ENSLAVED BY THE ALPHA

Fifteen

(Unleashed)

Edwin

The doors slammed open so hard that the sound echoed through the entire room like a gunshot.

The air always changed before he entered. His face was twisted between anger and the overpowering urge to tear me apart.

“What the hell is this? Explain yourself”Father’s voice cut through the silence like something sharp enough to draw blood and he signaled the healer to leave.

Slowly, I lifted my gaze from the girl lying on the bed back to my father's unwavering gaze. What was I supposed to say?

“I’m waiting” he said again, stepping fully inside and the guard that was inside straightened immediately. No one ever relaxed when he was around.

Not even me- especially me.

“What exactly do you want me to explain?” I asked calmly. The words fell out of my mouth before I could stop them and I knew the were the wrong answer.

I saw it in his eyes before he even spoke.“You threw the girl into the dungeon. You left her there, starved, weak and probably worse. And you didn't think for once that Edward’s condition is get worse?”

My jaw tightened and now I was angry. How did I forget that he only cared about Edward, it was always Edward.

“Forgivie me for not knowing she was tied to his condition” I replied sarcastically. I knew, I didn't just think it through at the time I was blinded by rage.

“You didn’t know?” His voice rose slightly as he scoffed unbelievably. “More like you didn’t care”

Something in my chest snapped. “I cared enough to find her, to bring her down here and also stop her from escaping. If I wanted to sabotage your favorite son’s life, I would have stayed back and watched her sneak out of the gates!”

No one said anything, the silence that followed was thick, heavy and dangerous.

But father’s gaze darkened. “You forgot your place”

“No!” I said, stepping forward now. “I remember it perfectly. I remember how everything always circles back to Edward. No matter what happens, no matter what I do, it’s always Edward” I breathed out heavily. It was one of the reasons I had done with I did to him….

The room went still again, even the guard that was in the stopped breathing properly as if he wanted to be anywhere else but here.

“You are his brother. His life comes before your pride” Father said coldly.

My fists curled at my sides and my nails dug against my palms. “His life?” I laughed once, humorless. “He lost control months ago. He’s been attacking guards, refusing treatment, tearing through anyone near him and somehow, this is still my fault?”

It was my fault but father didn't know that- at least not yet.

“You weakened him!

“I didn’t weaken him!” I snapped. “You refuse to accept that he’s already unstable!”

That did it, the air in the room shifted.“You will not speak of your brother that way” Father said quietly.

“And you will not keep pretending he’s fine!” I shot back.

The doors burst open and a guard stumbled in, breathless.“Your Majesty!”

Father didn’t even turn.“What is it?”

The man swallowed hard.

“Prince Edward…he’s broken free.”

The words dropped like stone, for a moment, no one moved.

Then Father’s head snapped toward him.“What did you say?”

“He attacked the guards outside his chamber,” the man rushed out. “The restraints failed. He’s… he’s not healing properly. He’s unstable. He’s….”

“Where is he now?” Father demanded sharply.

The guard hesitated “Lower levels…”

My blood ran cold.

No.

***********

Lizzy

The light seemed too bright and my eyes were almost tearing up. My head felt like I had been run over by a truck and it hurt as though I was being hit in the back of the head with a brick. The air stung at my lungs when I tried to inhale. I tried to breathe deep but the only thing that came out was an agonized gasp, followed by more coughing which made my throat burn and ache even more painfully.

I gasped again and then I finally managed to clear my throat so that the coughs didn’t sound quite as painful or like they were trying to strangle me anymore.

I looked up into the sun above me and squinted because I couldn’t really see anything.

When my eyes finally adjusted, I realized I was in a familiar room.

“Are you alright my dear?” A man was beside me, he looked and sounded so familiar and yet I couldn't place where I saw or knew him from.

I nodded and as I struggled to sit up, he helped me, putting a pillow behind me so I could be comfortable.

I looked around again wondering where I was until my eyes landed on him. Jet Black hair, those eyes, and fear struck, no, consumed all parts of my body.

The memories came rushing back , crashing against each other like waves crashing onto rocks. They rushed through the gaps in my skull, filling the cracks, forcing their way inside. They flooded my senses until my head began to ache

The urge to scream, a high-keening, desperate scream that would echo through the whole house for days and weeks was almost overwhelming. It threatened to spill from between my lips and I had to force myself not to speak, I had to hold it in because if I didn't, I would break down and that wouldn't be good. I needed control over myself or else...or else... I don't know what I'd do.

Why was he here? I suddenly remembered where I was.

Why was he here? Was he trying to lock me up again in that dark horrible place? Did he want me dead?

He noticed how frantic I was as he sat beside my bed "Lizzy?" His voice, a rich baritone, was soothing but his worry was obvious. He looked at me with an expression I've never seen before. He looked terrified. It gave me pause for a moment but as quickly as it appeared there was nothing there but anxiety on his face.

I shook my head not sparing him anymore glances as I shifted far away from. I wasn't ready for his wrath.

I curled up on the bed, my arms hugging my knees, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I forced the memories down, away, and buried them beneath layers of blankets. I couldn't let them resurface now, I had to wait it out. I took a deep calming breath. Maybe it wouldn't last long, maybe this wouldn't happen again. Maybe he wouldn' t bother me anymore. But I couldn't afford to take any chances. If things got worse I couldn't risk it...I just couldn't.

My breathing slowed to something more like its natural rhythm. Yet I continued to rock myself back and forth .

"You can relax," he said softly, sitting beside me again. I jumped and turned toward him, slightly startled, looking at him through my tangled, frizzy mess of hair."I'm sorry if I frightened you."

His voice was still soft and low as he continued "But we need to talk."

I said nothing. He was a liar! He had hurt me on purpose! I didn't even do anything to him, I was only trying to get away.

He didn't want me here, no one wanted me here, it was for the sake of my life and my sanity.

So why was he here? Why hadn't he left me alone?

He reached his arm towards me, and I flinched, pulling away slightly.

“Lizzy, look at me”

I did not. While he was doing this, I noticed the other man hadn't left the room.

“Lizzy, look at me” he ordered. From his voice I could tell he was beginning to get irritated.

A sob left my mouth before I could stop it.

“For f***s sake, look at me, Lizzy!” he yelled , standing up abruptly. “Look at me or I'll snap your neck!"