Caught between two Alphas

Chapter 2

Vaelen stood by the window, his gaze fixed outside, at the world beyond, his hands clasped behind his back.

Fangmere Hollow was the capital of Lunaleth, the lycan kingdom. A breathtaking and peaceful place.

Or at least, it used to be. Until the past decade.

“Vaelen, the disappearances have increased to a ridiculous number", Alec said, pacing restlessly behind Vaelen. "We need to do something about it, if our females keep disappearing without a trace with some turning up dead, we might face extinction. A good amount of them are planning to migrate since no actions have been taken.”

Vaelen turned from the window slowly, burden etched deep into his features.

“I know" he said, his voice, low and frustrated "But every lead on has turned cold. I've tried everything, spells scout stairs... All dead ends"

“This fault falls on the king, if he had only taken the disappearances seriously when you brought them to him, we wouldn't be in this mess. Now he's pushing the responsibility on to you, again and of course he won't send his precious son Dameon. He knows it's a suicide mission." Alec said, his voice laced in anger.

"They want to get rid of you."

Vaelen didn't respond. He knew. And he hated he isn't doing anything about it.

“What do we do now? The female disappearances have gotten worse now, it has seeped into the mundane world there have been rogue wolves sightings. They are starting to notice.” Alec added.

“Then that's where we're headed. We leave for the mundane world at first light.” Vaelen said, his voice firm.

“Where? The mundane world? You know you could just yield to your family's pressure. Settle down with a mate instead of going on these endless missions your father sends you on, just to see if you'll survive.”

Valen's demeanor didn't change, he just simply turned back to the window, as if he could already see the path ahead.

“Pack all our necessities.” Vaelen said, not giving any chance for argument.

Alec just simply sighed, knowing there's no going back..They head for the mundane world at first light.

•••••

“Oh my goodness he's so hot”

“These fit me perfectly”

“I can't wait for us to get there, oakwood alps is stunning.”

The loud endless chatter filled Ella's ears and woke her from her slumber. She was on a school bus headed for a school trip to oakwood alps. She had to beg and work extra for months for Roland to let her go. Even after all that, she was certain he had someone on her tail, to make sure she does not run away without paying off her debt.

He'd even installed a tracker to her phone.

Ella's gaze was fixed out the window, the view was nothing short of beautiful, iron mountains, woodlands, and the sunlight that cast its shadow on the waterfalls. Anything was better than Riverland was, at that point. Anything.

It had been two years since she started living and working at the club but somehow it felt like a lifetime. Her girlhood had been bartered away for survival.

No one sat beside Ella. They never did. She was the club girl, the stained girl who probably sold herself for money. A lot of dirty rumors about Ella circulated among parents like warnings to their kids and teenagers were cruel.

Ella didn't let that weigh her down.

She worked hard, got excellent grades. She aimed for Harvard and was not going to let anything stop her.

Ella was just about to bring out her earphones to tune the noise. It started to press in and the doctor said she needed to avoid stress. She had grown so sensitive to it.

Just as she was about to bring the earphones to her ears, a shadow fell over her. A boy sat on the empty seat beside her.

Eric.

He needed no introduction, he was the school's rising star, in his freshman year. The star basketball player taking the school's team to greater heights. He had the kind of face you'd find on a magazine cover. A walking ten out of ten.

“Hey Ella right? You're in my biology class." Eric said, casually.

Ella just nodded in shock. The murmurs had started their works, yet he had brought more attention to her that she didn't need.

“Hi,” she managed to reply, her voice a croak.

At fifteen, Ella was always bubbly and carefree, expecting no more surprises. But now she had the school's heartthrob was sitting beside her and talking to her.

Eric rubbed the back of his head looking uncharacteristically nervous.

“When we get to the Alps I'd love to show you something if you don't mind, I've been really anxious to talk to you”

Ella's face fell a bit, her thoughts filled with him avoiding her gaze in the hallway, pretended she doesn't exist in class. Her shoulders stiffened.

“I was anxious because I…I really like you Ella” Eric blurted out.

Ella simply just stared at, her heart racing. This was surreal and she knew it, maybe in a book, a movie or another life. But definitely not in her life.

“So will you go out with me..to the place I mean” Eric asked, stumbling over his words.

Behind them, Ella could already hear the bitter, spiteful words girls threw at her. But she ignored it. Like her? Does he not know who she was?

Ella thought well about it, her instincts screaming at her to be cautious. If she rejected him in front of everyone she would get a backlash from Eric and his circle, if she accepted all the girls in her class and probably the whole school would make her life a living hell.

She smiled and nodded in response.

Now she had to be careful…very careful.