The Alpha King and His Human Queen

You Can'tBreak Me

Alexandra

Maeve doesn’t hesitate anymore. When she speaks again she sounds confident, and yet…There is sadness in her voice and I don’t know where it comes from because what she says is something I have assumed.

Something I thought was obvious.

“My brother is very protective of the prince.” Maeve begins.

“Isn’t this part of his job?” I ask. “He is one of his betas after all?”

Maeve tilts her head as if considering her words, measuring how much she can tell me.

“He is. But that’s not all he is. When Nathaniel became the prince many things changed. He suddenly had more enemies than friends.”

This is what happens when you are a bad ruler and bad head of the state, I think bitterly but don’t say it.

“Nathaniel was crowned only recently and… I'm sorry for what Kai did to you, he is… I'm guessing he was surprised to see Nathaniel at the gala. “

Kai… so his real name is Kai…

“Surprised?” I ask, putting my hands on my hips. “The gala was organized in his honour, of course, he would be there. “

Maeve looks confused. Then she says.

“Nathaniel never comes to the galas. Ever. My brother is trying to… let’s say make sure things in the castle remain quiet. “

“By trying to kill me?” I snort, “ I am obviously no threat to anyone. “ then I add, bitterly, “I am just a gift, after all. “

“he… he wasn't going to kill you, I know that. “

“And I don’t. “ I hissed at her. I'm beginning to get angry and I feel this warm feeling spreading through me again.

But I ignore it. I am angry and I am not going to tell myself to calm down.

“Look, “ she says, “All I am trying to say is that you were a princess, I am sure you understand the burden of becoming a ruler so suddenly. “

I want to laugh. What she's saying feels - and sounds - ridiculous. This time I don’t stop the words and look at her, pointedly.

“Didn’t he have all his life so far to prepare for this? This is what is expected from us, after all. “

Her smile is thin. There’s sadness, written all over her face.

“But things change, right?” she asks, “ Just like in your case - you were going to be a queen. Or the wife of the king, and…”

She doesn’t finish, the words stinging again. In that very moment, I feel contempt about all of this - her, her weak ass attempts to make me feel... what? Better? Worse? Why is she even here? To justify the prince’s behaviour? Come on...

And why the hell are we discussing the prince? Am I supposed to feel bad for him? Seriously? This is laughable

She notices the change in my mood and resumes walking.

“You have never been to our lands before, have you? “ She tries in a different tone.

“I haven’t, “ I mutter knowing she can hear me regardless of how low my voice is. I don’t add.

“And I wish I never came here, “ but I am sure she can figure it out by herself.

We continue walking and I find myself walking fast. I want to be out of her presence and anyone’s for that matter as soon as possible.

We get to what I assume is the western wing of the castle. Guards are keeping the corridors safe here. I steal a glance at the yard through the tall windows. The castle is really beautiful. Too bad the royal family that lives here doesn't deserve any of it.

We get to a row of doors and Maeve pauses.

“There are many things you don’t know but I am sure you will have the time to learn. “

She says and opens a room that’s going to be mine for - I am guessing- the rest of my life.

Not the best prospect, is it….

Once I am alone I sit heavily on the bed. It’s actually pretty soft and nice. The room is spacious and the windows are huge. Moonlight is peeking through the thick curtains. I go to the windows and pull the heavy cloth, draped over them from the ceiling.

I go out on the balcony. From here I see the snowy mountains in the distance and the millions of stars above me, handing over me like a huge golden blanket.

The view is pretty. I stand on my tiptoes as if I can see my homeland on the other side of the snowy peaks. The back garden is huge. I also hear voices coming from the grand hall perhaps.

The balcony is pretty high but as I lean over the railing I think maybe the only way for me to get out of here is to jump.

The thought fills my mind and I instantly pull away from the railing.

What am I thinking? I should not give up.

My hands close around the coat I am still wearing and I promise to myself I will not spend my days rotting in this castle. They can lock me and keep me in here- in what looks like a nice cage- but I won’t give up. Because this is what this place is. A cage, regardless of all the nice things there are everywhere. And I am not going to cry, I swear. They will not break me, whatever happens.

I a a daighter of the Gelidora kingdon. A whimsical and soiled man like Nathaniel cannot take this away from me.

I look at the sky above and do something I haven’t done in years.

I speak to my mother.

“I know you are somewhere there. And I know you are watching over me. But I give you my word that I will be back home one day. I will dance with Laura again. And…” I grit my teeth, “I will marry Eliot. I know he will come for me. “

He has to…

I am his mate and we are bound to each other by this unbreakable bond. Eliot will find me even if I am on the other end of the world. Nothing can sever our bond, nothing.

Not even the Prince or his mindless betas. I am sure he is still at the ball, laughing and drinking with his paws.

He looks like the type of man who cares only about what others think of them.

I don’t know how much time passed, I don’t know how long I stayed out here on the balcony but at some point, it gets really cold. The voices, echoing all over the place, slowly begin to die down.

I hear distant howling and in a moment like this, I wish I was a wolf. Someone who could run free and be with the rest of their pack.

But I am just a human. And I am not even a princess anymore.

***

Maeve

I hear the loud voices even without using my wolf ears.

“Oh, f**k, “ I mutter as I speed my stride.

The guards I meet along the corridors bow at me. I am one of Nathainile’s cousins and despite everything, they still greet me and respect my origin.

I hear the shouts, then some rattling coming from the library. I catch the scent of smoke and I know things are about to get worse.

I don’t want to go in there, I don’t want to go in there, no, no… I repeat to myself but I keep walking nevertheless.

I don’t pause before the door because they all know I am there. So I take a deep breath and exhale it slowly as I push the heavy wooden door open.

I stand at the doorway, painfully aware it’s too late to turn back. They are all here.