Mated to the Cruel Alpha

Episode 9: A Pact

VIVIAN'S POV.

I felt the panic beginning to rise within me. I felt like I was going to pass out with how anxious I was. Everybody in the hall followed Marcus’ eyes and turned to look at me. I wished that I could disappear, that I could somehow cease to exist. At least that would be much better than Alpha Kieran's wrath. That would be more merciful than being humiliated for the whole town's people to see.

Marcus’ stare lingered. He had a coy smile on his lips, his stare burned a hole through the crowd. I watched Alpha Kieran. He had a deep frown on his face. This frown was mixed with a look of disbelief, which was then followed by the stern look he usually has when he is ready to punish an offender. That stern look he usually has when he kills without mercy.

I felt the panic and fear rush in. My life is over! My life is over!

“Marcus, are you insinuating that Vivian Elcadro over here murdered Elena?” Alpha Kieran said. The members of the court immediately went into a frenzy with whispers and side-looks. I felt like an exotic animal at a display, I felt like an alien that had somehow landed amongst humans. For the first time in my life I felt unwanted, like an outcast. An outcast, that who I have always been but somehow I had never felt like that…until now.

“I knew it, she is not to be trusted,” someone whispered.

“We all know who her mother was,” the other one whispered back.

Moon goddess, can I please disappear right now?!

“Marcus say the word, did Vivian kill Elena or not?” Kieran said through gritted teeth. I could tell that he was getting really annoyed by the suspense. He was getting agitated by how much Marcus was making him wait.

If it was anyone else making the almighty Alpha Kieran wait in this way, they would have had their heads on a platter, but Marcus is the only one that can pull this kind of stunt without any repercussions. He is Alpha's best friend after all, he is the only person the Alpha considers as a friend.

I looked at Marcus, I begged him silently. I'm going to be killed in the town square If he says that I was the one that murdered Elena.

I wouldn't even get a trial because I am nothing but a lowly bed warmer.

Marcus stared back at me with a bone chilling smile. His glance was really intense I had to look away.

“Oh my bad. No, it wasn't Ms. Vivian Elcadro, I just thought I saw someone I recognize behind her but it was nothing. Sorry,” he laughed. The whole court went into an uneasy bout of laughter. Everyone knows the way to stay out of trouble is to be on Marcus’ good side. He has so much control over Alpha Kieran that something as simple as laughing to his joke might cost one a death sentence.

I joined in the laugher, although my own laughter was mostly one of relief.

“Of course she didn't do it. How can someone as pretty as her even commit murder,” I heard someone say from behind me.

“Yes. She's so dainty and small, we were silly to think she would commit as grave as murder,” another person added. I smirked, if only they knew.

“Well since Vivian is not the culprit then we will have to find out who do it,” Alpha Kieran said.

“Elena is of noble blood. We cannot allow this to go unpunished,” he added.

His words made my blood boil. Who cares if she is of noble blood? Who cares if her family is the second in line to the royal throne? All that is in the past, she kissed her privileged goodbye when she slit her own wrist. She abandoned that life when she stubbornly refused to marry alpha Kieran like a spoiled little brat.

Although she used to be a princess, that does not matter anymore because now she is one of us; a lowly bed warmer, and she should be treated as such.

Argh! If anyone is deserving of special treatment, it's me! I have been here the longest, I have served the Alpha since we were kids, I am the prettiest. I would have been his Luna if I had noble blood. If only I was a princess like Elena.

I watched through the black veil that we bed warmers are obligated to wear as the rest of the court proceedings took place. Thankfully the boring sequence of people presenting their cases to Alpha Kieran and his cabinet soon ended. We all stood up to leave. After waiting for the others to walk out it was finally time for us (bed warmers) to leave, that was what I was about to do when someone tapped me on my shoulder.

I turned around to see Alpha Kieran's beta, Marcus, standing behind me.

“I never knew you had it in you, but I have to say I am pleasantly surprised,” he said.

“What do you me?” I trembled without meaning to.

“Don't play dumb with me. I saw what you did to Elena.” He added. Oh no!

“I did you a favor today, I expect the same kindness from you.” He picked up a pen and a note pad.

“Meet her here tomorrow. If you don't, then expect your head on a stake.” Marcus handed me the piece of paper and walked away.