Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 13

The banquet, just like he stated kicked off after a few minutes, but Mia received information to wait longer and so she did. She could hear the celebration music coming from downstairs, melodious and happy, perhaps too happy for her taste.

The Alpha king had threatened her life again tonight, and she knew she had to be on her best behaviour.

She moved to her drawer and pulled it open, bringing out the paper map she had kept safe in it when she first arrived at the Palace. She spread it on top of the drawer and glanced through. It was a map that displayed all kingdoms, their boundaries, and regions around the world, Wahala included. She had spent many months on end learning map reading so that when she finally left, she wouldn't depend on anyone for help.

Mia's fingertips trailed over the circled part of the map named Reading. This was where she planned to go. The books she read stated that the Reading kingdom had the largest library in the world and many scholars had gone there to gain knowledge. These scholars stated how the knowledge they gained had helped shaped their lives positively and their stories motivated Mia. That would have been her first place to visit and if it was as great as everyone said, she would have settled there.

The ship, according to her calculations, would leave in ten days. She had searched for a way to travel for six months, and counted down every day since she learnt about the ship leaving for Reading over a month ago. But now, sadly, she would not follow as she had hoped to.

Her eyes grew glassy, but she blink the tears back and cleared her throat.

"I'm sorry." the voice made her snap out of her thoughts and she saw Lydia standing in her room, looking set for the banquet in a cream colour gown. Her long brown hair was in a ponytail and it helped displayed her long neck. She shook her head, not wanting anyone's pity. "Don't be."

"They are waiting for you," Lydia said, and she returned the map into her drawer and locked it.

She rose to her feet, dragged a few deep breaths and banished all the negative emotions from her face in a second. With her head high and proud, she walked out of her room.

The hall of the Palace overflowed with so many faces of people, a majority of which she didn't know, but she held a smile on her face and despite the pain that plagued her cheeks, she didn't let it go.

She needed to find her husband and stick beside him. He'd know most of the people present, and all she'd have to do would be to smile, act dumb and follow his lead.

"My queen, you look so radiant." a maiden older than her having fair skin and a pretty smile said in awe.

Mia worked through her confusion, scanning the unfamiliar face in her memory, but she came short. "Thank you so much. But I don't think we have met before." She could have been at her wedding, but Mia wasn't sure.

"We haven't, my queen. I am Elena. I'm a Luna, married to the alpha Koz of house Lupe." her introduction was brief, and it helped Mia clear her head of the confusion.

She knew the house Lupe, and she had been fortunate to meet the alpha Koz a few times, but she never knew he found a mate. The alpha was of noble birth and, as rumours had it; he was just like his father, brave, true, and a man of his word. People loved him and maidens wanted to be married to him.

"Alpha Koz thinks you're the smartest queen we've ever had, and he believes we need now." Elena beamed, adoring her with her enchanting brown eyes.

She doubted that, but appreciated his kind words.

Mia had seen him a few years ago because, just like her, he was a lover of literature and would spend his time in the library collecting books. The first time he saw her four years ago, he seemed impressed that a maiden had an interest in books. He was the first person in the kingdom apart from her family who didn't regard her based on her looks, and he left a mark.

Elena was indeed a lucky woman to be his mate. They laughed and talked and Mia, for once, felt comfortable in her presence and knew she'd love to have her around as her friend. She also didn't think to hurry off and find her husband like she first intended to. "What are you ladies talking about?" alpha Koz, the tall man with blue eyes and smiting smile, brought himself to their midst. He had a black turtlenecked robe that had its button from the neck and down below. He wrapped his arms around Elena's waist when he came close. There was a possessiveness in his hold and also affection.

He was tall and good looking with his blonde hair and captivating eyes, which many were in awe of, but his most charm was his mannerism. Despite being an alpha, he treated everyone with equal respect and also stood for the right of so many.

Elena melted against him lovingly, her smile beyond control. "Just talking with the queen. She's just as smart as you say."

Koz's eyes left his luna and travelled over to Mia and he bowed his head. "My queen, it's so nice to see you."

"Same to you, Alpha Koz."

"The last time we had the chance to talk, you were young and in the library. Now you are queen."

While she had grown much older since the last time she saw him, he seemed to have remained the same. "So much has changed."

"Indeed, I only hope your quest for knowledge hasn't."

Her eyes dimmed, his words hitting her before she could prepare herself for them.

She cleared her throat and forced a smile. "We must keep hope alive," she said, his presence becoming a cue for her departure. "Forgive me, but I need to find my husband."

She nods at the adorable couple before hurrying away from them. Finding the alpha king became an almost impossible task in the crowd gathered, but Mia succeeded and found him talking to a few men with golden cups of wine in their hands. Whatever he was saying had to be fascinating, because they didn't blink for once until he finished.

He sensed her presence and his head wiped around, his eyes catching sight of her. He held out a hand to her, the look on his face a joke of affection. Still, it was the most she had seen him give her since their marriage. She drew closer to him and took his hand and their hands entwined.

"Good day to you all," she greeted politely. "I hope you're enjoying the banquet."

The men nodded. "Yes, we are."

One man with grey hair standing around spoke, "And congratulations to you on your union with the alpha king. I wish you nothing but marital bliss."

Her smile did not reach her eyes. "Thank you."

A cup of wine glided to her face and, glancing at it, she saw Xavier's hand stretched out to her. She takes the cup from his hand, tightened hers around it and brought it to her lips.

"That isn't advisable, she could already be with child." one man standing beside them voiced with concern as she drank.

Mia almost barked out laughter at his concern. She wasn't with child because they had not consummated their union, which still came as a shock to her. He surprised her because of all the cruel things he did in the last month involving threatening her, limiting her access to her father and dictating to her how to behave. He never forced himself on her. At least, that was one thing she was grateful to him for.

"Thanks for your concern, Jason, but my wife can take the wine. She isn't with child." Xavier said with confidence, placing his arms around her waist and pulling her closer. She jolted at his touch, whether on instinct or fear, she didn't know.

Xavier noticed her reaction, unlike the men standing before him, and he gave her a side look.

Perhaps she couldn't stand the touch of his hand because her hatred for him still lingered. The night, though, was about 'make-belief' of which she was aware of, so she endured.

Mia emptied the wine into her mouth, the sweetness of the grape not taking away the ferment and burning feeling it sent down her throat.

The alpha king must have noticed her craving because he took the cup from her hand and gave her his. She faltered but took it before taking it to her lips.

"And gentlemen, my queen and I will go off to meet the rest of the guests. Enjoy yourselves."

He led her away from the men and they mingled with the other guests present at the banquet. The nobles and royal blood in the kingdom were gathered, saying their congratulations and looking forward to the birth of the Alpha King's heir. Mia did not object to or counter their words. She smiled and nodded like an idiot throughout.

"Mia!" the excited voice of Jobe called out and Mia spun around towards where he was and the radiant smile that arrested her face matched his.

"Father!" she hurried towards him, her heart skipping with joy as she got to him.

She hugged him tightly, feeling at home in his arms and not caring much for who saw them. He wrapped his arms around so tight as if she would run away if he didn't. Her eyes grew glassy as they pull away but she blinked them back, muttering not here to herself. He looked well from Mia's observation, and his wrinkled eyes held much more life in them compared to when she saw him over a month ago at Ariel's funeral. With his black robe fitted to hold his lean body and his golden-blond hair brushed to the back, he looked taller and younger for a man his age. It was a good look. Knowing he was taking care of himself in their absence made her feel happy.

Jobe took her hands in his, his smile still radiant. He took her in from head to toe, breathing out, "You look beautiful, Mia."

She almost rolled her eyes. Her father never stopped at his flattery. "Father."

"What? It's true, you've always been my beautiful princess."

Her cheeks heated. "I'm so glad you're here."

"Me too, I won't have missed it for anything." he said then asked, "How has life at the Palace been for you?" her father's gaze held curiosity and concern as they held onto hers.

She knew if she kept looking at him, she'd tell him the last month has been hell and so she looked away. His sceptical gaze stayed on her and she knew she'd have to say something if she wanted her father's curiosity put away. It was harder, though, staring at his face and lying through her teeth.

It was necessary, and she gripped her hands and lifted her head, but as she opened her mouth, the alpha king beat her to speak.

"I think it's so great she can't find the words." he drew closer and pulled her to himself by her waist.

Mia's breath hitched, and she fought against the tears wanting to spill.

Pushing the tears back, she smiled and nodded.