Bound to the Alpha's Son

A Tense Welcome

We rode through the dense forest in silence, the moonlight casting eerie shadows on the ancient trees around us. The quiet made me uneasy, giving me too much time to dwell on what awaited us upon arrival—the binding ritual. I had never even touched a man before; Father made sure of that. And now I would... I shook my head. You're only scaring yourself, I chided internally. Maybe he would spare me tonight if he had another she-wolf to be with.

Suddenly, the carriage jolted to a stop, and the horses neighed nervously. I heard shouting and the clashing of metal. My heart raced, and I peered out of the carriage window.

"Bandits!" one of Alfred’s guards shouted as several figures emerged from the shadows, weapons drawn.

Alfred quickly sprang into action, his movements a blur as he ordered the guards to form a defensive line. My fear mounted as I saw the bandits closing in, their faces twisted with malice.

Before I could make sense of what was happening, one of the guards opened the carriage door and pulled me inside, shielding me with his body. The noise outside grew louder, but all I could do was listen helplessly.

Through a small c***k in the carriage door, I caught a glimpse of Alfred. His eyes seemed to glow in the darkness, and his movements were too fast, almost inhuman. The next moment, the door was shut, and I was cut off from the battle raging outside.

There were screams, the sound of bones snapping, and then silence. It all happened in a matter of seconds.

The carriage door opened again, and Alfred appeared, breathing heavily. There was a strange weariness in his eyes that had not been there before. His clothes were torn and bloodied, but none of it seemed to be his own.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his voice rougher than before, as if he had been through something far more intense than just a skirmish.

I nodded, unable to find my voice. I was surprised to see him looking so tired after such a short battle. What had just happened? How had they defeated the bandits so quickly?

Alfred seemed to notice my shock. "It's over now," he said softly, offering his hand to help me out of the carriage.

I took his hand, my mind racing with questions. What kind of power did he possess? Why did he look so exhausted, even though the fight had ended so quickly?

As we resumed our journey, the tension in the air seemed to grow thicker. My curiosity about Alfred deepened, but I knew better than to ask questions now. There would be time for that later—if I dared.

When we finally reached the castle, it was as grand as I had imagined, with its towering ivory walls and lush gardens. But the events in the forest haunted me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something far more dangerous than bandits awaited me in this place.

"Alfred?" someone called, and I turned my head to see who it was. Four men in royal robes approached us from a distance.

"We came to welcome you and your bride," one of them spoke as they neared.

"Is that so?" Alfred asked.

"Of course, we are brothers after all!" the other behind him smirked. Brothers?

"Why don't you and your bride join us for dinner?" he suggested. "We would like to take a closer look at your bride," and then he shot me a glance.

Alfred walked up to his brother, standing only a few inches away. It looked like he was trying to intimidate him, which clearly worked because suddenly his brother's guards grabbed their weapons as if ready to attack.

Alfred's guards reached for their weapons as well, and there was suddenly tension in the air.

What was happening? I thought they were brothers, or did I hear wrong?

"Thank you, brother, but I must decline," Alfred said in a polite tone that didn't match the menacing look in his eyes.

Turning his back to his brother, he took my hand. Gripping it hard, he dragged me through the halls of the castle. He was angry.

"Won't we greet your parents, Your Highness?" I asked.

Alfred came to a halt, and his grip on my hand loosened. "My mother is dead," he said, his voice void of any emotion, "and the King, do not worry about him" he added, then started walking again, only this time he didn't drag me. As we strode through the halls with Alfred still holding my hand, two maids appeared in front of us.

"Your Highness," they greeted with a bow. "With your permission, we would like to prepare Her Highness." They inquired.

Prepare me for what? Preparing is what I have been doing my entire life.

At first, Alfred didn't let go of my hand, but when the maids gave him a pleading look, he released me and left without a word.

The maids motioned for me to follow them and led me to a dressing room where they helped me get out of my wedding dress and slip into a beautiful white nightgown with its matching robe, both made of silk. They took out the pins in my hair and let it fall in waves. After putting some scents onto my skin, they served me tea.

"What's this?" I asked.

"It's an herb tea that will help you relax and decrease the pain, Your Highness."

"What pain?" I asked, but then realized what they were talking about.

They must have seen the horror on my face because I could see pity in their eyes. Why did they pity me? Was he going to be rough with me? He didn't seem like the gentle type from the way he gripped my wrist earlier.