The Alpha King's Only Mate

Chapter 6

Elizabeth's POV.

Seated on the edge of my bed, I watched as Rose paced back and forth across my room, her agitation matching my own.

“You're being unreasonable, Elizabeth, you should have called for me.”

“To do what?”

Sandra's mere presence, as I had told my friend before, had a way of sending shivers down my spine, the kind that made me want to retreat into the safety of my mind.

But Rose, ever the brave soul, seemed determined to confront the source of our unease head-on.

"She's not going to get away with this," Rose muttered, her voice laced with frustration. "You shouldn't have to put up with her nonsense, Liz."

I sighed, feeling the weight of Rose's words pressing down on me. I knew she meant well, but the thought of facing Sandra again filled me with dread. "I know, Rose, but... she just scares me," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Rose halted in her tracks, turning to face me with a determined expression. "Enough is enough, Liz," she declared, her eyes flashing with resolve. "I'm not going to let her bully you anymore. Come on, we're going to talk to her."

Panic surged through me at the thought of confronting Sandra, but I couldn't bring myself to protest.

Rose had always been there for me, and I knew she wouldn't back down until justice was served. But still, the fear of her gnawed at me, threatening to consume my every thought. She was more frightening just as I imagined us confronting her.

“Come on!”

As Rose reached out a hand to pull me up from the bed, I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. "Rose, please... don't," I pleaded, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "I don't want any trouble."

Rose's expression softened, her hand falling back to her side as she regarded me with concern. "I understand, Liz," she said gently, her tone filled with sympathy. "But we can't let her continue to intimidate you like this. You deserve better."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I shook my head, the weight of my fear threatening to overwhelm me. "I-I just can't," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Please, Rose... don't make me do this."

With a heavy sigh, Rose relented, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Okay, Liz," she said softly, her voice tinged with regret. "I won't push you if you're not ready. But just know that I'm here for you, no matter what."

I nodded weakly, a sense of relief washing over me as Rose retreated to her bed.

Despite her frustration, she understood my fear better than anyone else, and for that, I was grateful.

“You'll always be my friend and I won't let anyone trample on you. Not even his finance.”

She came to my bed and kissed me on my forehead before retreating to her bed again. I thanked her and flicked the light switch off. It was nighttime already, and I didn't want to be thinking of her when I had my next class the following day.

The private professor had graded me well on my medical test. He told me that if I kept it up, I could be better than people my age.

As timid and insecure as I was, hearing those words from him filled me with happiness. Finally, something I was good at.

I allowed myself to sink in the praises of my professor before slowly sliding off into unconsciousness. It was better there, in the world that I had created.

******

I woke to the gentle rays of sunlight streaming through my curtains, casting a warm glow over my room.

Rubbing the sleep from my eyes, I glanced to the side, expecting to find Rose still fast asleep in her bed. But to my surprise, her side was empty, the sheets neatly folded as if she had never been there at all. I assumed she was out and about, having fun.

With a sense of unease settling in the pit of my stomach, I pushed myself out of bed and made my way to the bathroom, the events of the previous night still fresh in my mind. Sandra's presence loomed over me like a dark cloud, reminding me of the shadow of fear that I couldn't seem to shake.

But I was going to try.

After a quick shower and a hurried breakfast, I gathered my books and prepared to head off to my lectures for the day. It was right around the corner, but I still liked to feel official about it.

I was prepared to leave when a sharp knock sounded against my wooden door, causing me to freeze in place.

With a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach, I opened the door to find Sandra standing on the other side, her presence filling the room with an air of authority that made my skin crawl. "Good morning, Elizabeth," she greeted, her voice smooth as silk.

I forced a smile, trying to hide the tremor of fear that threatened to betray me. "Uh, good morning, Sandra," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Sandra stepped into the room, her eyes raking over me with a calculating gaze that sent shivers down my spine. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything," she said casually, though there was a hint of something darker lurking beneath the surface.

I shook my head, my heart pounding in my chest as I struggled to maintain my composure. "N-no, not at all," I stammered, my words faltering under her intense scrutiny.

For a moment, Sandra simply stood there, her gaze boring into mine with an intensity that made me want to shrink away. But then, to my relief, she seemed to relax, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

"I couldn't help but notice your dress," she remarked, her voice laced with a hint of admiration. "It suits you quite nicely, Elizabeth."

I felt a flush of warmth spread across my cheeks at the compliment, though I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that still lingered in the back of my mind. "T-thank you," I murmured, my voice barely audible.

Sandra circled me for a moment, her movements fluid and graceful as she took in every detail of my appearance. And then, without warning, she stopped in front of me, her eyes locking onto mine with a steely determination that sent a chill down my spine.

"I have a favor to ask of you, Elizabeth," she said, her tone polite but firm.

I felt a knot form in the pit of my stomach as I braced myself for what was to come. "W-what is it?" I asked, my voice trembling with trepidation.

Sandra's smile widened, though there was a coldness in her eyes that sent a shiver down my spine. "I need you to reject Alpha Tyson," she said, her words sending shock waves through my mind.

I felt my heart stop at her words, my mind struggling to comprehend the gravity of what she was asking. "R-reject him?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "But... why?"

Sandra's smile faded, replaced by a look of steel determination that sent a wave of fear crashing over me. "Because I'm his fiancée," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "And I won't let anyone come between us."

I tried to protest, to argue that I had no interest in Alpha Tyson or his affections. But before I could utter a word, Sandra's demeanor shifted, her eyes narrowing into icy slits as she stepped closer, her presence looming over me like a dark cloud.

"You don't understand, Elizabeth," she said, her voice dripping with malice. "If you don't reject him, I will make you suffer. Do you understand?"

Terror gripped me like a vice as I stared up at Sandra, her words ringing in my ears like a death knell. I felt my knees buckle beneath me as she grabbed me by the collar, her grip like iron as she held me in place.

She stared at me for a few minutes more and when she felt like her message had gone through to my skull, she flashed me a smile and then waved goodbye to me.

“Catch you later, honey plum.” She winked and then walked out my door, leaving me shaken and scared.

What was I to do?