"You dare," he hissed, his face inches from mine. "You dare run from me? On this night of all nights?" His grip tightened as his eyes swept over me, cold and cruel. "Do you think dye and lenses can save you from me, Ximena?" My heart shattered. Because I wasn't Ximena. And he wasn't listening. Mildred Gayle was never meant to be seen, let alone chosen. On the night the Supreme Alpha King is set to wed, Mildred is cast out of her home and into the dark streets of the capital. Mistaken for the king's missing bride, she is dragged into the palace and thrown at the feet of Hayden Blackthorne, a ruthless Alpha whose fury is as deadly as his power. When he discovers she is not the woman he was promised but his fated mate, Hayden rejects her without mercy. With his true bride gone and the kingdom watching, Hayden forces Mildred into a marriage built on lies and fear. Trapped in a castle of secrets, she becomes a queen in name only. Watched, controlled, and denied love. As enemies close in and whispers of betrayal grow louder, Mildred realizes that the woman she was mistaken for, Ximena, left behind secrets dangerous enough to destroy the throne, and kill her. When war reaches the palace and Mildred makes a fateful choice, Hayden must face the truth he tried to deny. She was never weak. She was never disposable. And losing her may be the one thing even an Alpha King cannot survive.
WE HAVE FOUND LADY XIMENA
MILDRED'S POV
The overhead bulb glared against the mirror, highlighting my stepmother's gorgeousness. She leaned closer, carefully dusting on another layer of rouge as if her beauty depended on it.
Molly, my half-sister, hummed excitedly as she wore her neck piece. She adjusted it carefully, still beaming like she was the bride-to-be.
"Mildred!" she called out with a snap, swirling to face me. "Come fix my dress quickly," she said, scanning me from head to toe, irritated.
I clenched my fingers around the broom handle, stifling a sigh. Of course. Tonight was the Supreme Alpha's wedding. An event that the entire kingdom of Selenia had been buzzing about. For Molly, it wasn't just about the celebration. It was her stage to show off.
"Yes, Molly," I muttered, lowering the broom against the wall. I moved quickly, because in this house, reluctance meant trouble.
I stepped behind her and tugged at the stubborn material of her dress. The crimson silk clung to her body like a second skin, refusing to obey. She had chosen it deliberately, something too tight, too daring, because Molly always wanted heads to turn when she walked past. An ultimate attention seeker.
"Be careful," she hissed, tilting her chin higher. "If you ruin this, I'll..."
Riiiiip.
The fabric tore. My vision blurred instantly. I froze. Only the Goddess could save me now.
Molly's shriek pierced the air. "MOTHER!" she screamed. "Mildred intentionally ripped my dress apart!" she added, crying.
Navaeh's reflection turned sharply in the mirror. Her eyes went cold as they fell on me, and my face burned with dread.
I was in trouble. Molly had been preparing this outfit since the wedding was announced. She planned to make heads turn, and I had just ruined it. There was no escape.
"Oh, of course," Navaeh spat, rising to her feet. "Who else could destroy such a beautiful gown but you, Millie? Bad luck follows you like a shadow."
"Mother... I... I didn't mean to..." I stammered.
Before I could finish, her hand struck my cheek. My vision darkened for a second before slowly returning.
"You never mean to. Just like you didn't mean to kill your mother when you were born?" Navaeh said coldly.
The familiar ache settled in my chest. I had long stopped defending myself, but her words still reopened old wounds.
"Please..." I whispered.
"Are you blind?" Molly snapped. "Don't you ever refer to her as your mother. Yours is dead. Learn the difference."
Navaeh smirked. "I can never be your mother. You didn't even give your real one a chance to live." She grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked my head back. Tears sprang to my eyes.
"You are cursed," she hissed, shoving me aside. "If it were up to me, you'd never step in this house again. But your father pities you too much to banish you."
A dry laugh almost escaped me. Pity? Father didn't pity me. He despised me. To him, I was the reason his Luna was buried in the cold earth.
"Mom, what about my dress?" Molly whined. "We can't be late to the Supreme Alpha's wedding. Everyone will be watching."
"Don't cry, darling. You have dozens of gowns. But this one can still be saved." Navaeh's gaze slid back to me. "You. Fetch me a needle and thread. Now."
My stomach dropped. "B... but it's late. All the shops will be closed..."
"Do you think I care?" Her voice turned icy. "Fix this dress, or your father will hear you ruined it. Or do you want him to deal with you himself?"
Fear crawled down my spine. Father's punishments were far worse than Navaeh's slaps or Molly's insults.
"N... no ma'am," I mumbled, hurrying toward the door.
"Get out! And be quick," Molly snapped as I rushed away.
It was cold outside, yet the streets were alive.
Cars filled the roads, and people walked in beautiful outfits, all headed to the wedding. The wedding of the century.
Some held placards, chanting excitedly. It was rumored the Supreme Alpha had never taken a woman before, so his marriage was a grand spectacle. Not for me, though. I had greater problems.
I pulled my shawl tighter and walked faster.
My thoughts swirled. Twenty years old and useless. No wolf. No mate. Daughter of an Alpha who didn't even acknowledge me as a princess. Just a mistake.
My father's words echoed in my head.
"You should have died with your mother. If you don't find your wolf this year, I will banish you."
Tears gathered in my eyes, but I forced them back.
I had heard whispers about what happened to those my father truly cast aside. They were taken away, never seen again. No one spoke of it openly, but the fear alone was enough to haunt my nights.
I prayed constantly to the Moon Goddess to bring my mate quickly. Even if I wanted to die, I didn't want to disappear like that.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice the approaching car until blinding headlights flooded my vision.
Tires screeched as a black vehicle stopped inches from me.
"What the heck!" I stumbled back, shielding my eyes.
Three men stepped out, dressed in dark suits that clung to their powerful frames. They moved toward me with calculated steps, their gazes sharp.
"Lady Ximena," one of them said.
Confusion tore through me. "W... who?"
"Seize her," the leader ordered.
Before I could react, two men grabbed my arms.
"No! Let me go!" I screamed, struggling. "You've mistaken me! I'm not who you think I am!"
"Silence," the leader snapped. "The Alpha has been waiting. You will not disappoint him again."
The Alpha? My heart nearly stopped. The Supreme Alpha?
Panic surged. "Please, listen! I'm not Ximena!"
They didn't listen. They tied my hands and shoved me into the back seat.
"Can't you see you're making a mistake?" I cried.
No answer.
The engine roared, and the city lights blurred as we sped away.
My body shook as I sat trapped between two guards.
Navaeh's face flashed in my mind. Did she plan this? But no... this felt bigger than her cruelty.
One of the men lifted a phone to his ear.
"Alpha," he said. "We have found Lady Ximena."
The world tilted.
"No," I whispered, tears falling. "I'm not her... I'm not Ximena... please..."
But my pleas were swallowed by the hum of the moving car.
REJECTED AND MARRIED TO THE CRUEL ALPHA
Lord Comfort
Werewolf
Chapter 1 WE HAVE FOUND LADY XIMENA
22/02/2024
Chapter 2 SHE IS MY MATE
22/02/2024
Chapter 3 HAVE A NICE AND BLISSFUL WEDDING NIGHT
22/02/2024
Chapter 4 FITTING IN
22/02/2024
Chapter 5 THE WOMAN I WAS NOT
22/02/2024
Chapter 6 THE PERFECT ICEBREAKER
22/02/2024
Chapter 7 PATIENCE...
22/02/2024
Chapter 8 SLEEPTALK
22/02/2024
Chapter 9 THE LITTLE RENDEZVOUS
22/02/2024
Chapter 10 YOU STAY IN YOUR MOLD!
22/02/2024
Chapter 11 SOUR GRAPES ARE BEST AVOIDED
22/02/2024
Chapter 12 BUTTER CHEEKS
23/02/2024
Chapter 13 PROJECT PSYCHO HUSBAND
23/02/2024
Chapter 14 SELF-CONSUMMATION IS DIRTY
23/02/2024
Chapter 15 SHATTERED
18/03/2024
Chapter 16 SHORT COMMINGS
25/03/2024
Chapter 17 DOUBLE THE PAIN
25/03/2024
Chapter 18 FREEDOM AT LAST
25/03/2024
Chapter 19 LOST CAUSE
25/03/2024
Chapter 20 NOTHING BUT A DEAD GIRL
25/03/2024
Chapter 21 THE BLOND WOLFLESS LOSER
25/03/2024
Chapter 22 THE GREAT FALL
25/03/2024
Chapter 23 PURE MONSTROSITY
25/03/2024
Chapter 24 LITTLE ACT OF AFFECTION
25/03/2024
Chapter 25 I AM NOT XIMENA!
25/03/2024
Chapter 26 THE KISS TEA
25/03/2024
Chapter 27 THE PERFECT DISTRACTION
25/03/2024
Chapter 28 DON'T
25/03/2024
Chapter 29 HALF TRUTHS ARE NEVER A LIE
25/03/2024
Chapter 30 FACING THE MONSTER
25/03/2024
Chapter 31 STARE AT DEATH IN THE FACE!
25/03/2024
Chapter 32 GUILTY PLEASURE
25/03/2024
Chapter 33 TRIUMPHANT CARD
25/03/2024
Chapter 34 DREADFUL CYCLE
25/03/2024
Chapter 35 NOW THAT'S A GOOD GIRL
25/03/2024
Chapter 36 A BUSY DAY
25/03/2024
Chapter 37 REMY'S A LIAR!
25/03/2024
Chapter 38 LOWLY LIE
25/03/2024
Chapter 39 PATHETIC AND HOPELESS
25/03/2024
Chapter 40 TRUST ME
25/03/2024
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