3
1761 Words
Lilac
I swallowed hard, a lump feeling like it was stuck in my stomach. “I can get you keys to this cell… and you’ll be able to easily leave in two days without any resistance cause that’s my wedding day and every guard of the pack would be at the ceremony.”
His head tilted in surprise. “You’re getting married?”
“I’m being forced to, and that’s where the rest of my offer comes in. After you free yourself on that day, you’ll come to my wedding and take me away. No one would dare to stop you, not even my father. Then after we leave this pack, we’ll both go our separate ways. You’ll not come back to hurt this pack either.”
I don’t know why I still care about the pack members.
“You really think you can order me to not hurt your stupid pack? Is it because I’m yet to show you that pluck your eyes out?” His deep voice washed over me and my entire body tensed at once.
“I wasn’t ordering you, I swear. I was begging. Please help me, Alpha Alaric.” I whispered desperately while my shoulders shook.
His eyes bored into mine as seconds dragged out, then he broke the silence, sounding bored. “So, you’ll set me free, but you want me to save you in two days… cause you know no one alive can stop me, yes?”
I swallowed hard, hating how cocky he sounded.
“Yes, that’s r- right.” My voice wobbled a little and it made him grin. I stopped breathing when his large palm cupped my face, the touch making me shiver.
His next words completely caught me off guard.
“Why did you betray me four years ago?”
A strangled sound left my mouth when I tried to speak.
“I- I didn’t—- I wasn’t the one who called t- the guards—“
“Bullshit.” He growled and my stomach rolled with dread.
Four years ago, I had no idea who he was when I begged him to save me. After I healed his injury, he passed out from loss of blood.
It also happened to be that moment that patrolling guards from our pack arrived, and they were the ones who instantly recognized him as the famous Alpha king Alaric, who ruled over every other pack with an iron fist.
He was then captured and kept locked up till now.
I completely refrained from coming down here since then cause somehow, I used to feel a little guilty even though it wasn’t my fault.
“I swear, Alaric, I- I didn’t…”
He began to laugh, low and echoing, making me feel more frightened.
“Relax, I was just messing with you, and you have yourself a deal.” He drawled, dropping his hand from my face.
Relief rushed through me and I almost passed out from the sharp rush, then I stumbled to my feet and made my way to the caged entrance, ready to rush out of the cage at once.
But he stopped me by grabbing my wrist.
“Not so fast, we haven’t discussed any details yet.” He hummed as he teasingly regarded me, back to being amused and my face flushed darkly.
“Uh… we can discuss it once I’m out there—“
“Why? Because you’re scared I’d hurt you? You think I'm a barbarian now? Think I’m a monster just like everyone else?”
I shook my head fast, my heart racing hard.
“N- no, I don’t.” I whispered weakly, but he only scoffed, clearly seeing through my lie.
His face swooped down this time, and I almost screamed again, thinking he was about to chomp on my throat with his large fangs. However, his nose slowly dragged down the curve of my throat, making a full body shiver course down my spine when he inhaled.
“Mhhm… smells so good, what a lovely treat for me today.”
My stomach tightened, pooling with something else entirely that didn’t resemble fear.
He wasn’t gonna break my bones and feast on my blood like all the rumors claim he’s been doing since he got locked up here and became a beast, would he?
“A- alpha Alari—”
My words died in my throat when his fangs slightly grazed the top of my scent gland. It wasn’t an actual bite, merely a pinch, but it made heat sear through my chest, a breathless gasp ripping past my throat as my entire body trembled hard.
He let go of me instantly, and my face felt so hot, it felt like it would burst into flames. I fiddled with the locks from the inside and flew out the door once it opened, my hands fumbling as I tried locking the doors, praying he doesn’t try barging out.
His eyes bored into mine throughout and he made no move to escape despite me clumsily dropping the lock a few times in the process.
By the time I turned to leave, I felt so shaken up and my entire insides still had trickles of warmth for reasons I couldn’t comprehend.
~~ | ~~
“Do you take Alpha Mavin as your lawfully wedded husband and mate?” The pack’s priest questioned and dread pooled in my stomach because in a few minutes, I’ll be mated to Mavin.
Alpha Alaric still wasn’t here putting an end to this wedding like we agreed. Last night, I went to him and we finalized the plan, and I also slipped him a copy of the keys, knowing that was risky because he could just set himself free and leave without saving me, but that was basically my only option: trusting him.
So he should've been here now.
“Princess Lilac?” The priest called out and when I glanced up, I realized everyone was staring at me.
My parents had warning looks in their eyes when I glanced at them, and Mavin’s eyes were hard as they bored into my side, clearly a warning to not try anything stupid.
But I still remained silent. As seconds passed, I wondered if Mavin was the one who ordered those men to throw me into Alaric’s cage two days ago, or if it was Ava trying to kill me again.
Neither of them acted shocked when they saw me after that incident, so I’ve been in a confused state since then.
Aries, my maid, had been in the pack’s house when I returned, frantically searching for me. Just like me, she also had no idea who was behind our brief abduction.
The sound of the priest clearing his throat brought me back to the present, and a low murmur went through the crowd.
“Lilac?” My father called out neutrally, but the warning in his voice wasn’t lost on me.
“Yes, I- do,” I finally mumbled after what felt like forever, my entire insides sinking and a feeling of dejectedness engulfing me.
As Mavin quickly recounted his own vows, I began to pray for the alpha to come for me before we get pronounced alpha and wife.
But as seconds went by, I was forced to accept the fact that he wasn’t gonna come.
My heart painfully squeezed in my chest. Of course he wouldn’t come.
Clearly he’s just gonna feeler himself and be on his way.
“And now, I pronounce you alpha and wife! You may kiss the bride”
Static noise filled my ears while the entire crowd clapped loudly. I felt so shaken up, tears threatening to spill from my eyes when Ryan unveiled my face, a twisted grin on his face.
“After all the fight you put up, you still arrived at the inevitable conclusion.” His deep voice washed over me and bile threatened to come up my lungs.
“f**k you, Ryan.” I whispered, hating how my voice shook.
He chuckled darkly, his hand tugging my chin up. “I’ll be doing exactly that to you tonight. Your body is finally my right and tonight, I’ll finally take what’s mine. After starving me for four good years, Lilac.”
“I’ll be fighting you every step of the way.” I gritted out, my stomach twisting violently.
His head began to descend for a kiss and I suddenly felt like crying.
“I object to the union.” A booming, deep voice echoed through the entire atmosphere from the doorway.
My heartbeat ceased as I slowly whirled around, and then I saw him.
Alpha Alaric in a simple grey cape that hid most of his face and regally fluttered behind him like waves.
He was staring right at me from the doorway, his dark gaze piercing.
Relief flowed through me fast, before a bright grin split across my face.
He came for me just like he said he would!
He really did!
“What the f**k is he doing here?” Mavin thundered beside me, his face ashen and his shoulders turning rigid.
At the same time, Gasps began to echo through the air as soon as people began to recognize him.
“I- is that the a- alpha of alphas?” Someone stuttered in a terror laden voice, then a ruckus broke out right after.
Everyone began to speak at the same time.
“Oh my goodness, did he escape?”
“How is he here?”
“We’re so doomed!”
My parents and Ryan’s parents were already on their feet, their faces a mask of fright as they stood frozen. The rest of the crowd was already a mess, with screams and yells filling the air as they all scattered around.
“Silence!” Alaric thundered, and at once, everyone fell silent, trembling in fear and cowering in fright.
Mavin stuttered beside me. “G- guards… grab him!”
No guard moved.
Alaric finally began to move, walking down the aisle like I did a while ago, and as he stopped in front of me, my heart pounded hard in my chest as I blinked up at him.
“You came.” I whispered, my voice trembling from excitement and relief just as Mavin’s eyes widened beside me.
“What’s t- this, Lilac? Did you betray us?!?” He demanded through clenched teeth, but a single look from Alaric had him swallowing the rest of his words before he stumbled backward.
He didn’t dare utter another word.
- Writer
