The Alpha's Arranged Bride

Chapter 8

JOANNA’S POV

I sat motionless in the living room, my mind wandering far away. It was really difficult for me to tell Lavender what I did. I knew that would be her reaction, but now I fear that Alpha Caramel would allow her to make that choice.

Moreover, I already chose for her a long time ago. We could not possibly go back on our word, or he might not take it lightly with any of us. Only I know the extent of Caramel’s power, and it was scaring me to the bone.

I was aware that he wasn’t a bad person, but his anger would sometimes drive him to do things that were far from desirable. My heart was racing, and I was trying to calm it down. A loud knock on the door made me jolt out of my head.

My head snapped to the door. The knock went on in haste, and I wondered who the person was. Before I could stand up, someone had already opened the door, and Alpha Caramel walked in. It felt like the air that was meant to go into me seized as I watched him walk to where I was partially sitting.

“Where is she?” His voice echoed in my ears.

I blinked, unable to speak. He was here to take her away. “I want to see her. I will be taking her with me today. Duty calls. I cannot stay with you for too long. There are so many things to be done,” he added.

I still could not find the words to say to him. I was heartbroken. My relationship with my daughter was hanging in the balance. There were so many things I had yet to say to Lavender. My heart was thudding so hard in my chest.

He was here to take her away to his pack. I knew where it was located; Canada. That was not an issue. The issue was that no one came in or left without the knowledge and approval of the Alpha. So it meant if she left, the chances of seeing again were slim.

No matter how I tried to feel better, it was hurting me the more I thought about it. But it is what it is. No matter how it hurts, I cannot stop it from happening. He was here, and I cannot ask him to leave or he should not take her because I know he had carried out his part. He helped me, and now it was time to give him what I had promised him, which he also agreed to.

Without uttering a single word, I climbed the stairs, silently praying that she wouldn’t provoke a conflict. I got to her room, then knocked. “Lavender,” I called out to her, but I got no response. “Please come down. He is here,” I informed her, but she did not respond to me.

“He would not be happy waiting,” I added. Despite that, I got nothing from her.

I knocked one more time and turned the knob, attempting to push it open, but she had locked it. “Lavender, please stop behaving like a child. He will not be happy waiting.” I tried to make her see the need to leave the room, but she was not budging.

I knew she was awake. Lavender was not the type to sleep this early in the night. She loved reading at this time, so I knew she could hear me loud and clear, but chose to ignore me. I could not have her be stubborn, so I kept speaking.

“Lavender, this isn’t right. I promise you he will be nice to you. Stop this and come out now. You would not want to make him angry.”

I paused. This way was not right. I didn’t want to give her the impression that Alpha Caramel was one to be scared of. Yes, he was a strong man who was fierce in all he did, but she was going to be his wife. I could not make it seem like she would not be comfortable around him and she was going to make her life miserable.

Maybe that was where I got it wrong. I must have scared her. “I’m sorry, baby. I know you are extremely upset with me, and I also know I have made it seem like he was a bad person. He isn’t. I made this deal with him for our safety, and he is only following the terms of the agreement. We can’t go against it because it would be unfair to him. Do you understand, child?”

I got no response. I tried for another five minutes, but still nothing. This was futile. My words were not convincing to her. She would not come down, and I knew it. I stared at the door long enough, expecting that she would come around, but I waited for nothing. The only thing to do was to pass the message to Alpha Caramel, but I feared he might do something that would upset her.

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ALPHA CARAMEL’S POV

I waited patiently in the living room for Joanna to bring Lavender down. I had no intention of sitting down because I wanted to leave right away once she was out and down. There was no time to waste. But once it clicked twenty minutes, and I was still yet to see signs of Joanna or Lavender, I began to lose my patience.

I did not want to believe they were stalling or were trying to do anything fishy. This was the agreement, and I was following through with it as agreed. Joanna should have told Lavender sooner. She had eighteen years to do, but still had to wait till this very moment to try to inform her.

About five minutes later, I saw Joanna stepping down the stairs with her eyes on the floor and a timid countenance. I knew she was yet to accept this, but I did not care to think deeply about it. She brought this upon herself, and I was not going to have her ruin my plans.

I have watched Lavender, and I can say I wanted her. Nothing can make me stop wanting to have her, and I mean nothing. Joanna came forward, and I made sure to be calm. I stared behind her, anticipating when Lavender would appear behind her, but until Joanna stood before me, I saw no sign of her.

“Where is she?” I asked, my eyes moving from her to the stairs.

“I’m sorry, Alpha, but Lavender has locked herself in her room and has refused to open it,” Joanna informed me. “Please give her some—”

“Where is her room? Show it to me,” I commanded.

I have given her more than enough time to discuss with her daughter. There would be no more time given. Today I leave with my wife. Joanna wanted to speak, but I gave her a look of disapproval, which made her shiver.

“Lead the way,” I instructed. She nodded, then began moving.

I didn’t want to be rash or mean, but if I needed to get anything done, it had to be through these means. I didn’t know how else to do it, but it just has to be this way. Joanna led me to the room and stopped at the door, stepping aside.

“Lavender, I’m here. It’s time for us to leave,” I tried to speak with her calm.

Unfortunately, she was not having it. She was more stubborn than I imagined.

“Why—” Again, Joanna tried to speak, but I stopped her by speaking again to Lavender, who was stubbornly at the other side of the door.

“I’ll only say this once. Come out or I’ll break down the door,” I threatened, but it seemed she did not think I would because she still refused to step out.

My blood rose to my head, but I had to remain calm about the situation. I could not let my anger make her too upset. My wolf wanted to act in haste, but I knew not to, even though we needed to leave soon.

I moved closer to the door and spoke again for the last time. “Five counts. One, two, three.”

She was really stubborn, I said to myself. “Five,” and I held onto the doorknob and with just a single push, it was out of its hinges.

I got into the room, and she yelled out to me, rushing towards me with anger, “How dare you break down my door?”

I did not bother to say anything to her. Instead, I bent over and carried her out of the room while she kept hitting me.