Chapter 6 How is she still alive?
Dravik's pov
“Maybe the second bride will be the charm,” Jace chuckles, a smug grin on his face as the limousine rolled up the long drive of Silverveil’s Estate.
Garrick laughed but I did not. I growled sharply, leaning forward, letting the sound carry like steel across the enclosed space.
“Shut up. Both of you.”
They still grinned and I sigh.
_They never take anything serious_, my wolf Shadow growls in my head and I nodded in agreement.
I had been taking care of my brothers since I was old enough to remember after losing our parents at such a young age, I would like to believe that I did a pretty good job though. My eyes cut across them as I leaned forward.
“She isn’t just going to be my bride. She is the key to our revenge. Do not speak to her. Do not look at her and you, Jace, keep your fucking hands to yourself. This is still a marriage.”
Her small frame appeared in my mind, the pain behind her brown eyes. I should see her as just another pawn, a tool to manipulate, a piece to play. That is what I usually do, that is who I am. Instead, I feel a tug I cannot name. She is something else entirely, she is something I want.
“I'm serious Jace, I will break your hands if you even think about touching her.” I snap at Jace’s still smug face.
The driver opens the door and we step out into the crisp morning air. The estate looms, imposing and sharp against the sky. Alpha Magnus waits at the entrance, dressed in fabrics expensive enough to blind a man with wealth alone with a smile on his face one could literally see the dollar signs in his eyes………the bastard is already busy spending his fortune, it makes me itch.
“Welcome”. He says leading us inside the house. “How about champagne, gentlemen? To celebrate our alliance.”
I snorted, alliance my foot. My eyes already move around searching for her. Right there in the corner I see her pressed against the corner of the grand foyer, shrinking into shadows like she wants to disappear entirely.
“We're not here to drink,” I say, making my voice cold purposely.
Magnus chuckles, rubbing his hands together with greed glinting in his eyes like fire.
“Straight to business then”
I ignore him
“Are you ready?” I growled
“Yes, the contract is all set right in my………..”
“I’m not talking to you”, I said, my eyes moving to the girl.
Her head jerks when she realizes the question is directed to her and she nods.
“Where is the rest of your things?” I ask, my voice sharper now. “My men will carry them to the car,”
Confusion flickers across her pale face. “Th…This is all I have”.
The sight of the small backpack she carries makes my jaw tighten. Only that? That is all she has? She is a grown woman, and a backpack is all she owns?
I step closer, closing the distance, letting my presence weigh on her. She looks so fragile and small, yet she has survived this long. I look over the parts of her hands and legs looking for bruises but I see none……..yet.
“Guess that will change soon. Wait in the car or follow me to the office since this contract involves you anyway.”
Her gaze flickers between me and her uncle, hesitating. I can see fear and defiance twist through her and for a moment I prayed she would choose to go with me to the office. I'm in the mood to antagonize her uncle as much as possible.
“Office,” she finally whispers.
“Good answer".
I take her hand, it is cold and she does not pull away. She steps carefully beside me, and we move through the sprawling halls of Silverveil. Alpha Magnus waits in his office, his gamma and betas around him, watching with careful expressions. My hand tightens slightly on her wrist as I guide her to sit beside me.
“She has no right,” Magnus growls, standing up.
I glared at him. “She has every right. She is no longer a slave.”
Anger and disbelief cross his face. “You cannot—”
“I can,” I interrupt, my voice firm and final.
My eyes flick to Auren as she flinches slightly at my tone, at the power behind it, and Shadow’s voice rumbles in my head urging caution and protection.
Magnus grabs a pen signing through the papers immediately without even glancing at them.
“You’re not going to read that first?” I ask.
“What for? Our agreement stands and the cheques have already been cashed in. You want to take her off my hands then be my guest”.
Amateurs, contract 101…..never sign anything without reading through first, who knows what I included between the lines. I smiled. The money he has already spent is obviously clouding his mind making him stupid.
Once the contracts were signed among us, he stood up shaking my hands with a grin on his face.
“Since this is over, how about getting her the fuck out of my house before I lose my temper.”
I almost smiled at his little show of bravado and turned towards the door.
“Come, Auren. Let’s leave here before I make him regret that.”
“Alpha Dravik” he called me just as I reached the door.
Auren is already through the door and I stop turning towards him.
“If the girl does not satisfy you, which I guarantee she won’t. You’re always welcome to offer her back and replace her with my first offer” he says, turning towards his daughter who had been sitting in the room so quietly.
She looks at me with a contempt which I barely notice and I walk out without saying a word. Outside Auren stands frozen in front of the limousine, her eyes wide like she hasn't seen anything like it before. Jace and Garrick stand beside the car watching her small figure curiously.
“Is she alright?” Jace asks through the pack link.
“Auren”. I got in front of her but she didn’t move, it was as if she was looking through me.
“Its time to go,” I command.
She nods and jumps in, sliding into the seat, her hands clenching the handle. The car started moving as Jace babbles, trying to coax her out of her shell. She does not respond, instead, she just stares out the window, her body so tense. I could hear her pulse racing and my wolf sighs, sad and frustrated. She is too frightened for her age.
“You’re making her uncomfortable Jace. Keep your thoughts to yourself!” I growled.
We arrive at the mansion and I do not wait for the driver to open the door. I step out, holding the door open for her. She hesitates, her eyes wide at the size of the building, easily four times the size of her former pack house.
“I will give you a tour,” I say.
She follows, quietly, shadowing my steps. I show her the training grounds where the pack hones strength and skill, and she flinches at the clash of combatants, instinctively shrinking from the danger. Through the halls, we pass the lounge area, the dining room where the table can easily seat twenty people, pausing now and again to reply greetings to people.
“I have some omegas working in the house, they get switched out monthly. It helps give them some kind of responsibility to prepare them for when they get a real job”.
We enter the big kitchen where my personal chef Anthonio’s voice can be heard giving orders. I point to the boards where requests and needs are posted.
“If you have any special needs, you write it down. It will be ordered in.”
She nods, still silent. I got a pen and paper, handing it to her.
“For a grown woman, you do not have a lot. I am busy and so you may rarely see me. Write down what you need because there is no way you're living under my roof with just the things you came with……..any special requests in preparation for the wedding?”
Her mouth opens slightly, startled. “What… ?”
“The wedding……….you’re going to be my wife as agreed,” I say plainly.
She flinches, her hands curl around the paper, trembling slightly.
“I… I don’t need anything,” she stammers.
I sign, getting her to accept help is like pouring water on a stone. I take the paper back and start scribbling things down…….underwears, jeans, polos, dresses, workout clothes, shoes, things she is going to need on a day to day basis. I need to get her size for the wedding dress.
Holding the pen between my teeth, I grab her around the waist. My thumbs meet just above her belly button and my fingers touch her spine.
I knew she is thin from seeing her almost naked before but this is outrageous
How is she even alive?