Chapter2 swatted a mosquito for you

Aliya POV

The sharp crack of my palm against Marcus's cheek silenced the entire room. Time freezes in this moment.

Marcus staggered backward, his hand flying to his face, eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Sarah, standing just a few feet away, gasped audibly, her perfectly glossed mouth forming a perfect O of surprise. All around us, the guests froze, staring at me with wide, disbelieving eyes.

"Aliya, sweetheart, what happened?" My mother's voice trembled as she reached out to take my hands. "Are you alright? You look so pale."

My father stepped closer, his protective instincts fully activated. "Did someone say something to upset you? Marcus, what's going on?"

I opened my mouth, the words "I can't marry him" already on my lips. Every fiber of my being screamed to tell them the truth: that Marcus was a murderer, that he would destroy our family, that this marriage was built on lies and betrayal.

"I'm fine," I said softly, forcing myself to show a reassuring smile. The lie tasted bitter on my tongue, but it was necessary. "Just... overwhelmed by everything. This is such an important day."

My mother's expression softened with understanding. "Oh, darling, of course you're nervous. Every bride feels this way." She gently squeezed my hands. "But you don't need to worry. Marcus loves you so much, and you two are perfect together."

"Your mother's right," my father added, his stern features becoming gentle. "Marcus has proven himself to our family countless times. Remember how he saved you from that rogue wolf attack? How he helped us negotiate those trade agreements when we were facing bankruptcy?"

His voice grew warm with genuine affection. "Any man who would risk his life for my daughter and then work tirelessly to secure our pack's future is a man I'm proud to call my son."

Marcus stepped forward then, his expression perfectly crafted to show concern and love. "Aliya, if you need more time, we can postpone."

"No," I interrupted quickly, seeing the hope and trust in my parents' eyes. They believed so completely in this fairy tale, in Marcus as our family's savior. If I shattered that illusion now, they'd think I was having a breakdown, not revealing the truth.

I drew a deep breath and smoothed my features into a mask of contrition. With graceful movements that belied the storm inside me, I stepped forward and gently caressed the angry red handprint still blooming on Marcus's cheek.

"I'm so sorry, darling," I cooed, my voice carrying just enough to reach the stunned audience. "There was a giant mosquito on your face. Don't worry, I took care of it."

The absurdity of my excuse hung in the air for a moment before nervous laughter began to ripple through the crowd. Marcus's jaw clenched so tightly I could practically hear his teeth grinding, but with all eyes on him, he couldn't afford to make a scene. His political ambitions were too important.

Even if he doesn't love me, he still has to make sure our wedding goes smoothly. He needs my family's support to win the race for Alpha King.

Marcus took a deep breath, composing himself with practiced ease. When he looked at me again, his smile was radiant.

"My darling wife," he said, his voice warm and affectionate for the benefit of our audience, "always so protective of me." He reached up to cover my hand with his, pressing it gently against his cheek. "Even from the smallest threats."

The gesture looked tender to the watching crowd, but I could feel the tension in his fingers, the barely controlled tremor that spoke of his fury.

"Of course," I replied sweetly, marveling at his composure. "I'll always look out for you."

I felt a warm flush of satisfaction seeing him forced to maintain his elegant facade. The man who had once ordered my execution now had to graciously accept my public humiliation with a smile.

As the guests returned to their conversations, albeit with considerably more animated whispers and sidelong glances, I felt a distinct sensation of being watched. Not the general curiosity of the wedding guests, but something more intense.

I turned slightly, scanning the crowd until my eyes locked with a pair of piercing blue ones. Alpha Nikolai Volkov stood near the back of the venue, tall and imposing in his perfectly tailored black suit.

Unlike the other guests, he wasn't pretending to look elsewhere when I caught him staring. Instead, his lips curved into the barest suggestion of a smile, raising his champagne glass in what might have been a salute.

When I met those deep, glacier-blue eyes, my heart suddenly skipped a beat.

I'd met him only once before at a Union meeting, but even then, there had been something magnetic about him. His dark hair fell in careless waves, contrasting with sharp cheekbones and a jawline that could cut glass. He had the confident bearing of a man who knew his own worth.

The leader of the powerful Northern packs and Marcus's chief rival for the Alpha King.

He was also the Alpha Marcus wrongly accused me of having an affair with in my previous life.

When it was time to continue with the ceremony, I played my part perfectly. I recited vows of love and loyalty with convincing sincerity, all while plotting the downfall of the man whose hands I held.

Even just intertwining fingers with Marcus made my stomach twist, but I still forced a happy smile.

The Aliya who once lay dead on a prison floor is gone. Now, I'm someone who will stop at nothing to safeguard herself and her loved ones.

The pivotal moment was here. Father raised the seal of our family high. According to tradition, I would now transfer it to my husband, symbolically joining our packs under his leadership.

Before Marcus could reach for it, I intercepted the ancient silver emblem, closing my fingers around the cool metal.

"I'll be keeping this," I said, my voice gentle but firm.

As soon as the words left my mouth, the room erupted in stunned whispers. Marcus's eyes widened in surprise. Sarah shot to her feet.

My parents looked at me in surprise, their eyes filled with confusion, and perhaps a hint of approval hidden beneath their concern.

They might not understand why I was acting this way, but this sudden assertiveness in their daughter felt both foreign and somehow reassuring to them.

In my past life, I naively gave this badge to Marcus at our wedding, handing over my family's power to him. It led me right into his scheme, until I was beaten to death.

"As a fully grown Alpha, it's only right that I take on the responsibility of leading the Pack myself."

Marcus's father rose from his seat, his voice maintaining its cultured tone despite the underlying steel. "Perhaps the bride doesn't understand the tradition. In joined packs, the Alpha male naturally assumes leadership."

"I understand perfectly," I replied, meeting his gaze without flinching. "But I am more than capable of leading the Rowanwood pack myself. This is not just for myself, but also to lighten Marcus's burden."