The Cursed Alpha in Town

Chapter Five

Bethel turned pale. “What do we do, Your Majesty? Adonis does not make threats out of impulse. If he sees it as resistance, he will wipe us out.”

Donald let his head sink forward. “I don’t know, Bethel." "Lia is in pieces, and she won’t let me see her." "I cannot stand coercing her like this, but then again, if we do not comply with Adonis… ” He did not finish any further, burdened by the circumstances they were in.

Bethel’s gaze became intense, as brainstorming for a possible solution took over. “There might be… an alternative.”

Donald raised his eyes in expectation, hoping against hope. “What do you mean?”

“Well, we could… swap her,” Bethel answered, giving her voice a little volume. “An impersonator. If we got some girl who would be willing to masquerade as Lia, Adonis would never find out.”

Donald looked at him in a manner suggesting he could not believe how crazy that man was and raised his voice. “You mean we can pull this trick on Adonis? Do you know why that is dangerous? He will not simply go for Lia. If he finds out, he will go for the entire pack.”

“Sure, it’s something of a risk,” Bethel kept looking at him. But if Lia were to become Adonis’ wife, it would be a curse and a death sentence to her soul. And every single one of us would be chained in there with her. Adonis is not a man who desires peace, but one who lusts for power. He would and will use Lia as the bait in order to dominate the entire pack. This must not come to pass.”

Donald looked away and walked towards the opposite side of the throne room, still mulling over the idea. “Even supposing I have given my consent, there is no way we can just send any girl. If she were an omega or a normal girl, he would know straight away.”

Bethel made an approving gesture, his gaze thoughtful and calculating. “We need someone who would be at the same rank as Lia, her strength. One who would not die facing Adonis but yet would not lose herself in the process.”

As they tried to figure out the complexity of the assignment, a creak of the door caught their attention. Bethel turned around quickly, his eyes turning wide when he laid them on his child, Kiana, at the entrance. There was no doubt she was tall and intimidating, with a fierce look on her face as she advanced.

“Kiana!” There was a sharpness in Bethel’s voice, but it was clear she was not intimidated in the least.

She did not hesitate to study her father, then Alpha Donald and spoke in an even tone. “I’ll do it.”

Horrified, Bethel approached her, shaking her head. “Kiana, please tell me you are not serious. Do you comprehend what you are saying?”

Under his gaze, she stood strong and unwavering. Perfectly. "There is not a single person in the pack that would be foolish enough to do that and you both know it too.”

Giving a resolute shake of his head, Bethel’s expression shifted to one of barely suppressed rage. “I will not allow you to go anywhere near that beast, Kiana. You are my daughter, and I cannot lose you like this.”

Kiana responded with, "I am doing this because of Mom”. Kiana explained softly but with a strong undertone, ‘Mom would have wanted me to look out for the pack. This is the only way.'

Bethel’s eyes betrayed her sorrow. “Your mother would never have approved of this. She adored you too much to let anyone hurt you.”

Kiana’s expression was as hard as stone, her resolution impenetrable. “If I don’t go, who will? I have lived my whole life for such moments as this. I am powerful enough, and he will not walk away with the princess. This is the only option left for our people, and you are aware of that.”

Alpha Donald, who was observing the conversation, faced Bethel thinking he would get an answer from him, “What is she referring to?”

Bethel looked sickly at the woman and placed his hands on his sides. “Kiana wanted to take the place of Lia. She wants to be the one who gets married to Adonis.”

Donald’s eyes opened wide. “Kiana, do you know what you are offering yourself for? Adonis is not just an alpha who is cruel; this one is intelligent, dangerous, and calculating. It is not something you easily get out of.”

Kiana stared him right in the eye, her eyes unflinching. “I understand, Alpha. I want to do it for Lia, for the pack.”

Bethel’s voice was filled with rage and terror. “No. I will not allow it. I have lost too much already- I shall lose you too.”

But Kiana moved towards him, her eyes unrelenting. “You are not losing me, Father. I am making this decision, despite the consequences. Even if Adonis is deceived, Lia will be able to live her life as she pleases. That is everything.”

Donald caught on, looking at the two of them seated. There was desperation in Bethel’s countenance and there was no looking back for Kiana. “If this is done… there is going to be no coming back, Kiana."

Kiana nodded, her jaw set. “I understand.”

He inhaled shakily, reaching as though to prevent her from proceeding. “You don’t have to do this, Kiana. We will look for other options.”

Kiana carefully rested her palm on her father’s arm, casting him a gaze mixed with affection and resolve. “I can’t think of any other way, Dad. I’m determined.”

Alpha Donald, after some reasoning, agreed with a nod of his head. “Very well, Kiana. We will get ready for the switch. But know this, should he ever discover the truth, he shall not be kind.”

Kiana’s face was hard, her eyes filled with a cold inner fire. “In that case, he will not learn the truth.”

Bethel stood by the palace gates watching as the carriage with Kiana inside rolled off towards the western direction, its wheels raising a tempest of dust. He felt aggrieved at the deep depths of loss and sadness that overcame him, knowing the risk his daughter had taken to defend their pack. Such courage surprised him, but it was not any easier to say goodbye.

With an understanding smile, Alpha Donald offered support to Bethel with his hand. “You will be proud to know that your daughter will be honored as a hero,” he said with a hint of regret. But we have to be fast, Bethel. She has to bear the Alpha marks as soon as possible. If Adonis figures out that we have been lying to him, all of us are doomed.”

Bethel agreed, reluctant to remove his gaze from the carriage as it vanished from view. “I love you, Kiana. "You are more valiant than any soldier,” he whispered.