Bride of the Alpha Read Online Free PDF Page B

first to know.”
    We drove to the special events building which housed the reception hall.
    There were hundreds of shifters gathered outside. There were garlands of flowers everywhere, and a
    giant “Congratulations!” sign. The décor was rustic chic, with burlap bows around mason jars of flowers, and burlap tablecloths, and heart shaped garlands made of twigs.
    Now I really felt bad. All these people had put in all this time and effort to create this absolutely beautiful décor for a fake wedding.
    A band on an outdoor stage played country music. Couples were dancing on the dance floor. Everybody
    was dressed casually, just as Maxwell was – and me too, in my sundress and sandals.
    There were tables laden with food which made my mouth water. Whole roast pig with an apple in its
    mouth, hams with cloves, turkey, goose, roast beef, fresh fruit, desserts, little appetizer platters, chocolate fountains surrounded by pastries for dipping, platters of cheese and bread…they’d gone all out.
    Max took me over to the stage, pulled me up the steps, and gestured at the band; they stopped playing.
    He grabbed a microphone and called out to the crowd, “Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to my new
    bride – Josephine, of the Southpaw pack!”
    There was a moment of stunned silence. Then everyone began murmuring amongst themselves. Then a
    roar of approval went up, and a chorus of howls twined up through the air.
    Good Lord. They were okay with it.
    I was speechless as Max guided me through a crowd to a group of people who looked just like him.
    Some of the guys who’d been standing outside his house earlier were there now. A handsome, very
    muscular man in his fifties, whose very presence screamed “Alpha”, absolutely had to be Max’s father. A beautiful, stocky woman of about the same age, with black hair that had one white streak in the front, stood next to him. She had beautiful green eyes.
    “Any time now,” I whispered to Max, as panic rose up in my throat and threatened to choke me. He
    smiled politely, as if he had no idea what I was talking about.
    We were standing right in front of them. Oh, my God.
    “You play a mean game of chicken,” I muttered.
    “I play a lot of mean games. But I promise you’ll like them,” he said, with a meltingly sweet smile and an evil gleam in his eye.
    “Mother, father, this is Josephine, formerly Josephine Southpaw, now Josephine Battle. Josephine, this
    is Vince and Jade Battle, my parents.”
    He’d called me Josephine Battle. Oh good Lord Almighty. My name had changed. I now had the same
    last name as my husband. My husband.
    What had I done? I swayed where I stood, and a wave of dizziness swept over me.
    Chapter Five
    Max caught me quickly, and before I knew it, a chair was shoved my way and I was sitting down.
    “My goodness, did you feed her at all today?” Jade asked indignantly.
    “Well, no, I mean, I-” Max was actually nonplussed. Finally, something rattled him.
    “Bring her some food!” Jade demanded. A tray full of food appeared in front of me almost instantly,
    and I realized I was famished.
    “Thank you so much,” I said, stuffing food into my face. “I’m so sorry for making such a terrible first impression.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. It’s entirely my son’s fault. I don’t want you to think I brought him up that way; we do feed our guests!”
    “She’s not a guest, dear, she’s family,” Vince chided.
    “Of course. Silly me. Do you want another roast beef sandwich?”
    Shifters were crowded around me, shoving trays of food at me. I looked over what they were offering,
    and saliva pooled in my mouth.
    “That was delicious. I believe I’ll have an éclair, thank you,” I said, plucking one off a plate.
    His parents were incredibly nice, welcoming people. I was really starting to get pissed at Max for letting things go this far. What were they going to say when they found out this wedding was a sham?
    “What time do you want to start