THE ALPHA'S DEFIANT MATE

Detained

The feeling was thrilling. I haven’t had such a refreshing run in my life. I bolted through the damp earth without looking back; it was my last chance at freedom and I wouldn’t take it for granted. I knew by then Damien would have heard the news of my escape but it would take him a while to even know the direction I had run in.

I knew fully well that running to the border was a big no because of the tight security so I focused on the smell of the bush.

After a while, I came across a river of water, which indicated that I was either out of the borders or nearly out because waters are significance of boundaries for the packs.

“I just have to cross this,” my chest heaved in determination

My wobbly legs touched the water and I ran back in fear. I was not a good swimmer and the water current was faster than what I could bear. There was no alternative route so I just had to throw myself in the water and fight for my life.

It was a gamble I gladly took. There was no turning back; it was either I die or I survive the obstacle. Going back to Damien’s mansion was a big no.

Without any further hesitation, I dove into the water and started aiming for the shore at the other side. The current was so high that I had difficulties staying afloat. My belly was getting filled with water faster than I could save it.

Amidst the water, I could hear wolves snaring and their huge paws pounding the ground as they rushed towards my direction.

“How did they find out my location?”

There was no time to think or analyze; I had to get to the shore as soon as I could. I was getting too tired to move further so I just gave up and let the water envelope me. I could see Damien leading the race with his huge wolf.

His steps were four times faster than every other wolf. Before I knew it, he was right at the shore.

“Aria!” his voice shook the entire forest.

I could feel the vibration of the thickness in the water as I sank to the bottom. I had always wished for death but why was I afraid at that point? The thought of just dying away in the water without being able to fulfill any of my goals flooded my head.

All I wanted was to live like an ordinary being without being a wolf or human. I missed the bookstore and human world so much. Where I just existed without being the center of attraction. Having to die unfairly because I was running from my oppressor felt too unfair.

The darkness of the water welcomed me as I released my soul for it to consume. That was all I could remember. I was hoping to see myself at Hade’s doorstep, waiting for him to usher me in.

****

“Are you feeling okay? Can you hear me?” a strange voice sounded from afar before everything went silent.

After another minute, the footsteps were coming in faster than the previous ones. “Can you hear me? Lady Aria?”

Uhn? Lady Aria? Why? Do they use lady to address people in the afterlife too? Why is it so bright there too? There must be another life here because why are people rushing to ask if I was okay when I was already dead?

Suddenly, a cold voice commanded out of nowhere, “Drag her out of that bed!”

My eyes flew open immediately and I saw two women approach me. They were in warrior uniforms, unlike others. Before I could say anything or blink, my arms were grabbed, and I was dragged out of the bed brutally like she had commanded.

Without any caution, I was thrown to the feet of the lady who had given the command. She was in an olive long-sleeved floor-length dress with golden embroidery at the hem. A leather belt was clinching the dress at the waist to complement her perfect shape.

Her dark chestnut-brown hair was adorned with a simple headdress to keep the perfect waves to the back. Her eyes were green with arched brows and full lips that curled in a mean way to express disgust.

“Is this the filthy rogue that was brought to the palace?” her voice were cold and sharp

Hearing her refer to me as that made me realize that I was not only alive; I had been brought to the pack.

How was I supposed to reply to her question considering the amount of degradation that it contained?

“Yes, Mother,” one of the people who dragged me responded.

Her gaze landed on me once again and our eyes connected this time around. Her look was filled with disdain towards me and she didn’t even do anything to hide that.

“You had the guts to ruin the charity event and make my son end up in the water? How dare you?”

No one had to tell me that it was the Alpha’s mother. Come to think of it, nobody ever mentioned her ever since I came to the pack and I never ran into her.

“Lock her up!”

Before I could utter any word, I was seized by the two warriors and dragged out of the room. My stomach was stinging as if I had swallowed a box of pins, but that was none of their business. I was dragged mercilessly till we got to a building not too far from where I was brought.

The men standing in front of the building were putting on a dark-colored woolen tunic that was around their knee-length and tight-fitted hoses made of durable fabrics. The tunic was carrying the pack’s crest boldly on their chests.

Their forks were crossed at the entrance and immediately we got there; they were raised to give room for the warriors to pass through.

Before I could understand what was happening, I was in silver chains. Both my hands and feet were bound tightly, the effect of the silver burning against my flesh hotly.

“No one is permitted to give her any water or food until Mother says so,” the third warrior who was staying with the Alpha’s mother commanded and they all bowed in unison.

She gave me a last glare with her full eyes carrying a black smudge to make her look meaner before she found her way out of the cell.

I had never been confused as I was in my life. Why was I being detained? Where is the Alpha? What is my fate? I had a lot of questions but no answer was provided to any.