The She-wolf and The Prince

The return of Alia.

CHAPTER 05

April 1811

Grey had been waiting since the day before for news of his daughter. His right foot was clicking incessantly on the wooden floor.

- You shouldn't have lost your temper, Silves reproached him once again.

Both were sitting at their usual tables in the cottage.

- It's all right. I had to act in another way, but there's no time for games.

- I am aware of that. The future of our pack depends on this marriage.

- The freedom of the wolves too. Don't forget that. whispered the right-hand man.

The front door opened, cutting off their discussion.

- I didn't mean to disturb you," Kaul apologized, "I'm soaked.

- You're not disturbing us. We were just talking about your fiancée. Go and put your clothes to dry by the fireplace, then take some clothes from my room and come and join us.

- I'll see you then. Thanks, Grey.

- Have you heard anything?" he asked when he returned.

- No, I haven't. Not yet. Don't worry. She'll be back. You bet she will.

- I don't think she will. She made it clear that she has no feelings for me.

- Don't be so defeatist. You'll see. She'll be back soon and tell you she wants to marry you.

- I'm not so sure anymore. What am I going to do if she doesn't want me?

- She has no choice. I'll force her if I have to. Our pack needs to be led by a strong couple. Like Silves and Laina.

- I thank you for that compliment. However, I think we should find the best way to make her see reason. Maybe we need a mother figure. Laina will be perfect for that. She's like a mother to Alia.

Kaul sighed loudly. One thing was bothering him and he didn't hesitate to jump in.

- I followed Alia when she ran away. And unfortunately, I know where she is? Do you know what a huge mistake you made?

- ‶Where is she?" asked Grey. Why didn't you tell us earlier?

- Because where she is, we can't go near her.

- Tell us where she is and stop beating around the bush.

- She's in the vampire castle. You must have noticed. Her scent leads to the castle.

- Has she been captured? Why didn't you do something?" roared Grey.

He was ready to go after the boy.

- Grey, you know I'd throw myself on a pyre for your daughter. I've always loved her, you know that. Nobody forced her to go in there. She went there on her own.

Grey pounded his fist on the table.

- What was she doing in that nest of monsters?

- Apparently, it was to see someone. A vampire locked in a tower. And this isn't the first time she's visited the castle.

- Damn. My daughter with...

The front door opened again. On the threshold stood a girl in khaki shorts and a half-damp white shirt. Alia stood and stared at them in turn. Her eyes were reddened and her irises a darker blue. Her hair, usually disheveled, stuck to her face at her back.

- Good evening.

Kaul rushed to meet her while the other occupants of the room stood back.

- Are you all right? We've all been worried about you.

- I'm more or less fine. I'll be fine.

- Can we know where you've been?" Grey suddenly shouted in anger.

- I came back so that I could talk to you in peace. But if you want to shout at me, I'd rather leave.

She didn't have the strength to argue with anyone. Her heart had had enough. She had known how painful it could be to part with a loved one.

"If I could, I would go get him and we would run away together. Why didn't I have the courage to persuade him that running away together was the best solution?"

Plunged in her thoughts, none of the phases Kaul uttered reached her. She just felt firm hands holding her by the shoulders and her feet moving by themselves.

When Alia woke up the next day, the memories of the day before seemed like a nightmare. She firmly believed it until she found herself sitting at the same table as her father. The man was staring at her with a suspicious eye. A heavy silence had hung over the room for several minutes.

- ‶I know you were with someone yesterday," Father Griffin began.

His tone was calm and measured.

- I'm not going to see him anymore. Your daughter will stay in this forest now. Maybe until she dies. That's what you wanted to know, right?

- What could you possibly see in this vampire?

She was a little confused at the mention of the species Ryan belonged to. However, she answered without blinking.

- He's the sweetest person I know. Is that okay? Now, if that's all you want to know, can I go out?

- No. I want to talk about Kaul and his marriage proposal.

- Tell me about it.

She was determined to listen to him even though he was sure she wouldn't accept her father's decision.

- Listen to me, Alia. First, I want to apologize for the way I behaved with you.

- You are forgiven.

- I am relieved.

He took her hand and kissed it.

- All I want is your happiness. Kaul loves you very much. He's a well-behaved child, he's handsome and besides, you like him too, don't you?

- Just like a sister.

- I see. But I think that with time, your feelings will change.

- Maybe.

A smile appeared on the father's face.

- You should go and visit Laina. She'll be happy. She's been very worried about you.

- She's been very worried about you.

Under other circumstances, she would have postponed this undertaking, but an urge to confide in her gnawed at her; she felt as if she had a weight on her chest. On the other hand, she was not happy about staying home with a suspicious father. So she hurried out and went inside the village.

The welcome she received was cold, almost icy. Most of the eyes were on her. No comment against her reached her ears, but she could guess what they were thinking of her at that very moment. Werewolves had acute hearing, so it was possible they all knew about her relationship with a vampire. They saw her as someone to be wary of, which was normal because she had been taught since she was ten years old that vampires were abominable beings.

"Vampires are abominable but, not all of them. Ryan is different. He's not what you think he is. He's someone who suffers so much." she thought.

Ignoring the curious and suspicious looks, Alia rushed into the chief's house where Laina was already waiting. She was a woman of rare beauty but also of great strength. She was in her thirties but looked younger, especially with her chestnut hair that fell to the small of her back. Alia considered her the mother she never had and a role model.

Silves's wife gave the newcomer a smile as she walked towards her.

- Here you go. Alia. How are you?

- I'm fine. I want to talk to you. You're not too busy I hope?

- I'll never be too busy for you, sweetheart. Come and sit down.

- I'd rather it wasn't here.

- As you wish.

When they came out, Alia came face to face with Kaul. He gave her a fearful smile, which aroused a hint of guilt in her.

- I see that my mother is in good company. he said.

- Hello Kaul.

- Hello Alia.

That was all they said to each other. The boy went on his way and the two women did the same. Both of them took the road to a remote place in the forest.

- You're not mad at me for refusing Kaul's request?

The woman laughed.

- Of course not," she said after calming down. But I am disappointed that you can't be my daughter-in-law.

Laina's cheerful mood infected Alia, who smiled.

- It's a bit complicated, you know? I can't deny that Kaul is a good person.

- But there is one person who lives in your little girl's heart. And it's that famous vampire, isn't it?

- How do you know I have feelings for him?" she asked in surprise.

- Girl, I was your age once too. Besides, mothers feel these things.

- Do they? And it wasn't the rumors of the pack that led you to that conclusion?

- Not at all. And since you're not denying anything, that means I was right.

His expression became more serious.

- This is a vampire.

- He's not like the ones you hate. He's quiet, kind, but also lonely and sad. He has no one to talk to but me.

Her heart sank as she thought of the one she loved. The memories of their time together flashed before her eyes. She was angry at herself for not having known how to take advantage of every moment.

- Did she?

- Yes. But now I won't be able to see him anymore and it's all my fault. I feel guilty and I want to die.

- Don't say that. I won't ask you what happened. However, I think it might be for the best.

Laina hesitated for a moment before continuing.

- I would like to tell you that when you love someone, you fight for them; that it is not by being a coward that you live your love. But I can't. There's too much at stake.

-Too much at stake?

- Yes. Please marry Kaul. The survival of the pack depends on it.

- I know it's important to a pack that its future alpha has a mate. But why me? You can choose someone else, right?

- You'll understand later. Just tell yourself that you have to do your duty. I don't want to force you but you don't have a choice. I talked to Grey and...

- So you're on his side too? Don't you have any compassion for me? Why are you forcing me to be with someone I don't like? Tell me?

The girl was seething with anger. In the end, no one cared about her opinion. Angry, she decided to withdraw.

- Vampires are very good at seduction. You won't gain anything by being in love with him.

Alia wasn't listening to her anymore. All she wanted was to be with the person she cherished most. At that moment, her decision was made; she was going to go back to the castle and go with Ryan.

"I want us to be together. I'll go with you, Ryan. I don't care if I have to kidnap you. Like you said, you're the prisoner in her tower and I'm the prince charming come to rescue you. You're my only love and I'll do anything to get us back together," she said to herself as she turned back.

She was a person of reckless nature who often acted on impulse and the decision she had taken seemed the most reasonable in the world...