Accidentally Bound to Alpha Alec

BOUND TO MY ENEMY

The guards dragged me down a dark, damp corridor, their iron grip unyielding as I struggled. My feet scraped against the cold stone floor and when they finally shoved me into a cell, I barely had time to catch myself before I hit the ground with a loud thud.

Pain shot through my palms but there was no blood. No torn skin. Just the sharp sting of impact.

I turned my hands over, frowning at the smooth skin.

Had death granted me some kind of unnatural healing?

Or had my curse taken part of my mortality with it?

I gasped as the iron bars slammed shut with a loud clang, the guards’ heavy footsteps fading into silence.

I curled into a corner, pressing my forehead against my knees. My stomach ached with hunger, but the emptiness in my chest was worse.

My father had betrayed me.

Why did he hate me so much? I had taken his curse, served his punishment, but he let me get dragged out of my home like stolen animal.

Tears slipped down my cheeks as exhaustion took over. For the first time since my curse had been lifted, I wished I had died. My existence didn't matter, I was but a mere object to be pushed around, tortured and blamed.

The sound of my cell door creaking open snapped me out of my thoughts.

I shot up, my heart pounding against my ribs.

The tall, blonde woman from earlier stood in the doorway, her emerald eyes burning with hatred.

"Pathetic," she sneered.

I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.

"You street vermin," she spat, stepping closer.

"Your kind has always been known as thieves and manipulators," she hissed, shaking her head in disgust.

"You think you can just waltz in here and take what’s mine?"

I frowned. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."

A sharp slap cracked through the air. My head snapped to the side and the taste of blood filled my mouth.

I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to stay calm. This was a lost battle, she was a powerful lycan and I on the other hand, had only summoned my wolf once on my 15th birthday.

"My name is Princess Daisy Tyrone," she hissed. "Betrothed to Alpha Alec. And you…" She grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet her furious gaze. "You’re nothing but a desperate little thief."

I jerked out of her grasp but she lunged towards me, her fingers wrapping around my throat.

"Don't piss me off," she whispered, tightening her grip, "I wouldn't think twice before snapping your little neck."

She tightened her grip, her long nails digging into my flesh, but I could barely feel anything.

"Go ahead and kill me," I taunted and she tightened her grip the more.

After several long seconds, she shoved me back, her breath heaving as her eyes scanned me.

Frustration flashed through her bright eyes but was quickly masked with a mischievous grin.

"Guards!" Daisy yelled.

The cell door swung open, and two soldiers stepped in immediately.

"This rodent insulted your future luna. Whip her until she learns some respect," Daisy ordered, her lips curling into a cruel smile.

"Please, Princess," I begged as panic surged through my veins.

My weak body couldn't take another beating and i had their large whips on the carriage. They were lined with tiny iron blades that looked like thorns.

I cried and begged but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

The guards pinned me to the ground and bound my hands and feet.

I shut my eyes tightly as the guard raised his hand to deliver the first strike.

I bit my trembling lips and prayed that my suffering would end quickly.

The whip made contact with my skin. The smell of blood filled the air but just as before, there was no sensation.

More strikes were delivered but there was still no sensation. My dress was drenched in blood but I couldn't feel the pain of a cut or a bruise.

Everything was totally fine.

I looked up and my eyes met Daisy's. Her brows were narrowed and I could sense her frustration.

"Whip her harder!" She yelled at the guards who obeyed promptly.

Just as another strike landed on my back, a scream echoed through the castle.

The guards froze.

But Daisy, unfazed, gestured for them to continue.

Each time the whip tore into my skin, the scream grew louder, more primal, until suddenly, the cell gates burst open.

Alpha Alec stood in the doorway, covered in blood and bruises.

Daisy gasped, immediately rushing to his side. "My love! What happened?"

His jaw clenched and his eyes moved around warily until they landed on me.

"A bear attacked me," he said flatly.

Something within me sensed it was a lie. Plus it was the middle of winter, bears were hibernating.

Daisy opened her mouth to question him further, but he brushed past her and walked closer to me.

"Bring her to the castle," he ordered.

The guards hesitated, their eyes moving from Daisy to the King.

Alpha Alec’s voice dropped, deadly and low. "Now!"

~

I stood in the grand hall once more, my body trembling from hunger and exhaustion.

A circle of black candles surrounded the throne, their flames flickering wildly despite the stillness of the room. The scent of burning herbs and dried roses lingered, mingling with the metallic tang of blood.

An old priestess paced around the circle, her lips moving as she chanted in a strange language.

Alec stood stiffly beside me, his expression cold as always.

She gestured for my hand. "Give me your palm, girl."

I hesitated.

"Now!" Alec barked.

I slowly stretched out my hand. The Priestess pulled a rusted needle from the folds of her cloak and pressed it against my fingertip.

I felt a small sting. A single drop of blood welled up on my finger and the priestess let it drip into an obsidian bowl filled with black swirling liquid.

The moment my blood touched the surface, the liquid sizzled, black smoke curling into the air.

Alec remained silent as the same process was repeated on him. His blood dripped into the same bowl, but this time, the liquid flared, burning blue for a brief second before settling into a deep, dark red.

The Priestess' chanting grew louder, the language terrifying and guttural. Her fingers trembled as she traced strange symbols into the air.

Then suddenly, Alec twitched.

His breath turned ragged, his fists clenching at his sides. His entire body jerked as if something was trying to crawl its way out of him.

"Are you alright?" I gasped as I reached for him.

He shot me a warning glare and I immediately retracted my outstretched hand.

The priestess let out a sharp scream.

Her white eyes snapped to mine. "The curse has bound you," she whispered. "You suffer because of her. She is your mate."

A stunned silence filled the hall.

Mate?

We had only shared a kiss. Which wouldn't have even happened if I knew he was a cruel man.

"I'm sorry, there must be a mistake," I whispered under my breath. "I do not even know this man."

The doors slammed open. Daisy stormed in, her face red with anger.

"Lies!" she shrieked. "I am his only mate and the true luna of Silvervalley. "

The priestess shook her head in disagreement.

Daisy's eyes glowed with fury.

"Reject her, my love! Reject her now!"

Alec’s jaw tightened. "No filthy werewolf will be my bride.

"I have no interest in you either!" I spat before I could stop myself.

Alpha Alec shot me a warning glare. His lips parted but he immediately looked away.

"The rejection ceremony will take place by sun down, ready yourself," he finally said to me before walking out with Daisy perched on his side.

~

The entire pack gathered in the throne room, the air thick with tension as they whispered among themselves.

Alec stood before me, his grey eyes colder than I had ever seen them.

A fire pit burned at the center of the room, filling the space with the scent of sage and incense.

Alec took a deep breath and spoke, his voice steady and commanding.

"I, Alpha Alec Valtore of the Silvervalley Pack, reject you, Mariella Rivera, as my mate."

I felt a sting of betrayal.

The bond that had been forced upon us screamed in protest, but I forced my shaking lips to move.

"I accept your rejection," I whispered.

The priestess stepped forward, her hands rising as she began chanting.

The air became still and it felt like time had frozen.

My entire body trembled as the priestess inched closer to me.

She drew out a shiny dagger and made a small cut on my palm. She repeated the process with Alec before forcing our hands together.

Immediately my palm wrapped around Alec’s large hand, he stumbled, his hand grabbing his chest.

"Are you okay, my lord?" The priestess inquired.

"Continue," he gritted out.

The chanting intensified, the flames in the fire pit turning an eerie shade of violet.

Alec let out a strangled growl before finally collapsing.

His muscles convulsed violently, his body fighting against something unseen.

His breaths came in ragged gasps as his hand grabbed his chest.

"Stop!" he roared, his voice echoing off the walls.

The priestess hesitated.

"Continue!" Daisy screeched as she ran to his side.

Alec’s head snapped up. His eyes were no longer grey.

They were blood-red.

Daisy stumbled back. "Alec…?"

But he wasn’t looking at her.

He was looking at me.

And before I could react, he lunged at me.

I screamed in terror as my body slammed against the wall.

His fingers wrapped around my throat, pinning me against the cold stone wall.

"You," he growled, his voice laced with fury. "You have trapped me!"

His grip tightened.

I shook my head in disagreement, tears spilling from my eyes.

His lips curled back, baring his large fangs.

"You have six months to undo what you have done to me but until then, every inch of you belongs to me," he growled before finally letting me go.