All Chapters of The Cursed Alpha’s Fake Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

*** Ariana’s POVAll I wanted to do after leaving the dungeon last night was curl up in a hot shower and cry myself into oblivion. No such luck, by the time I dragged myself back to the packhouse, Beta Simon’s wife, Linda, was waiting to escort me to new chambers… on the Alpha’s floor.“Don’t read too much into it,” Linda had noted, sensing my hesitation. “It’s not a statement about you becoming Luna; it’s strictly a security measure.” Sure enough, the fourth floor was only accessible by fingerprint access, as were both the Alpha and Luna’s rooms.The room was well appointed of course but what stuck out most was the door adjoining my suite with Draven’s. I quickly hurried to lock that door once Linda had taken her leave. 

*** Ariana’s POV“Off to the library… wherever that is,” I let out a sigh, standing with more questions now than before I sat down.Focused on my destination and lost in thoughts, I made my way through the hospital’s quiet hallways, a voice drifted through the crack of an open door, Dr. Alexander’s office, catching my attention.“We’ll have a good dozen willing to be recruited into the guard,” came Draven’s deep voice. “Rogues have a way of doubling down on loyalty when given a second chance.”A twinge of admiration sparked within me. Draven was willing to take chances on those others saw as a risk. My own father had welcomed outsiders but had never fully trusted them in large numbers. Draven, however, didn’t seem to hesitate.I kept walking, not wanting to be a nosy body, but my heart did feel a bit lighter knowing that so many were finding a new chance at life here. Beta Simon’s words came back to me, “Rumors are sometimes just that.” I’m really starting to feel like this pack’s rep

*** Ariana’s POVLinda guided me toward the mess hall, her hand resting lightly on my arm as if to steady me, her voice casual yet firm. “Now, enough hiding out in the kitchen and garden,” she said, “You’re here, and you’re part of us… for a while anyway. Time to join the pack in the mess hall, Miria.”I suppressed a sigh, attempting a smile. “It’s just… it feels like everyone’s watching me.”“Let them watch,” Linda replied, smiling as she led the way. “They’ll get used to you. But trust me, eating together strengthens bonds—it’s important to integrate into the pack’s rhythm.”We entered the mess hall, which was bustling with life. Long tables filled with pack members, laughter, the clatter of dishes, and the rich aroma of freshly cooked food. My stomach rumbled as I eyed the extravagant buffet, far better than the premade meals I’d been grabbing from the kitchen.Linda nudged me, hearing my stomach's reaction to the sight of the extravagant buffet “See? More than worth it.”I had to a

*** Ariana’s POVWell, that was a total waste of an afternoon. The hospital’s advanced EPIC system was supposed to make research easy, yet I’d found exactly nothing. No medical records, no autopsy reports, no traces of Draven’s past potential Lunas—nothing beyond the usual causes of death going back fifteen years. I’d even combed through physical archives and old report ledgers, hoping for a hidden gem among the dust and faded ink. But all that effort? Zip.Frustration simmered as I trudged back to my quarters, the dusty leather library volumes tucked under one arm. My only consolations were the unexpected warmth Linda and Jasmine had shown earlier, though even their company couldn’t shake off the chill that came with the thought of why these records were so hard to find.Reaching the top floor, I pressed my palm to the secured pad and waited for the familiar click of the Alpha’s restricted access door. The doors slid open, and I let myself into the long corridor, pausing as a shiver

*** Ariana’s POVAs I padded quietly down the hallway of the packhouse, trepidation started to give way to a flicker of excitement. The Alpha’s office double doors were closed, small blessings. I scooted past the doors, and hurried to the open set of doors a little further down.When I stepped inside, I found a few omegas tidying the space. They nodded warmly before slipping out, and I took in the unexpected sight before me. The room had an opulent feel, like I’d walked into some grand, old-world library. Rich mahogany shelves curved around the circular walls, packed with books that reached from floor to ceiling. A ladder was attached to a track that ran the length of the room, allowing easy access to even the highest shelves.And then there was the desk—a stately, polished mahogany desk, perpendicular to a stone fireplace on the far wall. I stopped in my tracks, staring. It looked like something meant for royalty. It was a little grand for my tastes but there was no denying its appeal