Bonded with the Alpha’s beta

Bonnie

"Let me be your Clyde." He said with a greasy smile. "That's the name of the other one, yes?"

I nodded. This was the millionth Bonnie and Clyde line I'd heard in the last month. I was repulsed by the entire conversation.

We have been sitting in the lobby for less than 10 minutes but it felt longer. Needless to say, I wanted it to end.

Mr. Jorg moved closer. I could almost smell the nicotine and gin on him. The harsh smell made it hard to breathe.

He was one of the wealthiest men in Tarly but he was too old to be courting me. He had two wives, seven sons, and nine daughters but it wasn't enough for him. He wanted me to join the team.

"I'll make you very happy, Bonnie." He said sincerely.

I doubt that. I doubt it with every fiber of my being.

He edged closer again by an inch and I didn't need a fortune teller to know what he was trying to do. I cringed at the thought.

"Uhm," I said thinking fast. "Can you tell me the story of how you got your land? I'm a clutz. I forget things easily."

His red-streaked face brightened and his beady eyes became serious as he recounted the story, giving me enough time to think.

During the last month, my life had taken a sharp turn. I was named the most beautiful she-wolf in the entire kingdom and all of a sudden every man wanted me to be their mate. Most of them just wanted a trophy wife just like Mr. Jorg while some were in it for the hunt.

I remembered my father's voice in my head. It's not a bad thing. Just be nice to all of them, sweetheart. You're going to find what you need.

Mr. Jorg was coming to the end of his story. I thought of another way to distract him until the courting time was over. I still had four suitors to entertain for the day and tomorrow there were seven. This is going to be my life for a while, I sighed.

My father opened the door just at the right time and walked into the room. I thanked him hard with my eyes and he chided me with his.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jorg but we have to call it a day." He said, pressing his hands together.

Mr. Jorg's face expanded in shock and he consulted his wristwatch. "I still have time. This is outrageous."

"I know. I'm sorry." My father apologized.

"I'm not moving an inch." Mr. Jorg yelled, planting his feet on the ground.

A dozen clones of my father working together wouldn't be able to pull Mr. Jorg out of the room if he wanted to stay. And he did. Fuck.

My father hesitated for a moment and then he said, "The Alpha."

Mr. Jorg went tense immediately and then lost his color. I stared at my father, unable to understand what he meant by that.

Whatever it was worked because in a minute Mr. Jorg fumbled to his feet, bowed, and left as fast as his stubby legs would take him.

"Thank you." I mouthed to my father.

His gentle smile reached his eyes. "That bad, huh?"

"Worse."

He grinned. "There's one more—"

"Wrong. I have four. Angie showed me the schedule."

"Forget the schedule for now." He took my hands and led me to the garden.

I was still confused by what he said but I knew not to ask. Something had happened that made him tense. I felt his unease as we walked side by side.

He stopped outside the door leading to the garden. "Go on, sweetie."

Why do I feel like I'm about to walk into a minefield?

He walked off just as I was about to ask him about it. I walked in left with no other choice.

The fragrance from the flowers blocked my senses and I couldn't pick up the scent of whoever I was about to meet.

It made me feel nervous and uneasy. I moved in cautiously aware of my environment.

As much as I wanted to be alert, the sweet scent of the flower and the mix of colors made my senses relax.

"These look beautiful." A voice said. It came from the other side of the garden.

As I turned a corner, I saw a guy petting the Lilies. He looked up at me and smiled, and I felt a flutter in my stomach. I smiled back and walked over to him. He looks harmless, I thought.

He was twice as tall as I was with lovely blonde hair that looked like he dipped his head in molten gold. His blue eyes were almost as beautiful as mine; maybe even more so.

"Hi," he said, smiling at me. It was by far the most charming smile I'd ever seen. "You must be Bonnie."

I blushed suddenly feeling self-conscious. "Yeah." I fiddled with a strand of my hair. "I'm sorry but I'm not sure I know you."

His smile didn't waver as he said, "I'm Henry Ironborn the fourth."

That name. There's something oddly familiar about that name. Ironborn… Oh shit!

I bowed quickly realizing who he was. I'd been so casual with the most important man in the entire kingdom. I could almost imagine the soldiers marching me away to my execution.

He grinned. "You don't have to do that."

"Huh?"

"You don't have to be formal around me." He said. "It's fine."

I stared at him dazed. I was too afraid to speak because I could easily say the wrong thing and then it was 'off with my head'.

"Nice to meet you, Bonnie," He said, taking my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss.

A tidal wave exploded in my belly and I felt butterflies flutter. His gentleness and the look in his eyes turned my cheeks bright red.

We talked for a while, well he did most of the talking about our shared love for gardens and flowers. Somehow the flowers he liked were my favorite flowers.

I found him to be funny and charming, and we seemed to have a lot in common. It was hard to believe how relaxed he was given he was the Alpha.

He let me show him around the town and he seemed to genuinely enjoy being with me. We exceeded the courting time by two hours but he had to go during nightfall.

I stayed up for most of the night thinking about him. I daydreamed about our time together and when I slept, I dreamt about him.

The next day, my father canceled all my scheduled suitor meetings on orders from the Alpha. I was so happy when he told me but I didn't show it.

We met in the garden again. He was dressed in a royal garment and he looked irresistibly handsome. I did my best to look good too wearing my favorite dress.

"Wow." He gasped. "You look amazing."

I flushed, bowing as I said, "Thank you, sire."

"Call me Henry."

"But—"

"No buts." He held up a finger. "I plan on making you my mate. I'd be happier if you addressed me by my name."

His words burned through my body and I felt my heart racing in my chest. This isn't happening, I thought. I must be dreaming. Wake up.

Henry gave me a diamond necklace as a gift. He told me he had it custom-made for me by the best craftsman in the kingdom. It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. "I can't accept this."

His eyes became sad as I pushed the gift back into his hands.

"You'll break my heart if you reject it. Do you want that?"

No. No, I don't want that.

I shook my head. "No."

He left earlier with his soldiers escorting him to a waiting carriage. As he left I felt a sharp pang, a longing.

I turned around and bumped into the hard body of a man. He was just as tall as Henry but his eyes were cold and serious.

He scowled. "Can you watch where you're going next time?"

"Excuse me?" I was shocked by his harsh words.

"I'm sure you're not deaf." He studied me for a moment. "Next time stay out of my way."

He left me there gaping in shock like a stupid fool.