In the Alpha's Possession

Chapter Two- Two Truths and A Lie

“Not all princesses live in castles, not all castles have princesses.”

As Lavender felt trapped between the man who had saved her from her savage husband and the door to the exit, her mind began to race as to what could happen if she could make it up those steps before the man would stop her. He was the alpha-the “God” or the “king” to the entire lycan race, and it showed in the way he sauntered with arrogance and looked as if his gazes were enough to insinuate actions he felt he would not have to speak. His usual cooled gaze would flicker a crimson when he felt a threat or hungry for power. As he looked to her, his eyes sported this scarlet appearance, making her understand that any attempt to flee would result in a failed trial and a potential death sentence-something she saw first hand to befall her husband. Perhaps if the man standing before her held polite speech or that of allowing her to make the decision for herself, Lavender would hold more respect for him. It would be this lack of respect that allowed her the bravery to bolt towards the door of the castle. She was unaware of the locks that would keep others inside or exactly where she would go if she managed to break free, but this didn’t cease her from trying. Her feet managed to make it up to the top of the stairs before the man realized she was trying to escape. In fear of what would become of her, and himself if they were discovered, he caught her-just before the door would come open to reveal the fact that he was harboring a lycan fugitive. 

“Do you really think you would get far?” He asked as his hold pushed her up against the wall, pinning her so she could not move. The feeling of the strength he held within his hands had been twice what she could even conjure in a fantastical dream-and yet, he was careful to not exert what he had been fully capable of, as he didn’t want to bring harm to her. She could sense this in the way he held her, but it did nothing to make him appear polite or noble in her eyes-it only made her see a flaw in his bravado. 

“I am a nobody...what good can I be to you?”

He carried his touch to her cheek, pressing the back of his knuckles against her skin-as she could feel the electricity marked by s****l frustration between them both, to be expelled and received through this moment. 

“That is what makes you so enticing...the fact nobody would come looking for you-” Just as these words had been spoken the door knocker that sat in the style of a crescent moon had echoed throughout the entire castle. Using his heightened sense of smell, given his supernatural gifts, the man was able to sense that it had been someone of familiar scent- a scent that spoke trouble to him and Lavender, if she were to be discovered in his care. 

“If you wish to see the next sunrise, I suggest you find somewhere aromatic to hide.” He advised as she went to challenge him, before he grew impatient with her attempts to intimidate him through a glare of her own. “Believe me-those standing on the other side of this door are far more dangerous than I am-but they will not show you patience or mercy as I have...I suggest you move quickly.” His words allowed her a warning of caution as her feet raced throughout the castle-looking for somewhere safe to hide-finding it in some place rather colorful. 

“Hello, Andrew…” A woman spoke before making her way into the home, looking around, to try and understand her surroundings and gain any insight to where the girl she was seeking had been. The woman stood with perfectly sleep white hair down just passed her shoulders and a set of ivory glasses with blue sapphires on both corners. She focused her violet eyes forward to the interior of the home, searching with her own lycan abilities, for the person she had been searching for. “I suppose I am envious of how television and literature portrays us as being able to pick out a specific scent to one person…” She spoke. “How simple it would make things…” The woman let out a sigh, accepting the defeat in knowing a foreign werewolf had been present-but with Andrew being the alpha, this could mean a range of anything from allies to enemies-to the body he had hanging on a meat hook in the basement. This woman seemed indifferent to what secrets were held within this vicinity. “I trust you are adjusting to your role quite well?” She spoke before bringing her fingers into the air to request tea from a nearby butler, dressed to a “t” in proper attire. He didn’t speak, but poured the contents of a kettle within a ceramic mug, before leaving them to continue their conversation alone. 

“Quite the scandal of the Bellemar family...I am sure you have heard by now…” When Andrew neglected to give a verbal response, her eyes grew wide in being able to share the news herself. “The daughter has forfeited her marriage bed to Maximus Horne-the girl was lucky to have anyone of his nobility even look twice at her-but there is talk of them both going missing-something terrible happening to them.” It was at this time that Lavender had made her way back towards the foyer, desperate to know who this person was and what it was they were doing when seeking her out. “You aren’t responsible are you?” She questioned him as his brow raised, making Lavender wish she could show the woman the bloodshed a mere few hundred steps away from her. 

“Please, mother...I have no interest in the poor.” He spoke as if born with a silver spoon in his mouth. 

“I suspected as much, but I had to ask.” As she rose upon finishing her tea, she began to make her way towards the door before Lavender hid in the nick of time from being discovered. When the woman kissed her son’s cheek and had her jacket placed back upon her shoulders, Lavender peeked once more, able to see the resemblances in the woman and her offspring-subtle, but present. “You should come to the manor to see me...You have so many people desperate to see you.”

“Hopefully soon mother, I have some loose ends to tie up first.” Lavender’s heart dropped as she knew she had been one of these loose ends. She knew of this man’s sick appetite for blood and the extremes brought to those whom he deemed fit for such punishment-and who was she but a tainted bride who ran away from the only man whom could have saved her on her wedding night. 

“You can come out now.” Andrew spoke, turning to reveal Lavender from behind a stone section of the nearby wall. “You are lucky she cannot tame your scent directly back to you-or you would be on your way to prison.”

Lavender remained silent, feeling wrong in thanking him for keeping her captive, but feeling even worse for keeping mum. “Perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the mansion, you will be here for some time-” Her eyes grew wide at the thought. The idea of being present in this large home with a man she feared was not attractive to her, not in the slightest-but she owed him her life twice over now, even if she would prefer to have roles reversed. “Believe it or not, it is for your benefit more than my own-I just have a few simple rules to keep us both safe.” Before he could list them, he led her away from the main foyer and down a hallway that led to a long corridor of rooms. Each door had an identical presence, aside from one at the end of the hall that had been present with a glass handle. “I know it can get depressing within the stone walls, and so, this is a safe room in which you can enjoy nature within.” As he spoke these words, a monarch butterfly made its way to Lavender, landing on her finger and lingering for just a moment before flying away. With her gaze following the insect, she noted how the room had been a greenhouse, but one filled with birds, butterflies, and flowers. The many colors that filled the space around her had nearly taken her breath away, as a strong aroma of petrichor filled the air from the recent weather. 

“That brings me to the first rule...you cannot go outside the castle walls unless escorted by me-this is for your safety as well as my own. You are not to answer the door, eat anything unless prepared by the chef, or to answer the phone-your cell or the landline. Finally,” As he prepared to give his final rule, he tried to set Lavender in a comfortable location-knowing the words he spoke would be ones of shock to her. “You are to be my wife in a year’s time.”

Her mouth fell open in surprise as her brows shot up in fear, her eyes had given away the fact she was taken aback-but not more than the words that left her lips. 

“I can’t-”

“By then, the drama surrounding your scandal will be long forgotten...and I will know for sure if you are a proper mate for me…” He spoke, although he knew that she held the attributes upon the first moment he set his eyes upon her-keeping this detail a secret from her for now. 

“Why me? You are the alpha-”

“Because I want to. Because I can.” His words nearly stopped her heart from its already erratic pulse before she was left alone in the greenhouse to understand the words just spoken to her. “Lunch will be served at noon...you are expected in the dining hall...do not make me seek you out...it would only be fun for one of us.” His poorly veiled threat made her keep her eyes on him, afraid to look away, as she was made to understand she had only exchanged one husband for another-but this time, she knew first hand of Andrew’s cruelty, at least she wouldn’t have any surprises...or so she thought.