The Alpha's Unblessed Wife novel Chapter 1

Akaiah’s POV

"How many times must I reiterate the importance of staying home?" Gustav's voice boomed, causing me to bow my head in response. A deep sigh escaped my lips as I attempted to soothe my frayed nerves. The entire day had slipped by without a morsel of food passing my lips. I couldn't even recall if I had taken a sip of water. From dawn till dusk, I had been engrossed in sewing, determined to complete my backlog of designs.

"But today is my brother's succession ceremony," I murmured, my voice barely audible. However, I was certain that Gustav's ears caught my words.

"I am well aware! But I cannot accompany you. My plate is overflowing with tasks," he retorted, launching into a litany of responsibilities he claimed to be handling. Yet, deep down, I knew all too well that it was I who was shouldering that burden, not him. “I am telling you, stay here.”

Gustav's hand clutched his forehead, his actions a clear display of his overwhelming stress. I remained silent, fixing my gaze on my feet as they made contact with the floor.

The succession ceremony for my brother was rapidly approaching, and my family anticipated my presence alongside my husband. I had communicated this to him weeks ago, but he persistently brushed it aside, asserting that we need only discuss it when the event drew closer. Now, he was staunchly opposed to my attendance.

Gustav must have detected the fervent yearning within me, as he let out an exasperated breath into the air.

"W-what if... Could I possibly go alone?" I tentatively proposed, raising my head to look at him. With his unending list of excuses due to busyness, it seemed more reasonable for me to go unaccompanied. I could easily explain to my parents that he was swamped with work, and they would undoubtedly understand.

Gustav's irritation was palpable as he vigorously shook his head. "Absolutely not!" His voice reverberated with a thunderous roar within the confines of our room. "It's a disgrace! Who would take care of my mother and sister? Who will handle the cooking? Who's going to ensure that everything runs smoothly here? And the cleaning?" He punctuated his frustration with a dismissive click of his tongue. "No, no. Leaving Akaiah is out of the question!"

I maintained my silence, bottling up my thoughts within. My fists clenched tightly as I tracked Gustav's restless pacing in front of me, his hands planted firmly on his waist. "Akaiah, you understand where your loyalties lie. It's us – me, my mother, my sister – our family," he asserted.

His words proved to be the breaking point for my emotional restraint. I could no longer suppress my feelings. "Loyalties? Are you truly the one to lecture me on that?" I strained to control my voice and the tears that threatened to spill. "Every morning, I rise early to ensure there's food on the table for you, your mother, and your sister. And who cleans up after? It falls on me! I labor from home, toiling for our shared income. Who are you to interrogate my priorities? All I want is to be present for my brother, and yet even that, you deny me? I am exhausted from—" My words were cut short by the forceful impact of Gustav's large hand striking my face.

My eyes widened in disbelief. Gustav had always been one to express his preferences strongly, voicing both his desires and dislikes. Yet, he had never crossed the line into physical harm. This was the first instance where his hands were raised against me, and the shock of that realization sent a chilling wave through me.