Chapter 2 – Rosalind
CHAPTER 2
ROSALIND
I blink up at the man who is destined to be my husband. This will make two men occupying this role in a matter of four months. How is this even right? Are they so sure Jacob will go to prison that they’re like, “Here, let the DA have her as a reward”?
Though I long to wrap my arms around my waist, to shield myself from the emotions slamming into me, I don’t want to leave myself vulnerable. This man looks at me as if he can see every thought, every emotion. Just like an Alpha, he tips his nose into the air, scenting me, stealing my secrets.
It’s enough to make me scream. Forcing my body rigid, I roll my eyes, giving off the air of a sulking teenager as opposed to the quivering woman that lurks inside, threatening to leak out. The DA must buy my act because soon, he no longer looks at me with that maddening empathetic stare.
I’m so sick of everyone feeling sorry for me. Oh, poor Rosalind, how awful for your mate to be in prison. Oh, poor Rosalind, whatever will you do now? Oh, poor Rosalind… If I hear poor Rosalind one more time, I’m liable to snap.
“Dearly beloved, we,” the officiant pauses and glances about. “Well, the two witnesses are gathered together to watch as I join this Alpha and omega together in holy matrimony. Remember, though this is only for six months, it is a legally binding marriage.”
As if I can forget. Anger slithers up my spine as I stare at the man putting my ex in prison. Though I am truly grateful to be free from that monster, it’s still disconcerting to be back in the very same room, but with someone else. For something that’s supposed to be legally binding, the Governing Body had no issue ending things early the moment Jacob was arrested.
Granted, with the charges stacked against him, they probably knew he’d be away for so long that there wasn’t any point in staying together. Still though, in the span of four months, it’s as if I’ve gone through the entire grieving process. I should be over all of this, especially since he and I were only together for two of those months.
Yet, I cannot seem to get out of the cycle that oscillates between anger and denial. I’m furious that the Governing Body didn’t research Jacob better before putting us together. I’m enraged that I endured two months with that asshole, and now, I’m forced to join with another.
The man in question frowns down at me, his brown eyes warm and full of what seems to be concern. Are you okay? His lips move silently. At least, I think that’s what he’s trying to say. Turning back to the officiant, I ignore this obvious show of an olive branch.
He doesn’t care about me. What Alpha can truly care for an omega? Shaking my head, I force myself to pay attention even though I’m merely going through the motions.
“May I present to you, Michael Sullivan. What his friends and family would like you to know is that he’s a workaholic. In fact, if he’s actually standing up here going through a wedding, then you need to actually touch him to make sure he’s not a hologram.”
Blinking up at him, I lean over and pinch his arm. Hard. With a stern slash of his lips, Michael glares down at me but refuses to rub the spot. Just like a macho Alpha.
“What?” I simper, looking over at the officiant. His eyes are wide with shock as he watches our interaction. “You said to make sure he wasn’t a hologram.”
“I’m pretty sure he didn’t mean literally,” my future husband growls.
“I—um. Right,” the officiant fumbles, clearly flustered. “Well, anyway. Despite his need for things to be just so, he’s a caring man that will always see to the needs of everyone else. And, just between us, he’s been known to spoil those he loves. Don’t let his rough demeanor fool you. He’s a softie inside.”
Across from me, Michael laughs, the rich sound pouring over me until I can’t breathe. “Who said softie? Was it my sister?”
Smiling back at him as if they’re the best of friends, the officiant shakes his head. “They never sign off on who says what. And trust me, based on some of the things I’ve seen revealed, many people don’t want them to know who said it.”
It makes no sense that they can joke around at a time like this. It’s supposed to be serious, a potential lifelong commitment and not a comedy hour. But I guess it’s for the best, seeing as I don’t plan to stay after the six-month mark.
The need to scoff burns at the back of my throat as I mull over what the officiant said. To think an Alpha knows anything about spoiling or loving. Bitterness wells up, nearly choking me as I think about Jacob.
Though he was the first Alpha I knew in an intimate setting, he taught me everything. He was my first, my painful, gut-wrenching, heartbreaking first. I was na?ve, wide-eyed with wonder. That all came to an abrupt halt the moment he dragged me into the bedroom.
Shaking my head, I clear my thoughts, anxiety creeping up as I realize it’s my turn. What will they say this time? Or will they just rehash what they said at the other wedding?
“Allow me to present to you, Rosalind Kennedy.”
“He knows me. Can we just get on with it?”
“My apologies,” he murmurs, shuffling his papers. “I didn’t realize you two knew each other. This is highly irregular. I?—”
“Don’t worry about it,” I snap, my nerves finally getting the better of me.
“We know of each other,” the DA says, his voice low and soothing, as if attempting to make up for my ill temper.
What does it matter anyway? It’s not as if we will see the officiant again after this. Well, I won’t, anyway. My soon-to-be-husband is probably just making nice because he works in the system.
Michael steps over to the side, invading my space in a way I don’t expect. My heart pounds in my chest as he slips his arm around my waist, pulling me close to his warm bulk. “Behave,” he growls, just low enough that only I can hear.
His hot breath against my ear sends shivers down my spine, and his voice makes my knees shake and my insides quiver. What the holy hell was that? But before I can ask him or at least shove him away from me, he’s gone, back to his side as if nothing ever happened.
My mind stops for a moment, and before I can even think, my lips part, a retort heavy on my tongue. But it’s as if he’s anticipated this somehow. After clearing his throat and giving me what looks like a warning headshake, Michael continues out loud. “I would love to know more about this lovely lady I find myself marrying.”
Again, I roll my eyes, earning another frown. My stomach flips as warmth infuses my limbs. What the hell type of reaction is this? Granted, he’s not like Jacob who screamed at me and hit me, but I still shouldn’t feel any sort of longing.
It’s insanity, pure and simple. Could be something in Alpha pheromones just makes my brain go crazy. Honestly, it’s the only reason I can come up with for why I still wanted to stay with Jacob as long as I did.
More than likely, the Governing Body would have let me out of the marriage if they knew I was that unhappy. And yet, something kept me by his side through everything. It took him being arrested and my marriage severed for me to even consider being back on my own.
In fact, I was finally starting to be happy. I went to every trial, needing to make sure he was going away for good and not returning to our married life. For a few days there, I even allowed myself to daydream about the DA that now stands before me.
His commanding tone, the way he moved around the courtroom was nothing less than tantalizing. But more than that, he was the man who would give me my freedom. That, more than anything, made him so attractive.
If only I knew then I’d have to give up my freedom to be with him. I wouldn’t have let myself picture him naked, fucking me in the jury box. I wouldn’t have imagined him as the judge and me as a poor miscreant who just needed a thick cock to set me on the right path.
It was safe to fantasize about him because, in my mind, I knew it would never happen. But now, with us being face to face, so close his scent threatens to cloud my mind, reality isn’t at all what I want. After Jacob, I never wanted to be tied to another Alpha.
If only Michael could stay in the realm of make-believe where I could get myself off, or even use him mentally as a means to deal with my heat. But no. I’m now forced to be married to him, tied with yet one more fucking Alpha.
“What Rosalind’s friends and family want you to know about her, is that she’s a ball of mischief.” Michael’s eyebrows shoot up even as mine widen. Who the hell did he interview? Who would even say that?
“She will get on your last nerve, but you’ll love her in spite of that.” This time, I groan. It would have to be my cousin. Who else would talk about me like that?
“She’s a princess that’s used to getting her way.” Definitely my cousin. “But she’s always the first to admit she’s wrong and has the most loving, kind spirit of anyone I’ve ever known.”
As he finishes, tears mist my eyes. We love each other, sure, but I never knew she saw me like that. Most people see the arrogant princess, an attitude stemming from being raised in a household where we had more money than sense. But my cousin always saw through that. She was one of the few who saw me.
Glancing up at Michael, I note a twinkle in his eyes, as if now that he sees the softness and vulnerability underneath, he thinks he knows me. Fat chance. He’ll never get that far. I made that mistake once before, and I’ll never make it again.
Six months. I just have to wait it out. Maybe, if I’m lucky, the Governing Body will realize though my genetics make me compatible with Alphas, I’m just not a good match for anyone.
Happiness infuses my limbs as the officiant babbles on about love and marriage and making things work. Mr. DA will be my husband, but in name only. It doesn’t matter that my body burns by being so close to his. It will pass.
Besides, those closest to him say he’s a workaholic. If I play my cards right, I’ll never even have to see him. The six months will pass by in a blur, and this time, I’ll find a way to drop off the grid.
Hell, if I have to, I’ll find this Governing Body myself and demand they take me off the roster. There will be no third time’s the charm.
“Now,” the officiant booms out, scattering my thoughts. “This is the point in the ceremony where you have the option to kiss. Since you don’t actually know each other, I won’t force you to?—”
“Oh, but I will,” Michael grumbles, pulling me into his arms.
A gasp flutters from my lips as my flowers drop to the floor. They lay there, scattered, abandoned as his iron grasp encircles me, leaving me with no escape. I lay my hands against his chest, unsure if I plan to push him away or feel up the strong muscles that bunch underneath his suit jacket.
My heart shouldn’t pound this hard behind my ribs, threatening to burst out. He shouldn’t smell so damned good—like smoke, leather, and decadence. But worst of all, I shouldn’t be reacting to his nearness.
We stand there, his lips lowering toward mine, but he doesn’t kiss me. He hovers just above, close enough I can feel his breath fan against me, smell the coffee he had earlier. Why isn’t he kissing me?
Why do I want him to? Oh god, but I don’t. Not really. I really want him to let me go, to free me. But then, his lips touch mine.
Electricity scatters my thoughts until nothing else seems to make sense. Heat races through me, forcing slick to gather between my thighs. The scent of arousal swirls about our bodies, hanging heavy in the air like a cloud. There’s no way he doesn’t know the effect he’s having on me.
I don’t want his kiss. I don’t want to feel the things he’s forcing me to feel. But most of all, I don’t want the promise I feel in his limbs as he deepens the kiss, urging my lips to part so he can slip his tongue into my mouth.
But I do want this. I want all of it. I want everything. Damn it, there’s no way this can be a good thing. It just can’t. And yet, a small tendril of hope unfurls in my chest.
Fuck me.