CHAPTER003
1068 Words
Alistair
Finally, after so long away from Ravenshadow, my mind link reconnected as soon as my boots touched the familiar soil of Ravenshadow, reestablishing me within my pack's pulse and sending comforting scents of pine needles and rain throughout the air—my men and I had been gone far too long fighting wars that left deeper wounds than just skin deep; returning home felt good to all of us.
Years ago, I never imagined I'd miss this place. Back then, I would have given up my title without much thought, but fate had other plans. When my brother and his queen suddenly passed away too soon, leaving behind an empire without leadership and an orphan who needed caring parents, I took up their roles, becoming ruler myself while taking responsibility for Princess Rosalind, whom I eventually left behind when rogues threatened our borders, trusting she would remain safe while returning into service later.
As soon as I reopened her link, her emotions hit me like an overwhelming tsunami: excitement and relief, childish delight at having found her only family again.
But something else captured my interest.
As per tradition, when the monarch returned, his guards and servants lined up at the grand courtyard to greet him with reverence and discipline. But something about that scene is discordant.
A woman lay still, unmoving on a stone pathway.
I was rendered speechless by her sight; it hit me harder than any battle wound could. Delicate and frail, she lay there like abandoned rubbish. Tangled hair fell across her face, obscuring its features, but I knew who she was without being fully visible to me—it wasn't necessary!
She was mine. A scent so faint, yet unmistakable, reached me and gripped me tightly, while my inner wolf stirred furiously under my skin, restlessness rising to the surface again and again. Clenching my fists tight, I forced composure into myself before holding back tears of emotion that threatened to overflow.
"Alistair!"
Rosalind exclaimed with great delight as she emerged from the palace with arms outstretched, but I didn't stop as there wasn't time for greetings.
"Who did this to her?" I bellowed in disapproval before falling to my knees beside the unconscious woman.
Silence. Royal guards stiffened while servants looked away.
Rosalind began speaking out, but my warning snarl quickly cut her short. Tension in the room increased; no one dared speak up.
My hands found comfort in her quivering frame, knowing I had found my companion here of all places.
Lifting her up effortlessly, I was unaware of any startled murmurs. Her head gently rested against my chest, her body barely resisting my touch as I carried her up the grand staircase in my royal estate. Every step fed my mounting anger. What had happened to her, and why had she been treated this way?
She trembled as I held her, emitting an aromatic mix of lavender and blood.
Inside my chambers, I gently placed her in an armchair by the fire. Although I hadn't been around much in recent months, my absence had left the room dotted with memories; those I pushed aside as I focused on her instead.
My jaw tightened as she cringed away from my gaze, and her posture stirred fear within me, something that provoked an uncomfortable response in me.
"Let me see," I asked her before opening the first aid box and kneeling before her.
She hesitated, her fingers quivering as they pulled back away from her face and blood smeared across it; mixing with tear track marks.
I worked in silence, wiping her wounds with a damp cloth and dabbing any deeper cuts with antiseptic. She flinched only briefly but did not make a sound.
"Thank you," was all she could manage to say before her voice quivered to a whisper.
As soon as our skin made contact, sparks flew between us; she could tell the moment was momentous by how her eyes widened slightly with recognition. I know she felt it too!
"What is your name?" I inquired, using a quiet tone of voice.
"Elenor, Your Highness." Her gaze flickered away quickly.
Eleanor gave my wolf a satisfying growl and I smiled proudly.
However, something was off. Her retreating backward and refusing to meet my eyes didn't sit right with me.
"Who hurt you?" She stiffened. For an instant, nothing could convince anyone of anything; "No one," she whispered awkwardly and unconvincingly.
My wolf growled subduedly in protest. My patience began to wear thin, yet I kept quiet, knowing that soon enough there would be answers.
Rosalind. I can feel her presence here in my consciousness.
She spoke directly to Alistair: "You brought Eleanor back with you into your chambers; is she your partner or just another guest?" Alistair smiled pleasantly; he'd seen how intently he looked upon Eleanor during their walk together.
Eleanor seemed unnerved beside me.
"Well," Rosalind continued, "you should know she's an immoral individual who is not welcome here."
Theft?rov I suddenly broke the link sharply with my teeth grinding together. Rosalind would never say such words carelessly; she understood their weight.
I turned back towards Eleanor. She kept her gaze fixed upon the floor while twisting her fingers together in her lap.
"Are you thieves?" my voice asked incredulously.
Her head jolted back, her eyes wide and lips parted; no immediate denial was offered.
"Eleanor," I demanded, "please answer me now."
She coughed heavily. "I..."
Long silence. Finally, barely above whisper level, the words come.
"Yes."
That single word hit harder than anticipated.
Disappointment sank deep within my chest as reality set in: My mate may have been an unscrupulous thief all along!
My wolf protested loudly against my decision. However, as a ruler, it is my duty not to bend to the personal desires of my subjects.
"You could have denied it," I stated coldly,or offered an explanation. Instead, do you admit being a criminal?"
Eleanor shuddered but said nothing.
My hands began to curl into fists as my thoughts raced, "My mate may be weak, but she will not act dishonorably.
"Leave" was my message of intent.
After a moment, nothing happened until I heard her soft shuffle of feet and the door closing softly behind her.
Sighs escaped my body as the burdens and stress increased.
No matter my wolf's feelings, a thief was never my ideal match.
Not while carrying its burden.
- Writer
