Bound To The Alpha King

Chapter 3

On the morning of the day the Alpha King would arrive, Yennefer sat in her mother's room as several elderly ladies prepared her.

She was visibly glowing, smiling excitedly as she was adorned with jewels and expensive clothing. Her short brown hair was stretched and extensions were added to make them appear longer.

Her lips were painted a cherry red, her cheeks dusted with blush and her eyes lined properly to make her brown eyes pop.

Outwardly, she was the perfect bride. But deep within her, she was troubled. She kept looking towards the window, as if waiting for someone to show up.

A few hours later, the sound of a horn echoed through the pack, heralding the arrival of the Alpha King and his escorts.

Kaliyah stood at the back of the cottage, spying secretly. To her surprise, Alpha Soren came with a large entourage. When she heard he would come with his escorts, she had assumed he would arrive with a handful of shifters.

But the entourage with him was as large as an entire village. She spotted a large carriage made of pure gold, pulled by six vicious wolves, snarling menacingly. She knew immediately that the Alpha King was in there.

As she continued to watch in awe, someone slapped her from behind and she whirled around.

It was Ophelia, her stepmother.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Ophelia yelled angrily. She had changed her dress to a much fancier one, and her hair was pulled back into a neat low bun.

"Stepmother... I finished my chores and I..." Kaliyah started to explain but Ophelia didn't give her a chance to finish. She grabbed her hair and pulled her in.

"If you ruin today for Yennefer, I swear I will take the life out of you." She vowed.

Kaliyah turned silent as she was dragged towards the room where Yennefer was waiting.

Ophelia opened the door and shoved her in. "You stay in here and serve Yennefer until the Alpha King sends for her."

Kaliyah rose to her feet and lowered her head. "Yes, stepmother." She murmured.

Ophelia ignored her and turned to her daughter with a bright smile.

"You are so beautiful, Yennefer." She gushed. "After tonight, the Alpha King would realize how lucky he is to have someone like you."

"I can't wait, mother." Yennefer smiled back. "I'm a bit nervous though."

"Nervous?" Ophelia repeated. "Nonsense, child. Everything will go smoothly. Your father is with the Alpha King right now, and I think the rites are about to begin."

"Shouldn't you be with him?" Yennefer asked.

"I am going to join him now. If you need anything, send Kaliyah. Once the Alpha King is ready to receive you, go through that door and meet him."

After telling Yennefer all she needed to know, Ophelia threw one last scornful look at Kaliyah before exiting the room.

Once she was gone, Yennefer let out a relieved sigh and walked towards the window.

"You should stay out of sight." Kaliyah spoke out quickly when Yennefer pushed open the window blinds.

"Oh shut up, Kaliyah." Yennefer snapped. She waited for a few minutes, tapping her foot impatiently until someone stepped in front of the window.

"I'm sorry I'm late." A male voice apologized to her.

"It's fine. Do you have everything?" Yennefer asked urgently.

Kaliyah leaned closer curiously, wondering who Yennefer was speaking with. She saw a head full of ginger coloured hair before realizing who it was.

It was Zain.

Zain was Yennefer's secret lover. Kaliyah never liked him because he was a player. Even while in a relationship with Yennefer, he tried to have his way with her.

She watched as Zain handed a leather bag to Yennefer. To her utter shock, the two shared a passionate kiss before Zain grinned and hurried away.

Yennefer giggled and quickly closed the window.

"I can't believe you kissed him when you are to be wed to the Alpha." Kaliyah blurted.

Suddenly annoyed, Yennefer walked towards her and slapped her hard on the face.

"You better keep your mouth shut, Kaliyah." She growled. "For your own good."

Kaliyah held her face which was stinging from the slap. Her eyes were filled with unbridled rage, yet she remained silent.

Yennefer opened the bag and dumped the contents on the ground. There was a dress which was slightly similar to the one she was wearing, but not as expensive as it. Along with the dress was a brown coloured wig and some cheap jewelry.

Yennefer picked up the dress and pushed it into Kaliyah's hands.

"Put that on. Now!"

Kaliyah didn't want to risk getting hit again, so she quietly undressed and put on the dress. Now that it was on her body, it looked very similar to the one Yennefer wore.

Next, Yennefer grabbed the wig and handed it to her, along with the jewelry.

"Put these on too. Be quick."

Unable to hold back her curiosity, Kaliyah asked.

"What exactly are you doing, Yennefer?"

"Just put them on and shut up." Yennefer snapped angrily.

Kaliyah went quiet and put on the wig, covering her own raven black hair. Next she put on the cheap necklace, bracelets and earrings.

Yennefer sorted through a bag on the bed and brought out a bright red lipstick, mascara and blush.

It was when she started painting her face that Kaliyah became really suspicious.

"Yennefer what are you doing?" She asked again.

"What does it look like I'm doing?" Yennefer retorted, holding Kaliyah's face in place. When she was done, she held a mirror in front of her.

Kaliyah stared at her reflection, then realization dawned on her. The dress, the brown wig, jewelry and make up, they were all very similar to Yennefer's.

"Don't tell me you want me to..."

"Yes, Kaliyah. You are going to mate with the Alpha, instead of me." Yennefer broke the news.

"What?" Kaliyah shrieked. "I know you hate me, but do you realize what you're asking me to do? If I get caught, I'll be killed."

"If you don't do it, you'll be dead too, because I will tell father you tried to take my place." Yennefer replied sharply. "You don't have a choice, Kaliyah. You have to go in my place."

"But why me? At least tell me the reason why you don't want to go. You were so excited to be the Alpha's bride."

"Would you keep your voice down?" Yennefer snapped. "Yes I want to be the Alpha's bride, and I am going to be. But I can't go to him because... I lied about being untouched."

Kaliyah froze in shock. "You're not a virgin?" She whispered, then her eyes widened. "Oh no, you and Zain had sex."

"Don't act so righteous." Yennefer spat. "You would have done the same in my place. Mother and father do not know, so you better keep this a secret between us."

Kaliyah couldn't believe her ears. There was no way she would let the Alpha mate with her, and she told Yennefer so.

"If you don't do it, I will show father your diary, or tell him you tried to hurt me and take my place. I know you're a virgin, and in the dim light, the Alpha will hardly tell us apart. He'll think you are me."

"And then what happens?" Kaliyah asked in defeat.

"Let him have his way with you, as much as he wants. I'll be waiting here. Tomorrow morning, we switch places while he is still asleep. I'll be out of here, and you can escape or go to hell for all I care."

Kaliyah was trembling so hard she thought her knees would buckle. What if she got caught? The Alpha wouldn't hesitate to kill her.

But if this worked, she would have a chance at freedom. This could be the only way.

She looked back at Yennefer and took a deep breath.

"I'll do it."