Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 10

"I didn't think you would make it," Jobe said, gratitude in his pale blue eyes as he stepped up towards Mia, pulling her into his arms for a comforting hug. "I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I missed it."

She didn't think the alpha king would grant her permission to leave after she got words from her father informing her that the family would hold last rites before cremation tonight. She ran into Edward, the crowned Prince, on her way back from the garden where she had received the news. He saw the torn look on her face and pressed her until she opened up. She told him about her need to be at her sister's funeral in the evening.

After spending less than ten minutes with the alpha King, he returned and informed her she had his permission to leave. Edward then offered to come along as a representative of his brother, the alpha king, who had his hands filled with royal duties, and she couldn't say no. Although he had helped her, she didn't trust him; he was the alpha king's brother. However, he was now family and together they left the Palace and headed for the pathway, dressing in black.

Edward led her through the cemetery over to the pathway and to the large oak tree where the burial rites would take place. On her arrival, Mia had seen a few faces of distant families and a few friends of Ariel all mourning and in black robes. Her heart tightened, and she knew her at the pathway would be the last time she'll see Ariel.

The pathway was a large ritual site where families carried out the last rites for their dead loved ones and there were five pathways in all the kingdom. They brought their dead here because of its sacred properties, and also because it served as a road to the life beyond. The belief was that loved ones not buried or burnt on the grounds of the pathway wouldn't replace the life beyond and would become restless souls, wandering for all eternity.

The uncertainty Mia felt for Edward remained, despite having sensed a much lighter atmosphere around him in the last few hours they've been together. Yes, he was the alpha King's brother, but he was so different from him. Still, an apple didn't always fall far from its tree.

After being choked out by the alpha king, Lydia had helped her regain consciousness by massaging the back of her right hand. When her eyes opened, she inquired what had happened, having no memory that could connect the event that had led to her unconsciousness. Then Lydia explained to her what she believed transpired between herself and the alpha king who had since left the room.

Mia's memory clicked, and she remembered the fight and her heart grew heavy, knowing her safety wasn't safe. The mark of his grip remained on her skin even unto this evening. Being a werewolf means a super healing ability, which was true, but since the alpha king had inflicted the marks on her, it would take a longer time to heal.

Mia knew she had to be at her best behaviour now and always if she planned to survive life as queen of the kingdom. Her husband didn't care about her and he told her he would gladly end her life if he had the chance and she knew he meant it. Perhaps if he had married his proper bride, the fair and beautiful Ariel Asika, he might have tried his best to show affection to her, but alas, he married the ugly sister. Mia knew it was only a matter of time before she did something that would bring her death at his hands, and she counted down to that day.

Jobe took her hands and gave them a tender squeeze before exhaling in pain.

"We lost her when we needed her the most," he said in bitterness, his eyes lifting to stare up at the half-moon towering in the night sky.

Tears well up in Mia's eyes, the pain of the reality of Ariel being gone too much to bear. She wasn't ready for any of this. She wasn't ready for her sister's death, her marriage to the alpha king, or abandoning her dream.

"The physicians have found no foul play and believe her weak heart gave out on her just like we feared."

Ariel had a weak heart from birth, but her family believed, however, that once she had her premier shifting into a werewolf, the activated gene would somehow repair the fragility of the heart. When she turned sixteen, she had her first shift, but unlike what they expected, her heart remained the same, weak. No one, including the physician, knew why she didn't recover. Ariel stated how it was the moon goddess' plan to leave her with the heart. Becoming a werewolf didn't heal her, but it strengthened her heart, and it repaired its brakes and didn't give up on her. That was how she lived for five more years after having her premier shift before her heart finally stopped.

They knew all this, yet her death still took them all by storm, but it broke Mia greatly because she lost her sister at the time she needed her the most. When she heard about Ariel's death yesterday morning, she died as well. Her hopes, dreams and aspirations all along with her.

Her many dreams became just that, a dream.

The priest, in a black robe, made his way over to them under the oak tree. He bowed his head in respect before speaking, "It's time for the last farewell." He informed them before stepping aside.

One after the other, the few friends and relatives gathered at the pathway said their farewells. Then they offered their condolences to the Asika family before taking their leave. Soon, Mia, Jobe, Edward, and the undertakers were the only ones left on the pathway. Mia knew she'd have to say her farewell to Ariel, but she didn't want to leave. She wanted to stay for much longer.

Knowing she would return to the Palace and share the roof with the alpha King after laying her sister to rest, tore at her. Knowing that the only way she would ever be free was by dying ate her up. And knowing the only one who had her back had abandoned and left her behind broke her heart. No one would understand the depth of her pain and no one could console her.

Her lips pressed together trembled, and her walls shattered and tears streamed down her face, pain both physical and emotional coursing through every part of her being.

Jobe put his hands around her shoulder and pulled her closer to himself and she laid her head on his shoulder shaking and crying.

The events of yesterday from the morning till now told her how cruel fate could be and she knew she would never win the war.

She glanced up at her father, who wiped at his tears while still trying to console her, and he was also in pain.

In her moments of silence today, she had contemplated driving the silver knife she'd gotten when she had turned fourteen into her own heart and ending her life, but the thought of her father losing his two daughters within such a short period kept her away from the thought. He didn't deserve such a cruel fate. The moon goddess hasn't been kind.

Mia and Jobe stepped towards the wood stand created for Ariel's cremation where her body lay. She looked beautiful even in death, and it didn't surprise Mia. She had on her favourite golden robe, which was adorned with roses designs. Ariel only took likeness for this robe because of how much it reminded her of Mia's hair and this made Mia's heart ache.

Mia whimpered and covered her mouth as she stared at her sister one last time, and her heart broke again.

"Why did you do this to me, Ariel? We both had plans. You would become queen, and I'd travel the world in search of knowledge. It's been only yesterday, but you don't know how miserable I have been since then. How miserable my life has been. It's true what they say, only the good die young and I have to believe that the moon goddess took you so you would brighten the path that leads to the life beyond." She mops her face from the tears streaming down and continues. "I need your guidance, Ariel, now more than ever." She placed her hand on Ariel's forehead and leaned in to kiss her one last time before stepping away.

After they completed the rites, the undertakers took on the cremation ceremony.

Edward stepped up towards Mia, his hands entwined and his step calculated. He came to stand beside Mia and they both watch the fire blazing up and its flames going up in the sky.

"I am sorry for your loss." He said with a small voice.

A tear ran down her face and she wiped it off quickly, her eyes still fixed on the fire.

"I know," he continued, "this is really hard for you, losing your sister and becoming a replacement bride for my brother. Unlike many maidens in this kingdom, you seemed to have had plans for your life. Now you can no longer achieve them because your duties now lie with the kingdom and to your husband, the alpha King. I wish I could tell you, your marriage with my brother will get better, but I cannot lie to you and I can't assure you it will. Still, I promise I will do everything in my power to make your misery a little less. I know Xavier is not the kindest of men and he doesn't try to be, but if you ever need anything, I'll be more than happy to help." He reached out and took hold of her stiff right hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze.