Chapter 4
EDITH’S POV
I jolted awake from the sharp pain that radiated through my body. "Wake up, b***h!" the guard yelled, yanking me up without any concern for the agony I was in. Confusion clouded my thoughts as I struggled to comprehend what was happening as he began to loosen the lock to the chain as he pushed me to walk. "It's your last night here and alive," the guard sneered, his words dripping with venom.
Was this it? Were they really going to kill me? Gwen must have orchestrated this, but I couldn't let it happen. I needed to find a way to escape, to survive, and to expose her twisted plans. The determination ignited within me, fueling my spirit to fight against the darkness that threatened to consume me.
The guards roughly dragged me along with the other prisoners through a dimly lit corridor. Fear gripped me in its icy hold, but I couldn't afford to let it paralyze me. I needed to stay alert, to find any opportunity that would lead to my escape.
The procession began with each of us being given to any interested male in the crowd. As the procession continued, a tantalizing scent filled the air, intoxicating my senses. It was so alluring, like a sweet melody beckoning me closer. I couldn't resist its pull, and my gaze scanned the room in search of its source.
And then I saw him. Alpha Ballister, standing amidst the chaos of the banquet hall, his presence commanding and powerful. The moment our eyes connected, something inside me shifted. My wolf, silent for all my years, whispered a single word in my head. "Mate."
Confusion and disbelief warred within me. How could this be? How could fate intertwine our lives at such a crucial moment? But amidst the chaos and uncertainty, I couldn't deny the inexplicable connection that surged between us.
As I looked into Alpha Ballister's eyes, desperately searching for any sign of recognition, my heart sank. There was nothing. No flicker of familiarity, no hint of the connection that had washed over me so strongly. Had I imagined it? Could he not feel it too?
My mind raced with questions, but before I could gather my thoughts, chaos erupted. The guards, momentarily thrown off balance by the sudden commotion, released their grip on me. It was the perfect opportunity to escape, and without a second thought, I bolted toward the nearest exit of the palace.
Each step carried me closer to freedom, and my heart filled with hope. Maybe, just maybe, I had a chance to evade this nightmare. A loud scream came from behind me but I didn’t turn to look at what the cause was.
As I rounded a corner, my path was blocked by a wall of muscle, and I stumbled to a halt.
“Edith!” Alpha Ballister called. I could hear relief in his voice but that was all. I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
With a raging heart, I turned towards him, “Alpha Ballister? What are you doing here?" My voice trembled with emotions.
“I came to save you, Edith. No one else will harm you," He declared, his voice dripping with possessiveness.
I sighed in relief at his words but I couldn’t really understand him. He acted like he didn’t know me some minutes ago and now he was acting all possessive.
“But... why? Why would you want to save me?"
"Because you're mine, Edith. Mine to kill," Anger etched deep into his features. My initial joy at his presence shifted into confusion and fear. What was he saying? Didn’t he say he was going to help me?
"She's over here!" His voice thundered through the air, and my heart dropped. The guards, alerted by his call, came rushing towards us, closing in on the last remaining sliver of my hope for salvation.
Tears welled up in my eyes as anger mingled with sorrow. The hope that had flickered within me was snuffed out, leaving only lingering darkness and bitterness. I knew now that I was truly alone, that salvation would not come from the one person who had the power to grant it.
ALPHA BALLISTER'S POV
(Moments Before Edith’s Escape)
Hard as I tried, I could not stop my heart from pounding as I watched Edith being dragged out of the banquet hall. Something inside me stirred and Alfred, my wolf was not helping matters. "Mate. Must get mate." He kept on howling.
Without even realizing it, I asked. "What’s going on?"
Alpha Jackson gave a nonchalant shrug. He replied, "Oh, it's nothing serious. My sons just have a little...uh, thing, with the female prisoners. Purely for their pleasure, you know?" His words shook something within me and it was not just the fun part of it. I knew there was more and he conveniently left out the part about the prisoners being killed afterward. If only he knew that his thoughts were not hidden from me.
Curiosity burned within me, and I gave a slight nod feigning ignorance. "I see. Is it possible for me to witness this...thing?" I asked, masking my true intention. I fought down my anger, my rage would cause a war not that they stand a chance against me but I didn’t need a mate either. "Or would it be too much to ask?" I knew he wouldn't refuse me. No one dared to. I'd only asked so I wouldn't be too forward.
The Alpha King's eyes sparkled with amusement as he smirked. "Well, why not? It could be quite entertaining to have you there. Follow me, and I'll show you the way."
Just as we were about to leave, pandemonium erupted. A vampire had infiltrated our midst, causing panic and confusion. The guards swiftly apprehended the intruder, and Calmness washed over the room, but another guard raised an alarm. One of the female prisoners had escaped.
My blood ran cold as I realized it could only be Edith. My possession, my target, my prey. There was no way I would let her slip away so easily. A surge of determination coursed through me, and I was resolved to find her. Kill her myself.
Moving swiftly, I followed her scent, tracking her every move. Through dark and winding corridors of the palace, fueled by an insatiable need to reach her before it was too late. Before anyone else got to her.
And there she was, at a corner, fear etched across her delicate face. "Edith!" I called out, my voice a mix of relief and urgency.
Startled, she turned towards me, her wide eyes reflecting surprise and desperation. "Alpha Ballister? What are you doing here?" Her voice trembled with emotion.
"I came to save you, Edith. No one else will harm you," I declared, my voice dripping with possessiveness.
She looked at me, confusion blending with relief in her eyes. "But... why? Why would you want to save me?"
"Because you're mine, Edith. Mine to kill," I growled, my desire for her blood overwhelming my every thought.
“She’s over here!” My voice boomed over the chaotic sounds.