Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 49

In her sleep, Mia heard a growl, and this pulled her into consciousness to find a pair of red blazing eyes hovering over her in bed. Her eyes widened further to see she didn't hallucinate what she saw. There was a big black wolf on her bed, staring down at her. She dragged a sharp breath, scared. She pushed herself onto her elbows, so her face was inches away from the wolf's, but made no other move.

Werewolves were faster in wolf form than in their human forms, and the functions of her legs were still yet to kick in from just waking up. So though she wanted to run up and off the bed, she knew she won't make it far.

She calmed herself, banishing the lingering fear away, and carefully stared at him.

The wolf had glowing red eyes and was in her room, which meant he was an alpha and lived in the palace. Her eyes narrowed when her sense of smell finally activated and took in the smell of him. The distinct smell of the wolf was that of the alpha king. He was in her room, on top of her bed, towering over her and watching her sleep.

The corner of his mouth lifted, and a terrifying growl rolled off, sending nervous chills through her.

Her heart hammered loudly, but she remained still.

The fear that had vanished a minute ago returned to her eyes as she beheld him. She didn't want to panic, but she couldn't help it. She didn't know why he was in her room or on her bed.

Why did he come?

Did he come to kill her?

She had done nothing to deserve that yet.

Did she even have to do anything?

She swallowed, her heart still racing as she awaited what he was about to do.

He didn't attack her. Instead, he stopped growling and his red eyes lost their fury. He leaned in and placed his head against hers and for a moment she felt the much pain he was in. It was a crushing pain, but she didn't know what to do to help.

He nudged her face with his in a way that appeared affectionate, and she figured he needed comfort in his pain. Her hand lifted slowly to pat his furry back, and she felt him shudder against her touch. He leaned in closer, and his head rested on her shoulder. His furry body that touched hers made her tingle despite this act being an innocent one. Still, she didn't stop rubbing him, reassuring him she was here for him.

He purred and pulled back a little, and his tongue licked over her face.

Mia's eyes snapped open, and she helped herself up onto her elbows. Looking around carefully, she saw no one else in her room. She sighed and dropped her head on her pillow, rubbing her forehead. She had been dreaming, everything was in her dream. The Alpha king wasn't in her room. It was all in her head.

Sighing, she fell back in bed. Xavier was in pain and she had felt that pain when she touch him in the dream. She had not seen or spoken a word to him since two days ago when shared the kiss in her study. He had left without a word and that had hurt her, even though it shouldn't have. She saw him enter the carriage that drove him off and a part of her knew where he went. It hurt, knowing that she'd never matter to him as much as Zara would. It hurt even more because she knew that and still entangled herself with him. Something bad must have happened two days ago because he hadn't left his chambers since he came back.

She didn't want to think too much into the dream she just had, but perhaps he needed her help to get through this.

'He asked everyone to stay away from his room. Everyone includes you. If he needs you, he'll send for you. Keep yourself away from danger,' her inner voice spoke up.

Mia wanted to promise she'd never get herself into this painful situation ever again, but she couldn't promise that. She knew how affected she was by the Alpha king and knew she'd be running whenever he called.

..

"You're sure you don't want to eat anymore?" Jobe asked, passing her the bowl of red meat, but she shook her head.

This was her first time visiting her father's house since being married. She had taken advantage of the alpha king's situation to come see her father. She missed it here. The home, the environment and the smell. It brought back the memories of the childhood she had, hiding away in the room and Ariel having to look for her. Then, Jobe would assign them duties just so they wouldn't interrupt his meeting with the other Lords. Every nook and cranny held a special memory and reminiscing about them felt great.

Jobe was surprised and more than happy when he climbed downstairs and saw her. He swept her into a tight and comforting hug that she needed. They both cried.

Then they talked catching up with each other on the months past and Mia learnt Jobe had started collecting books to read which he said reminded him of her. She was delighted that he held a good memory of her.

Jobe asked her to stay for dinner, which was already being made, and she shrugged and gave her consent.

She picked up the white tablecloth and wiped her mouth before speaking. "Thank you, father, but I'm okay now. Any more and I won't make it back to the palace today."

"I'd say great, but the king might get upset and punish me for holding you captive."

She flashed him a faint smile. She couldn't tell him her husband didn't consent to this visit today. Just like she never told her father that the king had forced her hand into this agreement by threatening to have him locked up. She couldn't. Some things are better off unsaid.

Yet, for some unknown reason, she let herself feel for him.

"Are you okay?" Jobe asked as he curiously stared at her.

She nodded and cleared her throat. "I am fine. Thank you, father, the meal was delicious."

"You're welcome."

While Jobe finished the food on his own plate, Mia wandered up the stairs and into her former room.

She pushed the door open but made no haste to step inside as she looked around. She noticed her room was still the way it was when she left it many months ago. From the look of it, Jobe didn't plan on changing anything.

She closed the door to her room after picking up a few books and made her way over to Ariel's room. She opened and stepped in. Unlike hers, Ariel's room had experienced a minor change since her departure. The curtains were different and so were the sheets. Aside from that, nothing else.

Many months ago, the daughters of Jobe Asika made noises around the house just to make their presence known. There was nothing of such anymore. Her father was alone in this house, as big as it was. She looked forward to the day she'd be able to invite him to stay with her in the Palace. That day might never come, but she could hope for it.

"Does he hurt you?" she heard from the door and swivelled around to find her father at the door. His concerned eyes fixed on hers.

She shook her head. But that didn't convince him. "He hasn't laid his hands on me in many months." the last time he hurt her physically was the day after their wedding when he choked the air out of her. Even though he grabbed her face back in the study days ago, he inflicted no pain.

The only pain he caused was emotional.

"He shouldn't lay his hands on you ever!"

"He was not gentle or kind before, but he's better and-" she pressed her lips before she could say the words.

"What is it, child?"

She dragged herself over to the bed and sat on it, the weight of the truth too heavy. Her head dropped, and she fidgeted with her fingers. "I am smitten by the Alpha king," she confessed.

The old man's face held mixed emotions from confusion to fear, but none was happiness. "He's your husband. Developing feeling after months of being married is expected."

He was right. Xavier had stated how feelings and attraction would grow the longer they stayed together. It was a natural phenomenon.

"Does he feel the same way about you?"

Her eyes grew glassy, knowing the truth which broke her heart. "I don't know. He has a mistress. One he has had for years and he does not plan on leaving her."

"Mia," he groaned in defeat and walked from the door over to her. He sat beside her but says nothing. Mia could tell he pitied and felt sorry for her.

She knew this was not the life he had for her, but fate won again.

A tear rolled down her face. "I know. I should have known better. He's never going to be mine and it'll ruin everything." She wished she could tell him the whole truth from the very beginning. But she feared that would do more harm than good to herself and her father. It was best to keep its seal, even if it hurt so much.

He reached out his hand and took hold of hers. "I am sorry. I wish there was something I can say or do. Fate has been cruel to you and your family, but you've always been a fighter. I've never seen you give up. Not when you were a child, or when you became a young maiden living in a cruel world. You have always been a survivor, and that's why I know you will get through this. Let no one say you're not in control because you are. You are queen Mia Ainsworth from the house Asika, and you're the mistress of your own fate." This was all she needed to hear.

She threw her arms around her father and once again she wept.