Sold to the Alpha (Alma Venus Shifter Brides 1)

Two more days until the full moon and Avelyn couldn’t find her place. She tried reading in the gazebo, making small talk with Rosanna and Caleb, browsing the library for new titles, and even helping Harold in the kitchen. Of course, Christine and the cook assistants had tried to convince her it wasn’t proper for the Alpha’s bride

to mess around in the kitchen. This was why they had so many maids and servants, after all. But Avelyn wouldn’t hear of it. She had to take her mind off the impending mating ritual, so she taught Harold a special recipe for cinnamon dumplings. Eventually, they had to leave her alone. The divine smell of her dumplings did contribute in her favor. However, distracting herself didn’t solve the problem. Max had insisted the Flower Moon would be the perfect time for the ritual no matter what she had tried to tell him. He only knew one thing: she was ready to become his official bride, and Clan Blackmane was ready to accept her. Two more days and she wouldn’t be Avelyn anymore; she’d become Avelyn Blackmane, bride of the Alpha.

“Oh yes, I’m in deep shit,” she whispered to herself while crossing the courtyard, book in hand, determined to reach the left side of the porch, right in front of the Lunar Wing. She intended to lay down on the bench right next to the door to make sure Jocelyn would notice her when she came back from Dunkelstadt. “What better way of postponing the ritual than pissing Jocelyn off?” It was a lame attempt, she realized that, but she was out of ideas. She had spent the past two weeks trying to convince Max to wait another month to perform the ritual, but he wouldn’t hear of it. Of course, she had made it look like she was confused, scared, insecure. She even cried a little and bit her trembling lip. She stared at him with big, watery eyes, hoping he’d take pity on her and leave her the fuck alone this full moon. But, no. All he could say was: “Don’t worry, baby. You’ll do just fine. I’ve talked to Christine, Karl, Kevin… They all think it’s a great idea. They can’t wait to finally have you as part of the clan. Even Jocelyn thinks it’s time to take this step. It’s a simple protocol, remember? But if you want a proper wedding, like in your tradition, just say the words and I’ll make sure it happens.”

No, she didn’t want a wedding. She didn’t want a white dress, a flower bouquet, or a wedding ring. She wanted out of this mess. Sabine was counting on her and she couldn’t disappoint the girl. Heck, she couldn’t disappoint herself. “If Jocelyn thinks it’s the right time, then I’ll make sure she changes her mind.” Avelyn sprinted up the few steps to the porch, and made herself comfortable on the bench. She opened “The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson and allowed the action to drawn her worries. She had read too many historical novels since she arrived at the Schloss, so she had picked a detective novel this time. That was the beauty of being an eclectic reader: if she got bored with a genre, she could always switch to the next favorite.

It was a lovely, lazy day, and Avelyn enjoyed the silence, the fresh air, and the soft whisper of the wind ruffling the tree branches. Several Moon Children went past her and disappeared behind the heavy door of the Lunar Wing. They all greeted her, but none of them asked her why she had chosen that exact spot to read. She wondered if things would have been different if she had decided to lounge on that particular bench three weeks before. They had probably gotten used to her, in which case Max was right. It seemed it was the right time to make her his bride. She chased away the thought and tried to calm her nerves.

It was late afternoon when Jocelyn finally returned to the Schloss. She parked her car in the parking lot near the gatehouse and strolled towards the Lunar Wing. She did a double take when she saw Avelyn casually lying on the bench right by the door, reading a book and pretending she hadn’t noticed her. She waited a few seconds then cocked an eyebrow in curiosity.

“And what are you doing here? Isn’t the porch big enough for you?”

“What?” Avelyn raised her eyes from the page and looked at the she-wolf. Jocelyn was wearing a black suit. The elegant dress pants made her skinny legs look longer, even if she wasn’t wearing high heels. The jacket outlined her bony shoulders and athletic build in a pleasant way. She looked unsophisticatedly classy. “Oh, Jocelyn! Hi! How are you?”

“How… how…” Jocelyn pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed in frustration. “Why, I’m fine. And how are you?”

“I’m fine, thanks.” Avelyn made sure to give her an innocent smile. “Taking advantage of the last hours of daylight.” She waived her book.

“Right. I can see that. But do you have to do it here? On my porch?”

“Your porch?”

“Yes, my porch. In case you haven’t noticed, the Schloss is divided into three wings. For a reason.”

“Oh… I’m sorry, I didn’t know that. I mean, I did know about the wings, but I had no idea the Lunar Wing was off limits. Or the Nox Wing. Max told me I could go anywhere I liked.”

“That’s doesn’t mean you have to do it.”

Jocelyn was already glaring at her, which was a good sign. It hadn’t taken much to piss her off.

“If it bothers you, I’ll move.”

“Yes, please do so. I feel like you’re constantly in my way.”

Of course, Avelyn had no intention of moving just now. There was more to squeeze out of this calculated encounter.

“Excuse me for pointing this out, but if I’m in your way now, imagine how things will be after I become the Alpha’s official bride.” She laughed cheerfully, like she’d just made a good joke.

Jocelyn simply stared at her. “Are you… trying to make a point? Because I can’t see it.”

“I think I’m just trying to ask you… Why do you hate me so much?”

“Oh, no! We’re not having this pathetic conversation.” Jocelyn’s hand went to the door handle.

“Why not? Humor me and answer the question. Is that too much to ask for?”

The she-wolf hesitated, then let go of the door handle, took a step back to lean against the stone railing, and folded her arms over her chest. “I don’t hate you.”

“Liar.”

Jocelyn breathed deeply and closed her eyes in an attempt to calm herself. “Never call me that.”

“Uh-oh,” thought Avelyn. “That is a soft spot for all the Blackmanes, it seems.”

The she-wolf opened her eyes and looked at Avelyn. She had made the decision to be patient and talk to her as if she were a five-year-old. “I don’t hate you. I just don’t like you. There’s nothing right about you.”

“That is not a very convincing argument.”