The Alpha's Prisoner

The Arrangement

Sarah

My arm jarred painfully as my body slammed into the hard brick. A rough hand dug into my forearm stopping my descent into the ground. Its large muscles bulged as I was slowly pulled back inside the room in which I had been held captive. Realizing my mistake, I started kicking and thrashing against the brick wall, my shoulder ached against the pressure, but I couldn’t give in when escape was so near. The grip on me was too tight and I was no match for the man that was dragging me back. With one final tug, I was lifted back onto the windowsill and his other arm quickly wrapped itself tightly around my waist. Pulling me into his chiselled chest.

Wow.

He was magnificent. His eyes were beautiful, like the forest, like home. A chestnut brown centre surrounded by rings of gold and deep green. His skin was so smooth over his perfectly sculpted face. His lips looked surprisingly soft and I couldn’t help but imagine how it would feel for them to be pressed against mine.

I was staring. Whoops.

I felt my cheeks growing increasingly warm. I pushed him back quickly trying to get away from the intoxicating feeling of having him near. I cleared my throat preparing to confront the beautiful man.

“Why am I here?”

I brought my eyes back to greet his gaze. His eyes were intense, and I felt laid bare beneath his stare. I looked away unable to hold his gaze, cursing to myself as I felt the heat rise to my cheeks once again.

“I found you hurt in the forest; I didn’t know where you lived so I brought you back to my home to be healed.”

I quickly walked past him, unable to contain the intense heat I felt building inside myself. Even his voice was perfect, pleasantly deep and smooth. What was wrong with me!!

“Why was I locked in your prison then when I awoke?”

“I’m sorry about that, we didn’t have any beds available when I first brought you here, you needed a place to rest your injury”

That does make sense, and I guess he wouldn’t want a stranger free in his house which may explain why he kept the doors locked. I looked over to where the mirror was now shattered across the bathroom floor and guilt flooded through me.

“I’m really sorry about the damage I’ve caused, please let me pay for the repairs.”

I said whirling back towards him. Realizing the stupidity of my quick judgment. His head was turned towards the destruction in the bathroom, straining the lines in his toned neck. I needed to get a grip on myself this is insane. He turned back to me, his face relaxed and a slight smile played across his lips.

“Of course not. It was my bad judgment to lock you up, no payment necessary”

I shifted uneasily, this man has done a large favour for someone he didn’t even know, I can’t live comfortably with that kind of debt.

“Look my family doesn’t have much money but maybe I can make it up to you until you decide my debt is paid. I’m a hard worker, I can cook and clean and even hunt. I am good with my hands and I can help with any maintenance. It’s the least I could do for your kindness”

The man's eyes sparked up at my proposition, his smile turning mischievous.

“Well, I must say that does entice me quite a bit. But only on one condition. You must live here with me. At least until your debt is repaid”

I looked at him bewildered. Why would he want me to stay with him here? It was clear by my clothes I was very poor; I wasn’t anyone.

“I’m sorry, I can’t stay here. I have to go back to take care of my family”

I watched as his eyes fell and his smile faded.

“Are you married?”

“Nooo, haha, not like that at all. My mother and sisters live alone, I usually hunt and farm to feed them, repair their clothes, cut wood to keep them warm. I can’t leave them by themselves.”

I didn’t want to mention to him my recent engagement. The more I left it the more it felt like a bad dream rather than anything real. His face lit up once more and the mischievous smile once again spread across his face. It ignited something inside me, drawing me even closer towards him. He seemed fun and it excited me, I hadn’t been able to have fun for a long time.

“No problem then. We will make sure that your family is cared for. Anything they want I will have my men promptly cater for”

“That would only drive me further into your debt”

“I have no problem with that”

He winked as he slid past me towards the door, a beaming smile now spread across his face. As he breezed past my knees buckled slightly as his scent filled the air. My mind going back to the night in the dark forest.

“How did you fight off the beast that attacked me?”

He stopped abruptly his hand hovering over the door handle.

“I didn’t.”

With that, he quickly opened the door and left. The door clicking shut behind him.

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Tyson

Tyson felt powerful as he walked away from his mate and towards the war room, giddy from how well everything had turned out. He didn’t like lying to her but what was he meant to say? That he was the one that attacked her in the forest? That he locked her away to keep her from the discovery of his secrets? No, she will have to find out eventually, but it would take time, and it would take a lot for her to develop her feelings too. She didn’t have the luxury of foresight and understanding as he did.

This was going to be very difficult to explain to his father. He was already in enough trouble from the king for bringing the human into their home, and now he’s offered her to stay and work on the grounds. It was going to be a very hard conversation.

Tyson quickly stalked towards his Beta who had been leaning on the pillar at the end of the long hall. The most loyal man he has ever met and the second in command in his pack. He knew he would keep his secret, and that is why Tyson chose him for the job of providing for his mate’s family.

“Mathew!”

His Beta quickly turned towards him; confusion plastered on his face.

“Alpha, what has been happening I...”

“I’ll explain later, but there is something very important I need you to do”

Mathew stifled his questions quickly, even though it looked as if he was ready to burst.

“I need you to go to the end room down the hallway, there is a young girl in there. Ask her for the directions to her family’s home. I want you to provide them with everything that they need and request.”

Mathew gave a quick nod before heading off in the direction his Alpha had directed. That was one of the things Tyson liked most about his Beta. No matter his curiosity, he was patient and loyal, always eager to complete his Alpha’s orders and trusting that the truth would always be revealed when needed.

Once comfortable that his mate’s family would be taken care of, Tyson started again towards the castles war room. His father hadn’t left the room since Tyson had brought home his human mate, and he wasn’t too eager to revisit his already agitated father. However, Tyson wasn’t one to back down, he had made his decision. His mate was to stay.