Bride (Bride, #1)

by Ali Hazelwood

“I could fuck you very nicely right now,” he says into my ear. He sounds honest, and a bit resigned. “I almost did.”

OKAY WE LOVE A CLEAR COMMUNICATOR

I’m convinced she’s asleep, but her “Can you keep it there?” when I’m about to leave tells me otherwise. “You feel so cool.” “Who do you think I am?” For her pleasure, I produce a deep frown. “Your personal ice pack?” Her giggle squeezes my chest.

I LOOOOOOVE THEM SO FUCKING MUCH DUDE

“Lowe?” “Yes.” “I miss Mama.” Lowe’s eyes briefly flutter shut, like he can’t bear to keep them open. “I know, love.” “Why does Misha get to have two parents and I get none? It’s not fair.” “No.” He gently smooths down her hair, and I feel it deep inside my bones that he’d burn the entire world for her. “It’s not.”

:'(((((

“Misery,” he sighs, and his breath warms the skin of my belly through the fabric of the dress, and I’m still alone, still different, still mostly on my own, but maybe a little less than usual. His fingers close softly around my ankle, the metal of his wedding band hot against skin and bones, and for the first time in more than I can remember, I feel held.

The tenderness.....

“…need to rest.” “No.” “Come on, Lowe. You need to sleep. I’ll watch over her while you—” “No.”

HE'S DOWN HORRENDOUSLY

Cool lips press a soft kiss into my feverish palm. “Misery,

FUUUUUUUCK KILL ME JUST KILL ME

Because it’s not a pile at all. It’s a wolf. Curled outside my room. Guarding my door. A huge white wolf. A fucking gigantic white wolf.

HE'S FUCKING GUARDING HER DOOR OH I CAN'T DO THIS

The child said, “This is an honor.” He sounded rehearsed, too formal for his years. Not at all like I did when I was nine and begged Father to let me go back to Vampyre territory over, and over, and over again. “I am to be the Collateral, and that is a privilege.” He turned around and left.

Absolutely horrifying

“I was scared.” It comes out like a confession. “You went limp in my arms, and I was so fucking scared.”

GAHHHHHH

The timbre of his voice is rough and low. “You smell like you just came.” I stare back, speechless at his directness. I did just come. “And I need to eat you out.”

NEED..... HE NEEDS TO???? HOLY FUCK

“And whatever is happening between you two, fuck it out of your system before people find out.” He hangs up, and I instantly turn to Lowe. “Will we really?” I ask. His eyes are instantly hooded. His lips move unintelligibly for a few moments. “The things I want to—” “I mean, will we be meeting him in person?” “Ah.” He clears his throat. “As soon as I can arrange it.”

BRO WAS READY TO RISK IT ALL

“Be good,” he says, getting up. And then immediately crouches down again, just to kiss my forehead.

The forehead kiss.... I'm traumatized but also swooning

She makes him want to draw again.

STOP IT RIGHT NOW.

“That search we were working on before you…” He gestures at me. “Almost croaked?” “Yes. I continued it while you were…” “Almost croaking?”

SKDMSNDJSJXJNS

“I don’t want you to drink that.” I look at my bag. “It’s sealed. It cannot be contaminated. Plus, I can smell crappy blood.” “That’s not the reason.” I tilt my head, confused. “Use me.”

HOTTTTTTT

“It goes beyond just sex. Long-term feedings create bonds and tangle lives together. It’s something that is strictly done by people who have deep feelings for each other, or the will to develop them.” Lowe listens intently, eyes never wavering. When he asks, “And you and I don’t?” it’s like a knife skewering my heart.

I'M SQUEALING

“Of all the good things.” He grasps my hips as I roll them into his. “Of all the good things I’ve felt in my fucking life, you are the best.”

Oh my fucking god.

“Be good.” Lowe clicks his tongue. “You’re all right. Aren’t you, Misery?”

AGAIN WITH THE "BE GOOD". ALI I AM IN YOUR WALLS

His mouth against mine chants a string of obscene, pleading things about how much he wanted this, how beautiful I am, how he’ll always think of me when he does this from now on, till the day he dies.

Lowe moreland the man that u are...

how when we’re alone in the car he steals a kiss that has me forgetting how to breathe, his tongue soft across my fangs until I taste a drop of blood, and then he is the one groaning, pressing his hand around my waist, telling me that he cannot wait to be home. Home.

God i love them

Lowe slams him against the wall. The governor’s wife screams, but stays put in her chair. I run to Lowe. “Arthur, my friend,” he murmurs in the governor’s face. “You stink like you’re made of lies.”

He's so hot

“I asked you to fuck it out.” Owen’s voice is flat and annoyed, but no more than usual. “And yet, here you are. Subjecting me to this.”

Owen... Respectfully, get fucked

“I could do nothing when we were children. I could do nothing when you returned, because I was too much of a coward to take a stand. I cannot do anything now, but I am determined to try.”

Oh okay maybe he's not ALL bad

He turns to a spot high above my shoulder. Lowe. “Any advice on how to successfully carry out a coup, Alpha?” “I was going to recommend a hearty breakfast, but…”

LOWE PLEASE.

I look up from my lap. Lowe is staring at me with a tender, amused expression. The keys are in the ignition, but he hasn’t turned them. He’s motionless, like he forgot what he was about to do. “What?” I ask, a little defensive. “Nothing.” His smile is soft. Like a boy who got caught. “You okay?”

Bro is SO IN LOVE

I punch in the code at the main entrance, but didn’t bring any keys with me, so once we’re in front of my door, I pluck a hairpin off. “You’re…” He lets out a low, affectionate laugh, shaking his head. I push the door open and lift an eyebrow. “I’m?” “Amazing.”

AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!

“What did I study in college?” He gives me a puzzled look. “You?” “Me.” “Why?” He shrugs when I don’t reply. “You majored in software engineering and minored in forensic sciences.”

HE FUCKING KNOWS

My shirt is completely askew, and he trails kisses on the jutting bone of my shoulder, getting lost in the act before straightening my neckline. He inhales deeply. “On second thought, I’m not going to clean you up. I’ll just leave you like this.” His hand snakes around my waist. To my lower back, where I’m sticky and wet. “Send a clear message to anyone who smells you. Who you belong to.”

SCREAMMMMMMMMM

“I’m just starting to put things together, you know?”

FINALLY AN ALI HAZELWOOD FMC WHO ISN'T AN IDIOT!!!!! SHE REALLY HIT HER STRIDE WITH THIS ONE I FEAR

But then his expression shutters. And his tone can only be described as compassionate. “I’m sorry if I’ve ever given you the wrong impression about what is happening between us.”

UM. EXCUSE THE FUCK OUT OF ME??????? I'M GONNA CRY RN WHY ARE ALL MEN LIARS

“It was a mistake, telling you about the concept of mates.” His voice is detached, like he’s reading from a script and sucking every emotion out of his performance. “It’s not something any non-Were can fully comprehend, let alone a Vampyre. But I understand how appealing it might be, for someone who struggles with belonging.”

NO HE FUCKING DIDN'T ........

“I’m sorry,” he says, dispassionate, with a hint of condescension. Some pity. Sorrow. “I think you’re very attractive. And I enjoy spending time with you. I enjoyed—” His voice almost breaks. “I enjoyed fucking you. And I wish you the best, but….” He shakes his head.

Oh my fucking god. This is hitting a little too close to home rn

I don’t want to turn to him, but I do. And tremble when he leans in to kiss my forehead.

YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO KISS HER FOREHEAD ANYMORE YOU FUCKING JACKASS

As it is, I settle for sliding to the floor and spending way too long with my forehead on my knees, trying to regain my bearings. Baby’s first heartbreak, I guess.

I'm actually abt to cry

My shower takes five minutes. I valiantly try to scrape the rejection and humiliation off my skin, but fail.

Man I've been there. Worst feeling ever

Mick. Holding a small syringe. Injecting it in my arm.

I KNEW HE WAS SHADY I CALLED IT

“It’s just…” She swallows. “I wasn’t sure.” “Sure of what?” “That you’d be looking. We had that fight, and…” Her voice breaks a little. “I kind of said things I didn’t mean, and I figured that maybe you were done with me.” I stare at her, momentarily speechless. Maybe the larder beetles have eaten her brain? “Dude. I didn’t know that was an option.”

MY GIRLSSSSSSSS

“Open the door,” Serena orders. “Fuck no.” She bends the wrist farther. Bob squeals. “Open the door or I’ll do this—” She snaps his thumb. I hear it pop out of its socket, and it’s disgusting. “—to all your fingers.”

GO SERENA!!!!!

Her chin lifts. “My reasoning skills have always been on point, fuckwaffle.” Must be the first time Father has been called that.

GET HIS ASS SERENA

“Indeed. But it was quite a while ago that the governor told me about the half-Were, half-Human child. Over two decades, in fact.” I stiffen. A wave of dread sweeps over me.

It's Serena isn't it

The look he gives me is first puzzled—then half amused, half pitying. “Oh, Misery. Is that what you think? That it was Liliana who I tried to kill?”

GET FUCKEDDDDDD

“Tell him,” I order. But he still doesn’t speak, and it feels like a slap to my face. My lungs seize, and suddenly I cannot breathe. “Tell him the truth,” I whisper to him. Lowe runs his tongue over the inside of his cheek, and then presses his lips together in a small, sad smile.

GODDDDDDDD THE ANGST OF IT ALL

All of a sudden, Owen steps forward. In a lightning-quick moment, Lowe’s restraints are undone, and his body begins to shift.

YEAHHHH OWEN I KNEW U WERE A GOOD GUY

He frowns. “You can speak honestly with me, Misery. Always.” I let out an impatient breath, then march to him, ready to attack. I only stop when I’m so close, he has to bend his neck to look me in the eye. “Why would I, though? So you can use my deepest wounds and what you know about my past to hurt me when you decide that you should push me away?”

GET HIM GIRLIE

“Why?” I prod. When no answers come, I lift my hand to his face. “I could force you to tell me the truth.” The flat of my thumb presses between his brows. “I could thrall you.” His smile looks sad. “You already have, Misery.”

MY CHEST HURTS

And one day I woke up and realized that if you didn’t smell like the best thing in the world, I still wouldn’t want you any less.”

He GENUINELY likes her and that is so refreshing to see

“The windows. I’m changing them.” “How does that even—” “I saw the ones you have at the Nest. Owen explained how they work. I wasn’t moving you out, I just didn’t want your stuff to get damaged.”

Oh my god thoughtful Lowe strikes again

He shakes his head, eyes burning into mine. “You’re not a problem, Misery. You’re a privilege.”

AAAAAAAA!!!!!!

Maybe you’re not meant for me the way I’m meant for you, but I’m going to choose you anyway, over and over and over again.

This shit romantic as hell wtf

“There wouldn’t be anyone else, anyway. Even if you didn’t want me, I couldn’t.”

Need me a freak like dat