My Fiancé Secretly Desired My Sister — So I Married A Beggar In Front Of The King

Part 1

My wedding day was supposed to be the culmination of a lifelong dream, a joyous chapter opening before me.

For shifters like myself, the sacred mating ritual transcends a mere ceremony.

It forms a bond that connects two souls for life, sealing our destinies in an unbreakable pact.

Joy turned to absolute ashes faster than I could have ever anticipated.

I never imagined that on the very day I was to be bound forever, I would suddenly gain the ability to hear the thoughts of everyone around me.

The timing felt like a cruel joke orchestrated by the fates.

My new reality meant that my fiancé’s mind was laid bare, filled with a deep, consuming longing.

His thoughts were not fixed on his soon-to-be bride.

Craig’s heart secretly belonged to my beautiful younger sister, Heather.

Standing at the edge of the grand ballroom, I watched Craig guide Heather through an elegant, sweeping turn on the dance floor.

Their radiant smiles seemed entirely innocent to the casual observer.

A part of me had initially thought it was sweet of Craig to chaperone her, ensuring she felt welcome at the Alpha King’s court.

The palace ballroom was a marvel of crystal and marble, glittering under the massive chandeliers.

Nobility from three different kingdoms mingled gracefully, celebrating this year’s highly anticipated mating ceremony.

An older noblewoman beside me remarked on what a striking couple my fiancé and sister made.

She boldly inquired if they were to be mated tonight as well.

A tight laugh escaped my lips as I corrected her, stating that Lord Craig was actually my fiancé.

Her raised eyebrow barely registered as I focused on the two most important people in my life getting along so well.

Craig leaned down, whispering something that made Heather laugh and blush profusely.

Naturally, the court would assume things about their already special bond.

It wasn’t the lovely Heather whom Craig had chosen to court, but the quiet and reserved Brenda.

That thought had previously sent a pleasant flutter through my stomach.

In just one hour, Craig intended to take me as his mate in front of the entire court.

Our union would be personally blessed by Alpha King Tyler himself.

The King remained at a distance, observing his own ball from a throne at the far end of the hall.

His face was kept hidden behind a silver mask, a tradition some whispered was for his protection while others claimed he was hideously disfigured.

Becoming Craig’s mate meant this masked man would soon be my new ruler.

Leaving my homeland had been difficult after both my parents passed away.

My future supposedly lay here, in this new kingdom, standing beside the man I loved.

Approaching the dance floor, I complimented Heather on her dancing skills.

Craig’s reply about needing the right partner made a fresh flush creep up Heather’s cheeks.

Their eyes met and lingered for a moment that felt uncomfortably long.

Dismissing my rising paranoia, I excused myself to get some fresh air.

A sudden commotion across the ballroom quickly drew my attention away from the dancing pair.

Two palace guards had apprehended a hooded figure dressed in worn, patched clothing.

Commoners were permitted to observe noble mating ceremonies from the gallery above, but this man was apparently deemed too poorly dressed.

Pausing by the doorway, I waited to let the guards drag the struggling vagrant past me.

One of the guards offered a stiff nod, promising to have the man removed immediately.

The hooded man protested loudly, denying that he was a vagrant.

A rough push from the second guard sent the man stumbling sideways.

His shoulder collided hard with mine, forcing him to shoot a hand out to steady me.

A powerful jolt of energy passed between us the second his bare fingers gripped my arm.

The entire room seemed to spin dizzily, the ambient sounds fading in and out like I was trapped underwater.

He offered a quiet apology, his grip remaining steady on my arm.

The guard barked a harsh command, demanding the man unhand me at once.

Assuring them I was fine did little to deter the guards from dragging the man out into the garden.

Confusion clouded my mind as I watched them disappear into the crisp night air.

Heather rushed to my side, her voice filled with genuine concern for my wellbeing.

I shook my head, trying to clear the odd lightheadedness that had suddenly gripped me.

Craig joined us moments later, his expression darkening with typical aristocratic disdain.

He muttered about commoners needing to know their place during such important ceremonial occasions.

A surge of defensiveness surprised me as I insisted it was merely an accident.

Craig placed a protective hand on my back, suggesting I sit down because I looked pale.

My momentary discomfort began to fade under his attentive gaze.

We were only an hour away from being bound together forever.

My only remaining worry was making sure Heather wouldn’t have to return home alone.

I playfully asked my sister if any young suitors had asked for her hand while I wasn’t watching.

She shook her head, insisting that the night was supposed to be about me.

Reaching out, I adjusted a stray strand of her hair, telling her she looked absolutely lovely.

I even teased that she might attract the eye of Alpha King Tyler himself.

The moment my fingers brushed against her temple, her voice rang out clear as a bell inside my head.

Her mental voice accused me of mocking her and acting like the perfect, superior heiress.

I jerked my hand back as if I had been burned.

Protesting her silent accusation, I insisted I would never mock her.

My confusion deepened when Heather’s expression morphed into utter bewilderment.

She asked what I meant, claiming she hadn’t said a single word about me mocking her.

Searching her face for any sign of deception revealed nothing but genuine alarm.

I bit my lip, wondering if the stress of the day was making me imagine things.

Craig’s steadying hand returned to my back as he suggested the excitement was getting to me.

Heather offered to fetch me some water, turning quickly to head toward the refreshment tables.

Her fingers accidentally brushed against my wrist as she turned.

A sudden, venomous thought echoed in my mind, promising I wouldn’t be so high and mighty when Craig finally left me.

This time, I was looking directly at her face when the words sounded in my head.

Her lips hadn’t moved a fraction of an inch.

The voice had been crystal clear, though strangely hollow like it was spoken from inside a deep cave.

I gasped, flinching away and demanding to know what she had just said.

Genuine alarm painted her features as she stepped back, insisting she hadn’t spoken.

My heart raced as I insisted I had heard her say something about Craig leaving me.

Her voice rose in pitch as she frantically denied saying a word.

Craig’s brow furrowed with deep concern as he moved to cup my cheek in a comforting gesture.

The moment his skin touched mine, that strange, electrifying jolt returned with terrifying clarity.

His voice filled my head, echoing strangely while his lips remained perfectly still.

He mentally complained about my sudden doubts, frustrated that he was so close to claiming my fortune.

Stumbling backward, my hand flew to my mouth in sheer horror.

Craig reached for me again, his expression masking the cruel thoughts ringing inside my mind.

His mental voice lamented that if Heather had only been named in the will, he wouldn’t need to claim a foolish girl like me.

I recoiled violently from his touch, the truth crashing down on me with devastating force.

Tears pricked my eyes as I cried out, backing away from the man I thought loved me.

I knew exactly how he really felt about me and my sister.

His face hardened into a mask of pure irritation.

He accused me of speaking nonsense, grabbing my arm to drag me toward the altar.

A desperate shake of my head accompanied my refusal to proceed with the ceremony.

I refused to be mated to a man who only wanted my inheritance and secretly loved my sister.

Craig’s grip tightened painfully as he hissed a warning to lower my voice.

His frantic thoughts hammered into my mind, revealing that his father’s creditors would take everything if he didn’t secure my fortune today.

I demanded he let me go, pulling against his iron grip with all my strength.

We had reached the edge of the ballroom, right next to the side entrance leading to the gardens.

The beggar from earlier sat on the stone steps, having apparently evaded the palace guards.

Craig sneered, calling me hysterical and demanding to know what was wrong with me.

My voice trembled with rage as I declared that our mating ceremony was permanently canceled.

A low, threatening chuckle escaped his lips as he reminded me it was too late to back out now.

The Alpha King himself was waiting to bless our union.

Stomping my foot in defiance, I pointed directly at the beggar sitting on the steps.

I declared I would rather mate with that filthy vagrant than spend another miserable second with a lying snake.

Craig’s aristocratic facade cracked completely, his voice rising in dangerous pitch.

He mockingly suggested we ask the beggar if he would even have me.

Humiliation burned through my veins like liquid fire.

Without a single rational thought, I wrenched myself free of Craig’s grip and strode purposefully toward the beggar.

I seized the front of his worn cloak, pulling him forward.

Pressing my lips firmly to his, I braced myself for the chaotic flood of his thoughts to invade my mind.

Instead of shock or confusion, there was nothing but absolute, peaceful silence.

The unexpected softness of his lips against mine sent a different kind of jolt through my system.

Pulling away, I found myself staring deeply into those striking gray eyes I had glimpsed earlier.

He watched me with a mixture of quiet surprise and distinct amusement.

Craig’s hand closed around my arm once more, violently yanking me backward.

His snarl promised severe consequences for my little display of rebellion.

Dragging me back toward the center of the ballroom, he gestured sharply for the beggar to follow.

The entire court fell dead silent as we approached the Alpha King’s throne.

Craig executed a perfect, sweeping bow before the masked ruler.

He loudly demanded the King’s intervention in a matter of supreme honor.

Alpha King Tyler tilted his head, giving Craig permission to speak his piece.

My former fiancé proudly declared that I had dishonored our betrothal by kissing a vagrant.

Gasps rippled violently through the assembled nobility.

Craig demanded justice according to the ancient laws of the realm.

A betrothed person who strays must either honor their original commitment or bind themselves to the one they chose to betray with.

My eyes widened in terror as the King confirmed this brutal law.

King Tyler turned his masked face toward me, offering me the impossible choice.

I could honor my betrothal to Lord Craig, or I could bind my life forever to the filthy beggar.

Craig stepped back with a triumphant, sickening smile plastered on his face.

He fully believed a wealthy heiress would never choose a life of complete poverty and utter disgrace.

His assumption was that I would meekly accept him, handing over my fortune to save my reputation.

My gaze traveled slowly between the golden-haired traitor and the tall stranger wrapped in patched wool.

Lifting my chin high, I loudly announced my final decision to the entire royal court.

“I choose the beggar,” I declared, my voice echoing over the collective gasp of the nobility.

Craig’s face contorted into a mask of pure, unadulterated shock.

He sputtered in protest, unable to comprehend my rejection.

The beggar interrupted the chaos, a hint of amusement coloring his deep tone.

“The beggar has a name,” he announced calmly.

Nodding firmly, I agreed to happily marry this mysterious stranger.

“Dan,” the man supplied, holding my gaze with intense gray eyes.

Repeating his name, I confirmed my choice to the King.

The crowd erupted into scandalous chatter, forcing King Tyler to raise a silencing hand.

He asked Dan if he formally consented to this highly irregular binding.

Dan glanced down at me, a brief moment of silent understanding passing between us.

He confirmed his consent, ignoring the murmurs of disgust from the surrounding nobles.

The King noted his certainty before ordering the mating ceremony to proceed with the new pairing.

Craig hissed a venomous warning, accusing me of throwing my life away for a gutter rat.

My reply was sharp and instantaneous, assuring him a rat was far better than a venomous snake.

The royal priest approached us with visible, barely concealed reluctance.

His hands rested heavily on our shoulders as he began the sacred blessing.

A flood of judgmental thoughts invaded my mind from the priest, lamenting my foolish choice.

I flinched but held my ground, determined to see this through to the bitter end.

The priest finally announced that the mating bond required an exchange of blood.

Dan stepped closer, asking softly if I was absolutely certain about this path.

Exposing my neck, I nodded my final confirmation.

His hood fell back completely as he moved in, revealing his face to the harsh ballroom light.

A second collective gasp echoed through the crowd, confirming my own shock.

Far from being a dirty, diseased vagrant, my new husband was breathtakingly handsome.

Sharp cheekbones and a strong jaw covered in dark stubble framed his striking gray eyes.

A nearby noblewoman loudly whispered that being a beggar’s bride might not be such a terrible hardship.

My cheeks burned hotly at the scandalous implication.

Bracing myself for a rough bite, I was completely unprepared for his gentle touch.

His warm lips brushed my sensitive skin before his teeth precisely broke the surface.

Completing my end of the ritual, I leaned forward and bit into his unexpectedly clean shoulder.

His scent wrapped around me, a comforting mixture of sharp pine and crisp night air.

The magical connection solidified instantly, binding our souls together for eternity.

Waiting anxiously for his thoughts to rush into my newly awakened mind, I was met with total silence.

The priest officially proclaimed us mated before the eyes of the court and the Alpha King.

Would I be able to survive a lifetime bound to a beggar whose mind I couldn’t read?