The Alpha's Prisoner

Engagement Dinner

Sarah

I had wandered through the rest of the gardens and had made my way past and through the back fence. I had kept in the shadows, unwilling to be spotted by any of Tyson’s noble guests that he had warned would be appearing. Despite his warnings, no one had stepped into the grounds except the old housemaid who would quickly dart in and out of the garden.

I continued further from the outer gates and into the forest beyond. This is what I needed, fresh air. The garden had been beautiful; however, the flowers soon polluted my mind with their sickly-sweet smells. I needed the familiarity of hard earth, fresh grass and the clarity of clear air.

I continued to throw the knives as I walked, creating a trail of holes in the trees that I could follow back to the castle. The Castle. It was so strange; I still couldn’t come to terms with the idea that I was staying in The Royal Castle. That I had kissed The Prince. The fresh air continued to clear my mind from the muddy banks of my current situation and drew me further into the forest. Perhaps Tyson didn’t mean what he had said, I shouldn’t have assumed wrong of him so quickly. It was just a by-product of my upbringing and my fall into poverty. I was always treated like the dirt of the village by those more fortunate than I.

The orange sun began to seep through the gaps in the trees as it started to set over the far hill. I realised I needed to make my way back to the castle, I didn’t want to be late for my dinner with Tyson. As I turned a shadow flickered behind a tree in front of me.

“Hello?”

No response. I stalked towards the tree and quickly rounded it to confront whoever had been following me. Nothing. My imagination really must be getting to me now. I needed food and sleep.

I began to follow my trail back through the woods. As I got closer to the garden gates loud voices and laughter caught my attention. Tyson’s guests must have arrived. I cursed at myself under my breath as I realised my stupidity of not listening to Tyson. I doubted the royal guests would be as kind as he had been to a lowly villager, I hated the idea of having to interact with them.

Sneaking back through the outer gate I stuck to the shadows as I made my way back to the castle unseen. A long table had been set out in the garden. At the head of the table sat Alpha, and next to him a beautiful young woman. Jealousy began to cloud my emotions as I sat in the shadows and watched the feast. An older man soon stood, glass raised and turned towards Tyson and the young woman.

“To the engagement of Alpha Tyson and my daughter Isabella! May our packs forever be bound by your young and eternal love and commitment!”

I watched as the rest of the table stood and raised their glasses towards Tyson and the woman, Isabella. My heart jumping into my throat as my body stiffened at my sudden realisation. Tyson and Isabella stood, and my eyes instantly zeroed in on their intertwined hands and beaming smiles. I felt so sick. It was even worse than I had originally believed. Tyson didn’t want me out here merely because he was embarrassed for a villager to be near his royal friends, but because he was engaged. I wanted to run, to escape this nightmare I was in. Was this whole debt repeal and staying in his home a way for him to get some quick village action on the side? I shook my head at the thought. He wasn’t like that though, I was just hurt and lashing out. But then again, I had only really known him for a few days.

Tyson’s eyes turned towards where I sat in the shadows, scanning the trees. I shuffled further back silently wishing more than anything that he hadn’t realised my presence. I began making my way back to the castle through the shadows focusing all my attention on the glass doors that led to my freedom. I wanted nothing more than to be back alone in my room. The sounds of laughter shrouded my light movements as I carefully stepped on the large tree roots. Soon I had made my way to the side of the castle and slipped through the gap between the large ivy passageway. The glass door swung open silently and I slipped myself through the small gap it had made, breathing a shaky sigh of relief.

My arm buckled as a heavy hand clapped down hard on my shoulder and began to drag me towards the large staircase. I stumbled, clawing at the hand that held me captive as its large fingers dug into bone.

“I told you to stay in your room”

Tyson’s voice was a rough whisper. I looked up to find his face contorted in fear and anger.

“Let me go!”

I hissed back at him as I was dragged up the stairs. I struggled against him as I was taken through the corridor and shoved back into the room I had been staying.

“Why hadn’t you listened to me before. This isn’t...

“My place? A nothing like me shouldn’t be seen around the likes of you is that it?”

I cut him off. The pain in my chest had been building from having to watch him smile and laugh with his fiancé and I could do nothing as it all came out on him.

“No, that’s not what I meant. Look…”

He rubbed his head in his hands, I could see the conflict deep within his handsome features. The pain I felt was too much to bear as I turned away from him and paced to the other side of the room.

“Look, I need time to explain”

“I saw everything, there’s nothing left to explain”

“Yes, there is. Just, please… I don’t have enough time to go through it properly right now. I know you need answers, but you need to hear it in the right way”

I stiffened as Tyson’s hand had softly rested onto my shoulder, the image of that same hand intertwined with another outside began invading my mind. He quickly removed his hand, sensing my discomfort at its presence.

“I have to head back now; they must be wondering where I am”

My body began to shake, tears threatening to unleash as I realised “they” probably meant his fiancé. His voice was so soft, so defeated. I couldn’t help but feel a brief surge of sympathy towards him.

I felt as he turned and left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.

Clang.

I rose quickly. That was the sound of the deadbolt. I ran towards the door and tried to open it. He had locked me in. I began pounding on the door.

“TYSON!”

“I’m sorry, I just can’t risk you coming out again tonight”

His voice was muffled by the heavy oak between us and my urgent beating on the door.

“UNLOCK THE DOOR”

I could hear the muffled footsteps as he had begun to walk away. I stepped back, daggered eyes staring into the door. Sobs began to escape me as I sat back onto the bed.

Tyson had returned to his fiancé. The images of them together plaguing my mind as I was trapped, alone in my new prison.