After what seems like endless day of slow hours to Penelope,, the ceremony finally ended and she could finally go home to relax before processing all that happened to her today.

She lifted her head and saw Alpha Astride, walking up to her.

“Are we going home?” He asked her, as his arm finds its way around her waist.

It felt so strange to Penelope. Everything was so new to her.

His continuos intense gaze., She looked at him and asked,

“What do you mean?”

“You are my wife,” he clarified, pointing out the obvious.

“And I think it's best for you to live with me now. We'll go home together so you can rest.”

Penelope looked at him and scan her surroundings uneasily before answering.

“This is all fake,” She tells him,” You know that better than anyone!”

“So what?" he said indifferently. "Anyway, it's best if you come with me.”

Her lips pouted, but at this point she’s too tired to argue.

Though she didn’t what to trust him, but something within her assured her to.

“Fine,”she replied, avoiding his inquisitive eyes.

At least she wanted to get away from her pack this moment.

She wasn’t ready for their questioning and this seems to be the perfect way to.

He took her hand and they walked towards the door. Luckily, most of the guests had already left. Even her dad and supposed were gone and no one to escort her.

As soon as they got into the car, Penelope realize that her life has changed forever.

Her life has taken an unexpected and totally terrifying turn.

She stole a glance at Alpha Astride.

She’d ever been in the enemy pack's domain. Everything about Astride seems like a riddle to her.

From the way he looks at her, how he acts around her just today and how he manages to be so handsome, so intimidating, and so irresistible at the same time.

He began to drive. The city speeds past them, and Penelope forced herself to breathe normally.

“Well, what's the plan from now on?” She asked. .

Astride shrugged.

“I don't know. What do you have in mind?” he asked.

“Honestly, I'm not sure,”she said, avoiding his eyes as she moved away.

“I mean, thank you for saving me. The criticism for what Killah did was not only going to affect me, but the members of my pack. I can't let them pay for my mistakes.”

He nodded, his eyes not leaving the road.

“I understand,” he said, “That's why I did it too. There has been a feud between our packs that must end. We need peace between them once and for all. It was the perfect opportunity.”

“I agree with you on that,” Penelope replied, looking out the window at the buildings passing by. “But that doesn't take away the fact that this marriage is a sham.”

“I know,” he answered calmly, and her body also calms hearing him.

Penelope wondered how she barely knows this man but but he both calms her and turns her on at the same time? It’s infuriating. And also, kind of sexy. But it can’t possibly be known to him.

“And that means, obviously, that I won't sleep with you,” Penelope emphasize, just in case that was his intention.

Astride didn’t say a word but smiled slowly. He doesn't seem to be disturbed by my words.

“I thought so,” he murmurs in a tone that almost seems to be amused.

“We are not a couple either. We are married in the public eye, and we must maintain the appearance of a perfect marriage. But in reality, everyone is free to lead the life they want, as long as they do it in secret.”She muttered.

“That's fine with me,” he replied, nodding quietly.

Penelope bite on her lower lip and look away. Boundaries are necessary at this point.

The only thing she wanted at this moment was to go home. But then she remember it’s gonna be a different home entirely.

“All I ask is that you keep up this hoax for me, just as I will for you. I also have loved ones. I don't want them to get hurt because they think we've done this without thinking,” Astride words came in again

“Okay...”She replied.

Though he was acting strange than what she had heard about him, Penelope reminded herself that he’s an Alpha, desired and feared by all.

That fact that he wanted to protect the people he cares for made Penelope smile.

He indeed has his pack members at heart.

She shook her head to clear those thoughts and focus on what to do next.

“Right. The hoax starts when we get home. From then on we'll figure out how to put this lie together.”

Penelope sigh, but finally accept his words.

“Good,” she answered quietly, “Seems like we’re on the same page.”

Now she realize the mess she got herself in as she haven’t thought this through before accepting his deal.

Still, Penelope knew all this was wrong.

Maybe it scares her, and maybe she feel confident about what to do next. But all she’s sure of right now, is that they both have a common goal, and that was to work together to make everyone believe that they were a perfect match. Even if it means lying to everyone in order to do it.

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