Beneath the Alpha’s Lies

Chapter 3

The first thing I heard was ringing. A loud pitched ringing, clattering around my head. Then slowly, my senses began returning. My body felt heavy, like I’d been dragged across a field by a horse. My eyelids wouldn’t open, exhaustion weighed down on them.

My heart wouldn’t stop pounding.

And then, the memories slammed into me like a freight train.

The bonfire. The woods. My breath stuttered. My fingers twitched. Rina’s eyes glistened under the moonlight as she apologized.

And then, the pain of feeling that knife driving into my chest made me jerk upward violently. My eyes flew open, jagged breath filling the quiet air.

My muscles tightened.

I was stabbed.

I fumbled with my dress, frantically searching for an injury. My blood turned to ice as I looked at my skin. Pale. Too pale. Soft to the touch. Not a single scar.

Then my breath caught as my gaze shifted to the dress. Bright yellow. Ruffles sticking out unruly.

My head snapped up, my heart in my mouth.

“What the-“

This wasn’t my room.

The thick velvet curtains were drawn, making everything look eerie. The candles and incense didn’t make it better. The walls were painted in dark red, and in the middle, a giant bed that stretched wide with silk sheets.

My fingers stiffly touched my face.

It didn’t feel… right.

I closed my eyes tightly. “This is a dream.” I muttered to myself. “It has to be. That’s the only explanation.”

But a minute passed. And then another. Slowly, I peeled my eyes open and sure enough I was still in this room.

My stomach sank as I stumbled out of the bed, the ruffles of the dress weighing me down. I snatched the floor to ceiling curtains open and froze at the sight.

The giant window was almost a showcase, behind it was a garden outside. Burst of colors bounced off the sunlight making it look almost magical. Its warmth seeped into me slowly like a drug, slowing my racing heart.

Definitely a dream.

Then the door behind me swung open. I spun around, panic surging.

An older woman barged through the door, her steps faltered when her gaze fell on me. She didn’t bother hiding her shock.

“Goddess,” she exclaimed, rushing to me. “You shouldn’t be out of bed, Luna. Your horse stunt already gave us a heart attack.”

My brain couldn’t come up with any words. I just stared at her as she got closer, her eyes narrowing on me.

“Are you feeling worse than usual, Freya?”

I blinked slowly.

Freya? “Uh-“

“Come,” she said quickly, guiding me back to the bed.

I sank into the soft mattress, confused, while she dragged a trolley to my side. Herbs. A lot of them. Some I’ve never even laid eyes on. And on the side, a small portion of porridge.

I shuffled back slightly. “I’m sorry.” I mumbled. “I think- I believe there’s been some kind of misunderstanding. I’m not Freya.”

The old lady’s face fell slightly, her gaze flicking to my forehead. “I guess the fall was harder than I thought.”

My hand instinctively brushed against my forehead. I winced as pain exploded beneath the bandage I didn’t realize was on my head.

This was insane.

“No, listen to me.” I said, panic slipping in. “I don’t know how or when this happened, but I think,” I scooted closer, the maid leaned in as I whispered. “I’m in the wrong body.”

She blinked. Then slowly, an apologetic look flashed her face.

No. She thinks I’m crazy. Of course she does. I was led to the woods and stabbed like a sacrificial chicken and now I’m in the body of another person.

A low chuckle spilled from my lips, startling the old woman.

“Luna Freya,” she called cautiously.

The moon goddess really had jokes on her. Taking me out of one miserable existence to another?

A full blown laughter spilled out of me, I laughed until my stomach cramped and tears formed on the corners of my eyes. Then I stopped, the weight of everything slowly sinking in.

I wasn’t dead.

Just… misplaced.

I grabbed the old lady’s shoulders, ignoring the way her eyes widened like saucers.

“I need to get out of here.”

Her panic slowly grew. “I think you need to lie down.”

“No,” I snapped, standing abruptly. “I have to go back. I- there are things that I-“

“Okay,” the maid said quickly, her gaze avoiding mine. “We’ll go. Just… take your medicine, Luna Freya.”

My gaze flicked to the tray. Then to the window. Then the door. She could read my thoughts before I could even finish them.

I sprinted to the giant oak doors.

“Guards!” She yelled.

I yanked the door open but before I could take a single step, two towering men blocked the doorway. Irritation flared instantly.

She was Luna. Right?

I straightened, raising my chin. “Move, please.”

They exchanged a small glance, hesitation flickering. That was all I needed.

“Move.” I said, firmer this time.

They were about to, then the old lady spoke calmly. “The Alpha will have both your heads if you let her out of this room. Surely you know that.”

One of the men visibly went still. The other did better hiding his fear. That couldn’t be anything good. I’d lived with a monster long enough to know that reaction.

I turned to the old woman. “Why are you doing this?”

Her shoulders fell, eyes softening. “It’s for your own good, Luna.” She insisted, walking to me. “You’re not meant to put yourself under any more pressure given your condition.”

I frowned as she led me back to the bed. “My condition?”

She just brushed me off like I was silly. I had no idea what she was talking about. Did this body have some kind of disease?

My gaze flicked back to the tray in front of me. That would explain the herbs.

“Here,”

Before I could protest, the lady shoved a spoonful of liquid into my mouth. I gagged. She made sure I swallowed the awful mixture. Along with every other herb present until all was left was the porridge.

Thankful for the treat, I reached for it. She pulled the tray away from me.

“The Alpha requests that you join him for dinner tonight.” Her tone slightly shifted, confirming my suspicion.

My spine straightened.

She caught it. “Don’t fight with him, Freya.” She whispered. “Patience as he is, this marriage is an inconvenience to you both. Give him a chance.”

A couples’ dilemma.

Probably married off for an alliance. Believes in true love and a right of choice. At least she got a fancy castle despite her inability to choose a future for herself.

I got killed.

The truth was a heavy thing settling in my chest. It was the only thing I could think of as Freya’s maid dressed her up. I finally saw my reflection when they handed a mirror to me.

Bright red hair. Sharp eyes. Plump lips. Freckles scattered across her pale skin. A fox.

She was beautiful.

“We’re all done, Luna.”

I forced a smile. “Thank you.”

Their eyes lit up like I had done something worthy of admiration. Some avoided my eyes, some smiled so hard I was scared they’ll break their jaw.

I ignored their strange reaction and stood slowly.

I was about to leave when I paused. “One thing.” I whispered to the maid closest to me. “Where’s the dining hall?”

She looked at me confused but replied anyway. “Straight down the hall, Luna.”

I nodded, turning on my heel. “Right. Thank you.”

Her eyes widened and she looked to her feet.

I left the room, the guards parted. My feet carried me straight down, my heels echoing through the long hallway. The closer I got to the end of the hall, the tighter my skin became.

And it wasn’t because of the Victorian style interior. The air seemed stiffer. More charged. I made it to the end, the dining hall in question was more like a banquet.

A long table only occupied by two sets of dishes. It was empty, giving me time to think. I sank into the seat opposite the entrance so I wouldn’t be blindsided.

My anxiety crept in steadily. This was her mate. What if he noticed I wasn’t his mate? What if he burned me to a stake? A chill ran down my spine.

Heavy footsteps echoed, inching closer and closer to the entrance. I straightened, releasing a shaky breath. I can do this.

But nothing prepared me for the man that stepped out of the shadows.

His frame towering over everything, his sharp jaw ticking the minute his gaze snapped to me. And his eyes-

My breath stopped.

His good eyes lingered on me for too long. Or maybe it was in my head. Now I was certain this was some kind of practical joke.

Alpha Theo stood at the entrance, staring at me with those emotionless eyes.