Twin Fates, Twin Love

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

The Alpha King

Erica's POV

I sat stiffly on the edge of the bed in Jane's room, my thoughts racing as the truth of this situation hit me hard. This was my new life, but it felt completely strange. The mirrors showed Jane’s face—an expression mixed with confusion and fear, her dark hair falling over shoulders I was still getting used to. Memories filled my mind—who I was, who I had been before this time. I had lived in my own body, a life filled with anger and loss, only to wake up in this girl’s body.

What had happened? My last memories flashed in my mind like fire—pictures of betrayal, my sister Erin’s mean laughter, and Jaxon’s cold eyes shining behind my closed eyes. Their plot against me felt like a knife in my stomach. How did it end up like this? Now I was Jane, a girl set to marry the famous Alpha King, rumored to be a beast pretending to be charming. But I didn’t want to believe in stories that ended badly.

“Jane?” A woman's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. Iberia Simmons, Jane's mom, stood in the doorway, looking both worried and in charge.

“Uh—mom?” I replied without thinking, still feeling strange saying the name.

Iberia entered the room. “You’ve been really quiet since you got up. Are you okay?” Her voice was gentle but curious.

I glanced at my hands, which trembled slightly in my lap. “Yeah, I’m... just thinking.” How could I explain my troubled past to a woman who saw me in a different light? The thought made my stomach feel funny.

Iberia stared at me for a moment, her forehead furrowing. “You can tell me anything. I’m here to support you.”

“Thanks.” I said. “But... it’s just hard to understand all this.”

“I can picture it. This whole marriage plan—do you know the guy you are going to marry?”

Just hearing the name of the Alpha King made me shiver. I had listened to stories filled with fear and respect—Dante Byers, the tough leader of the Bloodhound Pack, a man who scared many people. “Not really,” I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Iberia let out a sigh, her eyes showing her sadness. “This is tough for all of us, Jane. Your dad believes—”

“What does my dad think?” I interrupted, a little louder than I meant.

Iberia raised her chin, feeling steady again. “He believes that teaming up with the Bloodhound is vital for our pack’s future. It’s about power, safety… stability.”

“Security?” I laughed sarcastically, my heart pounding. “You think putting your daughter with a monster is security?”

“It's not that easy, Jane.” Iberia sounded serious now. “He is tough he can keep you safe, keep us all safe. We've heard the stories—”

“Rumors?” I felt fury rise inside me. “He's not just a rumor he's a man famous for his violence!”

Iberia's face changed. “You have to accept this, Jane. Do you not agree with your dad’s plans?”

“No!” I said sharply, shaking my head. “I—” I took a deep breath to calm down. “I just need to think. I need some time.”

“Time,” Iberia repeated, her voice cracking. “You need to answer soon! The Alpha is waiting for you.” She walked out of the room.

The truth hit me hard, like a thick blanket. I had arrived here as just a part of someone else—someone else's loss, someone else's future—and now I faced a choice that would alter everything.

***

Outside Jane’s room, a ruckus started, and muffled voices grew louder. Beta Simmons was fighting with Iberia, their angry words coming nearer.

“He’s on his way, Iberia! We can’t back down now! Jane has to get it!” Beta’s voice was loud, adding to the tension.

“Understand what? That we’re giving her to a monster?” Iberia's voice grew louder, filled with worry. “This isn’t just politics! This is our child!”

Their anger mixed into a loud noise, and I felt powerless against their chaos. But as I moved away from the bed and walked slowly in a circle, something changed inside me. Maybe, just maybe, this was my chance. If I married the Alpha King, I could gain power too. I could get rid of Erin and Jaxon and fix the wrongs. Revenge had been my only wish before death, and now I had an unexpected chance.

Taking a deep breath, I straightened up and walked into the hallway, my heart pounding even with the fear nagging at me. “I need to tell them,” I said quietly to myself, getting ready for what was to come.

As I got closer to the living room, Beta and Iberia's voices grew louder as they argued. I stopped at the door, feeling more determined. This moment had built up inside me, and I was ready to deal with it.

“That's enough!” I shouted, my voice unexpectedly strong as I walked into the room.

Both of my parents looked at me, surprised for a moment, as their loud conversation stopped.

“Jane, we—” Beta Simmons started, but I cut him off.

“I'm ready to marry the Alpha King.” I said, my heart racing in my chest.

Iberia's face went pale, shock showing all over her face. “No! Jane—please! You can't mean that!” She moved closer, fear clear in her eyes. “Not him! He's unstable, risky!”

I held my ground, firm in my choice. “Mom, if marrying him will help our future, then I must do it. I can’t let us be weak. I can’t be weak.”

“Lose me?” I was really angry when she said that. “Do you think I’ll be weak? I’ll be strong! It’s time we stop being trapped in this cycle. If he’s mean, then I’ll fight back!”

Beta Simmons let out a deep growl, his face turning serious. “You need to wake up, Jane. This isn’t just your problem it’s about your pack and our friends. We can't say no to the Alpha King!”

I felt a strong urge to resist, but I was also worried. “I know that Riverdale's future may rely on his partnership! But I won't marry him without question. I deserve a voice in this.”

“Your opinion?!” Beta laughed mockingly, shock showing on his face. “You’re not in charge here. The Alpha King has way more power and influence than you can imagine.”

At that moment, a out of breath servant ran in. “Beta Simmons! The Alpha King is here!”

My heart sank as his arrival hit me hard. My mind was a mess with doubts and fears, swirling around like leaves in a storm.

The Beta shared a look with Iberia and then nodded firmly. “Let’s go. We need to greet him.”

“Can’t I just—” I began, but The Beta turned away and waved his hand at me.

Iberia stopped and looked at me with a gentle look. “Jane, please think this over. We love you.”

As my parents rushed off, I felt a wave of worry wash over me. Left alone again, I started to walk around the tiny room, nerves eating away at my confidence. I understood that the road ahead would be tough, but inside, I knew I had to stand up for my future.

I walked back and forth in the room, the smooth wooden floor under me cold and hard. The clock kept ticking loudly, making the seconds feel long and heavy like chains around my neck. This wasn’t just a meeting it was the start of my new life, and no matter how many times I breathed, I could sense the world’s weight on my shoulders.

“Breathe, Erica. Just breathe.” I told myself, trying to calm my racing mind. I could still hear the muffled laughter and talk from the living room, where Beta Simmons and Iberia were getting ready for the Alpha King to arrive. They were filled with nervous energy, a mix of excitement and worry, as if everything depended on this meeting.

The sound of footsteps broke my thoughts. A servant came in, looking professional but gently kind. “Miss Jane, they’re ready for you in the living room.”

I paused to calm myself and took a deep breath. “Thank you,” I said, my voice soft. The servant nodded, but I noticed worry in her eyes before she quietly left the room.

As I walked into the living room, each step felt harder than the one before. What was the Alpha King like? I had heard many stories, some told of his harshness in fights and his strong loyalty to his pack. But I also heard he had a charm that could soften even the toughest fighters.

When I got to the door, I stopped to gather my thoughts. I lifted my head and opened the door, walking into a room that felt like a place where futures would be shaped. Right away, I felt a lump in my throat.

There he stood — Dante Byers, the Alpha King.

His tall figure stood in the room, all six feet of him drawing attention. His long hair fell over his shoulders, highlighting a face that was tough-looking yet very scary. Bright blue eyes, almost shining, stood out against dark shadows, giving him a strange but threatening look. His outfit was eye-catching the long black leather coat hung on him like a sign of strength.

Beta Simmons and Iberia moved aside, looking respectful and formal as Dante looked at me. My heart raced, a natural reaction to the strength that came from him.

“Welcome.” said Beta Simmons, trying to lighten the heavy mood.

Dante's blank face turned toward me, and for a moment, the room went quiet, everyone looking at us. “You must be Jane.” he said, his voice low, deep, and firm.

“Yes. It’s nice to meet you.” I said, even though I could hardly hear myself over my loud heartbeat.

“Go away.” he said, still looking at me. It wasn't a request it was a command.

The tension in the air grew stronger. Iberia swallowed hard and nodded a bit. “Sure. We’ll wait outside.” She took Beta Simmons' arm, and they left, leaving us alone in the quiet room.

When the door clicked shut, silence surrounded us like a blanket. I stood still, very aware of how alone we were, my mind racing as I tried to think clearly. “Uh, I—”

“Just to be clear, Jane.” he cut in, looking at me closely, as if seeing right through me. “Our marriage is purely for business.”

His announcement felt like a hard punch. Business? My hands shook a little by my sides. I tried to look him in the eye, but my confidence faded under his strong stare. “I didn’t think—”

“I’m marrying you to get your father’s private army, Beta Simmons,” he said, interrupting me sharply. “For the next two years, there will be no touching or emotions. Do you get it?”

I blinked, trying to understand what he said. “But—”

“Do you get it?” he insisted, annoyance creeping into his voice.

“Yes, I do,” I said quietly, as the walls I built around my heart started to fall apart. A part of me shouted in anger. How could he be so heartless, so strong about this? Haven't I been through enough pain?