04
1403 Words
Alyssa's POV
"You're not going to kill me?" I whispered, surprised.
Killian smirked again, he traced the curve of my face and pushed the fringes aside. "Sacrificial lambs are supposed to be precious. I know your father barely sees you as his child. So, killing you will have no impact. I've got a much more interesting gift for him," He said.
Once again, I was reminded that I was nothing. I couldn't even be used to hurt my father which was a good thing since I was escaping death now.
"You'll live here as my wife until I decide what to do with you."
***
Living as his wife, I did. And he still hadn't decided what to do with me since our wedding. That was the last time I had seen my husband. The last time I had felt him after we spent the night together.
It had been a full month. A full month of doing nothing but wandering through the huge house and living idly. Only Hannah was there to keep my company. The woman had been the family's doctor for years and after her retirement, she continued to live in the Alpha's home. She was kind enough to keep my company and offer me encouraging words.
"Where is he? Is he avoiding me?" I will lament and Hannah will proceed to tell me Alpha Killian was away, to tend to some pack matters. After all, he was the Alpha and he had a lot of responsibilities. She would encourage me to exercise patience.
But I knew that he was doing this because he despised me and wanted to be far away from me. So, why was he still keeping me in his house?
On one of these days where Hannah visited me, our discussion had sent me into another panic.
"I crave for sour orange juice," I had said, yawning lazily as I laid on my bed.
Hannah eyed me tentatively. "You craved something similarly odd just some hours ago. Yesterday too," The older woman said.
I shrugged. "My palate must be defined, thanks to your delicious meals," I laughed.
But Hannah found nothing funny about it. She neither laughed or smiled but continued to observe me with elderly eyes.
Hours later, I didn't know I had slept. I opened my eyes to find Hannah giving me a strange look. Almost calculating.
"I'm sorry. I slept off," I awkwardly apologized, stretching lazily.
"Have you had your wedding night with the alpha?" Hannah asked suddenly. The question made me turn scarlet.
"Ye..s," I replied, blushing at the memory.
"I'm sure the Alpha will be excited to hear about this news!" Hannah's eyes were brightening, her tone was light and she looked happy, almost ecstatic. "I've been the family doctor for years and I can tell a pregnant woman from just a glance. You've exhibited every symptom. Even your skin is undergoing changes. This is news of overjoy for the entire pack. I can't wait for the alpha to return!" Hannah rambled.
I, on the other hand, had stiffened in my place. My muscles tightened as I processed the news.
Instinctively, I placed a palm to my stomach and rubbed. There was a life growing in me. One that belonged to Killian. I had mixed feelings. I didn't know whether to jubilate like Hannah or cry.
Hannah must have noticed because she paused and placed a motherly hand on my shoulder. "I know this must be a lot to take in especially since it's your first time but I assure you that motherhood is a beautiful thing."
I faked a smile, not wanting Hannah to see the turmoil in me. "I'm really happy. Excited even."
When I was alone again, I let myself think. A whole month of not seeing my husband or the father of the supposed child. A whole month where I had lived in fear of what he would do to me. I never saw my family within that time and I was barely allowed out of the house.
Even though I was grateful that I wasn't killed instantly, I couldn't bring a child into this. No doubt Killian might be happy but only because he will clearly want an heir. And if the child turned out to be a girl, would I be treated like my father treated me and my mother? What if Killian reduced me to nothing but a breeder?
By the time it was night, I had come to a decision to do what I already knew how to do best; run. Yes, I would run once it was late, to escape from all these.
I wouldn't go back to my parents because they will send me back to Killian, immediately he asks for it. Far away was the goal, where Killian wouldn't find me and I could start a new life.
Like the last time, I took nothing along. In fact, I pulled the ring Killian had slipped into my finger at our wedding, and kept it on the bed. It was designed with the crest of the greenwood symbol. Similar to what Killian himself always wore.
Living in the house for a month gave me an insight on what the security system was like, the guards were each positioned at the corner of the house. But if a sound was heard, the guard whose corner it echoed at must leave his position and check it.
I picked a stone while still hiding behind a wall and threw it against the metal entrance. The guards exchanged looks and to my surprise, two of the guards left their positions to check it out, apparently thinking it was a huge commotion.
I tiptoed, ducking and hiding. I breathed a sigh of relief when I successfully exited the house that had been a prison since my arrival. But there was no time for sentiments, I gathered the folds of my dress and hurried.
If I ran through the town, I might be calling for trouble so I only walked faster, behind houses and through short corners.
After what felt like minutes of walking, I left the town behind, fully covered by trees now. It was nothing but forests and I could not tell if I had crossed the Greenwood's border or not.
I just walked on, hoping even if I did, I will be able to start afresh in the new territory.
Minutes later, I heard a howl. My heart jumped into my throat. Since I was told of my marriage with Killian, I have had bad experiences. Well, it was only one experience but it had lived in my head and I had never grown to forget.
The sound didn't happen again, so I brushed it off, and continued my walk. But, I was forced to slow down when slow growls and sharp snapping of twigs filled the cold and dark night.
Was the night against me? Even the moon wasn't shining.
Not willing to take any chances, I bunched my dress and ran! I felt my hair loosen from the loose bun I had held it in, but I hadn't stopped until I was out of breath and panting. I leaned against a tree with my hand to my chest, trying to steady myself once again.
"What are you doing, crossing the northwest border?"
I jumped so hard my head hit the bark of the tree I was leaning on. Someone was standing right in front of me, he was the one who had spoken.
Even though it was too dark to make out any face or figure, he was looming. I felt myself in danger.
"Who are y-you?" I asked bravely.
"The alpha of the pack's territory you just crossed," came the reply. It was oddly calm. "Who are you before I tear you apart?"
My brain started running in circles. This was the Northwest pack, the alpha of the pack was Alpha Fenris! Which meant that I was standing right before Alpha Fenris!
Oh no.
From the frying pan to the fire. Isn't that great?
"I.. I'm - " I started speaking, but before I could finish my sentence, he gripped my hand firmly, and moved closer.
"Mate." He whispered, and his hot breath brushed my face, making me a bit dizzy.
Mate?
My legs wobbled under me, before I could hold myself, I fell to the ground and everywhere went dark.
- Writer
