Chapter 5

“Now it’s time to put those acting skills of yours to good use.”

“I’m not an actor,” I looked at him, confused.

He gave me a look. “Really? You’re a hell of a drama queen with all the yelling you do in the forest.”

I became speechless and embarrassed, wondering how long he had been watching me. “I do not yell and I am not a drama queen,” I said, trying not to stutter, but the look he gave me told me he clearly didn’t believe a word I was saying.

“Whatever,” I muttered. “Besides, who am I acting for?”

“My workers. You work for me, but they don’t know that,” he said. “I need you to make them believe you’re my wife. If you can’t fool them, then you can’t fool the town.”

“But how do I fool them? They know you’ve never been married.”

“Leave that to me. You just focus on your role.”

I nodded slowly, trying to figure out what exactly he expected from me because pretending to be married to a man like Ryder Van Doren was probably going to be harder than surviving in Hayon Forest.

“So I just have to act like I’m madly in love with you?” I asked

“Exactly.”

I smiled. “That should be easy.”

Ryder gave me a suspicious look. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“I’m just excited to meet your workers, baby.”

He froze.

I blinked innocently. “What?”

His eyes narrowed. “Don’t call me that.”

I tilted my head. “Call you what, honey?”

His jaw tightened.

“Honey?” I teased

“Madelyn.” He said his brow slightly raised.

I smiled wider. “Yes, darling?”

He stared at me like he was already questioning every decision that had led him to this moment.

“I said act like my wife. I didn’t say become unbearable.”

“But wives are supposed to be affectionate with their husbands.”

“Not like this.” He said pointing to me.

“How would you know?” I asked sweetly. “You’ve never been married. Or have you?”

His eyes narrowed. I tried not to laugh.

“So,” I continued, looping my arm through his, “should I call you baby in front of everyone?”

“I don’t need the nicknames .”

“Or baby doesn’t do it for you what about sweetheart?”

“No way!.”

“Love?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Daddy?”

He stopped walking. I immediately bit my lip to keep from laughing. His eyes slowly moved toward me.“Don’t.”he said slowly “ Call me that.”

I burst out laughing. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry.”

“You’re enjoying this far too much.”

“Maybe a little.” I admitted.

He sighed and rubbed his temple. “This is going to be a disaster.”

I smiled sweetly and rested my head against his arm. “Don’t worry, baby. Your wife has got this.”

He looked down at me.I gave him my sweetest smile. For the first time since I’d met him, Ryder Van Doren looked genuinely speechless.

And honestly?

I was starting to think pretending to be his wife was going to be the most fun I’d had in years.

We finally reached the main hall, and I could already hear voices coming from somewhere ahead. Ryder immediately removed my arm from his and gave me a warning look.

“What?” I asked

“Try to behave.” He said firmly.

I placed a hand over my chest, pretending to be offended. “I always behave, sweetheart.”

His eyes narrowed. I smiled innocently.

“Right,” he muttered. “Of course.” He pushed open the large doors, and the moment we stepped inside, several people turned toward us.

The room suddenly went quiet. I looked around at the unfamiliar faces staring at us, and for a second, I almost forgot that I was supposed to be acting.

Then I remembered. I quickly grabbed Ryder’s arm again and pressed myself against his side.

“Good morning, everyone,” I said brightly.

Nobody answered. They simply stared. I looked up at Ryder. “What?” I whispered only he could hear me. He looked down at me, then at the people watching us. “Nothing.”

I smiled and squeezed his arm. “Good morning,” I repeated, this time even sweeter. A few people finally muttered their greetings, but their expressions were still filled with confusion.

I could practically hear the questions running through their minds.

Who the hell was I? And why was I hanging onto to their Alpha like my life depended on it?

One of the younger men who had greeted Ryder the previous night stepped forward, his eyes moving between us.

“Alpha?” Ryder nodded. The man hesitated. “Is there something you need?”

Ryder glanced down at me. “I want you all to meet my wife.”

The room went silent. Complete and utter silence.

I smiled “Hi.”

The young man blinked several times. “Your… wife?”

I leaned closer to Ryder and smiled up at him. “Yes, his wife.”

Ryder’s jaw tightened. I could practically feel him regretting everything.nThe young man looked like he had just witnessed the impossible.

“But Alpha, you—”Ryder’s eyes immediately narrowed.nThe man swallowed whatever he was about to say.n“Congratulations,” he said quickly.

I smiled.n“Thank you.”

Ryder looked at me. I looked back at him. “What did I do now?”

“You’re over enjoying this.”

“Not at all, darling.”His eyes closed briefly. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Another woman approached us, looking equally shocked.

“Alpha, when did this happen?” Ryder opened his mouth, but I answered before he could. “Oh it’s been three months, And it was very romantic.”

His head slowly turned toward me. I smiled. “He was absolutely adorable when he asked me.”

Ryder stared at me.I continued before he could interrupt.“He got down on one knee and everything.”

The woman’s eyes widened “He did?”

I nodded enthusiastically.n“He was shaking so badly. I thought he was going to faint. That’s how nervous he was.”

Ryder’s expression went completely blank. I had to look away because I was dangerously close to laughing. “And then,” I continued, placing a hand against my chest dramatically, “he looked into my eyes and told me he couldn’t imagine spending another day without me.”

The woman smiled. “That’s so sweet.”

“Isn’t it?” I said, turning toward Ryder with the most lovesick expression I could manage. “My darling husband is such a romantic.”

Ryder stared at me.I smiled. His eyes narrowed. I knew that look. I was in trouble. But before he could say anything, the young man from earlier suddenly cleared his throat.

“So… when is the wedding?”

I froze. Ryder froze. The entire room seemed to hold its breath. I slowly looked at Ryder.

He slowly looked at me, then back at the young man. “Harry, meet Madelyn.” He said, changing the subject. “Harry manages the house affairs, and he’s a Beta.”

Harry looked between us, still looking slightly confused before giving me a polite smile. “It’s nice to meet you, Madelyn.”

I smiled back. “It’s nice to meet you too.”

“So you’re our Alpha’s wife?” he asked, still sounding like he couldn’t quite believe what he was saying.

I opened my mouth, but Ryder spoke before I could.

“Yes.”

Harry nodded slowly, although his eyes still carried a million questions. I decided to save him the trouble of asking them.

“Don’t worry, I know it’s shocking,” I said with a sweet smile. “I was shocked too when he proposed.”

Ryder’s eyes immediately shifted toward me. I ignored him. “He’s actually very romantic when you get to know him.”

Harry’s eyebrows shot up. I nodded enthusiastically. “He just doesn’t like people knowing that side of him.”

Ryder’s jaw tightened. I could practically feel the warning radiating from him. I leaned closer to him anyway, resting my head against his arm.

“My husband is very shy.”

Harry looked like he was fighting a smile.nRyder looked like he was fighting the urge to throw me out of a window.

“Harry,” Ryder said, his voice dangerously calm.

“Yes, Alpha?”

“Do you have something else you should be doing?”

Harry immediately straightened. “Yes, Alpha.”

“Then go do it.”

“Yes, Alpha.”Harry quickly walked away.nI watched him disappear down the hallway before looking up at Ryder.

“You’re welcome.” I said

“For what?”

“I saved you from having to explain our love story.”

His eyes narrowed. “You invented an entire proposal.”

I shrugged. “You told me to act like your wife.”

“I told you to make them believe we were married. I didn’t tell you to turn me into a lovesick fool.”

I smiled. “You’re welcome, honey.”

His expression hardened. “Stop calling me that.”

“Okay, baby.”

“Madelyn.”

I laughed, slipping my arm through his again.b“Come on, husband. We have a town to fool.”

He stared down at me for a long second before shaking his head.“You’re going to be the death of me.”

I smiled up at him. “Don’t worry, darling. I’ll make sure your death is very romantic.”

Ryder shook his head and started walking again, but I stayed beside him, still holding onto his arm.

“So where are we going now, husband?”

He didn’t answer.“Ryder?”

“Keep walking.”

I smiled. “You know, for someone who wants everyone to believe we’re married, you’re not very affectionate.”

“I’m affectionate enough.”

I looked at him. “Really?”

“Yes.”

“Then prove it.”

He stopped walking and slowly turned toward me.

I immediately regretted saying that. His eyes dropped to my lips before returning to my eyes, and suddenly the teasing smile disappeared from my face. “You want me to prove it?” My heart skipped.

“I was joking.”

“Are you sure ? I can still give you prove if you want? .”He stepped closer, and I instinctively took a step back.

“Wait.”A faint smirk appeared on his face.

“Thought so.”He turned and continued walking. I stood there for a second, completely embarrassed before rushing after him.

“You’re an asshole.” I muttered

“You started it.” He said walking away.

“I was acting.” I stated.

“So was I.” He said, I stared at the back of his head.

Was he? I wasn’t sure anymore. We eventually reached the front entrance, and Ryder stopped beside the large wooden doors.

“Before we leave, there’s something you need to understand.”

I looked up at him. “When we get to Ravenhill, things will be different.”

“How different?” I asked

“You’ll have people watching you.”

I frowned.“People already watch me.”

“Not like this.”

His expression suddenly became serious.’“Ravenhill has spent years believing I’m a monster. Some will want to see you fail. Others will want to know why I suddenly have a wife.”

I swallowed. “And if they don’t believe us?”

“They will.”

“How can you be so sure?”

His eyes met mine.n“Because you’re going to make them believe you love me.”

I stared at him.nHe reached for the door handle, but before opening it, he looked down at me.

“And Madelyn?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t let anyone make you feel like you’re beneath them.”

I blinked.That wasn’t what I expected him to say.

“I’m a packless omega,” I reminded him quietly. “That’s exactly what they’ll see.”

Ryder’s expression hardened.

“Then i will let them see what happens when they disrespect my wife.”

My heart gave an unexpected little flutter.I quickly looked away. “Okay, husband.”

His eyes burned into mine.

I smiled.“I’m ready.”

He opened the door.nWarm sunlight spilled across the floor, and for the first time since entering Hayon Forest, I was about to step outside its boundaries.

Ryder held out his hand. I stared at it for a moment before placing mine in his. His fingers closed around mine, firm and warm. “Remember,” he murmured. “You’re my wife.”

I smiled. “And you’re my husband.” His gaze lingered on me for a second longer before the faintest smirk appeared on his lips.

“Let’s go, Mrs. Van Doren.” My heart did a weird little flip at the name.

Mrs. Van Doren.It sounded strange. Way too real for something that was supposed to be fake.

I quickly pushed the thought away and squeezed his hand. “After you, Mr. Van Doren.”

We stepped through the doors together, and the moment we walked outside, I realized something.

I had been so focused on pretending to be his wife that I hadn’t stopped to think about what it would actually feel like to walk into Ravenhill beside Ryder.

Everyone knew him.Everyone feared him. And now they were going to see me holding his hand.

His packless omega wife.

I glanced up at him.“Ryder?”

“Yes?”

“What happens if they don’t believe us?”

His thumb brushed over the back of my hand. “Then we’ll make them believe us.”

I swallowed. For some reason, the way he said it made me believe him.