The Alpha’s Unwilling Mate

vii

The next day, I woke up thinking of a way to escape, looking outside I realized that the wolves patrolling around the house had increased in number. Fine If he wasn’t going to let me go, I would force his hand another way. I will go on a hunger strike. It was a desperate measure, but I had to try something. I couldn’t let him keep me here against my will.

When the young woman from yesterday brought my breakfast, I ignored the delicious aroma wafting through the room and the gnawing hunger in my stomach. I sat rigidly on the bed, staring straight ahead.

“I brought your breakfast, Luna…Ms”, she said correcting herself.

“Take your food back I don't want it”, I said without sparing her a glance.

“But Luna”,

“Don't call me that! Now take your food and leave!”, I firmly said. She stood for a while before leaving the room and leaving the food. I stood up from where I sat lifted the tray and left it outside the door. Did she think I was kidding?

After some time Matildah came in and tried pleading with me to eat but I told her the same.

When it was time for lunch the young woman came back with a cart this time with different dishes. Did they think I just didn't like the food that is why I refused to eat?

“You need to eat something,” she pleaded, her eyes full of concern. “Please, Luna, it’s for your own good.”

I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. The sight of the food made my mouth water, but I refused to give in. I had to stay strong.

The young woman’s face fell. “Please,” she begged. “The Alpha cares about you. He is very worried.”

I scoffed, finally meeting her gaze. “The Alpha cares about no one but himself. He’s a murderer. He killed my father. How can you call him a good man?”

Her eyes widened in shock, and she took a step back. Before she could respond, the door opened, and he walked in, his expression a mask of calm. He had heard everything.

He walked over to the cart and picked up the tray of food. “You need to eat,” he said, his voice steady but laced with concern. “You’re only hurting yourself by refusing.”

I glared at him, my resolve hardening. “I’d rather starve than stay here with you,” I spat.

He sighed, setting the tray back down. “This isn’t the way, little mate. You’re not going to break me by hurting yourself.”

I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me. “Just kill me,” I said, my voice trembling. “Like you killed my father. At least then I’ll be free.”

His eyes darkened, and for a moment, I saw a flash of pain in them. But he quickly masked it, taking a step closer to me. “I will never hurt you,” he said softly. “No matter how much you try to push me away.”

I slapped the tray out of his hands, the food scattering across the floor. “I don’t want your pity,” I hissed. “I want you to let me go!”

He knelt, picking up the scattered food with a calm that only infuriated me more. “You need to understand that this is your home now,” he said, not looking at me. “I won’t let you hurt yourself like this.”

The young woman watched us, her eyes wide with worry. She looked at me, then back at him. “Alpha, please,” she said softly. “She needs time to adjust.”

He nodded, standing up and placing the now empty tray back on the table. “I know,” he said, his eyes meeting mine. “But I can’t let her starve herself.”

He walked over to me, his hand gentle as he cupped my face. I tried to pull away, but he held me firmly. “You will eat,” he said, his voice low and commanding. “I will not let you hurt yourself by starving yourself.”

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “Why do you care?” I whispered. “You took everything from me.”

His grip on my face tightened slightly, but his eyes softened. “Because you are my mate,” he said quietly. “And I care about you, whether you believe it or not.”

I jerked away from his touch, my tears finally spilling over. “I hate you,” I said, my voice breaking. “I will never be your mate.”

He sighed, stepping back and letting me go. “You can hate me all you want,” he said softly. “But you will eat. You will take care of yourself. Because I won’t let you die.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me with the young woman and the mess of food on the floor. She looked at me with pity in her eyes, but I ignored her, turning away and curling up on the bed.

I would find a way to escape. I had to. But for now, I needed to stay strong, even if it meant facing him and his relentless determination to keep me here.

The young woman left, and I lay there, my mind racing. I couldn’t let him break me. I couldn’t let him win. No matter what it took, I would find a way to be free. Even if it meant enduring this hell for a little while longer.

Days passed, and I continued my hunger strike, my body growing weaker but my resolve unwavering. Each time he brought me food, I refused, pushing it away or letting it sit untouched. He grew more frustrated, but he never lost his calm, always trying to coax me into eating with gentle words and firm commands.

The young woman would visit often, begging me to eat, and telling me stories about the Alpha’s kindness and how much he cared for the pack. I listened but remained silent, my hatred for him burning too brightly to be dimmed by her words.

One day, after another failed attempt to get me to eat, he sat beside me on the bed, his expression weary but determined. “You’re only hurting yourself,” he said quietly. “Please, eat something. If not for me, then for yourself.”

I turned my head away, refusing to look at him. “I told you,” I said, my voice weak but steady. “I’d rather starve than stay here with you.”

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You’re stubborn,” he said, almost to himself. “But I won’t let you die.”

He stood up, left the room, and returned a few moments later with a different tray of food. “Matilda said you would like this,” he said, setting it down in front of me. “Please, just take a bite.”

I looked at the food, my stomach growling loudly, but I refused to give in. I shook my head, pushing the tray away. “I don’t want anything from you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

He knelt in front of me, his eyes searching mine. “You’re stronger than this,” he said softly. “Don’t let your hatred for me destroy you.”

Tears filled my eyes, and I shook my head again. “I hate you,” I whispered. “I will always hate you.”

He reached out, gently brushing a tear from my cheek. “I know,” he said quietly. “But I will never stop trying to make things right.”

With that, he stood up and left the room, leaving me alone with my conflicting emotions. I lay back on the bed, tears streaming down my face as I struggled with the bond that tied me to him and the overwhelming need to escape.

I didn’t know how long I could keep this up, but I knew one thing for certain: I would never stop fighting. And one day, soon I would find a way to be free.