Marked by Fate, Hated by the Alpha

Princess in chains

Smoke burned Liana’s throat as she ran barefoot through the burning hallway, gathering her skirts.

“Hurry, Your Highness! This way!”

The maid grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the back door of the mansion. Shadows fell across the corridor. Before she could react, two men caught up with them. The maid gasped as the men held Liana against the wall, twisting her hands behind her back.

“Let me go!” she snapped, struggling to set herself free.

Another shadow moved through the smoke.

Tall and broad-shouldered, he moved through the smoke. His expression was unreadable. His silver-grey eyes scanned the scene quietly.

The smell of the smoke had faded. It was replaced with something strange. A strong scent pulled at her senses, clouding her mind. As he stepped closer, she felt a sharp pull, and then he froze like he felt something too. His gaze lowered briefly to the birthmark at her neck, then back to her eyes. His jaw tightened, and his gaze sharpened, as though he had recognized something.

“Bind her and bring her,” he ordered. His cold expression had returned.

Cold metal clamped around her wrist, the cuff was clicked shut and she was yanked forward. They emerged into the courtyard, the scent of burning wood, blood and smoke filled the air. Bodies lay scattered across the ground, some groaning in pain, some still.

Liana walked through the midst of it all, trembling under the weight of her father's defeat. Her fingers curled into her palms as she stepped around another body. If she looked too long, she might recognize a face. Her gaze searched instinctively for her father. He was not there. Of course he wasn’t. He would have fled once the outer defenses fell, and of course, he would not look back to get her.

They moved past the outer fields and through the broken gates, a horse was brought forward and Liana was lifted onto it. A warrior settled behind her, firmly gripping her waist to keep her steady.

Kael mounted at the head, leading the formation and at his command, they rode out. The air grew colder as they left the burning city, climbing the mountain path. Horses moved fast, hooves striking stone and dust.

Her wrists burned as the iron cuffs bit into her skin, but she held still, letting the pain keep her grounded. The thought of what they would do to her left her unsettled. She had heard stories about Kael and his pack. Ruthless, merciless and precise.

Why hadn't they killed her?

She should have died with the others. One order from Kael would have ended it.

Considering all her father had done, her death would have been fair. Even though she wasn't the one that committed the crimes, and even though she was nothing like her father, she carried his blood and his name, and that was enough. Yet Kael didn't kill her, he captured her, which left her unsettled and wondering if what she was going to face was worse than dying in the courtyard.

The horses slowed as soon as they approached the fortress, huge iron gates swung open, wide enough for the riders to pass through. Guards stood on either side, armored and watching silently. The horses came to a halt as soon as they entered the courtyard. She was lowered from the saddle with a firm grip, landing lightly on the floor. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor, waiting for whatever would be her fate.

Kael’s voice cut through the silence, cold and firm.

“Take her to the cells.”

Liana’s stomach tightened.

One of the guards grabbed her arm.

“This way,” he said, leading her towards the fortress.

She didn’t know what awaited her. Death? Punishment? or even something worse? Every step forward made her feel heavier.

Her curiosity had the better of her, making her speak up.

“Why am I still alive?”

The guard didn’t answer. He guided her through a heavily guarded door, at the back of the fortress.

“You haven't answered me. Why wasn't I killed like the rest?"

He paused, his gaze flicking to her briefly with a stern look.

“You’ll learn soon enough.” Her heart skipped.

She swallowed hard, refusing to let her fears show. As soon as they arrived in front of the cold dark cell, the cuffs were removed from her wrists. She was shoved inside so hard that she fell to the floor, hitting her head against the stone walls.

“Ouch!” she screamed.

Pain shot through her skull as her head scraped the wall. She heard the iron bars slam shut, lock clicking, and the guard’s retreating footsteps. This was worse than she had thought. With no bed or cot to lie on, the rough floor pressed against her skin. A thick stench filled the air, sour and stale, like sweat and decay trapped for years.

The sky had darkened completely, the cell was now pitch dark. She had never liked the dark. As a child she had insisted on candles burning long after she fell asleep. The darkness had always felt alive to her. Quickly, she stood up and moved towards the bars, so she could keep the corridor torch in sight.

The memory of everything that happened that day made her shiver. It all happened too fast. And Kael, the way he looked at her seemed weird, especially when he caught a glimpse of her mark. She pressed her fingers to her neck, tracing the faint curve of the mark hidden behind her hair. Her old nanny had once called it a ‘gift and a curse’, she said it was a rare mark, though she never explained what it meant or why she was the only one that had it. And now, the memory of Kael staring at it with recognition made the mark feel alive.

The night went on slowly. Every tick of time sounded like a drumbeat in her ears, and every shadow seemed to creep closer, reaching for her. She hugged her knees to her chest, wishing desperately for the warmth of her old home and for a voice that would tell her she wasn't alone.

She could not comprehend everything that was happening, the war, her capture, the way his presence made her skin crawl, and the fact that her father never looked back to get her, and he might never look for her. The realization hit her hard, nothing would ever be the same again.

A tear slipped down her cheek before she realized she was crying. Unable to hold it in any longer, she covered her mouth with her palms to prevent herself from screaming her heart out. She cried herself to sleep.

The sound of heavy footsteps woke her up. It took her a moment to remember where she was. The sharp click of the metal lock made her eyes snap fully open. She quickly sat upright, her eyes fixed on the bars as they flew open.

Alpha Kael entered first, his broad shoulders filling the narrow doorway. He held his usual cold expression, his gaze dangerously icy cold. Behind him, an older woman walked in. Her silver hair fell loose around her shoulders, her grey eyes looked like they could see through unspoken words. She was draped in robes made out of animal skin. On her neck hung an ancient necklace, shaped like a crescent, carved from bones. Her presence was calm but it carried authority.

A cold shiver ran down Liana's spine.

This was no ordinary person.

The high priestess.