ALPHA SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Rejection served lukewarm

Seraphina's POV

I stood there, my heart pounding like a caged beast, as the shock rippled through the grand hall.

The cream of the crop had gathered to witness my marriage to Victor Told, a high council officer and a man I had never truly love

But I had accepted my fate, for it was the only path I had as an outcast werewolf.

The murmurs and gasps from the assembled guests echoed in my ears, their faces a blur of astonishment.

I could feel their eyes on me, assessing my worth. I knew why they stared – it wasn't because of my humble origins, but rather my beauty, a trait that had always set me apart.

My auburn hair cascaded like a river of flames down my back, my dark blue siren eyes had entranced many, and my curves had caught the attention of countless admirers.

.

Today, though, I wore a bridal gown that outshone even the radiant California sun.

As Victor, my betrothed, stood before me at the altar, my heart clung to a faint glimmer of hope.

Maybe, just maybe, this marriage could bring me some semblance of happiness.

But as he turned to face me, I saw it in his eyes – a cold indifference that chilled me to my core.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice trembling, my mind unable to comprehend what was happening. "Victor, why?"

He didn't respond. Instead, he turned away from me, his footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor as he walked away from the altar, leaving me standing there, abandoned and humiliated. The silence in the hall was deafening, broken only by the hushed whispers of the guests.

I felt as though the world had crumbled around me. My vision blurred, and tears welled up in my eyes. The humiliation was almost unbearable. How could he do this to me? To us? I had accepted this fate, and embraced it even, for the sake of my family's honor.

I turned to look at my step-sister, Liliana, her triumphant smirk hidden behind a veil of innocence.

She had always resented me, always envied the attention I received, and now she had succeeded in ruining the one chance I had at happiness.

I stormed through the wedding hall, my anger burning hotter than the noonday sun.

The white walls seemed to close in on me, and the grandeur of the place now felt like a gilded cage.

The guests whispered and parted like a sea before me, their eyes wide with shock and pity.

I found Liliana near the entrance, her face a portrait of innocence. She was surrounded by a group of her minions and my family, who seem to care about her more than me. They acted like that were all unaware of the treacherous act with each step I took, my rage grew, until I could barely contain it.

"You did this, didn't you?" I hissed as I approached her, my voice trembling with anger. "You caused this. How, Liliana? What did you do?"

She blinked at me with feigned surprise, her eyes wide and innocent. "Oh, big sis, what are you talking about? I would never do anything to harm you."

I could see through her façade, the deception that hid her true nature. My frustration boiled over, and I couldn't stop myself.

With a swift, searing slap, I struck her across the face. Gasps of shock rippled through the onlookers as Liliana's cheeks reddened from the impact.

“You are a spoiled brat. You always find a way to ruin my life. I hate you and I hope you die!”

But my actions were not without consequences.

My father, who had always favored Liliana, stepped forward, his expression stern and unforgiving.

"Seraphina!" he bellowed, his voice echoing through the hall. "Enough of this!"

He didn't hesitate to raise his hand and deliver a harsh slap to my face, the sting of it resonating with my wounded heart.

But I didn't care.

“It's you that would die, you inhumane brat, Leave this place!” he commanded, his voice laced with anger and disappointment.

I stumbled back, my cheeks burning with both pain and humiliation.

“It's my wedding day, but you all always find a way to ruin things for me”

As tears welled up in my eyes, I turned and fled the wedding hall, my wedding dress trailing behind me, now stained with mud and tears.

I ran through the grand corridors of the estate, past the astonished servants and guests, until I burst through the massive doors and into the open air.

The rain had begun to fall, a fitting reflection of my own turmoil. I stood in the courtyard, my chest heaving, as the droplets mingled with my tears. The world had turned against me, and I felt utterly alone.

I went towards a shade where the fountain laid and sat on the floor, rain soaked hair sticking to my face, and I cried.

Moments later, Karen, my best friend and maid of honor, found me in the courtyard. She rushed to my side, her eyes filled with concern. "Seraphina, are you alright?"

But I couldn't contain my anger any longer. With a cry of frustration, I grabbed the hem of my wedding dress and tore it, the fabric ripping under my trembling hands.

"How can I be alright? I have been humiliated in front of half of our county members. My life plan has changed. I hate her!" I cried out, my voice filled with bitterness and rage. "I hate her for what she's done to me!"

Karen's concern deepened as I raged against Liliana's betrayal, my voice filled with hurt and anger.

She asked that had been burning in her mind, "Seraphina, how do you know it was Liliana who did it?"

I took a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing heart. "I saw the letters," I confessed, my voice quivering. "I saw them on Victor's table. I didn't believe it at first, but when he walked away from the altar without a word, I knew."

Karen's eyes widened with curiosity, urging me to continue. "What did the letters say?" she asked gently.

"They revealed Liliana's true intentions," I replied, my voice heavy with the weight of betrayal. "She told Victor I was planning to use him to gain power within the high council. He never loved me, Karen, but he civilly treated me. But then Liliana told him I was buying poison to kill him. She sent false proof. She ruined everything."

A bitter taste filled my mouth as I remembered the contents of those damning letters.

I wiped away a fresh tear and continued, "Victor didn't want to believe the letters, but now, he does.” I choked looking up at Karen, “They didn't even allow my mother to attend the wedding. It's probably for the best. She wouldn't have wanted to witness this."

I needed a break, a moment to escape from the turmoil of my emotions. Without another word, I stood up.

“Wait, where are you going?” Karen asked.

“Away. I need to go home.”

Karen shook her head, “I know you are heartbroken, but I can't let you go out looking like this. Look at all the mud on your body” she said, trying to clean my body.

I removed my hand from hers, “Let me go, Karen. The rain would wash it away.”

I turned and began to make my way toward the gates.

But as I stepped outside, my thoughts still clouded with anger and heartache, I bumped into someone. My footing slipped on the muddy ground, and I began to fall. In that instant, strong arms reached out and caught me, preventing my descent.

I looked up, my eyes meeting those of a stranger who had appeared out of nowhere.

His presence was unexpected, but his eyes were beautiful.

The stranger held me close, his grip firm yet gentle.

And at that moment, as raindrops continued to fall around us, our gazes locked.

“Who…” I started, ”Who are you?”

Bring me his head

Damon's POV

The lady in my arms was a vision of beauty, her auburn hair like a cascade of fire despite being drenched from the rain.

Her head was bleeding, and her scent was not that of a werewolf. She was injured, and yet there was an air of strength about her.

She looked up at me, her voice trembling as she asked, "Who are you?"

I lifted her gently, my heart pounding with the realization that I held a stranger in my arms.

The rain had soaked through my mask, and I hastily adjusted it, trying to conceal my identity. I hadn't expected the downpour, and it had caught me off guard.

I noticed her torn wedding dress filled and covered with mud. It was clear that she had just been through a certain mishap.

The dress look hand torn. Could it be she went to destroy her ex wedding? Women do that these days.

She looked enchanted by me, her gaze drawn to my eyes. I kne