Chapter Three: bound To Alpha Asher
1160 Words
Meanwhile, Astrid kept screaming for help as she was being carried on the shoulder by Brute, far into the woods.
“Keep quiet!” Or I will keep you shut.” Brute said, very upset.
But Astrid paid no attention to what he said. So Brute immediately threw her on the floor, and this made her back ache.
He then raised up his spear and was about to stab Astrid, when suddenly , she saw a dagger come through Brute’s heart.
He immediately staggered, fell beside Astrid, and died.
Astrid quickly got up and picked up the lamp Brute was holding. As she lifted it to see the face of her savior, she saw a fine young man.
His physique was imposing and powerful. His muscles rippled with strength beneath his elegant skin. The flickering light cast shadows across his defined features, highlighting the intensity in his eyes. His name was Raphael.
Raphael questioned Astrid as he cleaned his dagger stained with Brute's blood, “Why were you alone with him, young lady?”
Astrid responded, “He's my Luna's personal slayer. She likely sent him to eliminate me for agreeing to her husband's marriage proposal.”
“Wow, so you’re an Alpha snatcher, huh?”
“Trust me, it’s not what you think.” Anyway, where are you heading to? I want to come with you,” Astrid eagerly inquired.
“No, you can’t,” Raphael replied.
“And why not?” Astrid pressed.
“Well, firstly, you should return to your intended husband; he's an Alpha, and we shouldn't risk angering him. Secondly, I'm just a wanderer, and I am not ready to babysit anyone,” Raphael explained, and gently pushed Astrid aside.
“It's Raphael,” he replied, and was about to walk away, when they were surrounded by armed men—the search party sent by Alpha Asher to rescue Astrid.
Astrid explained how Raphael saved her from death by killing Brute. The leader of the search party immediately thanked Raphael and pleaded for him to follow them back to Alpha Asher’s palace. Raphael agreed.
When they arrived at the palace, Alpha Asher expressed his gratitude to Raphael for saving Astrid.
"I am truly grateful for the incredible bravery you displayed in saving my Astrid," Alpha Asher said warmly.
He continued, “Please accept this as a token of my appreciation.” Alpha Asher said as he pointed towards the bag of coin Beta Xavier was holding.
However, Raphael respectfully declined the gift. "My lord, I do not seek to be rewarded in this manner. Instead, I humbly request a place to stay in your palace," Raphael said with a bow.
Alpha Asher accepted his request and ordered a comfortable room to be prepared for Raphael in the palace. He assured Raphael that he was welcome to stay in Northville for as long as he wished.
Raphael's decision to request a place in the palace was driven by his strong connection to Astrid. Upon seeing her, he felt a deep attraction and desired to learn more about her.
*****
The wedding ceremony between Alpha Asher and Astrid was set to be in the next two days.
A day before the wedding ceremony, Raphael was taking a stroll around the palace.
As he passed through one of the rooms, he overheard someone sobbing.
Suspecting it was Astrid, he knocked on the door.
“Who is there?” A voice from inside somewhat yelled.
“It’s Raphael,” he replied.
“Come in,” the voice said, more solemn.
Upon entering, Raphael's suspicion was confirmed; it was Astrid.
“What do you want?” Astrid said, wiping her eyes.
“My lady, sorry for the intrusion. I heard someone crying, so I decided to find out who it was and what is wrong.”
“It is me, and nothing is wrong,” Astrid replied.
“Then why are you crying, my lady?” Astrid then burst into tears, prompting Raphael to quickly rush towards her, hold her hands, and bend down.
“My lady, please stop crying. No matter the problem, you will be fine, trust me. You are getting married to an Alpha; you should be happy.”
Astrid gave a stern look at Raphael.
“What if that is the problem?” Astrid asked.
Raphael looked at Astrid, smiled, and uncertainly said, “That can’t be a problem, or is it?” He curiously asked.
“Maybe, maybe not. I probably just miss my mum, Selene. I used to really like pumpkin stew when I was little. So one day, she teased me that she was going to prepare it on my wedding day. I remembered it not too long ago, so it made me sad,” Astrid said as tears rolled down her cheeks.
“Oh my lady, that must have been really painful to remember. I’m sure she must be really proud of you though,” Raphael said.
“I hope so,” Astrid said.
“You will be fine,” Raphael said, patting Astrid on her back.
“You should leave now, before someone sees you here, and thinks otherwise.”
“Alright my lady, take care, tomorrow is going to be a long day,” Raphael said, and was about to leave when Astrid said,
“By the way, you can call me Astrid.”
Raphael then smiled and said, “Okay, Astrid.”
The day for the wedding ceremony arrived, and as Astrid was being dressed up beautifully by her servants, Raphael requested her audience.
Astrid then told her servants to wait outside. Raphael walked into the room with his hands tucked behind his back.
“You look beautiful, Astrid,” Raphael said as he stared deeply at Astrid.
“Thank you, Raphael, how can I help you though?”
He then revealed what he had been hiding, a cooler.
“What’s in that?” Astrid curiously asked.
He handed it over to Astrid and told her to carefully open it. When she did, she saw it was pumpkin stew. She immediately let a tear out and hugged Raphael.
“This is so thoughtful of you, Raphael, thank you.”
“You’re welcome, Astrid.”
Astrid immediately picked up the spoon and tasted the dish.
“This is so nice, Raphael. Did you prepare it?”
“Wellll, I might have had a help or two” Raphael said and smiled.
They both laughed loudly.
“You should join me,” Astrid offered.
“No, thank you, I’m good. Enjoy,” Raphael said and left the room.
The wedding ceremony was concluded, marking Astrid as officially Alpha Asher's Luna. He then ordered the servants to transfer Astrid's belongings to his bedroom.
Astrid pleaded against it, because she didn’t wish to share the same bedroom with Alpha Asher, at least, not during the day.
"You are my Luna. We will share the same bedroom until I decide otherwise!" Alpha Asher commanded.
- Writer
