Alpha's One Night Bride
Alpha’s One Night Bride – Chapter 83

She wanted so badly to be happy; she loved Greggory, or so she thought she did. She married him after all, and she needed to stand by that choice; she couldn’t allow Arina to know how right she was about her doubts about her marriage.

Growing up, she was always fascinated by Greggory. He was one of the youngest Alpha’s in the country; it didn’t help that he was handsome as well. He was always so serious for a long time until Arina and Jonathan came into their lives. Jonathan brought out the kid in Greggory and Jessica began seeing him differently.

He wasn’t just the son of an Alpha; he was a boy that enjoyed having a good time. A really good time. He slept with almost all the females in the pack except for Jessica and Arina.

Jessica was surprised when he actually got married, but he told everyone that Rachel was his mate. Now he was telling Jessica that she was his mate, and she didn’t know what to believe. As happy as she was for Arina, she couldn’t help but feel a bit envious of the fact that she found her mate at such a young age and was already having his child.

She stopped coming around Arina knowing that she now had a family she needed to tend to and a new life she was having. Jessica felt a little out of place in Arina’s life and decided to make herself less known.

Jessica remembered walking home and she saw Greggory sitting on the sidewalk; his face was in his hands, and he looked as though he was crying. Frowning, Jessica approached him and sat beside him. She’s been feeling a bit lonely lately herself, so she was always looking for someone to talk to and for someone to keep her company; she figured Greggory was in the same boat, and also needed some company.

“Everything is all wrong,” he muttered.

It seemed as though the stress of being the Alpha was getting to him; however, he’s been doing it for so long, that Jessica thought he’d be used to it by now. But he was looking so miserable and lost.

“What’s wrong?” Jessica asked him.

“Everything,” he repeated. He looked up from his hands and over at Jessica; his features were tear stained. She’s never seen him cry before and pulled at her heartstrings to see this side of him; the vulnerability he portrayed was so real. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but I didn’t. I can’t stay married to her.”

Jessica’s eyes widened.

“Rachel?” she asked, astonished at what he was saying.

They were supposed to be Moon-Valley’s power couple; despite the fact that Greggory was such a flirt with all the ladies, nothing was supposed to tear him and Rachel apart. Rachel knew what she was getting into when she married him and loved him anyway. That was his mate, his wolf’s calling. What he was saying and how he was acting wasn’t making sense.

“She’s not my mate,” he admitted softly. “I don’t know why I went through with this marriage knowing that. I feel so stupid. She knew it too but neither of us listened to our instincts.”

“I don’t understand…” Jessica said in a mere whisper. “I thought you loved her.”

“It was just a ruse,” he said sadly. “She’s not my mate, Jessica. You are.”

From there, Jessica was in shock. He hadn’t expected Greggory to say such things that night but once they were out of his mouth, there was no turning back. She wasn’t sure how she felt about it; sure, she was attracted to him and thought he had a kind heart and a good head on his shoulders. But he was already married. It didn’t make sense to her.

How could marry someone else if he knew that Jessica was his mate the whole time? Part of her wanted to run away but gazing at him she realized how broken he appeared. He was really torn up about this whole thing and it pulled at her heart even more. She wanted to hear more of what he had to say so she chose to stay with him that night.

They spent the night talking and to Jessica’s surprise, he was easy to talk to and she had a really good time with him. She found herself laughing to a point of tears and feeling things she never felt before. He seemed so carefree and excited to have her by his side.

After weeks of casual talking and hanging out, things began to heat up. She started to feel more towards him than a friendship; she was feeling a bond greater than no other. She wanted to explore more of him and dig deep within his soul. She expressed to him how she wanted to learn everything there was to know about him.

Despite knowing one another for most of their young lives, there was still so much Jessica didn’t know about him and vice versa.

That night, they made love for the first time. It was one of the most passionate and toe-numbing s*x that Jessica has ever had. She now understood what the hype around town was. She couldn’t help but still be wary of him though because of his reputation; but he made a promise, a vow, to her that his flirting and s*x days were over. It was just him and her. Together until the end of time.

He also promised that he was going to be leaving Rachel; Jessica waited patiently for that to happen. She even went as far as to tell Arina about her and Greggory’s relationship. Arina was quick to toss judgment at her and tell her of her thoughts and feelings towards Greggory.

Jessica automatically became defensive.

Upon visiting Greggory at his home, she expected him to be alone. He told her that he left his wife and that she was moving out, so she figured it was safe to drop by Greggory’s home. But as she got there, she was surprised to see Greggory and Rachel going at it in their bed.

Jessica’s heart shattered into a million little pieces, and she thought her entire world was crashing down around her. She told Greggory it was over, and she ran off. She hated that Arina was right about him, and she felt nothing but shame.

She cried for days until Greggory came to find her.

“Jessica, please listen to me,” he begged one afternoon.

Jessica had enough though and didn’t want to hear anything more of what he had to say.

“Please,” he begged again; she could hear the disparity in his voice.

She frowned and turned toward him; she wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but his eyes showed such sadness that it stopped her words from escaping her lips.

“I love you,” he told her softly. She could feel the tears burning in her eyes as she stared at the man, she thought she knew. “Rachel and I are over. It was just one last goodbye s*x. There was nothing more to it. I promise. She’s gone.”

She wanted to believe him, but part of her didn’t.

“I can’t lose you, Jessica. You are my mate,” he pleaded to her.

She’s never seen him look and sound so desperate before.

“You f****d her,” Jessica hissed to him; she couldn’t keep the hurt out of her voice regardless of how hard she tried.

“It won’t happen again… I promise,” he told her; he was practically on his knees begging at that point.

Jessica rolled her eyes; she wasn’t about to be played for a fool. She turned on her heel and began walking away but Greggory’s grip on her forearm stopped her in her tracks. The tightness of his old made her wince in pain.

“Ouch,” she gasped, turning back to him. “Let me go.”

She thought she saw a slight darkness cross over his eyes, but it turned into sadness really quickly. However, he didn’t loosen his grip. If anything, he tightened it.

“Greggory, you’re hurting me,” she said, struggling to break free from him.

“I’m not letting go until you agree to talk to me…” he told her as he began digging his fingernails into her flesh.

Her eyes widened as the pain coursed through her arm.

“Okay, fine,” she nearly cried. “Just let me go…”

He sighed and released her; she jerked her arm away from him and rubbed the tender spot he held onto. She stared at him with big, terrified eyes; this was a side of him she’s never seen before, and she wasn’t sure how to react to it.

He stared at her arm with dismay.

“I’m so sorry, Jessica,” he whispered, staring at the light pink bruise that was forming. “I didn’t mean to hurt you… Let me get you some ice.”

“No, it’s fine,” Jessica said quickly.

He looked down at his feet, sheepishly.

“You just make me do such crazy things. I love you so much and I never want to hurt you. It was a one-time thing and it’ll never happen again. I promise though, she’s gone for good.”

She stayed quiet for a moment as she rubbed her arm. His reaction was over the top, but in a way, it was kind of sweet that he felt so strongly about her that it was making him lose his character.

“I want you to move in…” he whispered, meeting her eyes.

Her eyes widened in shock; she wasn’t expecting that. She didn’t agree right away, but after talking to him a little longer and they both calmed down, she finally agreed to live with him and become his luna. She was excited to finally become the luna of an Alpha and to marry her mate.

Regardless of anything, she still loved him dearly and wanted to spend her life with him. She felt as though she knew him before most and wanted to continue getting to know him. Once he finalized his divorce with Rachel, they were finally able to marry.

Jessica sat and reflected on the earlier points of her relationship; wishing that she could go back in time and stop herself from ever giving him another chance. But her choice was made, and it was already too late.

Tears ran down Jessica’s eyes as Greggory stood over her; his face red with anger and his eyes no longer showed admiration or love for her, but pure hatred and disgust. They’ve only been married for a few weeks and his colors were already revealed and darker than ever.

“Please…” she whispered; b***d pouring from the side of her face from where he struck her. “I didn’t do anything wrong…”

“You did everything wrong,” he hissed between gritted teeth as his fist went through the nape of her neck, knocking her fully to the ground and allowing her to lose consciousness.