Forced To Marry The Ruthless Alpha novel Chapter 5

" The union has been accepted."

Those words burn into my memory like poison, awakening me from the darkness. I wasn't certain on how long I'd been out, but I knew the pain had knocked me unconscious. It's not the first time it's happened, despite this being the first time my brain hurt instead of my body.

Blinking as I strain to open my heavy eyelids, I quickly realise there's a rather sharp ache still pulsing within my skull. Bearable, enough so that I push myself up off the stone slab, slowly. The last thing I want is to go dizzy right now.

"Do you have any idea what you just did?" Alpha Hardin questions me, his tone clipped with anger.

Lowering my aching eyes, I give a small shake of my head as I brush tiny stones off of my palms gently. Even if I don't get what the big deal is on his end, I know I have to give some response that shows a flicker of remorse, or guilt. My father never liked it when I didn't take the blame, it made him feel like it was his fault, which it was.

"I didn't mean to." I hoarsely whisper, my throat still rough from screaming.

Hardin exhales sharply, turning from me briefly as if the mere sight of me infuriates him. I didn't understand why he's so angry, other than the fact that I couldn't let him into my mind. I suppose for a Alpha as powerful as him, it's irritating that he can't just jump into my memories as he pleases.

The silence is short lived as my shoulder begins to itch, a searing burning sensation filing the bite Hardin gave me. I couldn't help but whimper, gripping my neck in attempt to conceal the pain. Thankfully it didn't last long, only a minute or so before it fades to a dull throb. I didn't have to touch it to know that it's tender.

"They accept you." Hardin's sudden whisper catches me off guard. It wasn't his words, it was the awe in his voice as he said them, like part of him couldn't believe it himself.

Being fully aware of what comes next, no thanks to Triss, I couldn't help but to edge back a little on the stone. I could move a mile away, and it wouldn't be far enough away from Hardin.

Rough hands grip my shoulders, forcing me to freeze instinctively. I could feel his eyes burning down into my skull, the patient Alpha unwilling to let me get away. Fearing what the rather gentle Alpha is truly capable of if angered, I didn't want to deny him, yet at the same time it would be truly against my nature to give him what he wants.

First the ancestors must accept me, then Hardin himself is to gaze over my naked form and accept me, and thirdly, the pack must also see me worthy of their Alpha. It's a full circle, and somehow I must win them all over even if I don't want any of this. Triss said the pack will make it perfectly clear should they dislike me, if everything runs smoothly then as sunset approaches Hardin will take me to a chosen spot and finalise the mating ritual, and wedding. Willing or not, today is happening.

It'll be easier if you give him what he wants. Triss's words ring through my aching head, a warning that she clearly meant. I see it in his posture, the urge to snap me into place.

I didn't have to look up, to know he's glaring down at me, a silent warning to not disobey.

Slowly I rise from the stone, Hardin steps back to allow me only enough space to undress. I begin to remove the lemon yellow fabric, the jewels gleaming as the sun shines through the gap above. The sound of the jingling soothes me slightly, a noise that I find quite comforting.

Untying the fabric from my chest, It falls from my back, forcing me to hold the front of the material against my chest. Instinctively I turn away from Hardin's heavy gaze, the action impulsive, one that makes me freeze the second I realise what I did. Turning my back to him is a big no, he's an Alpha, it's disrespectful.

Too prideful to simply face him, I remain tense, unmoving.

"After tonight, you are free to shift on this land as you wish." Hardin voice is low.

Surprise fills me, his words not quite what I expected. Assuming he'd be angry with me giving him my back, when in reality he's the exact opposite. Somehow he knows that keeping myself covered isn't a confidence thing, or because I don't know him, it's because wolves have no shame with nudity. It's normal, being bare in front of each other, especially chosen mates. The fact that I've only ever shifted three times in the past four years, plays a huge partin mybehaviour. Besides the strength and healing, I don't know how to be a wolf, my parents forbid me to indulge in what I am.

I finish undressing, going at my own pace without any signs of irritation or anger from Alpba Hardin. He didn't seem to mind waiting, as patient as a man can be, perhaps he knows at some point I'll be nude anyway.

Hardin's eyes stare boldly at my bare flesh, even with bruises and faint scars, there wasn't any disgust as he stares at me. Still, I wasn't exactly comfortable. Thankfully it lasted only a couple of minutes, before he allows me to get dressed, even going as far as to tie the fabric at the centre of my spine.

I assume his mind hasn't changed in the slightest when he steps aside, telling me to follow him. Which I do, quite silently I might add. Even though I'm doing my best not to show it, it feels humiliating to be be nude in front of a stranger, especially when I'm not exactly willing.

"Come." Alpha Hardin gestures.

My eyes flicker over the ocean of wolves flooding the woods, watching, waiting. The moment I step from the ancient stone building, whispers start to rise as all eyes search my neck.

While the bite is small, the scent of their Alpha seeps from it. As each one of them realise quickly that the ancestors have accepted me, the wolves begin to split like the ocean. I wasn't given utter respect or love, they don't bow to me as they do Alpha Hardin, and I didn't blame them. Triss made it clear that everything is earned in this pack, including their faith in me.

I merely follow behind Hardin, like a stray dog being tugged behind. All the way through the woods to a large clearing, where many of the wolves add final touches to the seating area built higher than the floor. I didn't need to ask, to see that's where we'll be sitting.

For the rest of the day I am to eat, drink, and begin my bonds with the pack before tonight. Truth be told, I didn't care for any of it, the pack have no need to like me in my opinion. It'll be easier obviously if they do, but their dislike towards me is uncared for.

" Sit . "

Again, that word commands me. I didn't like it, being ordered around like I'm less than a pet to him. The fact that his seat is above mine, only serves to irritate me. The man knows of my lineage, and yet he has the audacity to sit me below him, a simple seating arrangement and yet it has to much meaning.

Joining Alpha Hardin on the small stage, I reluctantly lower myself into the smaller chair. Facing his pack, I quickly feel my heart speed up as I realise just how many wolves he has, each one clearly ready for battle at a moments notice.

I didn't expect to be instantly swarmed by wolves, but I should've known it would happen. The moment that both men and women flock to speak with me, I know I have to man the fuck up, quickly.

"Hi! I'm Liza, can I just say how gorgeous you are?" A middle aged female blurts in a bubbly tone, her smile sheepish and her cheeks tinted pink.