05: THE VEILED BRIDE

ARIES

Day and night, I couldn't stop thinking about her. Her rich honey scent. The softness of her skin. The sound of her moans. Her addicting suppleness. It was all driving me crazy. I hated it. Whoever she was, she had succeeded in spiking my drink and getting me to sleep with her. Was she a werewolf spy? Was she intent on carrying my seed? Or was she intent on blackmailing me?

It's been two days, and my subjects are yet to find her. It's driving me insane.

To think that I had imprinted on her in that state...

This is a disaster. Especially since my wedding with the daughter of the alpha of Black Claw Pack is today. Her father had been desperate to sign a peace treaty with me and had asked me to marry his 'precious daughter' in return.

"Your majesty, your bride has arrived," Cade, my beta, said to me from his position in front of my desk. I rubbed my temples, leaning back on my seat.

"It's not like I'm desperate to get married," I muttered.

Cade beamed at me, his eyes lighting up.

"It's been three centuries, your majesty. Are you sure you're going to be able to impregnate a woman?" He asked, and I narrowed my eyes at him, annoyed.

"Are you trying to challenge me into getting a woman pregnant?" I hissed, and he shook his head.

"Your majesty, you have been unable to produce an actual heir for decades. We are aware that it is because of your curse. But, at this rate, you're never going to break it," he said, and my expression went blank.

Cade was well aware that the curse was a sensitive topic. I knew he was worried about me, but it got on my nerves any time he spoke of it.

"You just need to avoid all witches from the cursed bloodline, right?" Cade said, and I nodded.

"If I'd figured out how to break the curse, I would have done so a long time ago," I hissed.

"Are you really okay with getting married to the Alpha's daughter? You could have just rejected his offer," my beta said.

"The wedding will take place at dusk. Go and inform the priest," I stated, and he bowed before leaving.

Again, I found myself thinking about the woman in the dungeon. I wondered what crime she'd committed.

"Your majesty, I think you should see this," Cade spoke to me through our mindlink.

'See what?'

'Your bride has refused to enter the palace without her veil. At first, I thought she was just being shy. But I think she's trying to hide her identity,' he explained.

Curious, I rose to my feet.

Who was this woman?

'Let her come in. She can keep the veil on,' I responded.

'As you wish, your majesty.'

Slipping into my invisible form, I left my study and headed down the hallway to find this bride of mine. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was not right.

In the east wing of the castle, I caught sight of my bride. However, in this form, I couldn't smell her. Beside her stood an older woman with a few gray strands among her dark brown hair. She seemed to want others to see her as a mere servant. However, I had a feeling it wasn't the case.

Once she had settled down in her designated room, I knocked on the door and listened for her panicked movements.

"Who is that?!" She demanded.

Unable to help myself, a smile curled my lips. Judging from the intensity of her voice, this woman was no pushover.

"It's me, your groom," I responded, and she gasped.

"What do I do?" I heard her whisper, probably to her 'servant'.

"Your majesty, it isn't right for the bride and groom to encounter each other before the actual ceremony," a different voice spoke.

"I see. In that case, I want my bride to tell me her name," I said.

I heard her clear her throat in a bid to regain her composure.

"My name is Raven Annette Declan," she responded, and I smirked.

She was definitely lying about something. I could sense it all the way from the door.

"Miss Raven, have we perhaps met before?" I asked.

"N-no. There's no way we could have."

Bingo.

She was definitely someone I'd met before. But who was she exactly? I'd met countless women over the centuries.

"I heard about your shyness. Do you wear a veil every day? Forgive my probing, but I just want to know who I'm about to marry. She's going to become my queen after all," I said.

"We traveled from a far distance; can you please allow your bride to get some rest before the wedding? I plead with you, your majesty," her servant said.

"My apologies. Do get some rest," I said, turning away from the door.

It was clear to me now, this woman had tons of secrets. 'Which of them will I unravel first?' I thought, excitement coursing through my veins. Perhaps getting married won't be so bad after all.

...

The ceremony began with the sound of music. The sweet melodies were especially befitting of the ceremony.

"Welcome, King Aries!!!" The guards echoed as I made my way into the courtyard. My gaze rested on my bride. Just like before, her face was covered with a veil. This time it was a white veil that matched her white dress.

She slowly turned her head in my direction. I could have sworn that I heard her mutter a string of curses under her breath.

As I walked in, my bride stiffened visibly. There was something about her that reminded me of the female werewolf in the dungeon. Drawing closer to her, her honey scent hit me, and my eyes widened.

Quickening my pace, I stopped in front of her, taking my time to scan her from top to bottom. When my gaze rested on my mark on her neck, it finally hit me.

This woman was the same woman I'd slept with. She probably knew who I was. It's why she's been persistent about covering her face.

This led me to believe that she was only a substitute for the Alpha's daughter. I found this interesting.

How did she escape from the dungeon?

It must have taken a lot of guts for her to enter my palace as my bride.

I had so many unanswered questions lingering in my mind. But none of them mattered at the moment.

Unraveling my bride was all that mattered.

Smirking, I reached out for her veil, slowly raising it up to expose her face. Her eyes widened with horror, her face as pale as sheets.