Alpha's One Night Bride
Alpha’s One Night Bride – Chapter 88

Jessica counted the moments that things would start feeling normal again. She couldn’t remember the last time she was happy; maybe it was her wedding day. But she wasn’t even sure about that anymore. She wanted, so badly, to love Greggory and everything he had to offer. But so far, all he had to offer was a life of abuse and torment. She wanted to love him, but all she could do was hate him.

It broke her heart knowing what a mistake she’s made. She wasn’t even sure who she was anymore. Arina didn’t want her to go back to Greggory after she saw the bruise he left on the nape of her neck, but Jessica felt she didn’t have a choice at that moment. Regardless of everything, he was still her husband, her Alpha. She was his luna. She made a vow to him, a promise to stand by him no matter what and love him. She couldn’t break that vow; the marking on her shoulder blade proved that she was his for a lifetime.

She couldn’t go against that. Regardless of how badly she wanted to.

Jessica had never met Arina’s mother, but she’s heard stories. Arina worried that the same thing her mother went through, Jessica was going to go through as well. Jessica was beginning to worry the same thing, admittedly.

Greggory was gone for the day, and this was Jessica’s only chance of being alone for a while. She finally felt like freedom of the outdoors. When he was home, he hardly allowed her to go anywhere; he said a proper luna stays home to tend to her Alpha without complaining. If she does complain, she gets beaten. That’s how he was raised, and that’s how it’ll be until the day he dies.

The thought was unsettling because Jessica hated feeling trapped inside. Greggory had known this about her before he married her. She couldn’t help but wonder if Rachel was also stuck inside while they were married, or if it was just something he did to Jessica to keep her out of the way while he continued to flirt with women all over the town.

Walking through the streets of Moon-Valley, she could hear the chuckling of some of the female wolves by the merchant stands. They were talking in low voices because they were worried, they would be heard, but Jessica could hear them. They were talking about Greggory.

“It was the best night of my life,” one of the said, chuckling. “He was gone this morning though. But he told me he will come back tonight.”

“Oh my goddess,” the other wolf said, laughing. “You are so lucky. I hadn’t slept with Greggory in like 2 years. He likes the new and young women. I think I’m too old and fat for his liking.”

Jessica could feel her b***d boiling as she listened to these women. Did they realize she was standing right there? Did they even know she was Greggory’s luna?

“Damn, homeboy is making a name for himself,” a man, Jessica, didn’t recognize, muttered, loud enough for the women to hear him.

They frowned and stared at him; he was tall with ashy brown hair and a tannish complexion. Jessica noticed he had a strong build, and she couldn’t help but check out his tattooed arms. His eyes were a light brown, and any wolf could easily get lost in his gaze.

He must have been new because Jessica has lived in Moon-Valley for most of her life and has never once seen him before. He was standing near the produce stand and eating an apple when he spoke; the girls just rolled their eyes and turned away from him.

“And who do you think you are?” One of them said. “To talk about our Alpha like that.”

He cocked an eyebrow at the back of their heads and shook his head in dismay.

“Just passing through,” he answered. “Couldn’t help but overhear you ladies talking. From my understanding, an Alpha is supposed to be superior and protect his pack. Not sleep with every female in it.”

A smile tugged at Jessica’s lips because he was correct. She felt the weird tugging of her wolf as he spoke; it was an unfamiliar feeling, and she couldn’t tell if it was fear or excitement that she felt from his presence. But she knew her wolf wanted to replace out more about him. For some reason, she felt drawn to him.

They batted their eyes at him, frowning deeply.

“He does protect us,” one of them said in a huff.

“Wearing a condom to protect you from STDs doesn’t count,” the man teased sarcastically as he began walking away.

Jessica had to keep herself from laughing; she wasn’t sure why she found that so funny but she covered her mouth and turned her head from the girls so they wouldn’t see her expression.

“Whatever…” the girl huffed; her eyes eventually landed on Jessica, who had recovered herself from laughing and was trying to focus back in on the conversation, only to realize he was walking away, and the ladies were staring at her.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a light shade of pink as the girl’s mouth dropped open as they realized she heard everything; okay so maybe they did know she was his luna.

“Jessica?” The girl said, she sounded shocked to see Jessica standing there.

As if Jessica wasn’t a part of the pack and lived there her entire life.

The man turned to glance at Jessica quickly as he continued walking away; a small smile playing on his lips. He seemed to be looking at her intently for a moment before continuing to walk away; her wolf wanted to follow him.

Without saying anything to the ladies, Jessica shoved past them so she could follow this mystery man.

Who was he?

She followed him down the street until he finally stopped and turned to face her; her face turned different shades of red once again as her heart stopped in her chest. Her wolf tugging her even harder.

“Is there a reason you’re following me?” He asked, tilting his head down at her.

She felt embarrassed; she wasn’t sure why she was following him. But it’s been a while since she met a stranger and she wanted to know who he was.

“I… uh…” she stammered lamely.

He waited patiently; she thought she saw a smile tugging at his lips, but she could have been mistaken.

“I have never seen you around before,” she finally spat out.

He raised his eyebrows.

“I’m not from here,” he told her.

“Where’s your pack located?” She asked; he stayed quiet for a moment.

“I don’t really do the pack thing,” he answered.

She exhaled as though she’s been holding in her breath.

“You’re a lone wolf?” She asked.

She’s never me a lone wolf in person before; the closes she came to that was Arina when she arrived at Moon-Valley at 10 years old. But even then, Arina technically wasn’t a lone wolf. She had a pack; she just didn’t want to be a part of it anymore. Not that Jessica could blame her.

“Seems that way,” he muttered.

“What you said back there, about Greggory,” Jessica found herself saying softly.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

“The Alpha douchebag?” He asked.

She had to stifle another chuckle.

What was wrong with her?

“Yeah…” she answered. “The Alpha douchebag,” she agreed.

“Let me guess, you’re another one he’s sleeping with?” The guy sounded annoyed.

Jessica frowned, staring up at him through her lashes.

“More like his luna,” Jessica told him.

His eyes widened.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. You mean to tell me that douchebag actually got married?” He laughed.

Jessica felt her cheeks flushing, once again, in embarrassment.

“Seems that way,” she said, mimicking his earlier tone.

“I’ve been here for a few hours and that chick was like the 4th one I heard that slept with him. You’re okay with that?” He asked, eyeing her carefully.

“I never said that,” Jessica muttered, rolling her eyes.

“Ah…” he said.

They stayed silent for a few moments; she could feel the tension in the air growing thicker as her wolf tried so desperately to pull her closer to him. She was breathing heavily as she stared up at his honey-brown eyes. She wanted to touch his dirty-blonde hair and rub her fingers through the soft curly locks. He had a manly scruffiness around his face that she also wanted to touch.

She had to get herself together; she was married for crying out loud. She couldn’t be fangirling over some pretty boy lone wolf that just waltzes into town unexpectedly. She needed to get out of there.

She noticed that he was staring at her with such wonder and a bit of admiration in his eyes, which made her grow redder with embarrassment. He stared around her face, his eyes landed on her neck, and he frowned.

“What happened there,” he asked, pointing to the bruise on the nape of her neck.

Her eyes widened as she quickly covered her neck with her hand; she took a steady step back. This was her excuse to get out of there.

“Nothing,” she said a little too quickly; he didn’t buy it.

His frown deepened as he tilted his head to the side so that he could get a better view of her neck.

“Did he do that to you?” He asked, he sounded concerned.

He didn’t know Jessica enough to be concerned about her.

“No,” she said, sounding way more defensive than she meant to.

He still didn’t look as though he was buying it.

“That looks painful,” he said, taking a step closer.

She recoiled and took a step back.

“I’m fine,” she said. “I shouldn’t have followed you. I’m sorry.”

She turned and quickly began walking in the opposite direction; she was thankful he didn’t follow her, but she wished that she at least got his name.

She couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever see him again.

…

As she returned home, her heart sank when she saw Greggory standing in the kitchen, staring at her as though he had just hit her. Her body began trembling and she took a step back, afraid of what he might do.

“Where the f**k have you been?” Greggory hissed; he hated when she left the house, regardless of how long she’s gone, without informing him of her whereabouts.

“I just went out,” she answered, she wasn’t about to tell him of that mystery man.

“You know how I feel about you leaving without permission,” he said, taking a step closer to her.

“I know, I’m sorry…” she said softly.

He scoffed.

“You will be sorry,” he hissed at her as he grabbed a hold of her blonde hair and pulled it until she landed on the ground.

She hit the ground with a thud, pain coursing through her body immediately in contact. Her eyes were wide and wild as he transitioned himself into his wolf form.

She screamed and the last thing she remembered was his teeth closing in around her throat.