Bloodfallen; bride of alphas

RUE The square in Shadowmere smelled like smoke and fear, same as it had for weeks since the raid. Twelve wolves hung dead at the northern border, throats slashed by three long claws that carved its way round to their backs. The first rotten apple struck my cheek before I could even reach the pier. It burst on my skin, dripping down my face like blood and tears. “Witch!” Someone yelled. “Calloway bastard!” Another group of women sang. “Look at her! She reeks of death! Just like her family,” a young boy who probably knew nothing but tales about my family said. I kept walking, hands trembling under my sleeves as I climbed the stairs. Today was different. The wolves of Shadowmere were calling for my death. All because there was a raid a few months ago. I wasn’t even around to begin with. But who cares? All they wanted was my blood, spilled, to appease their wrath. The entire city had gathered around the square, their faces filled with hatred and anger. Mothers pulled their children away from me like my shadow was some sort of plague. Young girls and boys carried heavy baskets filled with rotten fruits just for my sake. Even after the wolves who walked me up the stairs told them to stop, they kept throwing the fruits at me. The juice from a spoiled lemon dripped into my eyes, forcing it close. It stung for a moment until I adapted to the pain. The next time I opened my eyes, my mate was standing a few steps below me. For one foolish second, hope crossed my mind. Lebron stole one glance at me before turning to address the crowd. “Two months ago, the city was attacked and raided by persons whom we’ve come to realize were men working for the Calloways. Jordan Calloway and his family may be dead, but we have one of his daughters with us. Alive,breathing, and unfortunately…my mate.” The crowd was concurring with him, names and insults flying from every angle. He went on and on, retelling the story of how my father killed innocent people, how my family caused chaos in Shadowmere city and the cities across. He told every dark story that was centered around my family before finally turning to me. “Being my mate doesn’t mean she gets to evade the punishment for being a traitor,” The crowd cheered, hailing his names. LeBron the just. LeBron the Alpha. LeBron, the savior. LeBron the kind. They chanted different names, their voices rising by every second until LeBron raised his hand, drawing silence. “Carry on with her punishment,” he turned to look at them. “But make sure no one touches her,” That was his last command. “LeBron,” I muttered weakly as he walked past. He didn’t stop. I was still staring at him when the fruits began hitting my face again. I closed my eyes to fight my tears. But memories of our good days flashed through my mind, pushing hard against tears. “Fat -duck!” “Ruined Rue!” Their comments kept ringing in my head until tears trickled down my cheeks. Every voice began to fade into a dull ache in my head. ************* One of Lebron's wolf workers dragged me through the crowd back to the house. I kept my head down until he tossed me into my room. Even before looking up, I could tell there was someone around the corner. The scent of vanilla mixed with the air, growing stronger and closer the longer I stayed on the ground. Arlene walked into the light from the dark corner of my room. She had that graceful smile on her face, the exact one she had the day LeBron called her to the altar and slipped the wedding ring into her finger instead of mine. “I’m sorry they treated you that way,” I ignored her, took my feet and slowly moved to my bed. Underneath it, there was a first aid kit. Arlene grasped it the moment I pulled it out. “What exactly are you learning in Wraithen City? How to Disrespect your Luna”. “Let me be Arlene. I’m in no mood for this,” “You should,” she hissed, forcefully pulling the kit from my hand. It’s content scattered noisily on the floor. “When have you ever had a choice? You know…there’s a song we used to sing when we were little. Something about the fat pig who couldn’t carry itself and did exactly as its master wanted.” “Well…it’s unfortunate that you’re no master.” I blurted before bending to pick up the items. She stepped on my hand with her shoe, forcing a cry out of me. She let her weight in, pleasurably pinning my hand to the floor until she was satisfied. “Do not ever talk back to me! Ever! Perhaps you haven’t noticed,” I crawled away from her before looking up. My eyes settled on her stomach, which she massaged gently with her palm. It was evidently protruded. A heavy saliva forced itself down my throat. “You’re…you’re pregnant,” I muttered. Arlene smiled, shifting her gaze to her stomach. “Five months gone now. The last time you visited, I was just two months gone. I wanted to break the news to you, but LeBron said you would harm our child with your cursed blood. Perhaps I could beg him to let you stay here with us. And watch me birth his heir,” her smile widened as her eyes returned to me. “You should be happy,” “I am,” I forced the words out of my mouth. “I’m happy. Truly. At least he’ll get the child he’s been seeking,” She walked closer, but the door opened abruptly. It was LeBron. He quickly adjusted his expression before Arlene looked at him. “Baby,” Arlene purred. They kissed, whispered into their ears for a brief moment, kissed again, and then she left the room. LeBron shut the door behind him and paced around for a while. I tried as much as I could to ignore his presence by gathering the items from the floor. Yet the silence pushed words into my mouth. “Arlene is pregnant. Congratulations, I guess.” He halted with hands locked behind him, then turned to me. Silence, still. “If you’re here to gloat about my experience at the square then just get on with it,” “How’s my father?” He asked. “If you cared you would pay him a visit,” I responded, still not giving him a look. But I could feel his full attention on me now. “I wanted to,” “But you couldn’t,” I stopped gathering the items on the floor to look at him. “Because I live under his roof. The same place you cast me to out of shame, and disgust, and the disappointment of having someone like me as your mate,” His jaw tightened. “You’re bleeding.” I looked down. My palm was cut from Arlene’s shoe. “I can handle it.” I said, ruffling through the box. He knelt and took the first-aid kit from me. I froze, quietly watching as he set out the spirit and wool. Then he gently took my hand and cleaned the wound. I stared at him, stunned. “What are you doing?” “Cleaning your wound.” My heart skipped. I watched him bandage my palm, unable to understand the man sitting before me. “I don’t need your help” He paused. “Have you ever not needed my help? Without me, you’d be meat for the wolves of Shadowmere.” Before I could say anything else, the door opened abruptly. LeBron dropped everything instantly and turned. The shock on my face was second to his. “Why are you here?”