Between two alphas

Episode3

VESHA

We approached the table together.

Caelan inclined his head first. “Your Majesty. Thank you for honoring our ball.”

Morvane rose to his feet in one smooth motion. Up close, his presence felt heavier, commanding without effort. “Alpha heir Rook,” he replied calmly. His eyes shifted to me. “And his companion.”

I curtsied the way etiquette demanded. “Vesha,” I said softly.

“Lady Vesha,” he corrected gently, as if the title mattered. “It is good to see you.”

Before I could respond, a familiar scent invaded my space.

Lara.

“Oh no,” Lara exclaimed, tipping her glass just enough. The red liquid spilled down my bodice, soaking the fabric. “I am so clumsy.”

She did not look clumsy. She looked pleased.

“I am so sorry,” she added, not sorry at all. She slipped between Caelan and me, her shoulder nudging mine aside as if I did not belong there. “Let me take my place. You should clean up”

My face burned.

“It is fine,” Caelan said, distracted, already focused on Lara. “Go get cleaned. Quickly.”

I murmured an apology to Morvane and stepped away, clutching my stained dress as I hurried down the corridor. My chest felt tight, my thoughts louder than the music behind me.

The washroom was empty. Thank the Moon.

I slipped out of the soaked blouse and leaned over the basin, rinsing the fabric carefully. The cold water helped steady my breathing. I focused on the stain, on the task, on anything but the way my hands shook.

“I’m sorry that happened.”

I gasped and spun around.

Morvane stood by the doorway.

My heart slammed against my ribs. “Your Majesty. I did not hear you.”

“My fault,” he said quietly. “I should have announced myself.”

I clutched the blouse to my chest. “It is nothing. I will be fine.”

His gaze flicked to the stain, then back to my face. “I am sorry for the incident,” he said. “You were targeted.”

I forced a small laugh. “It happens.”

He stepped closer, stopping at a respectful distance. “Last night,” he said, lowering his voice, “I wondered about you. What someone so pretty was doing alone in the river at that hour.”

Heat crept up my neck. “I needed air.”

He smiled faintly. “I thought as much. Rare beauty like yours is usually guarded. No wonder it belongs to a Luna to be.”

I laughed softly, more reflex than truth. “You give compliments easily, Your Majesty. Your wife must be proud,”

“Wife?” He repeated, a little smile, then he lowered his head.

I turned back to the basin, trying to refasten my bra with damp fingers. The clasp refused to cooperate.

“May I,” he asked.

I hesitated, then nodded.

He stepped closer, his fingers quick and careful as he fastened it. The touch was brief, proper, yet my breath caught all the same.

The door flew open.

Lara stood there, eyes wide, mouth twisted in outrage.

“Oh…Vesha!” She hissed evilly.

She turned and ran.

“No,” I whispered.

Morvane straightened immediately. “I will speak to Alpha Rook,” he said. “This will be resolved.”

“You do not understand,” I said, panic rising. “They will not listen. The rules will be invoked. The conclave will not care what really happened.”

His brow furrowed. “Lady Vesha. Allow me”

“They hate me,” I said shakily. “They always have.”

“It was nothing. I can…”

“You don’t understand!” I snapped, taking conscious steps away from him. “You’ve already done enough!”

*******************

Silence settled for the last time in the hall, safe for the ticking of the large clock hanging behind me. I knew my fate already. It was written all over Lara’s smirk. I looked by the door, the last place I stood by Morvanes' side before he was asked to wait outside, then back to Caelan who’s head was buried in shame.

I had apologized countless times and narrated the event endlessly, yet everyone paid deaf ears.

The senior conclave elder stood, settling the rule book before him.

“Wolves and Lycans are forbidden from being intimate. That stands as a golden rule of the wolf land. Even the Lycans know it. While we can’t question the Lycan king nor punish him due to…” he swallowed, looking around. “Due to reasons beyond our powers, we can, however, punish the second party,” he added.

“I didn’t do anything to him,” I bellowed, wishing and hoping Caelan would finally look at me and fight for the truth.

But he didn’t.

“Vesha Veyne, by the authority of the conclave, you are banished.”

A murmur rippled through the hall.

“You are to be returned to Darkvale,” he said, not looking at me. “There, you will live with the ashes of your ancestors and feed on what remains of their legacy. Should you ever cross into wolfland again without permission, death will be the sentence.”

“Darkvale? She will die there,” Caelan finally spoke.

“Yes. At least she will do that amongst her kind.”

My knees nearly gave out, but I stayed standing. I looked at Caelan one last time. He still would not meet my eyes.

That was my answer.

***************

Night swallowed the castle as I walked away with a small bag slung over my shoulder. No guards followed me. No farewells were given. The path beyond the gates felt colder, emptier, as if the land itself rejected me.

I did not cry. I was too tired for tears.

A shadow shifted ahead, forcing me to stop.

The figure stepped forward and pulled back his hood.

Morvane.

“Lady Vesha,” he said softly.

I turned away at once and continued walking.

“I am sorry,” he called after me. “For everything.”

I said nothing.

He caught up to me easily. “Please. Look at me.”

“I said you have done enough,” I replied without stopping.

“Then allow me to do one more thing,” he said.

That made me pause.

“Come with me,” Morvane said. “You will be under my protection. I will help you get the justice you deserve. They will pay for what they did to you. All you have to say is yes.”

I laughed bitterly. “You are a Lycan. Your people will never accept me.”

“They will,” he said calmly. “I am their king.”

“That is not enough,” I said. “They will hate me.”

“Let them,” he replied. “Why else would I wear the crown if I cannot protect who I choose?”

I finally turned to face him.

There was no arrogance in his eyes. No hunger. Only certainty.

“And Darkvale?” I asked quietly.

“You will never step foot there,” he said.

The wind rustled through the trees, carrying the scent of the ruins that waited for me if I refused.

I thought of Caelan’s silence. Lara’s smile. The hall that was filled with judgment.

Then I looked at Morvane again.

“Fine,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “I will come with you. And you must keep to your promise,”

He inclined his head. “Good choice, Vesha. Good choice,”

*****************