The Alpha's Enchanted Bride

I stood in the middle of Whitmore Hall with my hands tight at my sides. The candles flickered like they were nervous too. My heart beat so hard I could feel it in my throat. This was really happening.

My uncle, Edward Sinclair, wouldn't stop talking. "You can't say no, Eleanor. The Nightfang Pack's alpha wants this marriage. If you refuse, it means war. Our family won't survive that."

I looked straight at him. "I'm not some prize to be handed over. I have my own power. You know that."

Before he could answer, the big doors opened. Cold air rushed in and made the candles dance wildly. A group of tall men walked inside. They moved like predators, quiet and strong. At the front was him, Alexander Grant.

He was bigger than I imagined. Broad shoulders, dark hair, and those golden-amber eyes that locked right onto mine. The second our eyes met, something pulled inside my chest. Sharp. Warm. Unwanted. The fated mate bond. I had prayed it would never wake up, but here it was, tugging at me like a rope I couldn't cut.

Alexander stopped a few steps away. His voice was deep and rough. "So you're the enchanted one. Eleanor Whitmore."

I forced myself to stand tall even though my legs felt weak. "And you're the Alpha they call the Butcher of Blackridge. I hoped the stories weren't true."

A small, dangerous smile touched his lips. "They are." He walked around me slowly, looking me up and down like he was deciding if I was worth the trouble. "The darkness is growing. The rifts are opening. Your magic can help close them. Our marriage will join your power to my pack... and to me."

My uncle stepped forward quickly. "The papers are ready. The wedding can happen on the next full moon."

I felt my magic stir under my skin, warm and silver like moonlight. "What if I don't want this? What if I say no?"

Alexander leaned closer. His scent-pine, leather, and wild night-filled my nose. "Then many people will die. Including you." His voice dropped low, just for me. "The bond is already calling us, enchantress. You can fight it, but it won't let go."

A real shiver ran through me. Part of it was anger. Another part was something hotter that I didn't want to think about.

Suddenly, a long howl cut through the night outside. The windows shook. One of Alexander's men, a scarred fighter named Charles Beaumont, spoke up. "Alpha, scouts saw movement on the eastern border. Hawthorne's pack... and something worse. Shadows."

Alexander's face changed. All softness disappeared. "We leave now. Eleanor rides with us. The wedding won't wait."

I tried to argue, but strong hands were already guiding me out. I looked back at my uncle one last time. He looked relieved and guilty at the same time.

The forest was dark as we rode. I sat on my horse next to Alexander. Trees pressed close on both sides. The moonlight felt heavier tonight, like it was watching us. The bond between us kept pulling, making my skin tingle.

"Why do you take brides by force?" I asked after a while.

He glanced at me. "Only the ones the gods choose. Your power sings to the moon the same way my wolf sings to it. Deny it all you want, but it's there."

I opened my mouth to argue, but a scream tore through the trees. Black shapes burst out of the darkness-twisted creatures with empty eyes and sharp claws. One jumped straight at my horse.

I didn't think. I just acted. I threw my hand out and moonlight shot forward like a bright whip. The creature screamed and melted into smoke. But more kept coming.

Alexander roared. The sound was half man, half wolf. He jumped from his horse and tore into the shadows with claws and fury. "Stay behind me!" he shouted.

Everything turned to chaos. I kept throwing spells, tying the shadows down with threads of light. My arm burned as one creature got too close and slashed me. The pain was sharp and deep, like fire mixed with poison.

Then Alexander was right there. He ripped the creature apart and pulled me against his chest. His body felt like a wall. For one moment, our eyes met and the bond flared so strong it took my breath away. I felt his heart beating fast against me. Mine answered.

"They're pulling back!" someone yelled.

The fight ended as quickly as it started. But as the last shadow disappeared, a cold whisper slid into my mind: The bride will break the alpha... or the Void will take you both.

I must have gone pale because Alexander noticed right away. "What happened? Are you hurt?"

I pressed my hand over the cut on my arm and shook my head. "It's nothing... for now."

We started riding again toward his keep. The bond between us felt heavier than ever. I was tied to this strong, dangerous man by old magic and a prophecy I never asked for. My blood carried secrets that could save everyone or destroy us.

The shadows knew my name now.

And they were hungry.