The Alpha King and His Human Queen

Something You Should Know

Alexandra

Blade is looking at me, his gaze feels like it’s piercing through my flesh. Like he can hurt me the way he did earlier, only from a distance. I get the strong, creepy feeling he actually can. And he is angry. It’s like I did something wrong, something I wasn’t supposed to.

And why is he so mad? He almost killed me and it’s him who is angry. I continue coughing until the spasms stop and I finally find my ground. I stand taller and no longer lean against the wall.

They don't speak to me, as if I don’t exist and the feeling I am no one here overwhelms me again.

Blade exchanges a look with Lave - I am assuming his mind links him and the two head out the door.

“Wait, what…” I begin but they leave me entirely alone in the room.

What the hell was this?

She is useless….that’s what Blade said. I am not even worth killing.

Now that I am alone - just like earlier, it all comes down crashing at me. The huge, dark room and the tall windows. The suffocating air surrounds this place.

I feel powerless and this time I let the emotions flood me. What am I going to do?

I can't try to escape from here because the prince’s betas will know where I am at any moment.

I let my body slide down the wall and I wrap my arms around my knees. I bury my face in the space between my head and my knees and let the tears fall.

I am alone. Angry. Tired and sad all at once. I miss Eliot and my heart clenches painfully for him. My mate.

I may never see him again.

What about my sister? How is she… How is my father?

Tears roll down my face, hot and wetting the thin fabric of my tunic. I am still wearing the coat Lave gave me. I dig my palms in the fabric as if I can tear it.

Why did they pretend to be nice in one second, and then one of them almost killed me the next? I hate this place and every single one of them.

Only a few days ago I was free and happy. And now… my life is my biggest nightmare.

Blade almost killed me. And there was something…off… I felt something strange as if my thoughts were not just mine. It lasted for only a few seconds but it was so strong I still don’t feel like myself.

There is something wrong with this place. Terribly wrong and the Prince is the worst of all. I hate all of this and I can’t even scream.

I don't know for how long I stay here - alone in the growing dark - when I hear rustling and discover there is someone outside the door.

I instantly spring to my feet, forgetting all the pain and numbness in my feet.

The door opens and I distinguish a small figure. For a second I think it’s a child but when I look better I see this is a young woman, perhaps my age.

She looks fragile. But being here I have learned looks are not something I can trust.

She is also a wolf.

I take a step back and press myself against the wall, searching for something to defend myself with.

I grab for the nearest object to my left- it’s a crystal vase that's much heavier than it looks and I threaten to throw it at her when the young woman speaks.

“I … I was just thinking I could take you to our rooms but maybe I should have sent for the servants? “

She speaks quietly. When she doesn’t move or do anything strange I slowly lower my hands and place the vase on the floor.

Then the woman opens the door wider and urges me to come out. I do it while I don’t look away from her on my way out.

She is wearing clothes that are much nicer than the ones of the servants.

Right, definitely not a servant. And she looks very gentle. Not pretty but there is something very pleasant about her.

“You are probably wondering who I am, “ she says and glances at me while we walk. I don't know where we are headed but we walk slowly, as if we are taking a walk outside.

“I… yes. You don’t look like a servant, so…“

“I am Maeve. “ she says and smiles. When she smiles her whole face lits and it’s such a nice change to see someone genuinely smiling that I almost smile back at her. Maeve. She speaks in a soothing quiet way that makes you instantly relax.

“I am Alexandra, “ I say and for the first time since I came here, I feel like I can relax.

It’s a pleasant feeling that wraps around me like a soft blanket. I want to cover myself with it and never come out.

For a brief second I feel like the more I speak to her, the more pleasant this feeling will get, and the longer it will stay with me. Maeve glances at me again, this time her eyes pause on the coat I am wearing but she doesn’t say anything. After a short while she chirps

“I know who you are. The princess, right?”

I snort.

“You're the first person here who thinks of me this way. “

Maeve shrugs.

“This is what you were before, right?”

“Before, yes…” the words sound… finite. Like something that will never be back and I feel a painful stab in my chest but as Maeve begins speaking again, it’s like this feeling dissolves and the reality of the situation doesn’t feel so horrible.

“I am sorry about my brother, by the way, “ she says as we walk towards a different part of the castle.

“Your brother?” I exclaim so loudly that she pauses and I stop walking in the middle of the corridor. When I compose myself I speak again, trying to sound more coherent and form an actual question this time.

“I mean… Who… who exactly is your brother?”

“Oh, “ she waves a hand, “Blade. Sorry, I guess he wasn't the only one who was rude but he is usually outstanding. “

I continue staring at her.

“Blade is your brother, “ I echo the words again like an i***t.

“I know we don’t look anything alike, “ she says and resumes walking. She is walking further away so I start walking too, trying to catch up with her.

“It’s not just the way you look, “ I say and she laughs. Her hair is dark, almost reddish under the lights in the corridor and her eyes are a dark brown color. She is NOTHING like Blade.

“Yeah, he is the rude one, it’s where his nickname comes after all.“ Maeve grins at me and winks. “I hope you don’t think I am as terribly mannered as he is. “

Perhaps I shouldn’t be speaking to her, I tell myself instantly alarmed but my worry sinks as quickly as it appears. It’s like whatever happens I cannot get worried right now….

“I won’t unless you try to kill me like he did. " I say when Maeve turns completely to me.

She opens her mouth to speak and then stops.

“Uh…What is it?” I ask, urging her to continue, completely aware that I am waiting for her to respond because I want to know, whatever it is she has to say.

She looks away, searching for words and unsure how to continue. I am not breathing, as if what she is about to say will change so many things.

Then Maeve says in the same quiet and calm way.

“Blade is not always like this. “

I look at her, doubt written all over my face.

“If you tell me the Pince is also nice and charming I will... “

“No, no,” Maeve interrupts me instantly. “Nathaniel IS always like this. “

Of course, rumours of this don’t just appear out of nothing, I think bitterly when she goes on.

“But there is something you should know about Blade and Nathaniel. I mean the Prince. Maybe it would be for the best if you learn it now. “