ARABELLA

Bang!

The wall shook as the door crashed open. I shot up in bed and looked at my husband Kian standing at the doorway. “Alpha”, I said in a fearful whisper, “ Is everything okay?”

He just stood there silently with his messy hair and unbuttoned shirt. Probably just left another woman's bed.

“I…I already set up your bath,” I said quickly.

He slowly stepped into the room and stalked closer to me.

I jolted up to back away, but my feet hit the table. He was already standing too close. The thin nightdress I wore suddenly felt far too revealing.

In the entire month since our marriage, he hadn't touched me once. I was more like a maid in this pack. But now, seeing his heated gaze on me, I felt goosebumps all over my skin.

“Ki.. Kian…”

“Shhh…” His hands cupped my cheek.

His touch felt so foreign yet warm against my cold skin. Was he finally accepting me? But this smell… he was drunk! He grabbed my neck and made me look at his green eyes. I should really stop him but I couldn't.

“ I…” the word left my mouth like a whispered moan. That was so embarrassing! Heat rushed to my face.

Kian finally released me, his eyes raking over my body. “Get into the bed and turn your back,” he ordered in a low growl. My heart thudded in fear mixed with an unknown feeling.

“Bella, don't,” my wolf Beatrice warned, “He isn't our mate.”

“But he’s our husband Betty.” Shutting her down I climbed into the bed and obeyed him. Probably he wanted to give our marriage a chance. So did I.

A second later, I felt the mattress dip. He wasn't touching me yet, but I could feel the heat from his naked chest. I turned back to find him with closed eyes, hyperventilating. Was he feeling nervous too? My heart jumped in excitement.

“You are so fucking beautiful,” Kian cursed under his breath as he kept his hand on my shoulder.

Oh God… Did he really say that?!

“Mira!” he moaned the next moment, voice thick with desire.

My body suddenly froze as the warmth vanished. Did he just moan my sister’s name while in bed with me?

The realization made me want to puke. I was just another warm body for him to use while he thought of my sister!

“Get off,” I said, choking back the sob rising in my throat. His presence suddenly felt unbearable. Kian stopped and gave me a confused look.

“Get off me!” I shoved him harder this time, almost shouting. He stumbled back and blinked.

“What the fuck is your problem? Don’t forget you’re my wife.” Kian slurred. “It’s your duty to pleasure your husband.”

“Husband?” A hollow laugh slipped from my mouth. “That’s why you moaned my sister’s name when I was doing my so-called wifey duty?” The words tasted so bitter on my tongue.

His face twisted as he got off the bed, frustration clear all over his face.

“You think I wanted this? That I was interested in fucking someone as ugly as you?”

My heart sank in humiliation as tears were burning my eyes. Here I was thinking he was giving ‘us’ a chance.

“Did you forget you’re just a replacement bride?” His voice was full of distaste.

“You really think you can compete with Mira? Have you ever seen how fucking perfect she is? And then there’s you. The whore’s ugly daughter. I couldn't even touch you without closing my eyes. ”

My whole body seared with disgust and anger. “ Don't. ” I snapped, almost running towards him. “Don’t even dare to bring my mom into this.”

He was taken aback by my response before his eyes turned cruel.

“ How dare you talk to me like that, bitch?” He hissed. “ You should be fucking grateful that the Alpha of the Darkmoon pack even touched you. Let me find Mira first. Then I’ll show you your place, bloody filth.” Grabbing his shirt he stormed out, slamming the door hard.

As soon as he left I let myself break down. Why did it always have to be me? My whole body was trembling with humiliation as tears of shame filled my eyes. How could I make myself so available, like a cheap mistress? I needed his touch gone from my body.

I ran to the bathroom and turned on the cold shower. I kept scrubbing harder until my skin was raw and stinging. By the time I stopped, I couldn’t even tell if the burning was from the scratching or from inside.

I dragged myself back to the room and dropped to the floor. Leaning into the bed, I let the exhaustion swallow me whole.

**********

“Bella! Bella!” A loud knock jerked me awake.

I blinked hard and got to my feet, somehow making it to the door before opening it.

Jenny rushed in with a worried face, “What were you doing? It's 8 a.m. already! I’ve been calling you forever!”

Her eyes ran over me. I followed her gaze and saw the soaked nightdress still clinging to my body from last night.

“I… I overslept. I’ll change. Just….”

“Lady Mira’s back,” she blurted.

The air left my lungs.

“What?” my eyes widened. “Where was she for the last month?”

Jenny looked at me like she was trying to understand something. “You really don’t know?”

“What do you mean?”

“She was kidnapped,” Jenny whispered.

“ What?” I almost shouted, “ Who'd dare?”

“ You.” Jenny said, staring into my eyes.

My legs went numb. I stared at her, unable to speak.

“Bella… she came back this morning and said you planned it. That you plotted her kidnapping just to marry Alpha Kian. Your father, the council, the pack members… everyone believes her.”

My heartbeat stopped. No…. this had to be a sick joke. “How can I? I’d never…”

Jenny stepped closer, gripping my arm. “You have to run away.”

My lips parted but I couldn't breathe. “ Run? Why’d I ….”

“We don’t have time,” she cut me off, already pulling me toward the door.

But before I could speak again, loud footsteps echoed outside the door.

We both froze. Jenny’s grip on my hand tightened as she started trembling.

Just a second later, the door flew open and they stormed in.