The Alpha’s Arranged Bride

JOANNA’S POV

Prince Toot’s gaze softened as he stared at me. He sighed, then pulled me in by my waist, tucking some strands of my hair behind my ears. “I’m sorry for saying that. I was just upset,” he said, and I smiled, shoving aside the hurt I felt moments ago.

I was head over heels for him. While I didn’t personally care about his title, I had to show concern because it mattered to him. No matter the outcome, I was willing to do everything in my power to support him and find a way.

Since he did not want me talking about it anymore, I made sure to keep my mouth sealed. Even when problems arose concerning his being forced to get married to this princess of another Pack, I made sure never to bring up being introduced.

I felt it was because he didn’t want to break us up. It reminded me of his thoughtfulness. He wanted to do everything to be with me. That was what I believed and then one day, while I was daydreaming about how he made love to me as I walked on the road, I heard two girls my age speaking.

“She is now staying in the palace,” one of them said.

“I heard Prince Toot even confessed his love to her,” the other commented.

“Their love is so sweet. I cannot wait for the mating ceremony,” the first girl spoke, and I frowned.

What were they talking about? Prince Toot did not tell me anything about getting married. I was not staying in the palace either. Countless things came to my mind at that very moment and I needed to speak with him.

However, I had to hold it all in for the next time we would meet, so I could discuss it with him. I was troubled for days, and I could barely eat. Eating felt like a little way to not let my parents suspect a thing, but it was hard to hide my gloomy expression. A couple of times they asked, but I tried to play it off and act normal.

Finally, the day to meet him came. I waited for over three hours for him to come, which has been a normal routine. Even though he consistently showed up late, I made sure not to drive him away by staying cool. I refused to say a word to him, even when he came close with a smile.

“You don’t look okay. Is it because I came late? I’m sorry, I-”

“She is staying at your house now,” I tried not to yell.

He paused, then turned quietly, looking away. “When were you going to tell me?” I asked him.

He sighed. “Listen, it was not my call, okay? My father wanted us to bond, so he requested she stay with us. I didn’t tell you because I knew you were going to get upset, and I was right.”

“But you professed your love to her,” I said.

He looked at me with a confused gaze. “What are you talking about? Profess what?”

“Don’t lie to me. You told her you loved her. It’s the talk of the entire Pack,” I could no longer keep my voice down.

He sighed, then took my hands. This gesture instantly made me calm down, but not completely. Prince Toot had that effect on me, no matter how upset I was. “I know it may seem that way, but I do not care about her. The moment we left there, I told her that it was never real, and I felt nothing for her and would never feel anything for her. She understands this. My father is currently not feeling too well, so I just want to stall until the council calls for a new Alha. We would keep pushing the mating ceremony until I’m the Alpha.” He hugged me.

“You know I love you and can never love any other person but you. No lady can take the place you have in my heart,” he pulled me away. “You just have to trust me and what I have planned.”

Even though I was really upset before now, I quickly felt better with his words. I knew he could not betray me in such a way. Our love was real and nothing could ever ruin it. I smiled, nodding at his words. “Never lose that smile. You look beautiful in it,” he said before claiming.

Again, he made love to me there in the woods and quickly left. I did not mind because I knew we had spent a lot of time there. A week later, his father died. It was a gloomy day in the entire Pack. I only saw him once after that day, and again we made love to each other. He told me of his plans now that his father was gone and that soon, after his coronation, he was going to announce me as his wife and Luna.

I didn’t see him for days, but I felt it was because of the preparations being made so he could be crowned the Alpha. Instead of feeling upset, I practiced how to be a proper lady.

After his coronation, I hugged him with so much joy in my heart when we finally met in the woods. I sat in between his legs, my back on his chest, with his hands around my abdomen. “I’ve missed you so much,” I confessed, and he kissed my neck.

“I did too,” he said.

“Do you envision starting a family together?” I asked with a smile.

“Certainly. You will be my Luna, and we will make a big family,” he kissed my neck again.

“While you were away, I found out something.” I sat up so I could look at his face.

He had a smile on his face, but confusion in his eyes. “I am pregnant,” I said with so much joy

Instead of a smile, I got a deep frown from him before he pushed me away from his body as though I was about to harm him.