Chapter 18

CHAPTER 18

EMMELINE

Three months later

My heart pounds in my chest as I look at my reflection in the mirror. Everything is perfect with not a hair out of place. And yet, everything feels so wrong.

"You are a vision, my dear. I dare say, shopping with my sister becomes you."

Through the reflection in the mirror, I stick my tongue out at him and smile, my heart lightening a bit. "It didn't help that she paid for it. Or rather, your parents through her. A late wedding gift, it seems."

With a groan, he rests his forehead on the back of my shoulder. "I have a feeling we're going to be receiving those until the day we die. Now that they know you know, it will be constant, I'm sure."

"Hey now, if they want to make up for the rotten childhood I had, I'll take it. Even with all the money my parents had, I was never spoiled. So this is kind of a novel situation."

He wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me back against him. "Are you saying I don't spoil you?"

"You do!" I cry out, running my fingers over his massive forearm. "Just in different ways. Better ways, honestly."

A sly smile tilts his mouth as he skims his lips up the back of my neck. Shivers race down my spine as need courses through my veins. "Hey now. We don't have time for this. You need to finish getting dressed so we can make it to the benefit on time. I want to make a good impression with your parents."

"They already love you," he murmurs, cupping my breasts through the thin fabric of the dress.

"Okay, so I want to get there before my mother has a chance to trap me."

"What I'm hearing is a quickie then?"

With a laugh, I try to pull away from him, but he holds firm. "You'll get cum on my dress."

"Not if I'm careful."

He bends me over the sink and pushes my right knee up so my thigh rests against the counter. Running his fingers over my pussy, he gathers my slick and rubs it on his cock, groaning as he strokes himself while watching me in the mirror. My breaths come in haggard gasps as he reaches back down and rubs my clit.

"I'm going to make sure all you can think about tonight is me."

My heart pounds in my chest as he drags more slick up and teases my back entrance. "I already think about you twenty-four-seven. The bond makes sure of that."

"Yes," he replies, his tone matter-of-fact. "But this will be a physical reminder." His grin widens as he pulls out a plug suspiciously like the one he pulled out of me the first day he saw me.

"Tell me that's not the same one."

"Sorry. I promised never to lie to you again."

"You kept it?"

"I had a feeling you'd eventually be stretched out enough to need it. Didn't think it would be while I was married to you."

He sets the plug down on the counter and runs the tip of his cock through my wet lower lips. "Pull your dress up. Expose yourself to me."

Unable to refuse the need in his voice and the corresponding need pounding through my veins, I lift my dress, taking care not to wrinkle it too much. He eases his cock inside my pussy, filling me, stuffing me so full of him I can't breathe.

His movements are slow, teasing, excruciating as he takes his time, rocking in and out with such minute precision that it leaves me a breathless, whining, and needy mess. My clit throbs as he torments me, but I know better than to pleasure myself without permission. The punishment of denying me is far more agonizing than not being able to get off.

Reaching underneath, he strokes me, giving me the relief I crave until whimpered moans and pleas flit from my lips. "That's it, my darling wife. Beg me. Plead with me. Ask me to get you off."

"Oh god," I moan, unable to keep from pushing back onto his thick cock. "I need your cum inside me. I need to feel you coat my insides as I get off."

"That's a good girl." His devious grin in the mirror makes my stomach flip as he pulls out of me.

My body misses the fullness, misses the warmth of his body inside mine. Before I can mourn his loss fully, he notches the tip of his cock at my asshole. Gasping, I meet his gaze in the mirror.

"You can take me, love. Just breathe for me."

My insides twist as he pushes forward, opening my asshole as he invades me with his massive cock. Moans pour from my lips as my fingers scrabble along the granite countertops.

"That's it," he groans. "Take my cock up your ass. I'm going to come so hard like this as your tight ring squeezes me. Touch yourself, love. I want to feel you spasm around me."

Contorting myself, I reach between my thighs and stroke my clit, crying out as the blinding pleasure zips through me, making me bow up and impale myself further on his cock.

"That's it, love," he groans through clenched teeth as he slides in another inch or two. "Watching your ass swallow up my cock like it was made for it makes me so hard. Fuck, my balls are so tight right now. I'm going to come in your ass soon. Just keep touching yourself for me. Take this cock like the good little omega you are."

His praise rings out in my head, driving away the growing discomfort as he sinks into me. Thankfully, he keeps his growing knot on the outside of my tight ring, allowing me to feel just pleasure at him taking my back hole as his own. I continue to rub my clit, my fingers moving fast over the taut bundle of nerves.

Every stroke sparks more pleasure racing down my spine, making my stomach clench. Everything tightens as I sit on the edge of that precipice. So close. God, I'm so close. I'm sure he can feel it too. His thrusts falter, becoming erratic. He won't last much longer.

Through the bond, he whispers dirty things, naughty things, things no daughter of the five families should hear. With a piercing cry, I come, my body tensing hard, causing my asshole to clench around his cock.

"Fucking hell," he roars, sliding in again and holding there as cum jettisons into me.

Over and over, he jerks inside me, sending aftershocks of pleasure splintering through me. His hot cum bathes my insides, making me moan and writhe on this cock. As he pulls out, I clench, not wanting to get any of his essence on this brand new dress, but he smiles again and holds up the butt plug.

After having him inside me, I barely feel a stretch as he pops it in, keeping his seed deep inside my ass. The bond hums with our combined contentment as he wipes me up and helps me back down.

"You've never looked lovelier, my beautiful wife, but I must say, knowing you're wearing this plug while we mingle with the higher echelon makes you all the prettier."

The hall is stuffed with people, many of whom I recognize, and some I don't. Though a lot of them give me a warm, welcoming smile, several look at me, then look at my husband, and frown. No doubt my mother has gone around telling everyone how her elite daughter has married a commoner.

So very like her. Shaking my head, I take Branson's arm as he helps me up the stairs. He looks perfect in his tux, as if he belongs here. But I know he doesn't. Deep down, I know I don't either. After being with him and learning what it's like to live like him and do things on my own, I don't think I can ever go back.

There's a sense of accomplishment knowing I can cook and clean on my own if needed. I'm no longer helpless or beholden to others to do my work for me. Glancing about, I look for my mother, grateful that she's not currently intruding.

"Love," Branson murmurs, pointing at the gallery hall as we reach the top of the stairs. "Look familiar?"

A gasp hovers in my throat as I take in this semester's final portfolio. All my artwork hangs in ornate frames with the most elite Alphas and omegas peering at them and smiling as they discuss my work. My heart pounds in my chest as I look up at him, noting the twinkle in his eyes.

"How... What?"

"Well, when I told Mom you were an artist, she insisted on seeing your work. Let's just say she fell in love and decided to show them off to the rest of society."

"And?"

"And most of them are wondering if they're for sale."

"My art?" I can't help but feel an odd mix of emotions, most of them being shock and confusion.

"Yes, silly girl. Your art. I've told you many times that you're talented."

"Well, yeah, but you're my husband. You could have been fibbing."

He raises my hand to set it over the mark on his heart. "The bond would have told you otherwise. So are they?"

"Are they what?"

"For sale, my love."

"I mean, yes. I've already received my grade, and these are not going to be included in my final graduate portfolio. But I wouldn't even know how to price them."

Branson leans over and kisses my cheek, infusing my heart with warmth. "Don't worry. Mom will know how to do that. After tonight, you might be making more than I do." My pulse pounds in my ears as he winks and walks away, leaving me to mingle and listen in on what people are saying about my pieces.

Unfortunately, the glow fades as soon as I see my parents walk up the stairs. It's as if all oxygen is sucked out of the room, leaving me nearly gasping for air. Over three months since I've seen her.

Until now, I didn't realize just how locked into flight or fight my body was. Now, I can feel the familiar sensations creep over my body. Thankfully, Branson is there through the bond, instructing me to breathe until he gets back.

"Ah, Emmeline, there you are. You never told me you were coming, so I assumed you refused my summons. Good. Now we can find you an Alpha suitable to match with for when your marriage ends-" Her words abruptly stop as her gaze lands on the claiming mark. "What have you done, you stupid, stupid girl? And to show it off for everyone to see in such a brazen way!" she shrieks, garnering curious glances from the others nearby.

"She didn't do anything," Branson growls, coming up behind them. "And I will advise you to never speak to my wife like that again. The only words out of your mouth should be, I'm sorry or forgive me."

The moment she sees Branson, she sneers, hatred oozing from every pore. "The invite was for you only, Emmeline, not some hillbilly plus one."

Fear infuses my limbs, leaving me frozen like a statue as her vitriol nearly smothers me. "Please," I murmur. "He's not-"

"Not what?" she spits out. "Not dirt poor. Not an unworthy Alpha. I warned you. I told you what would happen if you let this," her eyes narrow as she looks Branson up and down. "This undesirable sully you. You can forget ever coming back home. You chose this barbarian over your own kind, so on your own head be it."

"Oh," I retort, drawing on the strength of the bond to finally stand up to this woman. "And that's why you swapped my suppressants for fake ones?"

Father leans over and tugs at Mother's arm. "We're making a scene."

She jerks away from him and stares at me in horror. "Those weren't for you to take with you. They were only to make you more appealing to the Alphas we had visiting." she mutters under her breath. "They were never meant for someone like him."

Branson bristles next to me, his rage pouring from his body like acrid smoke. "You were content with the idea of another Alpha raping her than someone like me actually taking the time to know her and love her before rutting her?"

"Rape? Hardly. When one has as much money and class as them, there would be nothing so base as raping. And the fact that you stand here and say that shows just how much you're a low-born, good-for-nothing piece of trash."

"How dare you speak about our son that way," Mr. Astorford booms from behind them.

Mrs. Astorford rushes to my side, followed closely by her other sons and daughter. Mother pales as she watches my mother-in-law grab my arm and clench it tightly.

"Y- your son?" she stammers. "But- but that's not possible," she stammers, taking a step back. Father, as usual, looks shell-shocked, but doesn't interfere. "I- I was mistaken. I- But look. You gained such a wonderful daughter as a result."

"We know," Mrs. Astorford snaps. "She's an absolutely delightful addition to our family. Too bad her parents are such loathsome creatures. And yes, as someone who's significantly richer than you, it absolutely would be rape to allow your daughter to be forcibly mated to an Alpha, just because he's rich. How utterly vile and criminal of you to do such a thing."

Father turns and stares at Mother, his expression horrified. "Is this true? Did you really do that to your daughter?"

"Well, I-"

"I've stood by and watched you do many things, but never something as horrible as that. Have you no feelings? Do you not care? Hell, she's not even my child, and I'd never do something like that. What sort of mother are you?"

"Please. You don't-"

"Not my father?" My question hangs on the air as hurt and confusion thrums through my body.

Branson reaches over and pulls me into his arms, holding me close while my mother sneers.

"I should have gotten rid of you when I had the chance. I thought my life was set when I married him, but it seems as if you've managed to ruin something else."

Mr. Astorford steps in, separating us. "That's enough. You'll not continue to harm this girl. Not while I have any say about it."

"Please," she snaps, turning into something more of a monster than the mother I remembered. "She's the product of a junkie pimp Alpha. I was already pregnant with her before being matched with him. I always knew you'd turn out sour. Just like your actual father. Try to fit in with your new family. You'll fail even more than your wretched attempt to keep pure for a better alpha."

I push past my father-in-law, and stare down my mother, no longer inhibited by any respect I once had. "You forced me into a life of misery. They rescued me. As for your paltry attempt to force me into a heat for a ‘better Alpha,' I asked Branson to mark me. I chose to have him claim me. I'd rather be claimed by someone I thought was common than to be chained to a rich man who despises me. He's given me something that you never did."

"And what is that? A poor omega's existence?"

"Love."

Again, she sneers and rolls her eyes. "Love means nothing."

"It means everything to me. So fuck you, Mother. I've chosen my life, and you can't do anything to take it away from me."

Her mouth opens, gaping as she looks about as if the others listening in will help her. "Such language," she cries out. "He's rubbed off on you already. As if he could belong to them. It's evident this is all a farce."

"I assure you," Mrs. Astorford pipes in. "I birthed him. Had terrible labor too. Shall I show you the scar from the eventual c-section? Or will you actually take our word for it? Perhaps a DNA test will satisfy you. He is our son. The main difference is, he chose to give up his money to help the world. You're nothing but a pustulant boil in need of a good lancing."

Her face goes pale as she takes another step back. "They'll turn on you, you know," she sneers at me. "You'll never have them as family."

Mr. Astorford steps back in and wraps his arm around my shoulders. "I love her just as dearly as I do my own sons and daughter. She is a joy to my life and a treasure to have. I pity you for putting material wealth above something so rich and valuable as she."

"But-"

"Fuck off," he growls, earning claps and tittering laughs from the gathering audience. Turning to Father, or, well, Mr. Astencourt, he motions to my mother. "Do you claim this woman as your wife? Or would you rather forge a life with her daughter? The choice is yours."

Leaving Mother off to the side, he makes his way over to me, his eyes shining with unshed tears. "I didn't know. You have to believe me. I didn't know. When my bonded wife died, it killed me, gutted me inside. I was a hollow Alpha, a shell. When your mother was arranged to be my wife, I simply assumed she'd fill that emptiness. But she never did. I wasn't a father to you, and I know that. I can't promise I'll ever be that, seeing as I have nothing in me to give, but I never knew she was so cruel. Not to you. Never to you. I would have excised her from my life sooner."

He turns to Mr. Astorford and continues. "You have to believe I didn't know. Please, allow me to remain in contact with her."

"Well, that's entirely up to her and my son. I remember you from before the death. You're a good man, and in time, I think you'll find another wife to help you heal. This black widow has poisoned you long enough."

"She has." Walking over to my mother's side, he clamps his hand around her arm so she can't leave. "I'll take her to the government offices myself. There are plenty of witnesses here to attest that she knowingly and willingly put her daughter in harm's way by tampering with her suppressants. Please, Emmeline. Allow me to make up for all the years of hell you've gone through."

A watery smile teases the edges of my lips as I slide back into Branson's arms. "They are all the family I need. But I would like to try to be friends, just as long as she never comes near me again."

"I can certainly agree to that."