The Forced Mate

Chapter 4: Perilous scheme

Lack of breath is felt through my body immediately I woke up. That feeling of exhaustion and being scared.

I just saw a flash memory of what happened that night, but it wasn't clear at all. I tried remembering, still, I couldn't recollect anything. Something happened that night which I need to find out but I want to see my parents first.

As my lungs work to bring in the much-needed oxygen, even then I feel as if I am drowning in the air. The only way to feel better is to get fresh air, to sit outside even if only for a while. I quickly got up from the bed and heads out of the room.

When I got to the entrance to the room I was in, I saw two hefty men, guarding the door. I was surprised because they seems different from the two policemen I saw in the morning.

"Where are you going ma'am?" One of them turned towards me and ask.

"To go see my parents of course!" I rolled my eyes and replied to him. Like wtf do they need to know where I'm going to? I was so angry.

"We are sorry to inform you that, you can't step out of the room yet." The other guy told me gently.

"Who the hell do you think you are to stop me from leaving this room?" I snapped at him with a harsher tone.

"It's an order from Boss Bernard! So, you can't go out."

"What! Bernard?" I exclaimed in shock. Why would Bernard deny me access to seeing my parents? I was speechless. The more I thought about it, the angrier I got.

Bernard is finally showing his true color, and I regret ever getting entangled with him. I should have waited for a little, and never signed our engagement papers.

But the deed is already done, I just have to accept it and look for a way to terminate it as soon as possible. Since I couldn't continue arguing with the guys, I gently walked back into the room, and close the door behind me.

The only person I need to talk to right now is Bernard. He has some explaining to do to me concerning this whole thing!

******

The next morning, I was already awake since 5 am and this is past 8 am. I couldn't sleep all through the night, thinking about why Bernard continued pulling up different annoying acts.

Yet, I found no answer to it. He just changed drastically for the past few days to someone I'm not familiar with.

When the door click, I quickly snapped out of my thoughts and turned to check who just entered, then Cassandra walks towards me with a smile on her face.

"Good morning Maria! How did your night go?"

"It was okay!" I yawned and got up to sit on the bed, and Cassie also sit beside me.

"What's going on outside? I saw two unfamiliar faces guarding your door." She looked worried as she ask.

"That's Bernard doings! I'm being held as a hostage here! I can't roam freely if I wanted to."

"Bernard?" Cassandra was shocked. "I even overheard him last night talking to someone on the phone."

"Talk about what?" I furrowed my brows and ask.

"He was telling someone about how they intend burning your parents, and not incrementing them." She replied while putting on a confused face.

"What! B-burning who?" I jumped out of bed with much anger without considering that, I've not fully recovered.

"Calm down Maria, that's what I heard." Cassie stood up and moved closer to me.

"Don't tell me to calm down! This is absurd! Bernard is taking it too far and I won't take it lightly with him this time around!" I flared-up.

"Still, think about your health first before doing anything... I thought you were aware that's why I didn't come back to tell you last night."

"I'm not aware of it Cassandra! Our pack has never done such a thing since I came of age. Why is Bernard trying to do it on my parents now? He is unbelievable!" I wailed out with much pain in my heart.

Cassandra became speechless and continued to console me. She was perplexed while wondering what's going on.

"Call Bernard and tell him to come to see me right now!" I suddenly uttered to Cassandra and she instantly looked me in the eyes too.

"Are you sure?" She asked.

"I need to talk to him!" I put on a confident countenance as I respond to her.

"Okay..." She brought out her phone and dialed Bernard's number. The latter instantly picked up the call, and Cassandra relay my message to him.

After a few seconds, Cassie ended the call and turned to me; "He said he would be here any moment from now."

"Okay, thanks!" I returned to the bed and have my seat. Cassandra went over to the fruits basket, and start preparing some for me. But all I needed right now is to see Bernard and pour out all my mind.

...

In no time, Bernard arrived. He walks in with much pride and stood before me. His face was all the beauty a man can possess, not for his features, yet the light in his eyes and the gentle warmth on his face.

But I don't care how handsome he is, I'm only concerned about my parent's bodies. When he got to my side, he removed the white spec he was putting on and glared at me.

Before he could say anything, Cassandra quickly got up from my side and went to stand at the back. He only glance at Cassie for a second and returned his gaze at me.

"Why do you want to see me?" He put his both hands inside his pant pocket while staring at me. He has this strong aura which people might shiver just by looking at him. But I care less about that for now!

"What do you plan on doing to my parent's bodies?" I asked with fierce eyes.

Immediately he heard my question, he turned to look at Cassandra and turned back at me. "You must have been told already!"

"That you intend burning their bodies right?" I gave him an unpleasant look.

"Yeah!"

"How dare you make decisions about them without informing me at all? Who permitted you to decide on things when you haven't been sworn in as the Alpha?" I backlash him.

"It's the decision of the whole pack!" He continues to talk with a gentler voice but with pride.

"To hell with the pack!" I fire back at him.

"Mind your tongue!" His eyes changed as soon as he heard me and I could see how angry he is with what I just uttered. "Whether you approve it or not, that is what we are going to do to their bodies!"

As I heard him, I charged at him with fury before Cassandra ran into our middle and stopped me. I was about to give him a hard slap on his face, without caring about what the consequences might be.

"You know what, I have nothing to say to you anymore! I want to speak with Beta Gilbert!" I ordered.

"You need to talk to me, and not him! I'm the next Alpha, so you need to show some respect or else..."

"Or else what? I will never regard you as the Alpha no matter what! You are just a f*****g coward who couldn't even talk to his parents about his mate!" I yelled at him angrily.

Mere looking at him right now, I could tell how he's controlling himself from attacking me. He clenched his fist tightly as he stare at me.

Then I continue; "Being scared and hiding are different things. You can be scared and stand your ground. You can be scared and still think clearly - with logic, heart, and self-control. This is how you become a real Alpha. This is how you become a good leader. Not a coward and selfish Alpha standing before me right now!"

The corner of his mouth curved into a deadly smile as he listened to what I said. "That is my final say as the Alpha, and I'm burning them tonight!"

Bernard uttered and walked out of the room without letting me reply to him. I can see I hit him so hard with my words that he couldn't stand me anymore.

As I tried following him, Cassandra pulled me back and start pleading with me.

"Please Maria, take it easy and think about the next way out. Remember Bernard is the Alpha and he has become your mate immediately you signed those engagement papers!"

I was fuming with bitterness when I heard her. I looked up at her with a surprised face and ask; "How did you know about our engagement? I remember not telling you yet."

"T-that? Oh, I overheard it last night too. I just wanted to inform you about your parents first, that's why I haven't mentioned the engagement." Cassandra explained to me, and I seem to agree with her.

The most important thing right now is not the engagement, but my parents. She has a valid point there!

"Cassie please, I need a favor from you." I lowered my voice as I speak.

"What is it?"

"Find a way to sneak me out of here... I need to go stop Bernard from what he intends doing with my parent's bodies tonight." I pleaded with her with a low voice.

"That would be a bit difficult with those two guards outside. I might get killed for that if Bernard gets to know." She felt reluctant to agree to my pleas and I understood.

She would be endangering her life by agreeing to such a ridiculous plan of mine. But I was persistent and continue to plead with her before she finally agree to it.

"So, how do we go about it?" She sounded curious as she asked. I told her to move closer to me and whispered some words into her ears about the whole plan.

"I pray it goes well!" Cassandra said anxiously as she stared at me.

"Trust me, it will!" I assured her with much certainty in my voice, and on my face.

"Okay... Let me go start preparing for it." She bids me farewell and left the room.

After she left, I let out a sigh of relief because I'm sure this plan would work out perfectly well...