Surprise On Wedding Night

Skylar's POV

A wave of murmurs spread through the crowd.

I blinked, my surprise soon giving way to humiliation as Salony scoffed in my mind, "Now that's a limited edition of the *I am jerk* card I was yet to explore."

"Oh—" The elder said awkwardly, "Sure, we will finish it without a kiss and—"

I didn't hear what he said. I just stood there, stunned, as a flush crept up my neck. The gossip grew louder, curious eyes darting between him and me. Indeed, the great Alpha had his own way of making things special. That made his name: The ruthless Alpha of all time.

"Does he hate me?" That was the first question that tolled in my mind.

"No idea. His wolf uses the same card." Salony remarked.

"Let's go." I heard his voice again. Now, he was even implying that we leave.

The man who was unfortunately now my husband, the one who had just refused to kiss me, was already moving away from the altar as if it was the most natural thing to do.

"Wait." I found myself saying. I mean, I must follow him if I don't want to be homeless.

He paused for a moment, his back still turned to me. I forced my feet to move, the soft rustle of my dress echoing as I hurried to catch up with him.

Just when I reached his side, he started walking again, with the same fucking pace that exhausted me to hell. The entire time, his jaw was clenched, gaze fixed ahead as if I didn't even exist. Jerk. I felt a surge of fury bubbling inside me. Even in his worst nightmare, if he thought he could continue treating me like this—like a prop, like a mere tool—I was prepared enough to prove him wrong soon.

On the way back to the packhouse, Alec took the seat beside me in the car. Loosening the tie around his neck, he leaned his head against the headrest, closing his eyes. I glanced sideways at him, hoping to catch a glimpse of something—anything—that could hint at what I was yet to face. But nothing, his profile remained like a cloak of nothingness.

"Did you forget to bring your tongue along with your pride, or is this how it's going to be?" Salony muttered into my senses, annoyed by the silence.

I mentally rolled my eyes. Was I supposed to pick a fight with him right now? No way. I was too worn out to banter, especially after the stunt he had pulled earlier. No kiss, no acknowledgment—nothing but a cold dismissal. It had taken everything in me to keep my chin high and not reveal how much his behavior had pissed me off even though I had foreseen this.

By the time the car pulled up in front of the packhouse—a sprawling, ancient manor, the sun had dipped below the horizon.

"We are here, Luna." The driver opened the car's door for me. "I will bring the luggage to you."

With a nod, I got out of the car and followed Alec up the grand steps, struggling to keep up with his long strides. Soon the front doors swung open before us and I was momentarily blinded by the soft golden light pouring out of the grand hall.

From the little crowd ahead, a woman with silver hair approached me. "Welcome, my dear!" Her beautiful blue eyes sparkled with a genuine smile as she wrapped me in a surprisingly tight hug. "I'm Bellina, Alec's mother. We're so thrilled to have you here."

I blinked, taken aback by the warmth I definitely didn't expect to receive. "Thank you, Luna." I muttered softly.

"You're even lovelier than I imagined." She pulled back and cupped my face, her eyes sweeping all over me. Did I just witness fondness in her gaze? Even my own mother never looked at me like this.

"But not Luna, you call me Mom, okay?" As I nodded, she smiled more widely.

"Don't cry, don't cry." Salony whispered. Even she was emotional. "We won't cry."

Just as I decided I wouldn't tear up, I heard another voice.

"Skylar! My sister-in-law." A woman with dark brown hair, and the same eyes as Bellina ran to me, throwing her arms around me in a hug. "We're so excited to have you join our family!"

A young man who stood behind her grabbed her hoodie's hood and pulled her back from me. "Let her breathe."With that, he smiled at me politely, "I'm Dmitri." He said, offering a hand. "Alec's charming best friend."

"And I'm Aveline." the woman added, "his much more charming sister." She winked, and I couldn't help but smile at their cuteness.

"Oh, I already love them so much." Salony spoke my mind.

Right? They were so different from Alec, so warm, so open. Suddenly I felt so much at ease. If my husband, the ruthless, cruel brat makes my survival harder, they are here to make it much more easier.

"Enough." Alec cleared his throat. Oh, speak of the devil. "She—" I could tell he was going for some half-hearted words but the presence of his mother forced him to keep his shit to himself, "She's had a long day. Let her rest." He said.

Oh, how thoughtful.

"Sure. This can wait." Bellina agreed. "But be sure to show her around while taking her to the bedroom."

He nodded curtly to his mother before he turned to me. "Come with me."

"Why is he so busy to drag us to the bedroom?" Salony winced.

"Maybe, he is tired." I thought while following him down a series of wind corridors.

He pointed out various rooms as we passed but his tone was clipped, his words the proof of him not liking being a tour guide at all. "The first floor serves as the main living area." he said coldly, gesturing toward the hall beyond. "Kitchen's to the right. I would suggest not to enter the west wing. Training grounds are at the back. And up here, on the second floor—" he continued, leading me up a wide staircase, "is for the members. Don't enter the east wing without permission."

I didn't ask or react just followed him to the third floor. "The north wing is our living space." Our living space, alright. "The west wing is off-limits to you." He didn't bother to explain why again, and I didn't ask, again.

"Wow, charming," Salony snarked. "He really knows how to make a girl feel at home."

I couldn't help but let a smirk play across my lips. "And what about this floor's east wing?" I asked, my voice lined with mock curiosity.

He glanced at me, his gaze sharp. "My office. Entirely off-limits." he replied, his tone final.

I nodded, clenching my hands into balls. Okay, I can't punch him. Not now. "Fine," I said instead.

When we reached the north wing of the floor, he paused outside a pair of ornate double doors and cleared his throat, "This is our bedroom."

The words sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to show it. I didn't want him to see that the stupid fact could affect me in any way.

He pushed the door open, and entered the room. I followed him inside. The room was massive, decorated in shades of deep blue and silver, with a large four-poster bed at its center.

"The reason why I had to excuse ourselves earlier is because I have something to give you." Alec said as he shrugged off his coat, revealing the crisp white shirt, and black vest with a black tie that clung to his sculpted chest. His broad shoulders and lean, muscular frame flexed as he draped the coat over a nearby chair.

"What now? A gift box with cockroaches in it?" Salony hissed.

I blinked, trying to solve the puzzles in my mind. "What is it?"

Without a word, Alec strode to the table and pulled open a drawer, retrieving a piece of paper. "A contract," he said, his tone flat and cold as he handed it to me. "Our mating contract."

Grooms are supposed to surprise brides with a gift on the wedding night. It seemed to be mine—a mating contract.