewords I just heard.I was getting married? And that to with a total stranger who decided to wake up one day and sponsor the orphanage?“No!” I replied immediately.I didn’t even turn to gauge her expression as I turned and tried to leave. I would have been successful in my attempt if I didn’t realize that she had locked the door. She seemed to have anticipated my move so she locked it on her way back in.“Open the door!” I demanded as I turned back to face her. I watched as she calmly turned and went back to her seat. If it were a normal person, I would have run over there, beaten the person black and blue before retrieving the keys but I wouldn’t dare to do that to her. Whether she acknowledged me or not, she was my mother.“What’s going on Mother? I don’t understand why you would just throw such a cruel joke at me.” I reasoned with a sigh as I ran my hand through my tangled locks.“Of course, marriage is not a joke. That’s why I thought long and hard before determining that you were the one for the situation.”I groaned. “Then can you tell me the reason for this sudden decision.”“Talia” That name sent shock and sadness through me immediately Mother said it. I froze for a moment as memories threatened to invade my mind.“Calm down Mara”. My wolf, Gretel, warned me immediately she sensed me going off the edge.“What does Talia have to do with it? Why are you suddenly bringing up her name?”“She has everything to do with it because the sponsor was originally here for her. The condition for him to sponsor us is for him to marry Talia in two days. Turns out Talia was betrothed to him years back.” She announced.Shock immediately washed through my entire being.Talia was betrothed to someone? The person wants to get married in two days? Wait! What does that have to do with me getting married?She seemed to have seen my confusion written so clearly on my face, so she continued talking. “From my conversation with him, I was able to deduce two things. One, he isn’t aware of Talia’s demise as he seemed to have not seen her in a while.”"Huh? How can you be betrothed to someone and you don’t even know that the person died years ago? What kind of man is this?" I wondered inwardlyMother didn’t give me a chance to voice out my opinions as she kept on talking.“Two, with the way he spoke, I realized that he needs a bride as soon as possible so he would be open to taking a substitute so far he thinks that Talia isn’t here. With the way he hasn’t been active in Talia’s life enough to know about her death, it is safe to say he isn’t all that in love with her. Now that’s where you come in. You can serve as a substitute bride since you are related to Talia as that is the only way to get funding for to save the orphanage at this point.”She finished and it took a lot for me not to stare at her open mouthedWhat kind of devious and malicious scheme is this? Why in the name of all things sane would I try to take the place of my dead elder sister to marry someone I don’t know or have any understanding of? Was this an insult?It was one thing to constantly be in Talia’s shadow, it was another to try to take her place.“I refuse to be part of such a…” I started to refuse but she cut me off almost immediately. “If you don’t do this, the orphanage will close down.”What is the situation that serious?Related chapters
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 5
Chapter 5Mara povShe continued. “This is the least you could do for how I saved you back when you had nowhere to go. Plus, you know what would happen should the sponsor come tomorrow and be dissatisfied. I heard he has enough power to shut us down. Think of all the young ones who will be tossed out on the street.”“But..”“No buts! Just think it through. The future of the orphanage now depends on you and your decision. Also, should you agree, you are not to ever tell the sponsor that Talia is dead. We don’t want him to start digging only to find out about our involvement. Do I make myself clear?”I wanted to refute but I couldn’t. I clenched my fists till I was sure they had bled before I replied.” Crystal.”With that, I stormed out of the office and went straight to my room.I paced around agitatedly as both I and my wolf grew restless. In my chaotic state, I accidentally slipped on the rug causing me to stumble and fall headfirst into the carton box I had laid by my bed.The conte
Last Updated : 2024-04-08Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 6
CHAPTER 6RHYS’S POV“Have we met before?” I inquired as uncertainty filled me when I saw her eager expression. She didn’t feel familiar to me at all.Was this some sort of tactic to make me like her or was this some sort of outdated pick up line?I wanted her face to fall when I uttered those words and for a moment, a very brief and almost unnoticeable one, I had the thought to lift her spirit. I immediately shook such thoughts to the back of my mind.“I... we... The” I raised a brow as I watched her stumble upon her words as her cheeks colored a bit. I didn’t know why but I found this sight oddly cute. Her face and clumsy expression was weirdly pleasing to my eye.I chased those thoughts out of my head. No matter how nice she looked, I still preferred Talia’s beautiful and serene face to hers. She was what I longed for in a woman. A hardworking educated woman who sparked a man’s desire to protect her. Talia was all that and more.“My name is Rhys Ingrid.” I announced that the woman
Last Updated : 2024-04-08Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 7
CHAPTER 7MARA’S POV Huh? Why does this place look so familiar?"Hey Mara, hurry up and go get the juice from the basement." Wasn't that Sam's voice? I thought he wasn't talking to me again.Suddenly, someone that was an exact copy except with shorter hair sprinted through me. Seeing the dress she was wearing, I realized that this was a recollection.I stood like a bystander and watched as my other self sprinted to the basement happily. I remember thinking at that time that the orphanage kids surely make it obvious that they wanted to surprise for my birthday.I waited in the basement for a little while to give them time before coming out with the juice. I had been all smiles as I walked into the hall we used for celebrations in the orphanage.What I had seen had shattered me.The banner that had been hung didn't say happy birthday. Instead it said, congratulations Talia on your successful Thesis.Talia stood amidst them with all smiles as they sang for her and celebrated while I wat
Last Updated : 2024-04-15Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 8
Chapter 8Mara POV His words fell on my ears like a bombshell, and I knew right then that this whole thing was a very bad idea. Hell. Could I probably get myself out of this? I found myself scanning the halI for an escape route.The door and the window were a capital no way because I would be caught before I could even take three steps away from the altar.I could feel tears flooding my eyes. My hands gripped the bouquet tighter then a thorn pricked my finger. "Don't cry, don't cry," I repeated to myself over and over again, but my mind kept thinking of how I was getting married to a cruel man who seemed bent on punishing me for what I didn't do.My heart pounded in my chest as I stood at the center of the grand hall, surrounded by the extravagance of the whole wedding affair. I felt like I couldn't breathe as the realization that I was now bound to this marriage, to this pack, whether I liked it or not, dawned on me. I glanced around, my eyes sweeping the faces of the people from
Last Updated : 2024-04-24Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 9
Chapter 9Mara's POVI just stared at the ground, looking at the pieces of the white flimsy material of my veil on the ground. Tears were threatening to fall again. It's like a never-ending cycle of me being weak and pathetic."You don't even deserve to wear that dress on your wretched body. I could strip you of that dress if I wished to. Because in case you don't know or you don't know yet, I have the power to do whatever I want with you," he said quietly in my ears. He turned to leave, leaving me ashamed and embarrassed of myself. That was when I snapped."Well, I didn't ask for all of this. I didn't ask for you to get married to me, so if you think for one minute that you own me just because you forcefully made me marry you, then you are wrong!"I stepped closer to him, my tears brimming close, but I refused to let them fall. "You want to strip me?" I stretched out my hands. "Come on, what are you waiting for?” I didn't really know what I was saying, but when he looked at me wit
Last Updated : 2024-04-24Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 10
Chapter 10Rhys POV When she talked back to me, I smiled inside. She was quite intriguing. She always had that meek, pathetic look on her face, but seeing her with such fire in her eyes stirred something within me. My pulse quickened in excitement. I felt tempted to carry out my threat and take her right there, to see if she would display such fire underneath me."Seems like the little kitty has a bit of claw,” I smiled, “I am going to have a great time removing the fire in you.""I look forward to it, Alpha Rhys." She replied, not scared of me.My wolf grunted about bun approval. She had courage and he liked that. There was something undeniably captivating about her. This girl was going to be an interesting one to break.Then I finally remembered who she was. She was the girl who slept murmuring due to nightmares. That morning, I kissed her forehead before I could realize it. So I showed her my soft side?My scowl was back on my face.I turned to Alfred, disapproval was written
Last Updated : 2024-04-24Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 11
Chapter 11Mara pov It was too late to reach for the towel or anything so I could cover my body. I felt naked under Rhys's steady gaze, but I probably felt that because I was naked. What was I thinking when I didn't lock the door? I groaned inside my head. What was he thinking when he busted into my room? Yes, this whole situation wasn't my fault. Why was he here in the first place?Don't tell me he was here too..? I laughed nervously.‘Nah! That wasn't it. This man practically hated me, he couldn't come here and demanded I sleep with him because it was our wedding night. Can he?’‘He should be, I would gladly say yes.’ Gretel said. ‘Oh shut up! You would do anything for him. Why didn't you say anything when he was disgracing us earlier?’‘He probably had a good reason to do that, maybe he was protecting us from a dangerous spy that is living with us.’‘Just hear yourself, Gretel, you sound delusional.’‘You asked for my opinion.’ She huffed.I was so busy arguing with my wolf i
Last Updated : 2024-04-29Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter 12
Chapter 12Mara’s POV Gretel smirked at the sight of Rhys’ wolf coming to the surface.Maybe she had forgotten the fact that I was naked and Rhys was soaking wet, that’s why she closed up any distance between us.She did it intentionally, of course. She had been making her opinion of sleeping with him again since day one.Gretel, please don’t say anything that is going to get our neck snapped.Rhys’ eye slit dilated at the touch of our body on his and it was obvious that it wanted us even if Rhys was behaving quite the opposite.“What’s your name, little wolf?” it said, using a finger to lift our chin forward towards him.We couldn’t suppress the shiver of desire that went down our spine. Wait a minute, why was I also shivering? I was supposed to be nonchalant about this whole thing.“That’s because you also want him”Well, fuck me.“If only you could say those words it loud to Rhys”She looked at him and replied “Gretel”“Gretel” he whispered, his head bent to us. His eyes flashed
Last Updated : 2024-05-01
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Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys's eyes were locked onto Mara’s irises as she held onto her silver flowing dress, with a soft smile creased on her face as she walked down the stairs.He couldn't help but stare at how beautiful she looked, walking down the stairs, graced in her beautiful silver dress.She was truly breathtaking, with her long red hair wrapped around in long waves with a small ribbon placed right on top. Her well-defined juicy lips with the upper lip almost in the shape of a heart that lingered a sweet, caring smile painted with deep crimson lipstick, and her pinkish cheeks and small apart little freckles all came into view when she came up close to Rhys. The space between them slowly closed up as the music by the garden sort of increased when he grabbed her by the hand.“You…” Rhys stuttered, staring into her eyes unable to look away. He’d slowly gone lost in them. Just when she etched closer, he leaned forward whispering into her ears. “You look so beautiful,” He said, with a smile creaesd on
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhy’s POV Two rogues came barreling in. They were running right for me as I ducked taking both rogues down to the floor in seconds making sure to have them both wounded.I watched both rogues squirming on the floor as they clenched their throats and then I knelt on the floor and started shifting, seeing that I was slowly getting outnumbered. I stepped forward and then grabbed one of them stepping over top of him. And then I bared my teeth into his flesh, growling, forcing a permanent hole as I had him killed instantly as the others stood by watching the scene. A lot of rogue men hurried my way, coming in groups of four, and twos headed in my direction.My eyes for some annoying reason, slowly had its color changed under the influence of me being completely angry over the fact that she was being taken away by Giovanni and I was getting attacked by some unknown rogue men.“Where the hell are they coming from?” I scowled, trying to make my way through angry rogue men as they attacked.
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
RHYS POVMy knuckles gripped the steering wheel, turning white as I imagined all the ways I'd kill whoever must have done this.I wanted to make sure his death was so agonizingly painful that when I was done with him, he'd be begging for the blessings of death.Lost In my thoughts of torture, I didn't notice how much time had passed. I recognized the area immediately and felt relief pour through me as I neared the motel.I pulled up to the garage, squinting through the dark as I hopped out of my car. I walked close to the building, holding up my flashlight in the air.As I walked into the building, I realized there happened to be no locks on the door. I had my foot against the door, and in seconds the door creaked open.I flashed my light in the direction of the dark, knowing down my guts that it was somewhat dangerous being out here all alone. But I didn't care…Mara was all I cared about.I trudged further into the dark, with my eyes locked on the empty hallways up ahead. I wondered
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys POVI watched Talia walking out of the mansion quietly, a couple of days later. Her movements seemed quite suspicious as she hopped into her zooming off.I couldn't stand my Wolf from growling at the thought of her knowing something about Mara’s disappearance.I decided to follow her to find out where she was headed. The fact that I could have her whereabouts tracked by her scent made it quite easier.She took about four turns and then into an unknown part of the city before stopping in front of a bar. A bar is known only to be visited, by rebellions.“What the hell is she doing here?” I whispered to myself as I parked a few meters away from her, making sure to take full cover.I peeped through the rearview mirror of my car and saw that there was a black Benz parked behind me, blocking me from driving out. I lowered my head, to avoid being caught in the game.My eyes widened in shock at the realization of whom it was that had stepped out of the car.The one man I never imagined I
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
RHY’S POV I had my head lowered as I rummaged through the papers on my desk. I tried extremely hard to focus but the conversation from a couple of weeks ago with Yara, kept whirling in my head. “Go on,” My voice was short and my eyes never left the stack of papers. Ignoring the fact that I’d been on one paragraph for the last couple of hours. “We’ve already upped patrol on the border, but still no sign of her,” Dante spoke up, distressed all over his face as he stared back at me.“I'm open to more orders,” He added, as I leaned back in the chair keeping my eyes low.“We stay on the course, we stay scouting, we have to keep searching,” I said frustratingly.“We can't be sitting ducks, we have to do something—” I grimaced but then paused, the minute I realized I was beginning to over react.It had been a couple of months since she’d suddenly disappeared. A couple of months since we had dinner together and a couple of months since I’ve seen her smile.“Perhaps we could send out a few
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys's Pov.Yara's words pierced through my heart. "Rhys, listen to me. Mara would come to me if she needed help. She trusts me."Something stirred within me. A spark of hope."Mara would come to you?" I repeated.Yara nodded. "Of course, She has no one else."No one else? The weight of those words crushed me. Mara's isolation, Her loneliness, My failure.But Yara's next words ignited a fire. "Rhys, Mara didn't come to me. She didn't leave you."I felt a glimmer of hope, A chance. "Mara's still out there, in Giovanni's custody," I whispered.Waiting For me. Waiting for me to find her. To make it right.Yara's grip on my arm tightened. "Find her Rhys, Make it right."Determination coursed through me. I'd find Mara. Explain everything. Prove my love, With newfound purpose.Yara's warning echoed in my mind. "Remember, Rhys, Talia's a snake. Has been always will be," she said.I nodded, determination etched on my face. "I'll be careful," I said.Yara's eyes narrowed. "Careful isn't enough
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys's PovI was left all alone at home. I paced through the darkness of my bedroom with bottles of Alcohol in both hands.Mara's note echoed in my mind. "I thought our love was stronger.""I thought you loved me." "I was wrong."Talia's words sliced through my haze. "Rhys, I'm here for you."Her hand touched my shoulder. I shrugged it off. "Leave me alone, Talia," I screamed at her."Rhys, please—""Get out!" I roared.Talia's eyes widened. "Rhys, I just want to help.""Help?" I sneered. "You've done enough."My anger boiled over. "You and your games, Your lies, Your manipulations."Talia stepped back. "Rhys, I'm sorry—""Sorry?" I laughed harshly. "Sorry isn't enough."I stood, swaying. The room spun.Talia's face blurred."Get out," I repeated. My voice cracked.Talia hesitated. Then turned and ran.The door slammed shut, I collapsed onto the couch.Whiskey spilled from my hand. Mara's face haunted me. Her smile, Her laughter, Her tears.My regret suffocated me. Why hadn't I told h
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys povI couldn't shake off the feeling that Talia was involved in Mara's disappearance.Her manipulations knew no bounds. But what if she'd played me from the start?A sudden memory flashed in my mind.How Talia had approached me with Her offer."I can work as a double spy for you and Giovanni," she'd said."I'll feed him false information while keeping you informed."Her expression was somber. "I have something to tell you, Rhys," she'd said."About Giovanni?" I prompted.Talia nodded. "And my involvement," she saidI gestured for her to continue."It all started months ago," Talia began. "Giovanni approached me, charming and persuasive, He promised me wealth, status, and power.""And you believed him?" I asked.Talia's eyes dropped. "I did. I thought he could offer me more than you could, Rhys."More than I could? The words stung."But then I realized..." Talia's voice trailed off."Realized what?" I asked."That I was just a tool," Talia said, her voice barely above a whisper."
Orphan to Luna: The Alpha's Substitute Bride chapter
Rhys POVI pulled into the driveway, exhausted from the trip.Finally home, finally, I'll be able to make things right with Mara.But as I entered the house, a sense of unease crept in within me."Mara?" I called out. But there was no answer, I frowned.Where was she? Where could she be by this time?I searched the house but I couldn't find her.'Maybe she wasn't home, or maybe she must have gone to her friend's place' I thought.But Mara wasn't the type to leave the house without letting anyone know.I checked our bedroom, and there was no sign of Mara and to my greatest shock, Her luggage was gone.A shiver ran down my spine. "Mara?" I called again, louder this time.But only silence replied. Panic set in.No! She wouldn't leave, Not like this, Not without talking to me.Fear gripped my heart. Where was she? Was she safe? Where could she be? The orphanage?The questions consumed my mind. I grabbed my phone and dialed Mara's number.Voicemail, Again, And again. I was so scared that p
