Free Web NovelChapter 31: Chapter 31
Riley’s POV
My brain refuses to process the words at first.
Married.
Today.
To the Alphas.
"What?" I breathe, my voice barely there. "Married to who? Wait—what? No, that’s not... that can’t be real."
Pacifa doesn’t even blink.
She looks at me like I’m the one being dramatic, like I’m the strange one in this situation, and before I can push myself off the edge of the tub properly, before I can even stand up straight, she presses her palm against my shoulder and shoves me back down with effortless strength.
I gasp as my body sinks into the water.
It’s cold water.
It slides over my skin instantly, stealing the rest of my protest as she turns the tap fully and the sound fills the room. The scent of the water hits me next, something clean and floral all at once, impossible to ignore.
"Hey—stop—what are you doing?" I try again, my voice echoing weakly against the stone walls.
She ignores me completely.
Pacifa pulls at my dress, tugging it up and off me like it weighs nothing, then pours soap directly into the water. The bubbles spread fast, thick and white, covering my skin, and before I even realize what’s happening, my hands are moving on their own.
Washing.
My thoughts feel scattered, like everything is happening too fast for my brain to keep up. I don’t remember deciding to bathe. I don’t remember agreeing to any of this. I only know that my body follows her instructions automatically, scrubbing, rinsing, breathing.
In a few minutes, she’s pulling me up again, rinsing my hair, rinsing my skin, water sliding down my back and shoulders until I’m shivering.
"That’s enough," she says, satisfied.
She drags me out of the tub, wraps nothing around me, just pushes me forward, tosses clothes at my chest.
"Put it on."
The dress is nothing like what I expect.
It’s not white since it’s a fucking wedding, It’s not even modest.
It’s a long gown, dark and flowing, tight in all the wrong places, something that will cling to my waist, my hips, my chest like it was made to show me off instead of hide me. I stare at it, dread crawling up my spine.
"I don’t wear things like this," I mutter.
Pacifa snorts. "You do today."
She helps me into it before I can argue, her fingers adjusting the fabric, smoothing it down my sides, pulling it into place until it fits me perfectly, almost too perfectly.
I feel exposed, like the dress brings everything I’ve ever tried to keep private.
She steps back and looks at me critically, then reaches for a brush, fixes my hair quickly, adds the bare minimum to my face, nothing heavy.
"Your face doesn’t need makeup," she says casually. "You’re pretty. And absolutely hot for a human."
She winks.
I freeze. "That’s not comforting."
She just laughs and grabs my hand.
"Come."
Before I can pull away, she’s already dragging me toward the door. When it opens, the hallway outside seems different now.
As we walk, several eyes turn towards us.
Not in curiosity but in hunger.
They stare openly at me, some of them licking their lips, some of them whispering to each other like I’m something being presented, something about to be consumed. My skin crawls, and I instinctively wrap my arms around myself, but the dress makes it useless.
We descend a few steps, and then suddenly Pacifa shoves me forward into another room.
The door slams shut behind me.
I spin around, heart racing and then I see them.
Gunnar.
Caden.
Cane.
All three of them are standing there, dressed in suits that fit them like they were tailored around their bodies. The sight hits me so hard I have to swallow just to breathe.
Cane is the first thing I notice. His hair is styled to the side, neat but effortless, the front falling slightly over his forehead in a way that makes him look unfairly handsome, like he knows exactly how dangerous that soft look is.
Then Caden is the second. His hair is parted cleanly at the side, smooth, framing his face perfectly. It sharpens his features, makes his eyes stand out more, gives him this calm, confident look that feels intentional like he’s stepping into a role he was born for.
And then Gunnar.
My breath catches.
His hair is pulled back completely, bound tight into jet black perfection, every strand perfect, every inch of him composed. He looks colder like this, more distant, more powerful.
I gulp hard.
"What is this madness?" I demand, my voice shaky despite my effort to sound strong. "And where is my husband?"
They all turn their backs to me at once. It feels intentional.
Cane speaks without looking at me. "Don’t worry, Riley. You can go back to being his wife after getting married to us today."
My stomach drops.
"You can leave," he continues calmly, "but after thirty days, you’ll divorce him. We want to marry you properly first."
Caden adds casually, like he’s talking about the weather, "And then consummate our marriage."
"What?" I yelp, heat rushing to my face instantly. "Consummate what?"
I almost screamed.
I drag my hands down my face, mortified, overwhelmed, furious. "What the hell have I gotten myself into?"
I hear movement, but Gunnar still hasn’t said a word.
He lifts his wrist, fastens something that looks like a watch around his wrists, adjusts it once, then turns and walks out of the room without a single glance back.
Cane and Caden turn to me, smiling like this is all normal. ƒгeewёbnovel.com
"Come on," Cane says lightly. "Let’s go."
Before I can protest again, they’re already guiding me forward.
The hall we arrive in steals what little breath I have left.
It’s massive.
High ceilings, chandeliers hanging like stars, lights glowing softly but brightly enough to illuminate everything. The place feels unreal, like something out of a dream I didn’t ask to have.
How did they plan this?
When?
The crowd is already gathered, rows and rows of people filling the space, their attention snapping to me the second I step inside. My legs almost give out, panic surging in but Cane and Caden each take one of my arms, steadying me, holding me up.
"We’ve got you," Caden murmurs.
I don’t answer.
My eyes scan the room wildly, searching for anyone familiar in this place or perhaps I’m only strange one and then I see her.
Summer.
The little girl I hit with my car.
She’s standing near the front, looking small and innocent, her eyes lighting up when she sees me. She lifts her hand and waves.
My chest tightens.
Before I can even react, I notice someone beside her.
Gunnar.
He bends and lifts her effortlessly, settling her on his hip like it’s the most natural thing in the world. She laughs, wraps her arms around his neck, completely comfortable.
I stare at them, stunned.
I turn my head toward Cane and Caden, confusion written all over my face.
Cane smiles faintly. "Oh, Gunnar adores that child. Don’t be surprised."
I nod slowly, still trying to make sense of it.
We reach a high podium and step up together. My heart is pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears.
Then someone approaches behind me, I can feel it so I turn and my heart sinks straight into my stomach.
Daphne. Again!
She looks smug, satisfied, dressed perfectly for the occasion, her eyes glittering with something dark and pleased.
"Congratulations," she says sweetly. "On marrying my brothers."
She doesn’t wait for a response.
She walks away smirking.
I feel sick.
Just then, an old man steps up to the podium, holding a microphone. He looks ancient, powerful in a chilling way, his presence commanding immediate silence..and he says...
"As of today, Cane Dravenmoor, Caden Dravenmoor and Gunnar Dravenmoor solely —"
"I object to that union! "An old heavy voice thundered
