The Alpha's Surrogate Bride

Catherine’s POV

The day I turned 16 was the beginning of my woes. Every werewolf received the ability to transform on their sixteenth birthday, but I was the exception. The one they called 'Wolf-less'.

My name is Catherine, I am part of the Crystal-Cloud pack and the first of two children. I was my parent's favorite child up until they realized that I had no hope of getting my wolf. Now, I am 23 years old and the laughingstock of the entire pack.

For centuries, our pack was untouchable, but in recent years, we have been targeted by rogues and neighboring packs. In a bid to preserve what was left of us, our alpha made a deal with a powerful southern territory called the Blood-Slashing Pack. In exchange for their protection, we were to offer the most eligible female of our pack to become the wife of their alpha. My younger sister, Sarah was chosen to perform this task. She accepted her burden even though she was unhappy. 

As the day of her marriage drew near, her fear worsened, and so did my torment... 

"Be careful with that vase, stupid girl!" My mother's voice echoed from the top of the stairs—as I placed the white ceramic on the center table with the help of Rose, my handmaid. 

"Y-Yes, Mom". I kept my head down to avoid her gaze. Everything I do is another mistake in her eyes.

Her black dress swayed from side to side as she marched down the wide stairs, to where I was standing. "Maybe when you finally become worthy enough to be chosen like Sarah, only then will your life be worth more than this vase to me."

I swallowed the knot in my throat as my body shivered under her voice. She has had this effect on me for years. Nothing I did was ever good enough. "M-mom, I'm sorry", I pleaded.

"Shut up!" She shoved me with her super strength and I fell to the floor. More than her hands, her words caused more damage to me.

"That's enough, Mother!" Sarah entered from the front door. Behind her was Rose whom I didn't realize had gone to inform her about my mother's usual behavior. 

"Stay out of this, child". My mother dismissed her with a wave of her hand.

Sarah didn't back down, instead, she stood in between us. "I will not stand by and let you bully my sister! Please stop it, Mom."

My mother raised both her hands. "Fine, you can defend her all you want, but it changes nothing." After saying this, she turned away and walked back up the stairs. After she had disappeared out of sight, Sarah stretched out her hand and helped me up.

"Thank you, Sarah". I said after standing on my two feet.

"You have got to learn to stand up for yourself, Cathy. They will not stop until you make them stop." Her green eyes held much concern as she spoke.

I shook my head. "It's fine, I'm used to it by now."

She sighed. "I don't know who has the worse fate, you who have to endure so much torture from our parents or me who has to spend the rest of my life with a tyrant." 

I placed a hand on her shoulder. "Don't say that, Sarah, he may not be as bad as you think."

She walked out into the garden and I followed her. The gentle breeze of the evening caressed my skin, somehow causing a tingling sensation on the tip of my tongue. My blue dress was barely enough to shield my skin from the growing cold. 

Sarah stopped in front of the flower garden and stooped to pick a daffodil the same color as her dress. She tucked it into her red hair and smiled at me. I always admired her beauty and her courage even though she was younger than me. She and I shared similar features that we inherited from our mom, except for my brown eyes which I got from my dad.

Suddenly, Sarah's smile disappeared and was replaced by a sad expression. "I'd rather die than become the wife of Alpha Philip..." 

"Stop saying things like that, Sarah, please". I placed my hand on hers.

"Gretchen told me all about him. He is ruthless and domineering, he shows no mercy-" She paused as a single tear escaped her eye. "I do not want to end up with someone like that". 

"Calm down." I cooed and wrapped my arms around her shoulders, as she rested her face against my chest. I kissed her forehead, trying to keep myself strong for her. If there is a way I can ease her pain, I most certainly will.

We went inside and spent the rest of the evening chit-chatting about anything we could think of. When we grew tired, we both fell asleep on her bed.

*A week later*

Tonight, my parents organized a feast for selected members of the Crystal Cloud pack, and by selected members, I mean 'Rich'. All these were in preparation for Sarah's upcoming wedding to her beastly groom. The guests made financial contributions to the ceremony. As usual, my mother would never pass up an opportunity to show off her 'lovely' family. Sadly, I was always the butt of everyone's jokes. Who wouldn't want to poke fun at the wolf-less werewolf? Everyone kept asking me when I am going to get my wolf, but I have no answer to give them. I tried to ignore them as much as I could, but it was futile. 

Just as I went to the bar to grab another glass of wine to help calm my nerves, I felt someone grab my arm and tighten their grip. I winced and looked in their direction. "Mom?"

"Come with me,". She whispered and dragged me out of the ballroom, and through the decorated hallway until we stopped in front of a door. 

She pointed a finger in my face. "I don't like you taking the attention away from your sister. You don't have to turn every event into a pity party for yourself!"

I was perplexed. "What do you mean-?"

"Stop telling them that you are wolf-less!"

I can't believe my mom. "But they asked me-"

"Listen carefully, I don't have time for your foolishness tonight." She reached for the doorknob and twisted it, then she pushed the door open. "Get in"

I stared at her incredulously. "Mom?"

She shoved me inside. "Stay here! Don't set foot out of this room until the party's over... your plan to steal your sister's spotlight will not work!"

"I would never try to do that, Mom-" Before I could defend myself, she shut the door right in my face and locked it from the outside. Is she kidding me right now?! 

I tried to calm myself down through all this but to no avail. This is not the first time she has kept me locked up just because people were asking about my wolf. Why am I being blamed for something I have no control over?

I lay on the white mattress and allow my eyes to wander around the room, from the champagne-colored carpet to the white ceiling. It was one of our guest rooms but it had not been used for a while now. 

Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy, but before I could close them completely, a sweet scent overwhelmed my nostrils and my eyes became wide open. It was a pleasant combination of chocolate with pure lavender.

I sat up and looked around, wondering where such a smell was coming from. I took a long whiff of this scent as it grew stronger and stronger until the door was unlocked from the outside and someone walked in. 

He was Kevin, the alpha's son. And for the first time in my life, I noticed him. He had the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen. Those bright, blue orbs were striking and inviting, their owner was nothing short of perfection. He stood roughly over 6'1 with a strong physique and chiseled chin. His blonde hair stuck to his forehead and his fangs were out on his lips. 

"Mine!" His wolf muttered audibly.