Till Death Takes A Bite

Killing Two Birds

MALIAH

“I cannot give my daughter to that man. I just found her; I cannot afford to lose her.”

After the event that night, Luna Hildred had led me to my room and watched me sleep but I couldn’t. She had tried to hide me from that stranger. I tiptoed to hear what was going on.

“I cannot afford to lose her but your plans to let her run away this night would only endanger her. That would not work. We can deceive him into believing we are going to give her to him but then, we ambush him on the way and get out daughter back!” The Alpha suggested.

“And do you think he would let this pack be? That is not possible. He will destroy everything!” Luna Hildred argued. I leaned in slightly, trying to understand what they were discussing but before I could hear anything more, I accidentally creaked the floorboard beneath my feet. Their conversation suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

I froze, realizing I had been caught.

“I....” I started, clearing my throat. “I... I just wanted to get water. I am dehydrated.”

I could tell neither of them believed me as they stared at me and I turned to leave almost immediately.

“Wait....” Luna Hildred held me back. I could see the worry and concern in her eyes and my heart began to race. Even though I tried to feign ignorance, it was very difficult. “There is something we need to talk to you about.” She drew me closer and the Alpha nodded before they both walked me back into my room.

The Luna and the Alpha positioned themselves directly in front of me. A nervous chuckle escaped my lips.

“You have to leave.” The Luna started. Leave? I looked at the Alpha in confusion but his face was etched with a mix of sadness and determination.

“I am not asking you to leave permanently.” She said, her voice cracking. “I just.... we want to protect you. There are things going on that I don’t want you to be a part of. I want to keep you safe.” She spoke.

“Can you tell me what is happening? I just got here and you want me to leave? Did I do something wrong? Did i.....”

“No, child.” Luna Hildred's face crumpled and she burst out into tears. She reached out and grabbed my hands, holding them tightly in hers. “There are some things you need to know but we can’t tell you now. We are simply trying to protect you and.....”

“Years ago, we had nothing. Our pack was in shambles and we desperately needed help. A strong and powerful Alpha, Alpha Damon helped us out in agreement to be given whatever he wants. We were... we were so blinded by desperation that we agreed to his terms.” The Alpha halted and turned to look at the Luna.

“He made us sign an agreement.” The Alpha stammered, his eyes darting back and forth between my mother and me. “His son...... he wants you to marry his son.”

I felt like I had been punched in the gut. Betrothed? Marriage?

The Luna’s grip on my hands tightened as if she was trying to anchor me to reality. The Alpha's face crumpled and he buried his face in his hands.

“We didn’t want to tell you.” She whispered. “We were hoping to find a way out of it but..... but it’s complicated.” She shook my hands. “And that is why I am asking you to leave. I will contact an aunt of mine to take you in. I will send you some maids to make you comfortable.” She explained. “I cannot afford to lose you to Malachai. Malachai is dangerous.

He is powerful and we cannot fight him. If you leave, we could lie to him that you were abducted or something.”

Malachai? That name did ring a bell.

“So please, be prepared. Malachai will be here for lunch tomorrow. I want you to leave the minute he comes here. I will make a plan for you to escape.” Luna Hildred explained before placing a kiss on my head and stepping out of the room alongside the Alpha.

I couldn’t sleep. I could not stop pondering on what they had told me that night. Then like a bolt of lightning on a stormy night, it clicked. I knew him! I knew who it was!

I felt a chill run down my spine and my skin crawled with unease. I had just one question but there was no one I could ask, at least not at that time of the night.

I had constantly heard Byron speak about Malachai, the rumors surrounding him and....

The Luna had sounded like he was dangerous and I knew Bryon feared him too. Perhaps, this... was my cue?

**

I awoke quite early the next morning. I had continually dreamt of Malachai and Byron.

“What do you know about Malachai?” I asked the maid brushing my hair and I could see fear and worry in her eyes.

“All I know is that he is dangerous. He is the Alpha of the Savage Shadow pack and...”

That was the answer I needed. It was really him. Just then, the door flung open and the Luna walked into the room in a rush.

“Malachai is on his way. Please, stay in here till everything is resolved. I will let you know when to escape.” She held my hands and I nodded with a smile. No sooner had she left the room when a maid walked into the room with a worrisome look.

“My lady, please do not come out for any reason. Alpha Malachai is around so please, stay in here before he comes.” The maid spoke and I nodded before she head out.

“Can you.... can you get me a glass of water?” I instructed the only maid with me and she nodded before heading out immediately. As soon as she was out of sight, I slided out of the room, my feet barely making a sound on the cool, marble floor. I reached the doorway to the dining room and peeked inside.

Even from the distance, I could sense the Alpha and Luna's inconvenience as they conversed with him. The menacing aura surrounding him radiated throughout the room.

“So..... where is my bride? Why isn’t she downstairs for lunch, yet?” He probed and I watched the Luna choke on her drink.

“Well, she.... we ..... i....” They stuttered.

“Here I am....” I slipped into the dining room, a mischievous grin spreading across my face as I made my way to the table. The Alpha and Luna's face was a picture of shock and fear, her eyes wide with alarm. I could almost see the panic rising up inside them.

The Luna looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown.

“I am sorry to keep you waiting....... betrothed.” I smiled and his lips thinned into a grin. I could see the worry in the Luna’s eyes but this was .... simply killing two birds with a stone.