The Unwanted Wife

The Unwanted Wife

elixanima · Completed · 162.4k Words

364
Hot
9.2k
Views
150
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

A love that perseveres, a heart that breaks, and a choice that changes everything.

--

Lara married the man she cherished most, believing their vows would bind them forever. But love, as she soon learned, was not always enough. Lucas Gabriel Dela Merced never wanted her. To him, she was nothing more than a wife in name—an unwanted presence in his life.

Still, Lara refused to surrender to despair. She clung to hope, determined to prove her love and salvage their broken marriage. She poured her heart, hoping, praying that one day he would see her, choose her, love her. But fate was cruel. Lucas' heart was never hers to begin with.

Faced with the agonizing truth, Lara stands at a crossroads. Will she keep fighting for a love that may never be hers, or will she finally find the strength to walk away?

Will she finally allow herself to heal from the wounds of unrequited love or will she continue to confine herself within this loveless marriage, forever branded as Lucas Gabriel Dela Merced's Unwanted Wife?

Chapter 1

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Do not distribute, publish, transmit, modify, display or create derivative works from or exploit the contents of this story in any way. Please obtain permission.

Content & Trigger Warning: This story contains mature themes, including explicit content, strong language, graphic violence, and other potentially distressing material. Reader discretion is advised. I do not promote, support, or romanticize any of the crimes or red flags depicted in this story—they are included solely for narrative purposes. Please approach these themes with an open mind while being mindful of potential triggers. Your well-being is important, so remember to take care of yourself before, during, and after reading.

Author's Note: Hi, dear angels! First of all, thank you so much for choosing to read The Unwanted Wife. Your time and support mean the world to me. You might notice some flaws or areas that aren’t as polished as other stories—but I’m learning and improving with each chapter. If you come across any mistakes, I appreciate your patience and support. Once again, thank you for reading, and I hope you have as much fun with this story as I do ♡♡


Chapter 1:

Lara’s gaze remained fixated on Lucas ever since the wedding ceremony. Even as they moved to the grand reception hall, her eyes lingered on him, absorbing every detail—the sharp lines of his face, the way his dark hair fell perfectly in place, the cold, unreadable expression he always wore.

The reality of being married to him felt surreal—like a dream she never thought would come true.

She had spent years loving him from afar, dreaming of this moment. And now, here she was—his wife. The words sent a flutter through her heart, a warmth spreading in her chest.

A teasing chuckle broke her daze.

“If you keep staring like that, Lucas might just melt under your gaze,” Ali, her best friend, quipped, nudging her playfully.

Lara’s cheeks burned as she quickly looked away, flustered. “Stop teasing me,” she muttered, pouting.

Ali laughed, shaking her head. “Well, I can't really blame you. You’re literally married to the man of your dreams. You must be over the moon.”.

A soft smile crept onto Lara’s lips as she stole another glance at Lucas. He stood among his friends, his presence effortlessly commanding attention. Even in a room full of people, he was the only one she could see. With his sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and composed demeanor, he was strikingly perfect. And now, he’s mine.

Ali rolled her eyes at Lara’s obvious admiration. “God, stop smiling like a love-sick puppy.”

Lara shot her a playful glare, biting her lip to contain her giddy expression. “I can't help it! Just look at him, Ali. That handsome man. He’s my husband. My husband.”

Ali snorted. “You’re so dramatic. You’re lucky I actually like you, or I’d throw my drink at you.”

Lara pouted. “Stop raining on my parade.”

Ali smirked but then nudged her shoulder. “Oh? Looks like Prince Charming just glanced this way.”

Lara’s breath hitched as she turned to Lucas. Sure enough, his sharp gaze was on her. But the moment their eyes met, he swiftly looked away, returning his attention to his friends. They seemed to be teasing him, but he remained unreadable—expression blank, posture stiff.

Ali scoffed. “Wow. Not even a smile? Are you sure he’s your husband? He looks more like a man forced into a prison sentence.”

Lara forced a chuckle, masking the sting in her chest. “Lucas isn’t the expressive type. Cut him some slack.”

Ali folded her arms, unconvinced. “Still, he could at least pretend to be happy. It’s his wedding day too, you know.”

Lara bit her lip, but instead of dwelling on Ali’s words, she chose to brush it off. Tonight was supposed to be a celebration, not a moment to question things she already knew the answers to.

Ali sighed, sensing the shift in Lara’s mood. “Fine, fine. I’ll stop ruining your fairytale. Let’s just enjoy the night. Especially you, since it’s your wedding day. And—” with a mischievous grin, she added, “—you have a honeymoon to look forward to. You’ll thank me for my gift later.”

Lara narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Why would I be thankful?”

Ali smirked. “It’s a secret. You’ll find out when you open my gift tomorrow.”

Lara groaned. “I swear, if it’s another one of your troublesome gifts—”

“You’ll love it,” Ali cut in with a wink. “Now, come on. Enjoy the night! It’s your wedding day, after all.”

Despite her earlier thoughts, Lara nodded. She allowed Ali to drag her toward the drinks, reluctantly accepting a glass of something light. She wasn’t one to drink much, and tonight, she had no intention of getting drunk. She wanted to stay clear-headed. She still planned to talk to Lucas later. She didn’t want to face him while slurring her words.

But just as she was about to search for him, she noticed something.

Lucas was leaving.

A frown creased her brows as she watched him exit the reception hall. Without a second thought, she placed her drink down.

“I’ll be back,” she told Ali.

“Where are you going?”

“Bathroom,” Lara lied, already walking away.

The moment she stepped outside, the cool night air hit her skin. She spotted Lucas heading toward the underground parking lot.

Picking up her pace, she followed him, and when she was close enough, she called out hesitantly, “Lucas.”

He paused, his broad shoulders stiffening before he slowly turned to face her. His expression was blank—cold.

Her chest tightened.

She had been so caught up in the celebration that she momentarily forgot—nothing had changed between them. He was still the same Lucas, the man who had never looked at her the way she looked at him.

“What do you want?” His voice was sharp, almost impatient.

Lara hesitated, suddenly feeling small under his icy stare. She swallowed, trying to steady herself. “I just… I was wondering where you were going. The celebration isn’t over yet. Our parents might look for you.”

His jaw tightened, irritation flashing across his face. “That’s none of your business.”

Lara flinched at his harsh tone, but she quickly masked it. She wouldn’t let this affect her. Not tonight.

“It is my business now,” she said, her voice softer now. “We’re married,”

Lucas let out a low, humorless chuckle, his expression twisting in contempt. “Unbelievable. How shameless can you be?” His eyes burned with something far worse than indifference—hatred.

A pang of pain struck her chest. She had known. She had always known how much he resented this marriage. She had prepared herself for it, but no amount of preparation could shield her from the pain of his rejection.

“I know you didn’t want this,” she said softly, her fingers twisting together nervously. “But can we at least try to be civil? For the sake of our families?”

Lucas’s expression darkened. “Civil?” He stepped closer, his presence suffocating. “Don’t act innocent, Lara. You wanted this marriage. And now that you got what you wanted, you expect me to play along?” His voice dripped with venom. “Spare me the act.”

Lara’s lips parted, but no words came out.

Because he was right.

She had wanted this.

She had followed her parents’ wishes, clinging to the hope that if she just stayed by his side, if she loved him enough, he would eventually see her. She never meant to hurt him. She never wanted to ruin his life.

But her happiness had become his misery.

Her throat tightened. “I—”

“Save it,” he cut her off sharply. “I’m sick of hearing your apologies when we both know they aren’t sincere. You’re nothing but a selfish, cunning bitch.”

Lara flinched as if he had struck her. The words pierced through her, stealing the air from her lungs.

Her lips trembled. “I never wanted to hurt you, Lucas. I—”

“Spare me your excuses.” His voice was filled with venom. “You forced this marriage on me, so don’t act like a victim now.”

Tears pricked her eyes, blurring her vision. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the overwhelming emotions, but she couldn’t stop the tears that spilled down her cheeks.

Lucas’s expression twisted in disgust. “Stop crying.” His voice was cold, but his anger was unmistakable. “Do you think that’ll change anything? Do you think crying will make me pity you? That it’ll make me forgive you?” He scoffed. “Listen carefully, Lara.”

He stepped even closer, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper.

“I will make you regret marrying me. If you think I’ll sit back and let you have your way, think again. Two can play this game.” His eyes burned into hers. “And i’ll make sure that by the end of this fucking charade, you’ll be the one crawling to me, begging for an annulment.”

And with that, he turned his back on her and walked away—without a single glance back.

Lara stood frozen in the empty parking lot, her tears streaming down freely, her wedding dress feeling heavier than ever.

This was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

Instead, it became the day she realized—

Her love was nothing but a cruel burden to the man she had given her heart to.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother

2.4m Views · Ongoing · Harper Rivers
Falling for my boyfriend's Navy brother.

"What is wrong with me?

Why does being near him make my skin feel too tight, like I’m wearing a sweater two sizes too small?

It’s just newness, I tell myself firmly.

He’s my boyfirend’s brother.

This is Tyler’s family.

I’m not going to let one cold stare undo that.

**

As a ballet dancer, My life looks perfect—scholarship, starring role, sweet boyfriend Tyler. Until Tyler shows his true colors and his older brother, Asher, comes home.

Asher is a Navy veteran with battle scars and zero patience. He calls me "princess" like it's an insult. I can't stand him.

When My ankle injury forces her to recover at the family lake house, I‘m stuck with both brothers. What starts as mutual hatred slowly turns into something forbidden.

I'm falling for my boyfriend's brother.

**

I hate girls like her.

Entitled.

Delicate.

And still—

Still.

The image of her standing in the doorway, clutching her cardigan tighter around her narrow shoulders, trying to smile through the awkwardness, won’t leave me.

Neither does the memory of Tyler. Leaving her here without a second thought.

I shouldn’t care.

I don’t care.

It’s not my problem if Tyler’s an idiot.

It’s not my business if some spoiled little princess has to walk home in the dark.

I’m not here to rescue anyone.

Especially not her.

Especially not someone like her.

She’s not my problem.

And I’ll make damn sure she never becomes one.

But when my eyes fell on her lips, I wanted her to be mine.
Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate

Alpha Nicholas's Little Mate

1.1m Views · Ongoing · Becky j
"Mate is here!"
What? No—wait… oh Moon Goddess, no.
Please tell me you're joking, Lex.
But she's not. I can feel her excitement bubbling under my skin, while all I feel is dread.
We turn the corner, and the scent hits me like a punch to the chest—cinnamon and something impossibly warm. My eyes scan the room until they land on him. Tall. Commanding. Beautiful.
And then, just as quickly… he sees me.
His expression twists.
"Fuck no."
He turns—and runs.
My mate sees me and runs.
Bonnie has spent her entire life being broken down and abused by the people closest to her including her very own twin sister. Alongside her best friend Lilly who also lives a life of hell, they plan to run away while attending the biggest ball of the year while it's being hosted by another pack, only things don't quite go to plan leaving both girls feeling lost and unsure about their futures.
Alpha Nicholas is 28, mateless, and has no plans to change that. It's his turn to host the annual Blue Moon Ball this year and the last thing he expects is to find his mate. What he expects even less is for his mate to be 10 years younger than him and how his body reacts to her. While he tries to refuse to acknowledge that he has met his mate his world is turned upside down after guards catch two she-wolves running through his lands.
Once they are brought to him he finds himself once again facing his mate and discovers that she's hiding secrets that will make him want to kill more than one person.
Can he overcome his feelings towards having a mate and one that is so much younger than him? Will his mate want him after already feeling the sting of his unofficial rejection? Can they both work on letting go of the past and moving forward together or will fate have different plans and keep them apart?
Omega Bound

Omega Bound

1.8m Views · Completed · Veronica White
Ayla Frost is a beautiful, rare omega. Kidnapped, tortured, and trafficked to rogue clans and corrupt alphas to do with as they pleased.  Kept alive in her cage, broken and abandoned by her wolf, she becomes mute and has given up on hope for a better life until one explosion changes everything. 

Thane Knight is the alpha of the Midnight Pack of the La Plata Mountain Range, the largest wolf shifter pack in the world. He is an alpha by day and hunts the shifter trafficking ring with his group of mercenaries by night. His hunt for vengeance leads to one raid that changes his life. 

Tropes:
Touch her and die/Slow burn romance/Fated Mates/Found family twist/Close circle betrayal/Cinnamon roll for only her/Traumatized heroine/Rare wolf/Hidden powers/Knotting/Nesting/Heats/Luna/Attempted assassination
The Human Among  Wolves

The Human Among Wolves

675.5k Views · Ongoing · ZWrites
"You actually thought I cared about you?" His smirk was sharp, almost cruel.
My stomach twisted, but he wasn’t finished.
"You're just a pathetic little human," Zayn said, his words deliberate, each one hitting like a slap. "Spreading your legs for the first guy who bothers to notice you."
Heat rushed to my face, burning with humiliation. My chest ached — not from his words alone, but from the sick realization that I had trusted him. That I had let myself believe he was different.
I was so, so stupid.
——————————————————
When eigteen-year-old Aurora Wells moves to a sleepy town with her parents, the last thing she expects is to be enrolled in a secret academy for werewolves.
Moonbound Academy is no ordinary school. It's here young Lycans, Betas and Alphas train in shifting, elemental magic, and ancient pack laws. But Aurora? She's just...human. a mistake. The new receptionist forgot to check her species - and now she's surrounded by predators who sense she doesn't belong.
Determined to stay under the radar, Aurora plans to survive the year unnoticed. But when she catches the attention of Zayn, a brooding and infuriatingly powerful Lycan prince, her life gets a lot more complicated. Zayn already has a mate. He already has enemies. And he definitely doesn't want anything to do with a clueless human.
But secrets run deeper than bloodlines at Moonbound. as Aurora unravels the truth about the academy - and herself - she begins to question everything she thought she knew.
Including the reason she was brought here at all.
Enemies will rise. Loyalties will shift. And the girl with no place in their world...might be the key to saving it.
Accardi

Accardi

895.5k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
“I thought we discussed this earlier, Weakness? I warned you. His death is on your hands.”
“I thought you said you were done chasing me?” Gen mocked.
“I am done chasing you.”
Before she could formulate a witty remark, Matteo threw her down. She landed hard on her back atop his dining room table. She tried to sit up when she noticed what he was doing. His hands were working on his belt. It came free of his pants with a violent yank. She collapsed back on her elbows, her mouth gaping open at the display. His face was a mask of sheer determination, his eyes were a dark gold swimming with heat and desire. His hands wrapped around her thighs and pulled her to the edge of the table. He glided his fingers up her thighs and hooked several around the inside of her panties. His knuckles brushed her dripping sex.
“You’re soaking wet, Genevieve. Tell me, was it me that made you this way or him?” his voice told her to be careful with her answer. His knuckles slid down through her folds and she threw her head back as she moaned. “Weakness?”
“You…” she breathed.


Genevieve loses a bet she can’t afford to pay. In a compromise, she agrees to convince any man her opponent chooses to go home with her that night. What she doesn’t realize when her sister’s friend points out the brooding man sitting alone at the bar, is that man won’t be okay with just one night with her. No, Matteo Accardi, Don of one of the largest gangs in New York City doesn’t do one night stands. Not with her anyway.
A pack of their own

A pack of their own

1.8m Views · Completed · dragonsbain22
Being the middle Child ignored and neglected, rejected by family and injured, She receives her wolf early and realizes she is a new type of hybrid but doesn't know how to control her power, she leaves her pack with her best friend and grandmother to go to her grandfather's clan to learn what she is and how to handle her power and then with her fated mate, her best friend and her fated mate little brother and grandmother start their own pack.
Game of Destiny

Game of Destiny

1.2m Views · Completed · Dripping Creativity
Amie's wolf hasn't shown herself. But who cares? She has a good pack, best friends and a family who loves her. Everyone, including the Alpha, is telling her she is perfect just the way she is. That is until she finds her mate and he rejects her. Heartbroken Amie flees from everything and start over. No more werewolves, no more packs.

When Finlay finds her, she is living among humans. He is smitten by the stubborn wolf that refuse to acknowledge his existence. She may not be his mate, but he wants her to be a part of his pack, latent wolf or not.

Amie cant resist the Alpha that comes into her life and drags her back into pack life. Not only does she find herself happier than she has been in a long time, her wolf finally comes to her. Finlay isn't her mate, but he becomes her best friend. Together with the other top wolves in the pack, they work to create the best and strongest pack.

When it's time for the pack games, the event that decides the packs rank for the coming ten year, Amie needs to face her old pack. When she sees the man that rejected her for the first time in ten years, everything she thought she knew is turned around. Amie and Finlay need to adapt to the new reality and find a way forward for their pack. But will the curve ball split them apart?
Surrendering to Destiny

Surrendering to Destiny

728k Views · Completed · Allison Franklin
Catherine is not only a rogue half-breed, she is also the result of mate-bond infidelity, was abandoned as a baby and, to top it off, she can only shift during the full moon. When Catherine left the only pack she'd ever known in order to escape the new alpha, the last thing she expected was to find her mate... let alone for him to be the mouth-watering, heavily tattooed, lead warrior of the most feared lycan pack on the continent.

Graham MacTavish wasn't prepared to find his mate in the small town of Sterling that borders the Blackmoore Packlands. He certainly didn't expect her to be a rogue, half-breed who smelled of Alpha blood. With her multi-colored eyes, there was no stopping him from falling hard the moment their mate bond snapped into place. He would do anything to claim her, protect her and cherish her no matter the cost.

From vengeful ex-lovers, pack politics, species prejudice, hidden plots, magic, kidnapping, poisoning, rogue attacks, and a mountain of secrets including Catherine's true parentage there is no shortage of things trying to tear the two apart.

Despite the hardships, a burning desire and willingness to trust will help forge a strong bond between the two... but no bond is unbreakable. When the secrets kept close to heart are slowly revealed, will the two be able to weather the storm? Or will the gift bestowed upon Catherine by the moon goddess be too insurmountable to overcome?
Shattered Girl

Shattered Girl

880.6k Views · Completed · Brandi Rae
Jake's fingers danced across my nipples, squeezing gently and making me groan in pleasure. He lifted my shirt and stared at my hardened nipples through my bra. I tensed, and Jake sat up and moved back on the bed, giving me some space.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. Was that too much?” I could see the worry in his eyes as I took a deep breath.

“I just didn’t want you to see all my scars,” I whispered, feeling ashamed of my marked body.


Emmy Nichols is used to surviving. She survived her abusive father for years until he beat her so severely, she ended up in the hospital, and her father was finally arrested. Now, Emmy is thrown into a life she never expected. Now she has a mother

who doesn't want her, a politically motivated stepfather with ties to the Irish mob, four older stepbrothers, and their best friend who swear to love and protect her. Then, one night, everything shatters, and Emmy feels her only option is to run.

When her stepbrothers and their best friend finally find her, will they pick up the pieces and convince Emmy that they will keep her safe and their love will hold them together?
The Lycan Prince’s Puppy

The Lycan Prince’s Puppy

3.2m Views · Ongoing · chavontheauthor
“You’re mine, little puppy,” Kylan growled against my neck.
“Soon enough, you’ll be begging for me. And when you do—I’ll use you as I see fit, and then I’ll reject you.”


When Violet Hastings begins her freshman year at Starlight Shifters Academy, she only wants two things—honor her mother’s legacy by becoming a skilled healer for her pack and get through the academy without anyone calling her a freak for her strange eye condition.

Things take a dramatic turn when she discovers that Kylan, the arrogant heir to the Lycan throne who has made her life miserable from the moment they met, is her mate.

Kylan, known for his cold personality and cruel ways, is far from thrilled. He refuses to accept Violet as his mate, yet he doesn’t want to reject her either. Instead, he sees her as his puppy, and is determined to make her life even more of a living hell.

As if dealing with Kylan’s torment isn’t enough, Violet begins to uncover secrets about her past that change everything she thought she knew. Where does she truly come from? What is the secret behind her eyes? And has her whole life been a lie?
Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully

Oops, Wrong Girl to Bully

251.2k Views · Completed · Xena Kessler
An original story by Xena Kessler
My back hit the desk. Pain exploded through my skull.
"Girls like you don't get to dream about guys like Kai." Bella's breath was hot on my face. "You don't get to write pathetic love letters."
She shoved me again. Harder.
"Maybe if you weren't such a desperate little—"
I fell. My head cracked against the corner.
Warmth trickled down my neck. Blood.
Their laughter turned to gasps.
The door slammed.
I tried to stand. Couldn't. The room was spinning, fading to black.
Someone... please...
Angelina, the most powerful Alpha who conquered forty-nine packs, dies in a yacht explosion—only to wake up as Aria Sterling, a fifteen-year-old Omega's daughter who just died from bullying.
The original Aria's life was a nightmare. Humiliated when golden boy Kai Matthews posted her love letter online, then shoved to death by his girlfriend Bella Morrison. But that's not all her family faces:
"You got until Monday," the tattooed gangster sneered at Aria's mother. "Ten grand cash. Or I'm taking collateral—your kids' organs fetch top dollar. That pretty daughter of yours? She could make us money another way too."
Now Angelina's lethal combat skills awaken in this fragile body. No more hiding. No more fear.
Armed with an Alpha's ruthlessness and a mysterious blood-red pendant, she'll dismantle everyone who hurt this family—one calculated move at a time.
Goddess Of The Underworld

Goddess Of The Underworld

742k Views · Completed · Sheridan Hartin
Left at a pack border with a name and a stubborn heartbeat, Envy grows into the sharpest kind of survivor, an orphaned warrior who knows how to hold a line and keep moving. Love isn’t in the plan…until four alpha wolves with playboy reputations and inconveniently soft hands decide the girl who won’t bow is the only queen they’ll ever take. Their mate. The one they have waited for. Xavier, Haiden, Levi, and Noah are gorgeous, lethal, and anything but perfect and Envy isn’t either. She’s changing. First into hell hound, Layah at her heels and fire in her veins. Then into what the realm has been waiting for, a Goddess of the Underworld, dragging her mates down to hell with her.

When the veil between the Divine, the Living, and the Dead begins to crack, Envy is thrust beneath with a job she can’t drop: keep the worlds from bleeding together, shepherd the lost, and make ordinary into armour, breakfasts, bedtime, battle plans. Peace lasts exactly one lullaby. This is the story of an orphan pup who became a goddess by choosing her family; of four imperfect alphas learning how to be better. Steamy, fierce, and full of heart, Goddess of the Underworld is a reverse harem, found-family paranormal romance where love writes the rules and keeps three realms from falling apart.