Love and Chaos Series
The Alpha King’s Ugly Bride Chapter 70

Mia saw the way Xavier stared around the temple and his body language denoted that he didn't want to be here. She had practically dragged him along like always, but she couldn't come alone. Today, Jared and Lydia would unite as mates in holy matrimony and she had to honour their invitation. They sent a letter a month ago informing her about the set date and time of their union. Mia was excited and happy for them, and she informed Xavier about their invitation.

He barely gave a reaction to her news. Mia didn't blame him. He barely knew Jared or Lydia. She, however, knew them both. Being in attendance was the least she could do and Xavier came along because he was her husband and, more importantly, because he wanted her to be safe. Who better to keep her safe than her possessive gorgeous king?

Jared and Lydia chose the temple at the south capital and they wanted a simple union, but there was no such thing as simplicity when the king and queen were in attendance. It would be perfect if she could get Xavier out of his stiff mode. "You'd rather be anywhere but here," she spoke up, glancing up at him.

Lydia currently made her way towards the altar of the temple where Jared and the priest waited for her, accompanied by Damien, Jared's father. She wore a silver gown that swept behind her, its colour and design matching the one of her husband's. Jared had the happiest look on his face as he watched her approach the altar.

"Who told you that?" his brow rose, but he didn't look at her.

"It's written all over your face."

Now he turned to her, holding a blank look on his face. "I can't help it. The people here keep staring at me like some sort of boogeyman who came to eat their children."

"Because your face has the look that says: I'm here to eat your children," she replied and if he took offence at her words, he didn't let it show. Mia pressed her lips together, realising that might have been harsh of her. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that." "Don't be sorry, but you're wrong. The look on my face doesn't say, 'I came to eat your children,' it says 'do not disturb me and don't talk to me or I'll rip at your throat"."

She chuckled, and that surprise him. "What?"

She shrugged, pressing her lips together. "You're cute."

The blank expression on his face changed, and a small smile appeared on it. "And you're gorgeous. Why are we here when we could be home fucking the senses out of each other? The king barely has times as pressing matters now are unending." "Some things are better than sex, Xavier."

"Name one."

Oh wow, she didn't expect him to come with a counterattack, and it took her back into thought. This past month has been filled with their many s****l escapades. From the bedroom to the study and the gardens and the hallway. They basically f****d each other whenever they saw the opportunity and the last full moon. They didn't keep their hands to themselves like they did the other times. If not for the noise blocker in the Palace rooms, everyone would have known what she sounded like while being pinned to the wall and fucked by her husband. He was a beast in the affair of sex, and her silence wasn't an option.

"One: watching a childhood friend unite in holy matrimony with their mate. And two: seeing the joy on their faces while they do."

He rolled his eyes at her. "That's just as well, but not better."

He was right, but she didn't want to let him win, "Being there for a friend on the biggest day of their life has to be something but I will not expect you to understand, you have no friends." the last line came harsher than she expected and he winced and stared at her differently.

She wanted to take it back, but the damage had already been done and she could see that.

He became quiet and turned his attention to the altar where the to-be couple stood reciting their vows.

Once their vow recital ended, Jared unveiled Lydia, smiling happily at her as he kissed her lips.

Mia remembered vividly how her unveiling went. She remembered the alpha king unveiling her, only to have the look of disappointment plastered all over his face the next second. She wasn't who he wanted and his eyes told her that immediately. They had come a long way since then. Now whenever he saw her, he beheld her as if she was the most gorgeous creature on the earth. He made her even more confident, not just in being queen, but in being beautiful. The few crowds gather around exploded with cheers as Jared pulled away and raised his and Lydia's hand to reveal the matrimonial bracelets before walking out of the temple.

Mia and Xavier rode behind the newlywed after they left the temple and soon arrived at the well-organised hall set out for the reception. It was small but enough to contain those they had invited. At the front, they were two seats adorned with golden satins and that was where the newlyweds sat. They positioned the singers and musical bands at the left side of the hall making melodies as guests congratulated Lydia and Jared. The mini bar was on the right side of the hall having different varieties of drinks and a few guests made orders there.

Mia and Xavier settled in but still maintained silence.

She didn't like the silence, but she caused it. She couldn't take the silence, though. There was so much they could talk about, so much she wanted to talk about, and she couldn't because he gave her the silent treatment. He was punishing her, and she wasn't faring well with the punishment. She wanted him to say something, anything, but the only words he'd said were responses to those who greeted them.

She could apologise for what she had said, but she didn't want to, not anymore. She needed space and a drink, a strong drink that would keep her mind away from him. The servers were taking forever in bringing the wines over.

She departed without telling Xavier where she was headed and like she expected; he didn't ask. She approached the minibar when she sighted Veronica Yao, Jared's mother, looking as delighted as ever as she related with the few crowds present. Mia had seen Veronica Yao, Jared's mother at the temple, showing support for the union of his son to Lydia. That surprised Mia. Veronica had been a hard woman since she knew her as a child. She never hid her dislike for a person and always wore it on her face like a badge. The house Yao was prestigious in her words and didn't mingle with tainted blood. Mia was the tainted blood and so when she saw Jared and Lydia months ago, although happy that they found each other, she didn't think his mother would accept. She was an omega and omegas were the least worthy of the Yao title, as most people considered them nothing more than slaves. However, here she was with the biggest smile on her face as she spoke and related with the present guest. People do change, just like her once cold-hearted husband now had become a caring, cute, but sometimes grumpy husband.

The server at the bar wore a friendly smile as he saw her, and she wondered if it was because that was common courtesy or because he knew she was queen.

"What can I offer you, my queen?" he inquired.

There it was. He was nice because she was the queen.

'He could also be nice because he knows your husband will have his head at your slightest discomfort. a voice in her head added to her speculation.

'Calm down, Mia. Perhaps he's nice because it's his nature!' the second voice in her head argued.

"What do you have?"

"Grape wine, apple flavoured wine, and blueberry wine?"

"Any strong grape wine?" she asked with a slightly arched brow.

"Yes, my queen, but will the king permit?" the young man questioned, with an unsure look as he glance behind her at the alpha king.

Unbelievable! This young man deemed the alpha king's opinion highly above her request. She couldn't also blame him. She knew the look on Xavier's face would make a grown man shit his pants. He wouldn't harm anyone. He's better than that now, but they didn't know that. "Worry about disappointing me," she said with a flat tone of voice and he nodded and turned to the cellar to get the wine.

"A maiden who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to demand it. I didn't think I would replace that here in Wahala!"

Mia heard an unfamiliar thick voice speak up, standing not so far away from her. Amusement lingered in the voice, and she was certain there was a bit of fascination.

If he had paid a little attention all day, maybe he would have noticed that she came with someone and she wasn't just a maiden.

"Then you haven't been in Wahala for a long time." She played along.

He stepped closer and placed his hands on the counter of the bar. "You're right, I haven't. I left over twenty years ago. I came back a few days ago because I received words about my cousin's union with his mate. I am Blake Yao."

Mia could feel the heated gaze of Xavier on her from where he stood at the corner of the hall. Yeah, she had his attention now. She hoped to keep it that way.

"I'm Mia Ainsworth," she said, dropping the Queen in her name.