CHAPTER 1 The Substitute Bride

Ella's POV

What?

Are you deaf too? The wedding will be in three days, you have three days to get rid of as much of this disgusting fat as possible!

I was so baffled that I didn't even react before her hand jolted out and pinched my stomach. I winched and stumbled back, swatting her hand away as the pain flashed through my skin.

You are insane. Did William forget to give you your sanity pills today? This year even?

You don't get to use his name. He is Alpha to you,

She stepped closer, and the threat was obvious in her dark eyes as she scowled at me. I haven't seen these people in ages. I'm not even sure I've had the pleasure of meeting Lauren before, but here they are. Cornering me in my Nana's dark living room after work.

I'm not doing it, no matter what you call him. He is nothing to me.

Oh, I know,

She sneered with a malicious grin before she continued as she stepped right up in my face. With my back already pushed up against the wall, I felt rather helpless.

You are nothing to him! Never was! Never will be! And that's why you are going through with this wedding. It doesn't matter to us what happens to you. Or what do you think of it? But, if you ever want to see your dear old grandmother again. You will go through with this marriage,

I clenched my jaw and fists as Lauren flashed a wicked grin.

You should be thanking us even! A girl like you, I mean, who would want to marry you? Your ex? Oh, wait. His family despises you! And guess what? Last I heard, so does he. Ryan is rich, good-looking, and the future Alpha of his pack. A man of such caliber wouldn't even clean his shoes with filth like you,

My heart was pounding, and my eyes were burning. Her words were not true! But they hurt as hell.

All my life, I had been that orphan hybrid. Humans disgusted or scared of me, the wolves? They were no better. To them, I was nothing. I didn't exist, and if they were confronted with my existence, I was considered filth: an accident that should never have occurred, a disgrace for their rase.

I didn't belong anywhere, and when my mom died, my dad turned his back on me. Like the death of his mistress erased my very existence. All I had was Nana and my work. I could not picture a life without either. They both defined me; that was what I was. The only thing I was. I swallowed hard, glared back at her, and refused to blink. I could not cry, not in front of her!

It is easy. You will marry Ryan as Aria. Take her place. You will never lack anything, even have a husband and a place to belong. I am graciously offering you to be better than your mom ever was,

Don't you ever talk about my mother!

I spat back, not able to control my anger. My body was trembling with rage, and she only laughed me straight in the face.

Your mother was a skank! A good-for-nothing whore that tried to ruin a happy family! Easy and stupid! She got exactly what she deserved! That woman was pure evil! A good-for-nothing slut who fucked every…

That is enough, Lauren,

William's voice boomed, filling the room like a raging drum, but neither of us looked away. She smiled with a raised brow and slowly stepped back. My throat was tightening, and a single tear trickled down my cheek.

But I only stared at her, Lauren: my dad's mate, stepmom. The word made me feel sick. I watched as he stepped up beside her and wrapped his arm around her waist; she leaned into him, all the while smiling like a cat.

The wedding is this Sunday. You will be ready to be picked up outside here early Friday. This is not a request, not an offer. You will do this, or you will never see that old human again. She won't come back before the marriage is official. If you don't, we will send her back to you in pieces. Come, darling, and this place makes me feel itchy.

They left me alone in the dark, and I curled up on the floor. For the first time since I was a little girl, I cried. Heaving for air as my lungs felt like exploding, my world crumbled around me as their cheerful voices cooed at one another in the distance. A happy couple, with no regret, trotted over the grovel and drove away in their fancy car.

I didn't even remember the days between; they had faded away as the emotional rollercoaster inside stilled. With a blank stare, I waited for the heavy double doors to open. Church bells chimed all around me, echoed off the wall, and vibrated in my chest, but I was just numb. No tears left to cry, no words left to shout, there was nothing. I felt defeated.

As the bells stopped, the doors were opened. William's stone-cold face was the first thing to meet me. Without a word, without even bothering to look at him, I walked up next to him and grabbed the arm he offered. My heels clacked against the cold hard floors and were the only sound made as I walked down the aisle with my father.

My fingers clenched around the little bouquet in my hands, the only thing I had to hold on to as I walked towards my doom. My beautiful ebony white dress sparkled with diamonds in the dimmed church light, and my trail was like white waves flowing down the church floors. Ridiculous expensive, to revealing the dress fitted me almost perfectly. The firm fabric pressed around my waist and ribs, pushed around my breasts, and flared out from my hips like a magical princess dress.

Smile!

My father's harsh voice whispered in my ear as he leaned down next to my ear,

It is not a fucking funeral! Yet!

With a deep breath, as much as the dress would allow, I straightened myself up and plastered on a slight smile. It was painful. An unsatisfied growl left his lips as we stopped, and he walked over to his seat.

Alone.

I felt so alone in a room filled with people. Helpless and hopeless as my eyes met the priest's unsympathetic eyes. Cold, grey, and careless. Not even a little support from gods representative and the spot next to me? It was empty.

No groomsmen, no groom. He didn't even bother to show up to his own wedding and left me alone here to be even more humiliated.

I was not accepted or wanted, not even as Aria.

I spaced out and was far away already when I heard myself say yes and something cold being forced down my finger. It was like I wasn't even there. Hands grabbed my shoulders and forced me to face the room filled with people, but I didn't see them. I stared out into nothing as my eyes landed on the golden painting high on the wall, and a rush of defiance came over me. It is a contract, just like any other contract.

A business deal.

I lifted my chin high; I could do this for Nana. A rich, spoiled fuck boy won't break me. I won't allow a cold-hearted brat to ruin me or my life.

Not even a fucking wolf!

My confidence grew, and a new determination found roots as a deep voice far behind me declared us husband and wife.

CHAPTER 2 Your Reputation?

Ella's POV

This day just keeps getting worst. I already felt out of place, foreign in my own life.

Naked, worthless, and fragile.

The door opened behind me, and I lifted my head to stare into the mirror. Goosebumps rosed up my arms and down my back. My nails scraped against the desk as my fists clenched into fists.

I knew who he was the moment our eyes met in the mirror's reflection. My heart started rising, and the sound of my pulse filled my ears.

My naked breasts moved up and down as I heaved for air over and over again. My husband. Ryan. He's just standing there, staring without a single reaction. He didn't knock, didn't ask to come in. didn't even bother to introduce himself.

What do you want?

I got my control back, and the buzzing sound of my pulse faded to a minimum. My heart, on the other hand, was like a caged Colibri. It surprised me that his eyes were bright blue, just like mine. It wasn't a common eye color around here, but despite the intense blue color, his gaze darkened by the second.

I don't need to explain anything to you,

No, maybe not. Is it not considered common courtesy to knock before entering someone's room in your world?

He broke eye contact first. Scoffed as he suddenly showed great interest in studying the Luna suite I was staying in.

Drunk so early? We are in the same world!

It made me want to laugh, the same world? Maybe on the same earth, but definitely not the same world!

I watched his every move in the mirror as I straightened up, devouring every detail as he looked away. His haircut was flawless, trimmed gradually at the sides and with longer ruffled hair on top. It's the rich man's version of a sidecut, I'm guessing. The muscles in his jaw tightened and moved under his skin while his eyes wandered over the room.

Even with a white shirt, I could see bulging muscles shift beneath. I knew most werewolves were tall and muscular, and he was definitely not an exception. I would have to look up to meet his eyes. Even in these heels, I'll probably only reach his shoulders. I would look like a teenager beside him.

Why are you here, Ryan?

It felt strange using his name like I was speaking to someone I knew. But for some reason, it rolled so easily in my mouth. Familiar and alien, but a name that felt smooth on my tongue. My clenched fists had opened, and my heart had slowed down, giving room for the anger I had felt earlier to smolder. Anger and despite for the man that let me stand alone in front of all those people! Let me handle all that humiliation, anxiety, and stress alone!

For what? Show me how much he despised me?

It is Alpha for you. I am here because this is my house. My pack and you don't belong here,

Oh, so you are here to make sure I won't sneak up in the middle of the night and kill you all? Assess the threat? Save me the pity of your lies! And no, I'm not an animal, I'm not like you, and I will never call you Alpha!

It is, and will always be, ALPHA, I don't care what you are, human, wolf, or rodent? Alpha is the only thing I will allow you to call me. You live in my house, follow my rules, and that's why I am here. To make sure you know how to behave and act not to stain our reputation,

He slumped down on the edge of my bed and leaned back on his elbows. This time his eyes raked shamelessly over my half-naked body, and a half grin tugged on the side of his lips.

A grin I've seen so many times before. Horny disgusting pigs. Men are all the same beasts! With or without wolves! It will not surprise me if he is the one that ordered the two young girls to rip the wedding dress off me.

The moment I was shown this room, they started taking it off. No questions asked; just stripped me down. Took the tiara, neckless, and earrings. I was left in nothing but my own skin, white stockings, and that hideous thing Lauren had called wedding panties. I scoffed at the memorization. It was nothing but strings and a piece of fabric, barely enough to cover anything.

I looked like a stripper.

And judging by the way he was taking me in with greed now, I had no problem imagining this was his plan all along. I would not give him the pleasure of seeing me tremble, break or affect me like that.

Your reputation? Oh please! Is that what you were thinking about when you decided not to show up to your own wedding too? Your reputation!

I grabbed the paper stack on the desk, and with calm and steady steps, I walked up to him. I was confident in my own skin and had learned to love my curves! My desire to look like a starved stick or model faded with the childish fantasies that I would one day be accepted as I was.

For people to see who I was, who I really was! Not who made me, not the blood that was mixed in my veins. If it is games he wants, games he will get! Slowly my hips rolled with each step. Tilting my head shyly as my eyes met his again. Straightened my back just enough for my breasts to push out without making it obvious. Without shame, I stopped right in front of him and looked him up and down, offering a little smile when our eyes met again.

Without breaking eye contact, I pushed the tip of my white, tacky wedding shoe between his and pushed his legs apart. Sliding his feet far enough apart for me to take a step closer between them. With my sweets voice, I asked,

Really? Your... reputation is that important?

I timed it perfectly as my eyes traveled down his body and stopped on the bulge in his pants. Paused and -stared a little longer than necessary before looking back up with an arched brow leaning down over him - still, that little smile playing in the corner of my lips. He didn't answer, only swallowed hard as he leaned further back when I leaned over him. I placed my free hand down on the mattress next to his chest as he was almost lying flat down now. My heart skipped a beat as his hot breath grazed my cheek, my lips so close to his ear he would feel them move as I spoke.

I'm impressed, Ryan. I didn't think pigs cared for things like that,

I slammed the paper stack on his chest but held my position.

But I don't care. You made it clear. Everyone made it clear what I am. Painted my worth down in the last single detail. This is my contract; these are my demands. Read them; let them swirl in your head a little...

I paused again and looked down between his legs, and wrinkled my nose.

The useful head! And we can discuss the details.

I stood up and looked down at him for a second. Watched how his eyes flickered. The color shifts from intense blue to yellow. It lasted only for a second before his gaze darkened, and he grabbed