Chapter 2
1161 Words
The Alpha's meeting room is a very large hall furnished with chandeliers that hang every two inches from the next one.
The curtains at both ends of the hall are golden and as the sun rays reflect against it, the curtains glitter even more, casting a golden hue over the hall.
There are two thrones in the room.
One for the Alpha. And one for the Luna.
That's all. Members of the Guard are placed strategically at each point in the room.
And the guards guarding the entrance are just as much as the guards surrounding the Alpha.
My first thought as the guards led me in was how could a beautiful place like this belong to such a cold-hearted man?
The guards release me and I walk further into the room, my heart pounding with each step I take.
Finally, I stop a few feet away from the throne.
"Morrighan Amarok."
The Alpha smiles, revealing his fangs and I shudder.
" A pleasure to meet you, I must say."
Can't say the same for you.
" I got some very interesting news today and well, I invited you here because I'm all about fairness and justice. "
"Now, I don't suppose you deliberately went ahead to end Bailey's life as a way of defiling me?"
He stares at me and I hold his stare, trying not to be intimidated.
I am not supposed to show emotion, after all. I am not supposed to be afraid.
"You killed her, " he says more quietly, prowling the space in front of me.
"Were you aware I left her to die? As a punishment? " He growls.
" Yes." My voice is even.
" And are you aware you've defied me by making her death quick? "
" Yes. "
" Do you have a reason for the treason you just committed? Because that's a punishment by death. And I would like to hear you out. "
Sure indeed.
" Any personal attachments?"
"She was in pain and I couldn't just leave her there."
I'm not you, was what I was going to go with.
He stops pacing and I can hear the silence in the room so loud, I can already conclude my death is going to be a very painful one.
"One last question, Amarok. If you were given a chance to take it back, would you do it again?"
He stares at me and I can tell from the way the guards are leaning towards us, my life depends on this question.
I clear my throat and tip my chin up.
"Yes."
Murmurs fill the room and a toothy grin covers the Alpha's face.
The hair on my arms stands and I hold my breath.
At this point, I should probably be offering my last prayers.
Because my execution is certainly going to be done.
"Very well, then."
Two guards seize me and we turn, marching for the entrance.
Adolphus steps forward, blocking the entrance with his huge body, looking ready to pounce and the guards step away immediately.
Funny how when you face your death, things change.
If I thought he was stunning before, I didn't think so now.
All I could see was menace and darkness in his black eyes.
The very eyes that would follow you into the quiet abyss of hell.
I glower at him. If I was going to die, I wasn't going to die a coward.
"Adolphus," the Alpha drawls.
Adolphus struts towards me and I brace myself, ready to leave a permanent mark on him before he tears me to shreds.
He grips my hand with brute force and so much strength if I probably tried to move, the arm would rip off.
"Keep her."
Again, the hall falls silent, and my brain backtracks.
Wait, what?
"She's brave and will be a deadly weapon. Let her join the Guard."
Again, what?
I want more than anything to not become like Adolphus.
The Alpha's own dog.
Right. But I didn't have a choice. Because no one said no to the Alpha.
"No." My voice comes out as a squeak and this time, even Adolphus glares at me like I have two heads.
"Now, lady." The Alpha whistles in disapproval.
"Don't try your luck with me. I might change my mind and decide to have you for dinner instead."
I shudder at the thought but remain oddly calm and composed on the outside.
"I have a proposition," I say more loudly.
"I'll join the Guard if you let the lady waiting outside to join too."
"My Lord," I add. Because he was losing his patience fast.
"And why should I honor this request?" He growls back.
"Because Tala has useful skills. She is swift and even more efficient than me. You'll have everything to gain if you let her join the Guard."
He tilts his head as if in the perusal of me.
" What do we have to lose? " He glances at Adolphus.
Adolphus remains silent.
" I mean, it's not every time someone offers to join the Guard because of how ruthless they are. "
I worry my bottom lip, wondering if I made a mistake in dragging Tala into this.
The Alpha barely cracks a smile as he nods in approval.
" Very well, then. Your friend may join. You are dismissed. "
I rip my arm out of Adolphus's grip, glare at him for good measure, and turn on my heels.
I guess I should be grateful my life was spared.
But I know things aren't ever going to be the same again.
♠♠♠
The next morning, as soon as the sun rises, the new members of the Guard are all present at the Square.
Including Tala and I.
I step behind a burly, muscular man, inquisitive to see who is going to be our commander.
My lips thin as heavy footsteps echo in the square and everyone falls silent.
I stare straight ahead, well because that's what everyone else is doing.
From my periphery, I see Adolphus walk past me.
New, too?
I scowl. Good.
But he doesn't stop and continues straight ahead until he stops in front of all of us.
I can see Tala glancing at me from where she stands.
My head is spinning, trying to put two and two together.
"I'm Adolphus Delaney, for those who don't know me. Commander Lutholf and I are going to be sharing the responsibilities. Lutholf is going to oversee the old members. And I'm going to be the commander of the new guards."
Everyone remains silent, taking in the news slowly.
" That being said, welcome to the Guard. "
He doesn't c***k a smile as he surveys the crowd.
I hold my breath as his eyes spot me.
They darken and I wonder if joining the Guard is going to be worth the bullshit I was going to get from Adolphus.
He just has to be the commander...
- Writer
