The Mad Alpha's Substitute Bride

Chapter 103: Giving Love a Chance

(MAYA)

Servants buzz around the palace like disturbed bees, preparing for tonight’s ceremony where Griffin will officially reclaim his throne. It has been like this for the past few days, a flurry of activity all around, excitement in the air.

I’m in the lab with Jerry, my focus on something else entirely.

Humming, I study the pale liquid in the vial. "This may work to temporarily reverse the effects of the drug."

Jerry’s eyes turn wide as he hurries around the counter. "You sure?"

"Well, we have nothing to test it on, unless you want to volunteer."

The healer immediately takes a step back at my all-too-cheerful tone, wincing. "No thanks. Once was enough for me."

I glance at the wall clock. "We are going to need some volunteers, though. But not today. The ceremony starts in two hours.

I have to go get ready."

Jerry makes a sound of agreement. "What are you going to wear? It’s formal, so you need a dress, y’know."

I glance down at my blouse. I still haven’t filled out enough to wear the dresses I have. And I don’t think I have time to go get a new one. I’ve been so busy working on the drug that going shopping has been the furthest thing from my mind.

"I’ll figure something out," I murmur.

My nights have been filled with Griffin, my days with work. Is it any wonder I forgot?

I carefully put the vial away. After taking off my lab coat, I hesitate in the doorway, remembering that the last time I was attacked, there had been a function going on in the palace.

"Jerry." My voice is tense. "We have increased security around the lab, right?" His expression relaxes, and his voice is comforting. "Yes. Don’t worry."

I give him a smile that feels fake. "If you say so."

Making my way down the stairs, I see Corrine, Locke, and Griffin talking in low voices. Corrine spots me first and beams at me.

"Maya!"

Griffin goes still, and before I can say anything, he murmurs something to Locke and walks away, his steps a little too hurried, in my opinion.

Blinking, I stare after him as Corrine reaches me. "Is it me, or did Griffin just avoid me?"

My friend rolls her eyes. "It’s you. He’s a little distracted." My heart quickens. "What is it?"

"After the ceremony tonight, Griffin, Locke, and Erik are planning to search for the facility where you two were held captive."

I can feel the blood drain from my face. "What? Why wasn’t I told?"

"The decision was made just a little while ago. They believe they’ve located it, based on the descriptions the two of you provided." She squeezes my hand. "They’re planning to take two squadrons with them."

"Why didn’t he tell me? He should have told me." Anger flares, hot and bright.

"Why?" Corrine’s voice is sly. "Since when does Griffin need to tell you anything he does? This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with the fact that the two of you smell like you’ve been rolling around with each other, would it?"

"Wh—Of course not!" Flustered, I try to figure out what to do with my hands. "It’s just that he’s not—He’s barely recovered, you know. It’s only been a couple of weeks since we’ve been back, and he—What if something happens?!"

"Nothing’s going to happen," my friend comforts me. "They’ll be surrounded by some of their strongest soldiers. And these are three powerful alphas. Nothing will happen to them."

"I know, but—" I hesitate. "I need to go talk to him."

"Sure you do," Corrine laughs. "Be sure that’s all you do, Maya. He can’t be late to his own crowning ceremony!" Huffing, I head after Griffin. However, I can’t find him, and no one seems to know where he is.

Finally, I make my way to his private chambers, gathering my courage before knocking firmly on the door. No answer. I try the handle and find it unlocked. The room is empty, but I can feel his presence lingering, his scent, that unique blend of pine and wild rain that makes my heart race.

"Looking for someone?"

I whirl around to find Elder Vane’s daughter, Aria, standing in the doorway. She is dressed in an elaborate gown of deep emerald that complements her pale skin and dark hair perfectly. Everything about her screams nobility, from her perfect posture to the calculated smile on her lips.

"I was looking for Griffin," I say, forcing my voice to remain steady.

"His Majesty is preparing for the ceremony." She emphasizes the title, a subtle reminder of the gulf between Griffin’s position and mine. "He has asked not to be disturbed."

"Did he specifically say that, or are you just assuming?" I feel a hint of irritation. "What are you even doing here?"

Her smile doesn’t waver. "Perhaps you should focus on preparing yourself, Dr. Sorin. The ceremony tonight is quite formal. Do you even have appropriate attire?"

The barb hits its mark. I haven’t given any thought to what I’ll wear. After months of captivity in the same filthy clothes, fashion is the least of my concerns.

"Thank you for your concern," I say coolly, "but I’ll manage."

"I’m sure you will." Her gaze sweeps over me dismissively. "Though I must wonder what Griffin sees in you. A human scientist with no understanding of our ways, our traditions."

"I understand more than you think."

"Do you?" She steps closer, her perfume overwhelming in the confined space. "Do you understand what it means to be queen of our people? To carry the weight of centuries of tradition?"

Each question feels like a slap. "I never asked to be queen."

"No, but fate has chosen you, hasn’t it?" Her smile turns cruel. "For now, at least." Before I can respond, she turns and glides away, leaving me alone with my doubts. Is she right? Am I foolish to think I could ever fit into Griffin’s world?

With a heavy heart, I make my way back to my mother’s and my cottage. The small structure feels more like home than any other part of the grand palace grounds, despite the months I spent away from it. As I push open the door, I’m greeted by the familiar scent of ginger and honey, my mother’s favorite tea.

"Maya, is that you?" my mother’s voice calls from the small sitting room. "Someone came by with a box for you."

"Yes, it’s me, Mom." I follow her voice and find her seated by the window, working on her knitting. She’s having one of her good days, her eyes clear and focused. "Where’s the box?" I ask.

"In your bedroom."

I take off my sweater as I head down the hall.

It’s not one box but several. Heart pounding, I remove the lid of the largest one, and it reveals a lovely red dress with gold hemming at the base. Fingers trembling, I open the other boxes.

Shoes. Jewelry. And a note.

I want to see you in this dress I chose for you. I want you to wear it when I announce to the kingdom who you are, when I take you in my arms, and we dance.

My eyes grow wet, and I cover my mouth to muffle the gasping sob.

"Maya?" My mother’s worried voice sounds from the hallway. She enters my room. "Are you alright? What is it?" "Nothing, Mom."

But she sees the dress and sucks in her breath. "Is that for you?"

"Griffin seems to have sent it," I murmur, feeling pleased. "I didn’t know what I would wear to his crowning ceremony, but he took care of it." My smile fades as I study the gorgeous dress. "It’s too much."

My mother glances at me. "You look troubled, sweetheart." She sits down on the bed and pats the space beside her. "Come, sit with me."

I sink next to her, suddenly feeling like a child again, seeking comfort in my mother’s wisdom. "I don’t know what I’m doing anymore, Mom. He says I’m his fated mate. But I’m human. I don’t know anything about this world, not enough to stand by his side as his queen."

She takes my hand, her skin papery and soft against mine. "He doesn’t seem worried about that. I’ve seen the way he looks at you." I look down at her hands as she squeezes mine. "Firebird, not every man is like your father. You have to give love a chance. Closing your heart to even the idea of love is not what my brave daughter should be doing."

My eyes flutter shut as my mother utters the words I’ve never spoken aloud. "It’s easier to be in control when your heart isn’t on the line, Mom. It’s easier to protect yourself."

"Love isn’t about protecting yourself, my girl. It’s about leaving yourself vulnerable to what it exposes you to. One of my biggest fears has been what will happen to you once I’m gone."

"You’re not going anywhere, Mom," I say abruptly.

"Maybe not today." She smiles gently at me. "But one day, I won’t be here, and I want to go knowing you are safe and loved, and that there is someone in your life who will be there to wipe your tears."

"I don’t need—"

"There is nothing wrong with needing to lean on another person, Maya." She takes my chin and forces me to look at her. "I don’t want you losing out on someone who treats you the way this man does because you’re scared of getting hurt."

"What Dad did to you—"

"Again, not every man is your father, Maya." My mother sighs, stroking a strand of my hair back. "And you are not me. I was weak, weak enough that I let myself forget that I was the mother and you were the child. I should have been the one taking care of you, not the other way around. Consider this an apology coming too late, sweetheart, but I’m sorry. I should have been a better mother. I shouldn’t have put so much on your shoulders."

"Mom, don’t—" I begin, but she shakes her head.

"No, I need to say this. You deserved a better mother. You deserved a better childhood than the one you got. You are not weak like me, Maya. If, God forbid, your heart is broken, you have the resilience inside of you to get back on your feet. You are the one who gave me that strength. I don’t want you to hide from love. I want you to be brave."

"Mom." I let out a sigh. "I’m not in love with—"

"Don’t lie to me," she says sternly. "You can lie to everybody else, even yourself, but not me. You trust him, Maya. You show him parts of yourself that you’ve never shown anyone before. I see that you care about him. At night, you wait for him so anxiously. And when he arrives, the look on your face is one of relief and happiness, the kind of happiness I’ve never seen in you before. You love him, even if you don’t know it."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Love? Is that what this is? This constant awareness of Griffin, this ache when he’s not near, this inexplicable pull toward him, despite all reason?

"What if it’s not enough?" I ask slowly. "What if I’m not enough?" The fears Aria planted take root and blossom. "I’m human, Mom. I’ll never fully understand his world."

"You don’t need to understand all of it. You only need to understand him." Her eyes, so like my own, hold a wisdom born of years of love and loss. "And he needs to understand you. The rest, you figure out together."

Tears well up unexpectedly. "I’m scared, Mom."

"Of course you are." She pulls me into her arms, and I rest my head on her shoulder as I did as a child. "Love is terrifying. It means giving someone the power to hurt you and trusting them not to use it."

"What if I’m not ready?"

"No one ever is." She laughs softly. "That’s the secret no one tells you. We’re all just stumbling forward, hoping we don’t make too much of a mess of things. Now, go get ready. Your young man is waiting for you."

Chortling at my mother calling Griffin my young man, I take a quick shower and get dressed. It’s already dark outside when I grab my things.

"Mom, I’m leaving!"

I knock on her door before opening it. "I’ll be back late, but I put dinner in the—"

My voice trails off as my mother looks at me with a mildly confused, quizzical look. "Who are you?"

Grief seizes me by the throat. It has been a few days since she had an episode. My mother has never reacted aggressively when she forgets me, just mildly curious.

I open my mouth and push back my tears. "It—It’s me, Mom." I keep my voice cheerful. "Maya. See?" I pick up the framed photograph of the two of us from her nightstand. "I’m your daughter."

She gives me a doubtful look. "Really?" Her eyes skim over the picture, and she smiles slightly before glancing at me. "You really are very pretty. But too thin."

"Yes." I squeeze her hand. "I know."

"Are you going to a party?" she asks in awe, noticing my dress. "Yes, I am."

"Am I also going?"

"No, Mom," I tell her gently. "You’re going to stay home and finish your embroidery and then have a nice dinner before you go to sleep. Teresa will come check on you in a few hours."

"Teresa?"

"She’s our neighbor." I kiss her cheek. "Don’t stay up too late, okay?"

As I begin to walk away, she squeezes my hand, and I look at her. Her smile is lovely. "I have a beautiful daughter. I’m so happy about that. Here, take this." She picks up a small item from the table beside her. "This will look nice on your dress."

My heart tightens in my chest, and I smile at her, pinning the golden brooch to my shoulder strap. "Thanks, Mom."

The cottage door closes behind me with finality as I head to the coronation ceremony of my fated mate, the man I may be in love with.