Alpha Zuke’s Bride

 Chapter One

The city of Lucian was shining bright, like a big moon in the sky. There were parties and music everywhere. The big houses of the important people were decorated with lots of lights. Everyone was having a big celebration that would last all night until morning. They were celebrating Laila's wins in battle. All the important people were there to honor her.

The sound of laughter and music from the orchestra filled the air, coming from the balconies of the big houses. The peasants below enjoyed the entertainment, as they couldn't afford to have parties themselves. They gathered outside the grandest mansions, trying to catch a glimpse of the 

richly dressed couples dancing inside.But the joy was short-lived .

A sudden commotion broke out at the entrance of the grandest mansion, where Laila was celebrating her victories. The music stopped, and the peasants below gathered around, curious about the disturbance. A figure emerged from the crowd, tall and imposing, with piercing eyes that seemed to scan the scene before him. It was Zuke, the half-demon, half-werewolf alpha, and his gaze was fixed on Laila with an intensity that made her heart race. The peasants parted, sensing the tension, as Zuke strode towards the mansion, his eyes never leaving Laila's face.

"Mine," Zuke growled, his eyes fixed on Laila's face. "I'll never be yours, Zuke," Laila spat, her voice venomous. 

"I know all about your reputation as a womanizer, and I swear I'll never fall for your charms." Zuke's smile was mocking. 

"Be careful what you say, sweetheart. You'll be crawling back to me soon, begging for my help."

Laila's eyes narrowed, her voice firm. "I'd rather die than beg for your help, Zuke. I know your kind, always using your power and charm to manipulate others. I won't fall for it." Zuke's smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with amusement. "We'll see about that, sweetheart. You're already in deeper waters than you think. And soon, you'll realize that I'm the only one who can keep you afloat." He turned and disappeared into the night, leaving Laila with a shiver down her spine.

Laila's eyes flashed with anger, but before she could respond, Zuke turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving her feeling frustrated and uneasy. She tried to shake off the feeling, telling herself she was rid of him, but the memory of his piercing gaze lingered. 

As she turned to rejoin the celebration, she felt a shiver run down her spine. She knew Zuke's words were not just an empty threat, and she wondered what exactly he had planned for her. Little did she know, her fate was already intertwined with his, and their paths would cross again soon.

The music resumed, and the guests returned to their revelry, but Laila's enjoyment was tainted by the encounter with Zuke. She couldn't shake the feeling that he was watching her, waiting for his moment to strike. 

 She tried to focus on the celebration, laughing and dancing with her friends, but her eyes kept scanning the crowd, searching for a glimpse of him. Despite her efforts, she couldn't fully shake the sense of unease that lingered, like a shadow cast over the festivities.

As the night wore on, Laila's apprehension only grew. She began to feel like she was walking on eggshells, waiting for Zuke to make his next move. She tried to convince herself that she was being paranoid, that he was just a pompous alpha trying to flex his muscles.

 But the memory of his piercing gaze and the possessive way he said "mine" lingered, making her skin crawl. Just as she thought she couldn't take it anymore, a hand grasped her arm, pulling her close. She spun around, ready to defend herself, but it was only her friend, Lyra.

 "Hey, what's wrong?" Lyra asked, noticing Laila's tension. Laila hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Just a run-in with Zuke," she said finally. Lyra's eyes widened in understanding. "Be careful around him, Laila. He's not to be trusted."

“I’m clearly aware of that” she snapped

Laila's sharp response was a testament to her growing frustration and anxiety. Lyra's eyes softened in understanding, and she placed a gentle hand on Laila's arm. "I know, I know.

Just be careful, okay? Zuke's not someone to be trifled with. He's got a reputation for getting what he wants, no matter the cost." Laila nodded curtly, her mind racing with the implications.

 She knew Lyra was right, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was already in too deep.

 Zuke's words echoed in her mind, "You'll be crawling back to me soon, begging for my help." She pushed the thought away, determined to prove him wrong. Little did she know, fate had other plans.

As the night wore on, Laila tried to push aside her concerns and enjoy the celebration. But her eyes kept darting towards the shadows, expecting Zuke to emerge at any moment. She laughed and chatted with her friends, but her mind was elsewhere, replaying the encounter with Zuke and wondering what he had planned next. 

Just as she was starting to relax, a commotion broke out at the edge of the party. A group of rough-looking men, clearly not part of the celebration, pushed their way into the crowd. Laila's heart sank as she recognized the emblem on their jackets - the mark of Red Dragon pack. Her instincts screamed at her to run, but her feet felt rooted to the spot. 

The men moved with a purpose, their eyes scanning the crowd until they locked onto Laila. A chill ran down her spine as they began to move towards her, their intentions clear.

Chapter Two

As the defenders caught their breath and surveyed their handiwork, a faint rustling noise came from the shadows. They exchanged nervous glances, hands on the hilts of their swords. Suddenly, a figure emerged from the darkness, tall and imposing.

 Zuke's piercing eyes scanned the room, his gaze settling on the barricaded doors. A sly smile spread across his face. "Well, well, well. It seems you've trapped yourselves in with the imps.

 How...thoughtful of you." The defenders bristled, ready for a fight, but Zuke's attention was focused on Laila, who had been dragged along by his pack. "And you, little one," he said, his voice dripping with malice. "You're just in time to join the party."

Beyond the vibrant neighborhoods of Lucian, the joyful sounds of celebration gave way to an eerie silence. The streets grew increasingly desolate and narrow, leading to the outskirts of the city, where a long-abandoned keep stood. The cru