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2024-12-10 12:25:25
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THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 008
ValarieThe sound of distant chatter filled the palace as I stared at my reflection in the ornate mirror. My hair was styled into cascading waves, a glittering tiara nestled perfectly atop my head. My dress, a masterpiece of flowing silk and intricate beadwork....fit me like a second skin, shimmering with every movement. I hardly recognized myself.“A vision,” the maid whispered, stepping back to admire her work.I gave her a small smile. I looked every inch the queen the people adored, but inside, I felt like an imposter. Vanessa should be here, not me. I swallowed the thought quickly. It wouldn’t do to dwell on what couldn’t be changed. Not now.Today was an important day, a day for appearances. Alpha Tristan had made that painfully clear.I turned to leave, the heavy fabric of my gown brushing against the marble floors as I made my way to the grand hall. Outside, the festivities were already underway. The bouquet presentation was one of the most beloved traditions of the wolf clan,
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 009
Tristan The celebration was loud, vibrant, and filled with the infectious energy of the wolf clan. The Festival of the Moon was one of our most important traditions, and it symbolized unity, loyalty, and honor, three things I hardly cared about tonight. This entire charade, this picture-perfect image of a devoted Alpha and his Luna, was nothing more than a means to an end.My grandfather, Alpha Theo, held the keys to my future, the full inheritance of the wolf clan But for him to hand it over, I had to prove I was responsible enough to lead not only as a warrior but as a family man. That meant playing the role of a dutiful husband to Vanessa.Vanessa. No...her.It didn’t matter to me. From the moment this marriage was arranged, I made it clear to Vanessa that I had no love for her. My heart belonged to Fiona, and it always would. I couldn’t be bothered with her feelings; my focus was on convincing my grandfather. Once the inheritance was mine, I would end this farce of a marriage and
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 010
Valarie I stood there, rooted to the spot, watching Alpha Tristan rush out of the room after Fiona without so much as a glance back at me. My heart clenched painfully in my chest.I hadn’t asked for this, any of this.I hadn’t asked to take my sister’s place in this marriage, to play the role of a dutiful wife to a man who clearly despised me, or to live in a palace where every glance and whisper carried suspicion. And now, after that humiliating moment, I was left standing alone in the dimly lit room, the echo of Tristan’s footsteps fading down the hall as he chased after the woman he truly loved.I wrapped my arms around myself, the silk of my dress cool against my skin, and tried to steady my breathing. My cheeks still burned from the kiss....his kiss. It had been unexpected, intense, and for a fleeting moment, it had felt real.But it wasn’t.I clenched my fists, my nails biting into my palms. He hadn’t kissed me because he wanted to. He’d kissed me because he thought I was Fiona
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-10THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 011
Alpha TristanI stormed down the hallway, my boots echoing against the cold stone floor as I chased after Fiona. My heart pounded furiously, not from the exertion, but from the chaos of emotions swirling within me.The kiss had been a mistake. A momentary lapse in judgment. I’d thought she was Fiona, and for a brief, maddening second, I’d been consumed by the memory of what we used to have. But when I realized it was Vanessa standing in my arms, everything had spiraled out of control.I hadn’t even paused to explain myself to Vanessa. What was there to explain? That I didn’t want her? That the very sight of her reminded me of the burdens I’d been forced to carry since we were married? No. She already knew where my heart lay. She’d accepted this arrangement, just as I had, and we both knew it wasn’t for love.But Fiona...I quickened my pace, my breath coming in shallow bursts as I reached the palace gardens. The night was cool, the scent of jasmine heavy in the air, but it did little
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-13THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 012
Alpha Tristan The walk back to the palace was longer than it should have been. Each step felt heavier than the last, the cool night air doing little to clear the turmoil in my mind. Fiona’s words still echoed in my head, sharper than any blade: “I saw the way you looked at her.”It was absurd. Ridiculous. She was wrong.But was she?I shook the thought away, straightening my shoulders as the towering palace loomed before me. The grand doors stood open, spilling golden light onto the stone steps. The sounds of the festival had quieted, the night now carrying only the distant hum of laughter and music from the square.As I stepped inside, the air was thick with the scent of lavender and the faint aroma of wine. The grand hall was empty, save for a few servants scurrying about, clearing away the remnants of the feast. They bowed their heads as I passed, murmuring respectful greetings.“Where is she?” I asked one of the maids, my voice curt.The young woman startled, clutching the tray o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-13THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 013
Valarie As the door closed behind Tristan, the silence in the room felt deafening. I stood there by the window, staring out at the moonlit gardens, my heart pounding in my chest. The conversation replayed in my mind, his words cutting deeper than I wanted to admit.I had agreed to this marriage, yes. But I hadn’t agreed to be humiliated, to be treated like I was invisible, like I didn’t matter.Wiping the tears from my cheeks, I took a deep breath and straightened my spine. I couldn’t let this break me. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.If Tristan wanted to treat me like a pawn in his game, so be it. But I wasn’t going to just stand by and let him ruin me. I had to protect myself, and more importantly, I had to protect my sister’s secret.I turned away from the window and walked to the vanity, my reflection staring back at me. The royal gown I wore was flawless, every intricate detail carefully designed to make me look like the queen the people thought I was. My dark hair fell
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2024-12-18THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 014
ValerieThe morning sun streamed through the large windows of my chamber, bathing the room in a soft golden hue. I sat up in bed, stretching lazily before swinging my legs over the edge. The air carried a slight chill, and I hurried to dress, choosing a simple yet elegant gown that reflected my current mood. Life in the palace had its charms, but the tension was often palpable, and today was no exception.Alpha Theo, had been away on a work trip for several days, leaving the atmosphere in the palace teetering on the edge of chaos. Without his grounding presence, the tension was high , and the air was thick with unspoken grievances.By the time I made my way to the dining hall, the familiar buzz of morning chatter had been replaced by a tense silence. Lady Bianca, sat at the head of the table, her expression as sharp as the crystal chandelier above us. She was the epitome of poise, but her words often carried a sting. Across from her, Tristan’s absence was glaringly obvious.The serv
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-13THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 015
Alpha TristanIt had been weeks since Vanessa had stood up to Lady Bianca, and as time passed, I found myself caught in an unexpected web. I had always thought of Vanessa as someone who was... well, nothing more than a lady with a lot of opinions. She wasn’t bad, per se, but I hadn’t exactly gone out of my way to get to know her. She was a lady of the palace, one who lived by the rules and adhered to traditions. She had been a presence, yes, but one I didn’t care much to engage with.At least, that’s what I had told myself.But ever since the incident with Bianca, something in me had shifted. It wasn’t just that she’d confronted my stepmother, though that alone had been enough to make me pause. No, it was the way she had handled it. With calm composure and an honesty that cut through the tension in the room like a blade. She wasn’t afraid of speaking her mind, and that was... refreshing. It made her stand out, in a way that I hadn’t expected.I’d never been one to entertain the idea o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-14
Bab terbaru
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 050
CARLIt was all too perfect.The table was already set, plates polished, candles flickering low, and crystal glasses catching the light just right. The dining room looked beautiful , warm, and welcoming, exactly what it needed to be tonight. A perfect stage for a performance none of them saw coming… yet.I sat back in my seat, swirling the wine in my glass slowly, watching the red liquid twirl like blood. My mother was chatting excitedly with the kitchen staff, her tone high with delight. She hadn’t stopped smiling since I told her Fiona would be joining us for dinner.Fiona.Even just thinking her name made me grin.She was perfect for this. Beautiful, bold, and still clinging to whatever delusion she had about Tristan and unfinished business. It had taken one call to remind her of that lingering spark, and she had jumped at the opportunity to “drop by”……..as if it were some casual visit and not a well calculated move in a much bigger game.But this wasn’t about Fiona and Tristan. No
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 049
VALARIE The evening air was blowing , the soft breeze rustling through the trees around the garden as I walked beside Tristan. His hand, warm and steady, rested against mine, a familiar touch that brought a sense of comfort I couldn’t deny. He was here. He was always here when I needed him, and for that, I was grateful. But tonight, as I walked beside him, I couldn’t shake the feeling of something being…off.It was hard to ignore the heaviness in my chest, the way my thoughts were elsewhere, tangled up in places I didn’t want to go. My mind kept drifting to Carl, to the way his eyes lingered on me when I least expected it, to the weight of his touch when he had held my hand in that moment I couldn’t shake. I thought I had put that all behind me. I thought I was moving forward with Tristan, with the life I had started to imagine with him. But somehow, Carl’s presence had wedged itself into the space I thought I had cleared.Tristan’s voice broke through my thoughts, and I glanced up a
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 048
VALARIE The room was quiet, the night thick with shadows as I sat at my cushion , staring at my reflection. It was a simple act, taking a moment to breathe after a long day but it felt as though everything around me had gotten heavier.Tristan had been more than I could ever have hoped for. His warmth, his presence, the way he made me feel safe even when the world around us was uncertain. He was everything I wanted in a partner, in a leader, in someone who I could count on. Our time together, the stolen moments, the laughter that felt like a sweet melody between us, everything about it was easy. Natural.But then there was Carl.I hated the way my mind wandered to him. The way his words still echoed in my thoughts, despite my best efforts to push them away. The small moments we shared, the quiet, intimate exchanges that left me unsettled but undeniably intrigued. It wasn’t just his smiles or the compliments he’d casually drop into conversation; it was the things that lingered beneath
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 047
VALARIE The soft light of dawn shined through the sheer curtains, casting golden shadows on the walls of the chamber. For a moment, I didn’t remember where I was. I felt warmth, real warmth not just from the heavy blankets, but from the body beside me. And then it hit me.Tristan.His arm was draped around my waist, his hand resting on the curve of my hip. His breath was warm against the back of my neck, steady and slow in the early stillness. I didn’t dare move, not yet. I just stayed there, quietly absorbing the moment.It felt surreal.Never in my life did I think I’d find comfort in a man who once looked through me like I didn’t belong. Yet here I was, curled in his arms like we’d always belonged to each other.I slowly turned to face him, careful not to wake him. His face, usually marked by stoic authority and quiet dominance, looked younger like this. Softer. His brows weren’t furrowed, his lips were slightly parted, and the tension he usually carried in his jaw had melted into
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 046
TRISTAN The council meeting was supposed to take place tomorrow, my official crowning as Alpha. I’d rehearsed the words in my head, the posture I would take, the strength I had to radiate. But this morning, a letter from the council arrived.Lady Bianca has requested a postponement of the meeting due to illness and emotional distress. The council has granted her request.Illness. Emotional distress.I scoffed under my breath, gripping the edge of my desk hard enough for my knuckles to go white. Lady Bianca never did anything that wasn’t calculated. I knew her better than that. Her grief wasn’t the reason she stalled this, power was. She wanted more time… but for what?I stood by the window of my study, watching the light rain settle into the gardens. My eyes tracked the gentle sway of the trees. I didn’t hear the door open, but I caught the scent of lavender and honey……..Vanessa .“You didn’t come down for breakfast,” she said softly behind me.I didn’t turn to face her. “Didn’t feel
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 045
LADY BIANCA The corridors of the Blackwood Palace were quieter now. Draped in black silks and mourning flowers , the grand halls bore the grief of Alpha Theo’s death, but beneath the surface, a storm brewed, one she had every intention of controlling.I stood by my window, my reflection barely visible against the glass as the rain tapped gently against it. The world outside looked appropriately somber, perfect for what she had just set in motion.“Is the message delivered?” I asked without turning.My loyal maid, Elise, bowed slightly. “Yes, my lady. The council received your request this morning. They’ve agreed to delay the meeting.”I smiled faintly, fingertips brushing the silver pendant resting on her collarbone, an old heirloom from my family. A symbol of power. One Tristan would never understand the weight of.“Good,” I murmured. “Let them believe I’m too heartbroken to stand before them. Let them grieve while I plot.”The truth was far from grief.I hadn’t shed a single te
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 044
VALARIE There was something different about Carl lately.He no longer threw sly remarks at Tristan every time we were in the same room. He didn’t roll his eyes or feign boredom during family meetings. And more strangely, he didn’t flirt with me just to get a reaction from his brother anymore. No his presence had shifted. Softer. Calmer. But it made me more uneasy than his sarcasm ever had.I noticed it again tonight.After the burial, the palace remained quiet and subdued. The servants moved slower, the candles burned longer, and the cold halls of the Blackwood Palace felt even more suffocating. Tristan barely spoke since his grandfather was laid to rest. He was retreating again, into silence, into duty. And though I stayed close, offering what comfort I could, I also found myself needing a moment to breathe.So I took a walk, something simple, away from the noise and shadows of mourning.I didn’t expect to find Carl waiting by the main hallway.He stood by the staircase, hands behin
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 043
CARLThey say mourning draws people together but watching them only drew out the darkness in me and made me want to do something I would regret.Tristan and Valarie, side by side like they belonged together. Her hand in his, her eyes glued to him like the entire world faded when he was near. I should have looked away during the burial, I should’ve focused on honoring my grandfather but all I could see was her.And him.The way she helped him dress, the way she whispered something in his ear before they walked down the staircase… I clenched my jaw so hard I could feel it locking. Everyone bowed to them. Everyone saw them as a unit. A power couple. The future of the Blackwood name.But I saw something else.I saw what I had lost. Or perhaps what I never really had, but wanted now more than ever.She was supposed to be temporary. A way to get under Tristan’s skin. A game. A beautiful, unexpected pawn I could use to remind him he wasn’t invincible.But now?Now, she was all I could think
THE ALPHA KING'S FAKE BRIDE 042
CARLThe black suit clung to my skin like it was stitched with sorrow. It wasn’t just the oppressive heat of the midday sun or the weight of grief pressing down on my chest, it was the sight in front of me.Vanessa , dressed in an elegant, simple black dress, stood beside Tristan like she was born for that role. Poised. Graceful. Steady.And worst of all, close to him.Her hand rested gently in the crook of his elbow, and he leaned into her just slightly, like her presence alone could keep him from breaking apart and they stared at each other affectionately.That used to be me.Or at least, I wanted it to be.The wind carried the sound of the priest’s voice over the gathered mourners as Alpha Theo’s coffin was lowered into the ground. I didn’t hear a single word. All I could focus on was Tristan’s hand, clenched tightly around hers, as if he was anchoring himself with her.The image would be forever etched in my mind.I stepped back, further into the crowd, not wanting anyone to see m
