The Alpha's Prisoner

Three's a Crowd

Isabella crash tackled Tyson into a large hug, forcing Tyson and my hands apart as he attempted to balance himself. When they eventually pulled apart Isabella turned towards me, suddenly remembering I was there.

“Um, hi. I’m Isabella”

She stretched her hand out towards me and it took all my effort to shake her hand. Where they still engaged? Why would Tyson take me here!?

“Hi. I’m Sarah”

She gave me a quick smile before turning back to Tyson.

“It has been too long! What’s called for such a surprise visit?”

“Well Izzy, we need your help”

Isabella turned back towards me as if she had forgotten I had been standing there again.

“Yeah of course, whatever you need”

I watched as she grabbed Tyson’s hand and started leading him towards the house. He turned back towards me an apologetic look over his face. I clenched my jaw and began following behind them. I just stared at there interlocked hands. Why did I expect things to be different? Was I really this stupid?

I couldn’t help admiring the house as we began up the small steps towards the large wooden door. Isabella quickly opened it before pulling Tyson in after her. I followed them in, barely missing the door swinging back towards my face. I scowled behind them feeling impossibly uncomfortable as they laughed and chatted in front of me. Every now and again Tyson would peer back towards me, but I made sure to avoid his gaze.

Finally, we stopped in a large study and Isabella quickly began to work on the computer. Tyson had moved back to stand beside me. He moved to grab my hand, but I quickly stepped back and leant on one of the empty tables behind me. I could feel his eyes on me, but I kept looking forward, staring straight into the computer that Isabella was fiddling with.

“Okay, it’s all ready for you”

Isabella moved aside and Tyson came forward and began typing away on the computer. I evaded my gaze, trying desperately to stare at anything else in this awful room. Anything but Isabella sitting on the table, beautiful legs crossed daintily as she positioned herself next to where Tyson was busy working on the computer. She was so close she was practically against his hand as he typed.

“Sarah, come see this. I think I’ve found it”

Isabella leaned in closer as Tyson pointed to something on the screen. I got up and steadily walked over. Trying to keep as much distance as possible between me and them, she was almost in his lap now. I stared at the screen. It was difficult to read from this far back. Tyson turned around and frowned at how far away I was.

“Okay cool, just tell me the address and I can find a way there”

Tyson got up briskly and walked towards me before quickly being stopped by Isabella’s delicate hand on his shoulder.

“Don’t tell me you’ll be going so soon, Ty. Why don’t you two stay a little longer so we can catch up some more?”

Tyson carefully removed Isabella’s hand from his shoulder and finished walking towards me.

“I’m sorry, we really must get going. Thank you so much for your help Isabella”

“If you guys need to catch up, I really don’t mind”

Tyson quickly turned towards me, but I kept my eyes on the carpet regretting the words that just escaped. Why did I suggest that?! In a flash, Isabella was back by Tyson’s side and pulling him back through the doors of the study. This time I didn’t follow. I headed straight for the computer and read the news article that was still displayed on the screen.

Prehistoric civilization has been discovered in the Southern Planes that question our current conception of the emergence of intelligent cultures. The research was conducted by Doctors Myra and Anthony who plan to continue their studies of this exciting discovery at the Cross-Research centre…

I had no idea what that meant or where that could be. Not that if I did, I could manage to navigate there anyway. I sighed as I got up and headed back towards the door. I should probably find Tyson now. I had no idea where they had headed off to, so I stalked back through the front doors and found a seat in the garden.

We were almost free to leave, why did I have to suggest they catch up? I knew why. I was being jealous and spiteful, and it was an awful colour on me. It was strange I couldn’t help it though. When I saw them together something inside me began to sink deep into the pit of my stomach and I felt it drag me down with it. Maybe she was Tyson’s mate too. I curled up at the thought, digging my knees into my throat as my heart pushed hard against my chest. Even if she wasn’t, she was still his fiancé. Thoughts of last night with Tyson clouded my thoughts. Maybe they were…

No.

No, no, no.

Voiced caught my attention. Delicate feminine laughter. They were coming back. I unfurled my legs and stood up as they approached, trying to force a small smile onto my face. Tyson now carried a new travel bag that looked ready to burst

“So, Sarah. I had no idea that you and Tyson were mates”

I looked towards Tyson as he moved closer towards me.

“Yeah. Um… yeah we are”

“Okay we better be heading off, good to see you again Izzy”

Tyson brushed his hand over my shoulder. I mumbled a quick thank you before heading off in the direction Tyson was leading. I kept slightly out of reach as we walked. I could feel how tense he was beside me, but I was more than happy to walk in silence.

“Look…”

Tyson had stopped abruptly and turned to face me. I kept my eyes down but continued past him.

“We should probably keep moving. It’s risky staying any place too long”

I could feel the coldness in my voice. Tyson’s hand shot out and quickly stopped me in my tracks and turning me around to face him. I kept my eyes down but he quickly placed a hand under my chin and lifted my head so our eyes could meet. They were so warm, so concerned. I tried to move my head away, but his hand held me in place.

“I am really sorry I brought you there. She is one of the only people I can actually trust with this”

I closed my eyes waiting for his explanation to be over.

“The whole engagement thing was a strategic move; I had called it off as soon as possible because I couldn’t handle going through with it. It meant disobeying my father and risking losing my position as Alpha, but I didn’t care, because all I want is to be with you. I have never felt anything towards her.  She’s like a sister to me”

I nodded my head, my eyes still closed.

“Talk to me”

I opened my eyes. He was so close to me now and I was instantly dragged into his deep, concerned eyes.

“I just need to think everything through”

Tyson nodded and dropped his hand from my face. We began walking again in silence but this time I walked much closer to him. Perhaps he didn’t have romantic feelings towards her, but that didn’t mean she doesn’t have those feelings towards him.

“So, what does this whole mate thing mean then?”

Tyson peered towards me as I spoke, studying my face carefully.

“It means we’re meant to be together. That you’re the only one for me”

I didn’t know why I had asked again; he had already told me this. But it was nice to hear. Tyson’s arm brushed mine as we walked, sending shivers through me. I could tell he had tried when we had visited Isabella, but my heart still pushed heavily against my chest.

It had gotten dark quickly and the stars began to emerge above us. We had continued forward through the moonlight navigating through the brittle tree branches.

“Do you need to rest?”

Tyson’s voice shocked me as it broke the silence. I slowly nodded my head. I was tired, we had been walking for over half a day and my feet ached from the effort. Tyson laid down the foam mattress and we both crawled under the thin blanket. Tyson quickly wrapped an arm around me, and I moved back into him. He lay a gentle kiss on my neck before leaning in close to my ear.

“I am really sorry about today. Just know that all I could think about was getting to be alone with you again”

I grabbed his hand and wrapped it further around me. As soon as my eyes closed, I was dragged into a deep dreamless sleep.