The She-wolf and The Prince

Alia conquered by the Harrington.

CHAPTER 06

Hiden had a delighted smile on his lips. He walked through the castle and when he arrived at a large black door, his smile widened even more. He entered the room behind it. The vampire looked for a book among the many shelves and had no trouble finding what he wanted. He grabbed a red-bound book.

After a thorough reading, he smiled again, satisfied with his discovery.

- Interesting.

He left the library and went to the throne room. Henry Harrington was there, standing in front of one of the windows watching the forest.

- ‶What is your visit worth? Do you have any information about the witch?" he asked without turning around.

- Father, did you know that there is a hybrid in England, specifically in the Mainland?

The king turned sharply.

- A hybrid, you say?

- Yes. And it seems she only knows about her lycanthrope nature.

- Very interesting. So this is the secret weapon. I must say, these werewolves have been very discreet and clever enough to keep this secret for so long. And to think I thought she was dead.

- I thought she was dead too. One thing's for sure, she'll be very useful to us. But I'm afraid we have a slight problem.

- There's no problem we can't solve.

- Well... Our young hybrid has fallen in love with the bastard. Apparently, they've known each other for quite some time.

- ‶We'll sort it out," he replied calmly. The priority right now is to get the family back together. Let's go get that girl. We'll see how the savages will fight without their famous weapon.

- I'll take care of it. This child will be ours. Vampire honor. With that, I'm out of here.

- Good.

Ten minutes later, the prince appeared in the wolf village. All eyes were on him; some fearful, some suspicious, some scornful. However, the situation did not seem to worry him.

- What are you doing here? Alia roared when she saw him.

- Just offering you a chance to stay with Ryan. Forever. Follow me.

- Not even in a dream.

- I won't hurt you. Besides, you're strong enough to stand up to me.

- I am not afraid of you. Let's go.

No one stopped them, fearing reprisals from the vampire. But when they reached the village, the chief and his right-hand man blocked their path.

- Don't follow that man. Grey ordered.

- Grey Griffin, your daughter is old enough to know what to do and what not to do and what to know. It's wrong to keep the truth from her.

- What are you talking about?

- Don't listen to her, Alia.

- Join us, Alia. You belong with us, with Ryan, not with those people who just want to use you, your father first.

- Don't talk about my father. You're just a monster. You really think I'm going to leave my family for the likes of you. I'll do anything to save Ryan from your clutches.

- By marrying a werewolf?

- I'm not marrying him.

- You're not? And you think they'll give you a choice? You, their chance at power.

- What are you talking about?

The two werewolves looked at each other blankly. They had guessed that the vampire had guessed. They didn't move. They couldn't after staring into Hiden's eyes.

- You're a hybrid. Half vampire, half she-wolf. To make a long story short, Grey Griffin here used our mother to get to you and then used you. Or rather your body. All they want from you is to marry the chief's son and give birth to a powerful witch capable of exterminating vampires and of course allowing werewolves to reign supreme.

- That's not true.

- Tell her, Mr. Griffin. Explain why you want her to marry as soon as possible and also why it is still impossible for her to turn into a wolf, not to mention why she looks so much like Dahlia Harrington.

Alia did not believe the man who had just spoken. To her, it was impossible that her gentle and loving father just saw her as a tool. She didn't want to believe him.

- Father?

- Don't listen to him. He is just trying to separate you from us.

- Tell me, father! Are you using me to force me to marry Kaul?

- Of course not.

- A man who lies to his own daughter out of selfishness. Don't you have any pride?

No answer came from them. By their silence, they had the truth. The she-wolf realized this very quickly. Her vision blurred.

- I hate you. she shouted at the top of her lungs.

With a quick movement, she started to run in the direction of Nottingham. She didn't care what happened next; she wanted to go into the arms of the one she loved and cry over her disappointment.

Behind her stood a smiling vampire.

Alia didn't think about it anymore. All she cared about was finding Ryan. She didn't trust Hiden. However, she knew he was telling the truth, and the hope of seeing the man in her life again made her tremble.

Her anticipation was so great that she finished her run faster than expected. Her heart was beating wildly at the sight of that beloved tower. The small window was open, letting her know that she was expected, or rather hoped, to return.

Suddenly, the head of the occupant appeared in the frame. At first, the two of them stayed there looking at each other. Then the young vampire started to climb down the tower. The sun, merciless, burned the visible parts of his skin which became gray but, in spite of everything, he continued his descent.

- What are you doing?

- You can see it, can't you?

- But it's dangerous for you. You will hurt yourself, she warned him.

- I am a vampire. Even if I fall, I won't die. This time, it's my turn to come to you. Stay where you are.

Alia was both amused and concerned by her friend's enterprise.

- Be careful.

- I am, he said reassuringly.

Suddenly, his hands gave way. Only he didn't fall to the ground as expected. Above him, clinging to one of the plants, Alia held him by the hand. She smiled at him.

- You're not as careful as you said you were.

- Thank you.

She helped him to hold on to the brambles and to climb inside the tower. Finally, alone, he sat down on the chair in his office.

- Why did you come back?

His question sounded like a reproach. The expression of his face did not betray his anxiety towards his friend.

For any answer, the she-wolf posted a dark mine. Her eyes clouded over and Ryan understood that the discussion with Grey Griffin had not been successful. He got up and went towards her. Putting his two hands on her cheeks and his forehead against hers, he tried to comfort her. Both closed their eyes to enjoy this contact.

- It's going to be okay. You'll see. He'll probably come around. Give him time.

- I'm never going back there again," she said with determination. I'll stay with you.

- You can't. I thought we had agreed. You can't be here. Hiden will come after you. I don't want that to happen at all, so listen to me. Go...

She broke off their contact but still kept their hands entwined.

- It was Hiden who told me that I could keep our relationship together.

- I don't understand," he said in confusion.

- According to Hiden, I would be a vampire too.

The rage and sadness she carried within her that had evaporated when he arrived returned.

- They just wanted to use me, she confided. I was just a tool for the wolves to take over the kingdom. Even my father had no feelings for me. He was just being a loving father so that I could serve the cause and do what I was born to do. I hate him. I hate them.

Ryan was taken aback by this revelation.

- Where did you get this information?

- Hiden. Your brother told me. They were there and none of them denied it. Silves, our Alpha, just looked at me. I could see in his eyes that he was apologizing. This was in contrast to Grey, who seemed to have no regrets. I don't have the right to be treated like this," she sobbed.

Then he took her in his arms.

- No, you don't. You don't have the right. I'm so sorry.

- Don't be. Nothing that happens to me is your fault. Now do you understand why I want to be here with you?

- Yes, but I still have doubts about my brother's intentions. If he told you this secret, it's to get the upper hand on the wolves. It's obvious.

- I don't think it is. He also told me something I still can't believe. He told me that I'm a hybrid and his sister.

The person he was talking to was even more circumspect. He pulled her away from him to better observe her, looking thoughtful. His eyes opened wide and his mouth formed an "O".

- Why didn't I notice it from the beginning?

- What's the matter?

- I just realized it. If it weren't for your silver hair and blue irises, you'd look like Dahlia. But how...

- ‶Ryan," she cut him off. I don't want to talk about this right now. All I want is to feel that you love me.

- ‶You love me, don't you?" she asked doubtfully.

He gently caressed her cheek, a smile plastered on his face.

- Of course, I do. More than you can imagine.

He leaned into her ear and whispered.

- I loved you, I love you and I will love you.

Then he sealed their lips. At that moment, the walls of the building could come down, they would not notice. They were in their bubble, ignoring the rest of the world...