The Alpha's Prisoner

On the Run

Sarah

I had been singing the melody from the music box all day. The words were now beginning to erupt from a hoarse whisper into a strong chorus.

Someone burst through the door making me jump, abruptly stopping me mid-song. Tyson was charging through, a large backpack in his hands. He began shoving clothing from the cupboard inside.

“I am sorry, I know you still can’t move much or communicate but we need to leave now. Mathew, your mum and your sister will be coming with us. I’m sorry but your healing will have to be put on hold before we can hide somewhere and find someone to heal you”

“Actually, I think I have that sorted”

My voice was a harsh whisper. It didn’t come out as strong as my singing had become but it was enough to shock Tyson. He whirled around towards me and headed towards the bed. I sat up, testing my new strength. I hadn’t tried to move yet, and everything still felt very shaky.

“But…How?”

“It’s a lot to explain”

Tyson pursed his lips; I could tell he still had a lot of questions. He came forwards, pulling me up into a firm hug. It felt so nice to be in his arms. I let myself fall into him as he had pulled me up from the bed. As we separated my legs began to shake.

“I’ll still carry you until we get somewhere safe again, I don’t think you’re in any condition to walk yet”

I nodded in agreement. He walked back to where he had left the bag on the floor before swinging it over his shoulder. Walking back to me, in one large movement he scooped me into his arms before heading back out the door. He smelt so amazing. I was suddenly very conscious of how I must have smelt. It must have been days since I’ve had a shower.

Wait… I was wearing new clothes.

“Who dressed me?”

“Haha don’t worry it wasn’t me, your mother had helped you”

“My Mum?”

That wasn’t possible. My mum was barely able to walk, her illness had made her so weak.

“I had Matilda help her out, she’ll be able to keep up with us fine now.”

We rounded the corner and headed down the large stair entrance. Everyone was waiting for us in front of the large open front door. My sister turned her head towards me, and her face lit up.

“Sarry!”

That was the name she had given to me when she was very young. She bounded up the stairs towards me, my mother following quick behind. Tyson gently put me down before my little sister collided with me into a big hug. My mum soon joined in. I was shocked to see her face so full of colour and life. Her cheeks were no longer hollow, and her eyes weren’t sunken. She was as beautiful as I remember her.

“I am sorry to cut the reunion short, but we need to leave now”

My mum and sister quickly backed up, looking sheepishly towards Tyson. He scooped me back into his arms as they did, and we all began descending the stairs together; saying goodbye to the King and Queen as we passed.

A large black SUV was parked out front. Mathew quickly grabbed the bag from Tyson and threw it into the back before opening the door for my mum and sister. They thanked him as they stepped in. Tyson placed me next to my sister in the back before rounding into the driver’s seat. He quickly pulled out of the driveway and began barrelling down the road. Mathew fiddled with wires, pulling out the centre screen as the car jostled around.

“So, the plan is to head to a small cottage on the edge of another village. We will drop off Emily and Sandy with new identification documents and jobs, and they can hide out there living new lives”

Mathew handed back some documents as he spoke. My mum looked over to me worried as the new information hit us.

“Is Sarah not coming with us?”

I could hear the concern in my mother’s voice. I reached over and grabbed my mum and sister’s hand, giving a gentle squeeze of reassurance.

“It isn’t safe for her to stay in one place…”

“We can go with her then”

My mum cut Mathew off abruptly.

“Mum, it’s okay. Look after Emily I can manage myself”

I could see the pain and conflict in her face as I talked.

“You’ve been doing that for too long. I just wish that I could look after you for once”

“Mum stop. This is what’s best, what is safest. You’ve already done so much for me”

I could see sadness welling within my mother’s fine features, but her understanding smile reassured me. The car was so awkwardly silent now. Finally, Mathew cleared his throat to continue.

“Tyson and Sarah will be heading off on foot. Where they go is to remain a secret so no matter what happens they can’t be found. I’ll stay back with Sandy and Emily to help them set up before heading back to the castle”

I couldn’t help feeling guilty at the notion. Tyson was doing too much for me. He was a Prince, he shouldn’t be running around off the grid with some peasant he barely knew. He had important work, and last I knew a fiance.

“Tyson you don’t have to come with me, I can manage on my own”

“You don’t want my company?”

I could hear the tease in his voice as he spoke. It instantly lightened my mood.

“You know that’s not what I meant”

“Good luck getting anywhere without me”

I couldn’t help but smile. He had a point; I can’t walk at all. Part of me was excited to be spending more time with him.

“Anyway…”

Mathew hurried on with his explanation as he continued to fiddle with the electronics.

“The story is Tyson was alone in rescuing Sarah from the Senate. Then they won’t be able to track Emily and Sandy to their new lives through the royal family. No matter what, they will be able to track Sarah as they probably have retained samples from her surgery. If you two keep moving, you will be fine. The general rule is to not stay any place longer than 24 hours.”

“Would they really believe that Tyson would have risked taking me from the Senate?”

Mathew got strangely quiet at my question and turned towards Tyson.

“I’m guessing that means you haven’t told her?”

“I haven’t had a chance; it hasn’t come up naturally”

“What is it. Tyson?”

Tyson cleared his throat. I waited for his explanation.

“We’re here. I’ll explain later”

He pulled up quickly and turned around with a cheeky smile on his face. I scowled at him but couldn’t help my own smile forming in response.

Mathew stepped out of the car and quickly headed to the boot. I opened the door and stepped onto shaky legs. Tyson quickly wrapped a hand around my waist to steady me. My family soon followed, and we exchanged quick sad goodbyes before Mathew bustled them inside. Picking up the large bag Tyson scooped me into his arms. I dangled my arms around his neck as he walked effortlessly towards the forest.

“So, can you tell me now what you haven’t yet explained to me?”

“Sorry, can’t right now. I need to concentrate. So, how did you manage to heal yourself?”

“I thought you needed to concentrate”

I smiled up at him playfully. He chuckled as he walked.

“Yeah but that’s why I want you to do most of the talking”

“Haha fine”

I began explaining my time with the Senate. The tests that they put me through, and what I had discovered. Tyson’s expression remained solemn throughout my explanation, only briefly revealing hints of anger.

“Maybe try the song again while we walk”

“I don’t want to sing in front of you. That’s embarrassing”

“How is it embarrassing?”

I shrugged. I kept studying his handsome features as he walked. He looked down at me and winked, a small knowing smile playing on his gorgeous face. I looked away quickly suddenly very embarrassed.

“Because I don’t sing in front of people, never have”

“Come on. You must! It’s for health’s sake”

I turned back to him rolling my eyes, only causing him to chuckle at my disapproval.

“Okay fine. Only so you don’t have to carry me anymore”

“I actually really don’t mind carrying you. But I wouldn’t mind some music for the road”

I sighed but begrudgingly began to quietly sing. 

This was awful. It was so quiet; I mean except for my singing. But it was a strange notion for me. Why did it have to be singing? It made no sense anyway, how would singing heal? Couldn’t I just have quiet mumbling like Matilda? I had a horrible feeling that the louder I sang the faster the healing worked too. It seemed to work that way during the first test at least. At least now it’s in my best interest to stay quiet to not bring too much attention.

My voice continued to grow steadily as we walked. I was enjoying being in Tyson’s arms but if I was capable then I should probably walk.

“I think I can walk now”

“Oh... okay”

Tyson seemed to jolt awake as I stopped the melody. He gently let me down on the ground. I felt surprisingly strong as I began walking beside him. He held a reassuring hand on my waist as I started. Concerned eyes plastered on my face to make sure I was okay. I was disappointed when his hand slipped away.

“We can stop up ahead, there’s a small cave in the mountains where we can set up camp. I mapped out a trail for our first few nights where we have plenty of shelters. Also, I thought you should have these. Seeing as we might be needing to hunt soon”

Tyson handed me my familiar daggers. I beamed towards him as I thanked him. I wish I could hug him right now. Our fingers brushed together as we walked, they slowly became intertwined until we were holding hands. It was brief though, as we soon rounded on the cave and Tyson headed away to gather firewood as I was left to hunt.

I began making nicks in the trees as I moved. Creating a trail for me to follow back to our shelter, it was already getting dark, so I had to be quick. I stalked in the undergrowth and quickly stumbled upon some hares picking at the grass ahead. I steadied myself as I focused my aim. Bringing the knives above me before sending them quickly down.

I followed my trail back to the cave. My catch hanging over my shoulder. Tyson was waiting there, a fire already started. I grabbed one of the spare sticks by the fire and began setting up to cook dinner.

“So please tell me now. I have been dying to know all day”

“Tell you what?”

Tyson avoided eye contact as he responded.

“Come one. Tell me”

Tyson rubbed his head but finally turned to face me. I smiled at him as I continued to cook.

“Well... we are… mates”

“Mates?”

Tyson sighed before shuffling closer to me. His arm now grazing mine.

“As in soul mates. People that are destined to be together”

“Um okay. I think I can kind of understand what that is. And that’s… us?”

I could feel him move further away at my response. I didn’t mean to insult him; it was just something heavy to tell someone.

“Did you not feel it?”

His voice was much quieter now and he hung his head as he spoke.

“No... I think I did. It’s just a lot to take in”

He seemed to brighten at my words. His hand rested on mine and I looked up to meet his gaze.

“I think dinner is ready”

My voice was very quiet as I handed him one of the sticks. We ate in silence. Once we had finished Tyson held out his hand and helped me stand. We moved towards the back of the cave and he set the large foam mat on the floor.

“Sorry, we’ll have to share the same bed”

“That's okay”

I didn’t think he had to apologise at all, I kind of liked the idea. We both crawled under the thin camp mattress he placed on top of the foam. I turned to look towards him as he smiled down at me.

My mate. I liked the idea of that.