#1
Alana sprang from her bed in her cave. She could feel her father calling her. She could sense his irritation. Sirens had the ability to sense things they were connected to. Her father was not a patient man so she rushed through the cave to the pool of water that hid her entrance. He was beckoning her. The closer to the water she got the stronger the sensation. As she lept into the water she tried to run through her memories of what she had done. Usually if her father was calling for her, he was giving her a lecture on the way to be a proper mate. Alana hadn't found her mate yet. She was the second child to King Titan so it wasn't as urgent as her sister. Her sister took a chosen mate when she could not find hers, her father sold her to a man that would give the kingdom power. It was expected she would have been married off to King Jonathan but he was a horrible ruler and he was over thrown by the rightful Queen and King with her help. Her father was not happy with her ever since. He wanted the union between them to solidfy his treaty with the shifters of land. Alana was a business transacton and nothing more. She was grateful when both Jonathan and his brother Michael died. It meant she still had a small amount of time to find her fated mate The other half of her soul. She glidded through the Oceans waters as fast as she could trying to make it to her fathers side. She could senses him growing in anger and pushed herself to move faster through the pressing waters. Soon she was there in front of the castle doors. She was led through them by gaurds. Her fathers minions. She chose to live outside the kingdom. Her father did not like it and tried to convince her to come back to the castle, but she had never felt at home there amongst her fathers spies. She preffered the solitude the cave provided her. The distance it gave her from him. They came to a stop before a golden throne. It was grand and opulant and encrusted in jewels and precious stones. Sea life teamed around them. Down here, her father ruled the Oceans. Here he was all powerful and his word was followed with the respect he demanded. He ruled with fear. Alana could only pray that when her sister took over she would be a better ruler than their father was. She knelt before the throne as her father descended into his seat. A crown of gold placed on his head. He loved his gold and riches. He loved making sure people knew he was rich. Alana placed her hand at her neck holding onto the small necklace she wore. A little mermaid pendant enchanted just for her. When she wore it she could live on the surface without the need to be near the water. Her father had no clue about it. It was a gift from a witch she met on her journey to end Michael and his brother Jonathan. She knew this was her only chance at freedom some day. "Father, my King. How may I be of service to you?" She was kneeing still head lowered and her eyes cast to the ground. She knew better than to look him in the eyes.
He looked beyond her not really giving her a glance. He was bored already and she had just arrived. That was how he treated people. He did not care for them just what they could do for him and the power he got from it. Every interaction was a business deal. Men of power seemed to always need more. It was never enough. "Daughter, I have come to a decision and it will be done imediately. You will be mated within thirty days to a chosen mate. A warrior in our kingdom. He is the top warrior to me and your pairing will ensure his lineage keeps on. You will have strong babies and serve him well." Alanas face sunk at her fathers words. Her entire world shattering at her feet. He was forcing her hand to be with one of his warriors. He was forcing her to mate for the only purpose to make babies. That was all she was in this life to them. A single tear slipped from her eye and mixed with the salty water of the ocean. No one cared how she felt about this. It was expected of her to be a good girl and do as she was told by her king. Her father. "Warrior Gandon is a very respectable warrior. I am sure you will make him happy and do as he pleases."
Gandon was an older man who never mated. He had no children and now she was being forced to mate with him and bare him a baby. All she would be for the rest of her life was his slave. She needed to escape. She needed a plan to get out of there and run as far away as she could. She closed her eyes trying to hide her disgust at her fathers words. She knew he would search for her. She knew she would always be in danger if she left, but she did not want to stay and be a servant to yet another man. She had given to much to a kingdom that did not value her. She knew there was no room for arguing. She wasn't going to even try. She nodded her head to him still not looking him in the eyes as she spoke. She needed to play her cards right in order to find a way to escape the prison she was being held in. "I will do as you please father. I will go and gather my things and be back to take over my duties within the week. If that pleases you my king." She was biting her tongue trying to calm herself. She felt like her world was imploding and a bomb had thrown her senses out the door. She knew she was going to escape. She knew she would have to steal away like a theif in the night because her fathers minions were everywhere.
Her father glanced once in her direction then with a wave of his hand he rose from his throne. "Be back here in a weeks time so that we may start the celebrations. Your marriage will ensure our greatest warrior lives on through his children." He started to leave but then stopped for the briefest of moments. HIs last words sent chills across her skin as it prickled through her body. "Don't forget my daughter, I will have eyes on you. I will stop at nothing to make this union happen." Then he was gone. There was nothing else to say. She was now stuck in a mating not of her chosing. She felt a soft touch on her shoulder as she kept on her knees, tears now falling from her eyes. She looked up into the eyes of her sister who looked at her in pitty. She knew what their father was like. She stayed and obeyed him. She was a servant to her husband he had chosen for her.
"Alana," Her sister knelt down wrapping her arms around Alana. There was a sadness in her voice as she spoke. It was as though her choices to stay haunted her every day. "I don't want this for you. This isn't right." Alanas sister whispered gently in her ear as she spoke making sure her voice was low and almost unheard. "I will get in touch with Queen Avaly and get you help to escape to Earth. You need to hide. I set up money for you. You will be well taken care of. You will even have an alias when you leave here. Make sure Princess Zara knows to never call you by Alana again. From now on you will be someone else. Run, and never look back Alana. This isn't the life for you. When I take over as Queen, I will send word to Avaly. She will find you. Just go."
Alana looked into the eyes of her sister Faith. "What about you? I can't leave you here alone. Come with me." She shook her head at Alana.
"No, I am to be taking over. My mate will be king. They do not realize I plan on fully taking over once father steps down. I can't leave. Alana you don't have much time. Go back to your hide out and make it look like you are gathering your things to ocme here. Make sur eto pack a bag that you can take on a moments notice. Leave Ithica behind you.Now go. Be strong. I will be fine." She watched as her sister Faith disappeared into the depths of the Ocean. She knew she didn't have much time. She knew the clock was ticking and she needed to be ready. She couldn't help but feel guilt at leaving her sister behind. Faith was sacrificing herself to save her. She got up off her knees and wiped her tears away. She could sense she was being watched and she knew her that was her fathers doing. He would keep an eye on her very closely. He did not want to risk Alana messing up the union he was creating. She made her way back to her cave as she gathered her things placing them in boxes. She quickly made a bag for herself to take when she was signaled. A sick sinking feeling was knawing at the pit of her stomach. If she were caught trying to escape She could be excuted by her father. Most likely not before she was forced to mate and bare a child for his chosen warrior. She would be tortured before her death. It was how her father ruled. She felt the salty tears falling on her cheeks as she gave in to her despair. She crawled into bed tucking herself into a ball under her covers and cried herself to sleep. She would give herself this one time to let it all out and then she would not give into it again. She would run and fight to survive. She didn't want a life serving a an as a slave. She wanted love. She wanted what her friends had. She wanted the freedom to have it. She knew as long as she was princess Alana she would never be free. Not until her sister took over and gave her the freedom she desired. Her sister would give her a voice. Alana closed her eyes and drifted off into a restless sleep. She was willing to sacrifice everything for freedom.