The Alpha's Villainess

Chapter Seventeen

...Why?

Out of all the people, why did it have to be Victor’s father who wanted to speak to me? Wasn’t I basically guaranteed to run into Aurora if I went to the palace?

What possible reason could he have for wanting to see me anyway? For all he knew, I was just some random rogue who was brought here nearly dead, or, at best, I was the runaway ex-girlfriend of an Alpha under his command. Either way, it didn’t seem like there was anything for him to get involved with.

But did I actually have a choice? If I ran and disobeyed a direct summons from the Alpha King, I would become a fugitive of the entire Empire, not just of Easthaven. Would I really be able to travel far enough to escape that?

...Goddammit.

“Fine,” I conceded, making the girl relax a little. “You can bring me to the palace.”

But the nurse then opened the door, revealing the interior of a large extravagant building just on the other side. “You’re already here,” she answered.

And my mouth slowly fell open in shock.

I stared at the insanely intricate and luxurious decor I could see from inside the hospital room. A thousand times grander than anything I’d seen at Easthaven. The door opened up to a hallway balcony where a huge candle chandelier was visible in the very centre. On the opposite side, I could see the walls were painted with gold leafed patterns, with stunning paintings filling the space. Just as she had said, we really were inside a palace.

Well, I clearly wouldn’t have gotten far had I chosen to run. Realising I was really here, I don’t think it would have ever been a real option. Especially not with the two guards I could see standing outside the door.

I hesitantly walked out, and stared down at the large room below me, still in disbelief I’d stepped out from a hospital room into a palace. The floor below looked marble with pillars to match, a group of several people standing around on a red carpet as they talked casually. They didn’t even seem to notice I was staring at them from above.

“Please, this way,” the nurse said, directing my attention back to her.

I simply nodded silently and followed behind her, too stunned to speak.

She led me through the long hallway and down a flight of stairs, before finally coming to a stop at two large wooden doors, each with a strong looking guard posted. It was here that she paused, glancing back at me one final time before knocking.

“It’s Elizabeth from the hospital,” she announced. “I’ve brought her, as you requested, Your Majesty.”

“Enter.”

I didn’t need to guess who had spoken. The voice that came from the other side was deep and commanding, resonating with authority. Just as I’d always thought an Alpha King would sound.

At his order, the guards then grabbed the handles tightly and pushed the heavy doors open to reveal the audience hall beyond. There was a small crowd of people inside that all turned to look at me as we entered and I scanned them all quickly, scared of seeing the face I desperately didn’t want to find.

Which I didn’t. A small sense of relief washed over me inside as I realised Aurora wasn’t there. A small mercy in amongst the insane situation I was now in. However, that relief only lasted a second, as I then made eye contact with the older man up front.

He sat on a golden throne, having dark greying hair and eyes a light brown colour. But it was something else entirely that made me tense up. Like an aura... or something I couldn’t quite describe. It felt almost tangible, like waves of power stemming from him. The closest thing I could liken it to was when Aurora had started to glow with her magic, but it was still very different. Even Liam had probably a fraction of the influence this man possessed. Nothing that came even close to what I felt the Alpha King would be capable of.

“Please... come in,” he spoke, gesturing me forward.

And I swallowed back my fear and made my legs move.

One step after the other, I walked stiffly, making my way through the crowd of people until I was standing before the Alpha King. I didn’t know what the formality was in this situation, how I should greet or speak to royalty, but I settled on lowering to one knee, holding a hand over my chest as I bowed. The sort of thing I’d seen in movies. It might not have been correct, but it would hopefully convey that I was at least trying to be respectful.

“Please... rise, child,” he said, and I slowly got back up onto my feet. “There is no need for formalities or fear. After all, I owe you a great debt for your service. One I doubt I will ever be able to repay.”

What.

“I... —pardon, Your Majesty?”

His words completely took me off guard, unsure what he was referring to. How could I have done something worthy of such high praise?

But as I tried to think back, those flashing memories came to me once more.

Paws. Men. Blood. Blades. Pain.

They stung in my mind, causing me to wince as I tried recalling more. Trying to remember the other thing that had seemed so important, yet I couldn’t quite place.

“Poor girl, you don’t remember?” he asked sympathetically. “You fought bravely, but perhaps you are still recovering from your injuries. It hadn’t been my intention to rush you into meeting with me. I apologise for that.”

Paws. Men. Blood. Blades. Pain.

What was I missing?

So close... like it was on the tip of my tongue. A colour. Something significant.

The Alpha King continued in my silence, my head starting to hurt from trying too hard to remember.

“Whatever you desire, I will grant you. You are welcome to stay here in the Capital, of course, or you are free to leave whenever you like, the choice is yours. I only wish to thank you for saving my son’s life.”

“...Your son?”

The doors then opened again and someone new walked in. Someone who didn’t need to announce themselves or seek permission to enter.

And, suddenly, it all came crashing back to me.

Paws. Men. Blood. Blades. Pain.

...Gold.

Golden eyes.

“Ah, there he is now.”

The scent hit me first, the same as I’d found in the forest. The comforting way it eased my fear, trying to coerce me to move closer. Like a promise of reassurance and protection.

Then it was his eyes meeting mine. Those molten gold orbs I’d reached out to, now sending a tingle of electricity through my body as I found them again. They held me captivated as I tried to process what was happening.

...Was he... my mate? Was this the matebond?

But... then...

As he finally broke his gaze away from mine to look at the Alpha King, my brain began to think clearly once again. Realising that the words the King spoke had said that this was his son.

A son who should have already become Aurora’s mate by now.

“...Victor...?” I choked out, the comforting feeling that his presence originally gave me quickly turning into fear.

How could I be mated to Victor? He was Aurora’s second chance mate. If I took that away from her... if I completely ruined her chances of succession... then what would become of her?

But the Alpha King laughed, making me flinch out of the deep thoughts churning in my head. “No, this isn’t Victor.”

“But I thought... I thought your son was named Victor?”

I then tore my eyes away from the man, the one who was apparently fated for me, to look back towards the Alpha King, someone who was completely unaware of the chaos unfolding in my head.

“Yes, I do have a son named Victor,” he clarified. “But this is Alistair...”

...Oh no....

“...He’s my eldest son.”