A GIFT FOR THE ALPHA

CHAPTER 11

Larissa's POV.

Damn it! I cursed under my breath.

The key must have slipped at the scene of the attack or as I was running, tears stung my eyes. Definitely, I can't venture going back into the forest and risk being captured by those werewolves. Now, I would have to go around the hills and the city walls and use the city gates.

Without further ado, I bolted, going around the hills, and then a pathway appeared ahead. I continued, running as fast as I could. I ran for a while, pausing in-between for breaths, and then I would resume sprinting again.

At last, the city gates came into view. And luckily for me, they were wide open.

A surge of relief flowing through me, I resume sprinting, smiling, happy, grateful that I could set my eyes on home again. It wasn't until I arrived at the gates, meeting it wide open, that I discern that the kingdom is under attack.

A squeal arose in my throat.

Good grief, the werewolves! They're here!!

Screams of children and women filled the air, and scenes of knights fighting large wolves. I stood there, watching them, and it seemed as if I was invisible. Maybe no one could recognize me as I was dressed not in royal clothes. Or was it the pandemonium?

And to add to it, not everyone has set their eyes on me; a majority of Azaleans haven't, and I'm sure even the invaders.

I was the hidden princess protected behind my father's walls until I decided to be foolish and go hunting in the forest of Lavender!

Out of nowhere, a wolf leaped at me, and knocked me off my feet. Snarling not taking a bite, my searching hands found a stone and I ram it hard on the head. Bleeding as it whimpered away, I scrambled back to my feet and ran, fast– I bolted for the castle.

I arrived at the castle and found it even more bloody than the city, with lifeless mutilated bodies of my father's men laying about the place– and there were dead wolves too. Men and women; servants of the castle, all scampered about the place, to safety. No one was safe.

A sudden howl filled the air. I noticed how the wolves stopped and one after the other, they began to howl in response to the first howl. Whatever that meant, my heart began to beat even faster. I moved, running again to the mansion for my father.

“Father! Father!” I cried. Suddenly, I find myself darting into the throne room, to a sight that crumbles me forever.

My eyes widen in shock, not accepting the sight birthed before me. I watched my father stagger, gripping the tilt of the sword driven into his stomach. And he fell on his knees and coughed up a handful blood.

A deafening scream escaped my throat and my heart shattered into pieces.

Nothing is more soul-wrenching when I moved my gaze to the figure towering over my father. I searched for the face of my father's killer and it was the stranger that kissed me at my ball.

And my gaze goes back to my father. “Father!” I screamed so loud I was sure the grounds vibrated. I darted forward at him, tears falling uncontrollably from my eyes. I come sinking next to my father and gathered him in my arms. “Father!!!” I groaned.

King Stephan coughed up blood, and he tried to caress my face. His hands trembled. “Please, forgive me, my child.”

“No!” I shook my head. The tears filled my eyes and blurred my vision. “I'm—I'm sorry, father. I'm so sorry!” He began to gag and I stopped. “Father? No, no...” I shook him.

He coughed more blood and suddenly, his body went limp in my arms. My eyes widened as I realized he had just given up the ghost. “NO. FATHER. NOOO,” I groaned.

Holding him to my bosom, I shut my eyes and screamed again.

All along the stranger watched me, and then he turned away and began to stride to the door. His receding footsteps had me reopening my eyes and I saw him already exiting the hall. I found a sword, I picked it up and was about to dash after him when a hand grabbed me from the curtains and pulled me into it. Slam! My back hit against the walls and the tall curtains enveloped me.

My gaze falls on Mrs. Muffins.

“What do you think you're doing, Your Highness? You're no match for him.”

I weakened.

“Mrs. Muffins!” My throat dried. Seeing my nanny now reminded me of Zia in the hands of the werewolves. More tears blurred my vision.

“Come with me.”

Before I could say a word, she grabbed my hand and tugged me after her.

I thought I knew the castle, but no, I was wrong. All these years I never knew that right there in the throne room, there was a small door behind the tall curtains that leads into a hidden passage!

Mrs. Muffins led the way and suddenly, she stopped. “Where is Zia? Have you seen her?”

At the question, my heart skipped a beat. Halting in my tracks, I opened my mouth to explain but instead of the words, more tears flooded my eyes.

Mrs. Muffins stared at me. Her gaze lowering to my dress, she grimaced. “Why are you not in your royal robe, Your Highness?” she voiced.

Still searching my expression, her eyes suddenly widened. “Where did you girls go?” she asked.

“They have Zia and I thought I could come home and get help but instead I find Azalea under attack. We escaped the castle using the postern gates,” I explained.

The woman's face became as pale as a ghost. Not uttering another word, she turned and continued down the passage.

Shamelessly, I followed her.

Drenched in my sweat and tears, I cried and followed her.

We arrived at the end of the passage and paused briefly. I gasped. “We are at the tiltyard!” the words escaped my lips.

“The castle was constructed this way for days like this, your Highness. The tiltyard will lead us into the city where you can hide in my house until the dust settles,” Mrs. Muffins explained

And she grabbed my hand again and tugged me after her.

* * * *

Alpha Thane's POV.

I watched as she scurried into the room to her father's side, she carried him into her arms and her cries shook the wall, and when he breathed his last, she let out a deafening scream that almost crippled me. This should be the moment that I celebrate my enemy's death, but instead, I stand there feeling sober as I watched her wail.

A strong need to cross over to her and lift her off the ground rippled my system, but I don't want to do anything stupid.

The last thing I wanted was to go any close to the girl, especially when she's capable of disturbing my mind for days since the last time we kissed.

And now, having pictured me this moment with her father, I know she will hate me. What is done is done, she remains the daughter of my enemy even if that enemy is dead. And so, her hating me means nothing to me, it is the least of my concern. After all, I disliked her as well.

Casting one last look at her, I turned and strode out of the room. At the terrace, I met my men gathered after a victory, all shifted back from their wolves.

“The King is no more,” I announced. “-Azalea is ours once again!!”

The crowd hailed; chanting victory songs and hitting their chests. The chants filled the air, the laughter, and yet, I am unable to get my mind off the weeping princess in the throne room.

I turned to my Gamma, Randolph. “Go to the throne room and bring me the princess,” I commanded. He leaves and reappears almost immediately.

“She's not there,” Randolph reports.

“What?”

“The Princess is not there.”

And truly, when I go back into the throne room, I find that the princess is gone. I turned to my gamma again. “Search the castle at once and bring her to me!”