Mated to the Cruel Alpha

Episode 10: Black Stilettos

KIERAN'S POINT OF VIEW

“Is she doing any better?” I asked even though the answer seemed obvious.

Elena has been hooked to some machines since. She also hasn't moved since. She just laid there limply. Her face looked pale, almost blue and bloodless. Her hands laid weakly by her sides, they also look pale, almost blue.

I focus on her face. I felt a pang of guilt. I should have just stopped when she tried to commit suicide instead of marrying me. I should have taken that as a sign to leave her alone, but no, I just had to be stubborn and keep trying to make her mine.

Argh!

I looked at the doctor who had his head bowed in fear. His hands trembled.

“No, my dear Alpha. We have tried everything but nothing is working,” he said with fear in his voice. My anger bubbled up.

“What do you even mean by this?! Is this what I pay you for?! I pay you to solve impossible medical cases, and you cannot even do that?!” I yelled, causing a porcelain jug on the table by Elena's beg to tumble over. The doctor looked scared half to death. I quickly noticed that my fist was holding on to his collar, that he was starting to choke. I let go and tried to gain composure.

“I…I have done everything I can, I have tried my dear Alpha. Please don't be upset with me, Alpha,” he cried with his face in his hand. I looked away. This reminded me of something I would rather forget, so I turned away, but that did not stop the anger from coming. I turned back to the doctor.

“You are fired,” I said calmly.

“What? Please, Alpha no,” he begged.

“If you cannot do what I pay you to, then why are you even here?”

“Clear up your office and leave,” I said. The tears on his face were enough to fill up a river bed.

“Please, please, Alpha. I have children to take care of. My wife is sick. Please Alpha,” he pleaded, but my mind was already made up.

It is not his fault, my wolf said within me. I ignored him.

You cannot keep blaming others for your problem, Kieran. You did this to her, take responsibility for once! My wolf yelled, making it difficult to ignore.

I looked down at Elena.

I did this to her. My wolf is right, this is my fault not the doctor's.

I brought this upon Elena even if I hadn't meant to. I wanted… needed her to be mine. She is the only one that can connect me to my human side. She is the only one that can melt the ice around my heart, the only one that can fill this hollow space in my heart. I have watched her for years, it was confirmed that night. Elena is all I need to avert the prophecy and there is no way I am going to let her die.

She is not getting out of this that easily, not on my watch.

“Tell Shiraya that I need to see her at the palace,” I said to the servant that stood by my side. His eyes went wide with shock, but he quickly concealed this expression and nodded.

Shiraya is bad news, everybody in the pack knows not to deal with her, everybody knows to stay away from her if they value their lives. I know that she is not someone to be trusted. I know that first hand, especially after what she did. I know all these things, but I also know that she is the only person that can save Elena now.

I know that consulting her might mean putting my life on the line, but I don't care. Many things have happened in my life. I have watched eras come and go. I have watched kings come and go. When you have lived that many lifetimes, in one lifetime death becomes the least of your problems.

There are far worse things than death. There are far worse curses than death and, unfortunately, I need Elena to break one of those curses. I need her alive even if it means facing death itself.

VIVIAN'S POV

Marcus’ words echoed in my mind like a mantra.

“Meet me here or else expect your head on a stake,” he had said.

I can still see the mean look in his eyes, the mischievous smirk on his lips. I swallowed in fear. Should I go? Is not going to be even an option? I held my hand into a fist as the nervousness rallied in. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply in an attempt to stop my heart from racing so rapidly, but it did not help. Nothing helps. I have been thinking about his threat since I left the court yesterday. I have been wondering what to do. I have been wondering what he wants from me. A shiver ran down my spine as I thought about what he might want from me.

How do I get out of this? Marcus is going to drag me down, I can feel it!

“Vivian, are you okay?” I heard someone say from beside me.

“Uh,” I replied in confusion, as I tried to get my head back to the present.

“You look as pale as a ghost. Are you alright? Are you sick?” Naya, my… friend, said.

She and Sarah are the only people I can trust among Alpha Kieran's sea of bed warmers. They are the only ones that know about my plan to be the Luna one day, the only ones that understand how important it is for me to be Luna, so they don't argue when we have to do things to ensure that my throne is secured.

They don't complain or argue, they just do whatever I ask even when I asked us to corner and murder Elena. Their loyalty is to me…that's what about them, that's what I like about our friendship.

“Yes Vee you look pale!” Sarah exclaimed as she set her flower vase down to focus on me.

“Should I get you some water? Should I get someone to make you some ginger ale? Is it your stomach? Do you have a stomach upset or a headache? ” She asked, checking my temperature with the back of her palm.

“I'm fine!” I slapped her hand away in irritation. I'm not sure if I can tell Sarah and Naya about Marcus’ request. I trust them, but I also know not to trust anybody completely.

“Do you need anything then,” Sarah asked with her head bowed low. I probably hurt her feelings with my action, whatever, I'll just apologize later because right now I still have to think of what to do.

Is Marcus someone I want to cross by not showing up? Definitely not! Especially after he basically confirmed that he had seen us that day in the woods. I handed the flower vase I had arranged to one of the villagers on the line and then turned to Sarah and Naya, who were standing by either of my side.

“There's something you can do for me,” I said.

“What is it Vee? You know we'll do whatever you ask,” they beamed with eagerness.

“Cover for me. I have to go somewhere, but I promise that I won't be long,” I answered. Their faces looked puzzled.

“But…” Naya started and stopped immediately.

“Okay, but be back before we have to return to the palace,” she said. I nodded.

The street was filled with villagers, bed warmers, servants and a few royalties who watched the fanfare from their tents. With these many people on the street, it was easy for me to blend in without being noticed.

I held the piece of paper up, 1st Estate, I muttered to myself. I flagged down a cab and repeated the direction to him. I clutched my hands nervously as the cab drove to Marcus’ house.

“What if he…” no, I blocked out the thought and instead focused on the road.

The cab stopped in front of the estate's gate, I walked out. With my black stilettos clicking rhythmically against the interlocked floor and my flared plaid skirt moving a bit as a result of the subtle wind, I walked into the estate.

“Ma'am who are you here to see?” The guard asked politely.

“Marcus Denvro,” I replied. For the first time, I was grateful that, as Alpha Kieran, we had to wear those ugly black veils everywhere because if not for those, I would have definitely been recognized.

The guard picked up his phone and made a call.

“He is expecting you,” he said, his partner by his side, and smirked.

I walked in through the gate of Marcus’s mansion, not knowing what awaited me on the inside.