Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 8

The chilled breeze blowing through the window brushed over Mia's face, and her lashes fluttered to see the dawn of the day. She moaned and turned her head to the side, getting acquainted with her territory. The light illuminating her room got her better acquainted with everything in it. This was her chambers, where she'd stay unless needed and beckoned on by the king.

At the thought of him, she felt a little tightening in her chest and she dragged herself to sit up in bed. Last night wasn't a wedding night, at least it wasn't a blissful wedding night. It was filled with heartbreak, but in the end, she fell into an ocean of confusion. Her husband had left a few marks on her skin with his claws, his teeth, his fondles, his grip. His touch was unloving and forced. He had moved to take every bit of what was his, only to change his mind without saying why.

The voices in Mia's head told her why, and it was the reason she'd known for a while now. She was ugly, and he wanted anything other than her.

Tears threaten to spill as she thought back to everything. She had felt vulnerable being naked before him, her husband, whom she barely knew. And having him watch her like a hawk while holding so much displeasure for her did no good. They may not have completed the consummation rite last night, but her spirit was already broken. This was the life the moon goddess wanted her to live, and she had no say in it.

A slight knock came to her door and her heart races in its beat as she turned to see who's at the door. It pushed open and Lydia, the young maid that had brought her into the Palace yesterday, walked in.

"Good morning, my queen. I came to draw you a warm bath and get you ready for your day."

She blinked back the tears and cleared her throat. "Good morning, Lydia."

The young maid slowed in her step and turned to her, causing her straight black hair to fall into her face. She must have noticed something on Mia's face despite her best effort to hide it and she flashed her a pitiful look. "You don't look too well."

Mia shrugged, trying to sound casual and unaffected. "It doesn't matter."

Lydia saw through it and she gave her an understanding look. "Your wedding night wasn't the best."

She shook her head, her eyes becoming teary again, and whimpers escaped her. "He's not gentle or affectionate. I didn't want to be married, and neither did he and now I'm here and the first day of the rest of my life had been miserable."

She remembered wanting to see the look of desire for her in his gaze even if it was a little, but she didn't get it and his eyes avoided hers like a priest avoided sin. She felt incomplete and trapped, and she didn't want to feel that way ever again. "I'm sorry you feel this way, my queen."

"No. This is my cross now. The moon goddess made it so."

"A warm bath should give you relief." the young maid assured and hurried her feet to the bathroom.

By this time two days ago, she saw a lot of possibilities about her life, but none of these possibilities was of her becoming queen, but here she was, queen of the entire realm.

The door to the bathroom opens and the young maid stepped out, with a white towel in her hand. "Your water is ready, my queen." She walked over to Mia and pulled off the white bed covering, but there was no bloodstain on the bedsheet. "Nothing happened last night."

She shook her head. "He changed his mind but didn't say why." she pressed her lips together so they wouldn't quiver uncontrollably.

Lydia's face dropped sadly. "I'm sorry."

Despite knowing an unconsummated marriage wouldn't be an actual marriage before the moon goddess, Mia felt contented by the turn of events. A part of her, however, was hurt because he didn't give her an explanation for why he stopped.

She dragged herself off the bed, not wanting any more pity-party. As she came into the bathroom, she saw a gold bathtub at the centre, filled with warm water and covered with scented flowers and oil. She let the gown she had on slip to the floor. Naked, she stepped into the tub and settled into it.

The warm water and the other items on it provided instant relief to every part of her body aching and she sighed and her eyes fluttered.

Her mind wander to Ariel once again and hoped she was in a better place because that was what she deserved. She deserved so much from this life, but the good never last. Perhaps if she had become queen as intended, the alpha king would have treated her right. He would not have been so furious with her and treated her this way. He would have desired her, been more affectionate towards her, and perhaps even loved her.

She gasp out unable to take the painful memories and her eyes fluttered. Her vision blurred and her lips quivered. The sorrow of losing her sister and the pain of now being married to a cold-hearted alpha ate her up. This wasn't her role, and she was certain Ariel would have done a better job at it and the defeat of having no choice weighed on her shoulders and she cried her eyes out.

"I'm sorry, my queen."

She covered her face, not wanting to be seen crying by her maid but unable to help it. "No, don't be. None of this is your fault."

"I am sorry you're in pain and I'll offer prayers to the moon goddess on your behalf and ask her to take the pain away."

The only way that'd happen was if the moon goddess would bring Ariel back and take the Alpha King instead.