Chapter 6 My Fate

It has already been three days after my encounter with the Alpha. Ever since that day, I haven’t laid my eyes on him, I could feel his presence in every cervix of the house, and yet his absence felt overwhelming. It felt as though he had ceased from existence.

I woke up and found that my sorry of an excuse bag had been shifted to this room and they had stocked up the closet and toilet with feminine clothes and products which I was grateful for but distressed because it dawned on me the complexity of my situation, that I am here to stay. I am his collateral and his mate, and I don’t know If he can feel the mate bond but I certainly do.

Ever since the day I laid my eyes on him, I felt a pull just like a metal and magnet, just like a lock and key, it felt like we puzzled together. And I hated every bit of it

A part of me couldn't help but be grateful that he decided to avoid me. I was back to having my regular nightmares and panic attacks and I wouldn't want him to learn of my weaknesses and feed on my vulnerabilities.

I could care less what he was up to, and who knows even, if he is out there seeking comfort at the hands of his women. I appreciated that given his reputation with women, he respected me enough not to throw it in my face. Moreover, he made it damn clear that he would never look at me as a potent woman.

Martha, the elderly woman told me that she was the head maid in this house and the Alpha felt comfortable with her around.

She shared with me that several maids worked for the Alpha and they would come at specific hours to do their jobs because the Alpha preferred to keep to himself.

I also learned from her this castle is situated at the side of the town, sitting pretty and hidden behind tall trees. I have become quite close to her, as she is the only person I see the entire day.

She told me stories of her life outside here. She comes by 9 am and closes whenever she feels like it, she speaks of the Alpha with so much love and respect that one can't help but fall in love with the way she cherishes him. She makes it look as though he isn't a malicious, unhinged man and now I can see how considerate he is.

Today, she left early because she had stuff, she needed to attend to back at home leaving me all by myself. I couldn't even explore the house because I didn't want a repetition of what happened the last time, I let my curiosity get the best of me. I decided it would be best to stay away from him for my sanity.

I headed to the kitchen to get myself a glass of water. I was consumed in my thoughts when I got startled by a voice behind me.

“Hello there” the very familiar voice spoke warmly. I turned, to see Xander standing with a playful glint in his eyes.

“Hi,” I responded to him as his warmth managed to envelop me and spread through my bloodstream contaminating every part. He is the first person to ever show interest in trying to know me in my whole life. He is the first to make me taste an ounce of kindness.

I stood there awkwardly as I tugged at my dress trying to calm my nerves because I didn’t know how to converse with anyone. I think he noticed my discomfort and added almost immediately.

"I'm going to the garden for fresh air, care to join me?”

I hesitated because as tempting as his offer was, I knew the Alpha would waste no time in decapitating my head from my body. “I can't." I rejected his kind gesture with a heavy heart.

He sighed “Come on, I’m sure you’d love it, you need a change of scenery anyway”

“No”

“But why?” he said, slightly arching his brow quizzically. “I noticed you seemed a bit distressed. Is everything alright?”

I hesitated yet again, unsure how much to share “I had a bit of um… a misunderstanding with the Alpha. I went into a room I wasn’t supposed to see”.

Xander's expression softened with understanding. “Ah, I see. Don't worry much about it. He can be very protective of his space. One day, you'll understand. Now come on”

The way he assured me confidently was enough to fully convince me to trust him on it. He led me to the sunlit garden where I found solace automatically. The vibrant flowers and lush greenery provided a noticeable contrast to the darkness shrouding the house, and I almost instantly found comfort, I loved it here.

“Thank you” I turned to him feeling at ease.“it's nice to talk to someone”

“Well, I’m here if you ever feel the need to talk." I was elated by this distraction. As we strolled through the garden, Xander pointed out various plants and flowers, sharing interesting tidbits about each one. His knowledge and enthusiasm were infectious, I found myself relaxing and surprisingly, even smiling.

“You really know a lot about this place,” I remarked.

He just shrugged modestly “I have been here for a long time. Almost all my life." Before he turned on his heels and added “Oh, I am also the beta to this pack." Leaving me mouth agape.

We continued our tour, laughing and chatting about everything from gardening to our favorite books. It felt refreshing knowing I shared similar interests with my first-ever friend.

Even if he didn't acknowledge that we were friends, to me it felt more than acquaintances, or maybe it's because I don't have the slightest inkling of what friendship is all about. But I am certain for a fact that whatever this may be, I am cherishing it with my being. His company was a fresh breath of air.

“He's an idiot anyways," he concluded his story of the mischiefs he and the Alpha engaged in when they were younger making me burst into a fit of laughter as we rounded the corner.

Xander chuckled lowly as I paid no attention to my surroundings. “You haven't told me his name yet, I am intrigued.” I playfully raised a brow at him with a smile etched on my face.

I noticed his attention was directed elsewhere and I followed his gaze only to behold the Alpha standing with his arms crossed, watching us with a dark expression. His eyes were locked onto Xander's anger and hurt evident in his orbs.

“Amber,” he said tersely and my knees almost bucked at how velvety my name rolled off his tongue. It was sultry and intoxicating. His voice barely hid his irritation. “I see you've met Xander.”

“yes”. I replied, sensing the tension but Xander seemed to be enjoying the show. He smirked at the Alpha and childishly stuck out his tongue while the latter sent disgusted looks my way.

The Alpha's jaw tightened. “I'm glad you’re enjoying yourself” but his tone made it known to me that he was being sarcastic and that he wanted to see me nothing but miserable. He turned to Xander “I'll take it from here”.

Xander gave a casual shrug, though his eyes sparkled with excitement and I instantly knew they communicated and understood each other with their eyes, since Xander and Alpha have always been inseparable it is only normal to see Xander poking him unscathed.

“Of course, Zef. I'll leave you two to it. He turned to me and smirked at the mention of what he called the Alpha. He gave me a reassuring smile. ‘It was nice talking with you, Amber, remember, I'm always around if you need anything.”

With that, Xander walked away leaving me alone with Alpha. The air seemed to crackle with tension as he stepped closer, his eyes searching mine.

“What did he say to you?” he demanded, his voice low and controlled.

“He was just being friendly” I replied, taken aback by his intensity. “We talked about the garden and …things.”

“We need to talk” he spoke, his voice leaving no room for questions. There was an edge to his tone that sent a shiver from my spine to the tip of my hallux.

We walked silently back indoors, the air thick with tension and unspoken words. The garden's vibrant colors blurred as I focused on the echo of our footsteps, each step feeling heavier than the last and it made me wonder if that had to do with what he thought Xander had given me an insight into.

Once inside the bedroom, he closed the door with a decisive click and turned his sharp eyes to me, his expression hardening even more.

“you needed to know what you're here for." He began, his tone cold as the tip of an iceberg. “you are to bear me an heir”.

His words hit me like multiple trucks. I staggered back, my hand instinctively going to my chest as if to shield my heart from the pain.

“What do you mean” I whispered, my voice trembling and barely audible. I wondered if I was in some sort of stimulation, my whole world crashing down.

“It is your duty to bear me a child. A son, preferably, to carry on my legacy”. His eyes bore into mine, making his statement final.

“But—”

“This is not a request, it is a requirement. Once you provide me with an heir, I will grant you your freedom.” Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision “You are a collateral, this is a collateral” The room closed in around me, the walls pressing in with the weight of his decree.

“But-----”

“But what”? he snapped, his patience thinning with narrowed eyes.

“but what if I cannot….. what if I fail to give you an heir?” The fear in my voice was evident. Not by the fact that I am infertile but by the fact that we have to be intimate with one another.

His eyes softened slightly and as fast as it came it was gone. “You will NOT fail. You MUST not. You are only but a vessel for my legacy”.

“You can't do this to me” my voice breaking. ‘NO’ I fell on my knees sobbing loudly not caring about talking back at the ruthless alpha and certainly not caring about defying him.

I heard his resounding footsteps fading slowly as he walked out of the room. My body shook as I wailed hard for my life, my cursed fate, and most especially my child knowing my unfortunate fate was bound upon him, even before he came into this world. He would be raised in a broken home. It is only but a transaction for my freedom.

I couldn't let this happen, I always promised myself that whenever I had my family, whatever I lacked in life, it was rest assured I could go to any lengths to provide for them.

My harsh reality dawned on me. I never owned my life and I never will. I couldn’t help but hate the moon goddess for making my life a living hell. Since ever I was a child, I prayed she could forgive me for whatever crime I committed in my past lives, but it is clear as day now that she turned deaf ears to my pleas.

Late at night, under the cover of darkness, I gathered what little belongings I could carry. My hands shook as I packed, the reality of my situation sinking in with every breath.

I slipped from the front door, every creak of the floorboards and whispers of the wind making my heart race. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the garden path.

Every step was fraught with fear, every rustler of leaves a potential harbinger of doom. But the thought of staying, submitting to his demand, and jeopardizing the fate of my child was unbearable.

As I made my way, my heart heavy with doubts I couldn't shake the feeling that he would find me, that his reach would extend far beyond the confines of these walls.

I had no clear plan, no destination in mind, only the overpowering need to flee from the shackles binding my life.

I knew the risks. I knew from the stories his wrath was terrible. His warning echoed in my mind. But the prospect of being a tool for his desire was a fate worse than any punishment he could inflict.

With a final intake of breath, I slipped into the shadows, praying that freedom lay beyond the darkness. I am better off as a rogue and now that I am finally running away, being a rogue doesn’t sound like a bad idea after all.

I sprinted lightly making sure to be quick so no one notices me and I bumped into something, or rather someone that smelt so familiar. I froze on the spot, my eyes latching on the HIM.

“I thought I had made myself clear” he spoke in an unusually calm voice that sent me over, I knew I was done for. Turning around, I squinted my eyes to notice the shadows of pack guards across the open space.

I have been an idiot. I didn't realize I was going around in circles and I'd been in the forewalls of the mansion all along. There is no escape. Once you're in, there's no way out. I turned into his stormy eyes and wished it was Xander who had found me in his place.

I dropped to my knees, screaming out loud knowing that, this was my fate and one could not cheat fate.