My eyes widened when I found it.
“This is it!” I mumbled as I made my way inside with a torch in my hands.
I saw several cells and prisoners called me for my help. I had no idea who I was doing but I can’t help them to get out of here. I am looking for someone. I want to find Marco so that we can set our next plan. Right now I need his help. I want him to find Karl. I know he knows a lot of things in this place and I mentioned my case to him. I know that he knows something about the girl named Ariana. I remember how his eyes twitch when I told him about Salem, a place where she lived and Ergo told me her past that she became a concubine assistant of King Markus of the Arcadia Kingdom. I must find her parents first so that I know what kind of people are they, why they sold her to the king. I think something is fishy about her past.
At last, I found him. I saw Marco. They captured him too.
“Marco, pssst… It’s me, Anika. Don’t make any noise” I called him with my soft voice.
He was with six prisoners and when all of them turned around, my eyes widened when I saw a familiar face.
“Karl? What are you doing here? So, they caught you after betraying me!?!” I asked him angrily.
Marco stared at him too.
“Do you know each other?” Marco asked Karl.
Karl looked shocked to see Anika and nod his head.
“Yes, we both know each other and she’s the reason why I am here,” he told everyone while putting his head down not planning to look me in my eyes.
I formed my hands into a ball. I felt mad at him for betraying me just like Ariana did to me.
“How dare you! I thought of you as a friend but you fooled me!” I can’t contain my anger anymore. I wanted to let it out.
I saw the guilt in his eyes. Marco has no idea about it.
“I’m so sorry, Anika. I thought they will promote me to be the next general of soldiers but Argus deceived me too!” He came closer to see me.
“I hate you so much! Do you know how I almost got killed in the forest?” I yelled at him.
To my surprise, Marco harshly grabs Karl’s t-shirt and pushed him against the wall. All of them were shocks too.
“You are useless! It’s good that they sealed you with us! See, your co-soldiers threw you in here like a prisoner?” He shouted amok at him.
Karl holds his arms to get away from his grip. He tried to fight Marco but he was strong enough to stop him. Karl had no idea what kind of a guy is Marco. He is the Alpha of their packs and now that he’s with them, he’ll assure them that they will escape from this place.
“Guys, will you please stop! I came here to find you, Marco. Just leave him alone! I’ll deal with him later!” I stop them.
“This is not the time to argue okay. Marco, just wait until I talk to the King about you. I’m glad you’re safe. I will come back I promise!” I said to him while my eyes were staring at Karl.
He just keeps his mouth shut. I think I made him feel guilty about what je did to me. I hurriedly went back to the party. I was almost on my way out from the entranceway of the dungeon when I saw Fox and Red approaching. I had no choice but to find an alibi.
“What are you doing here? Do you know that this place is prohibited?” Red informed me while he walked closer and trapped me on the wall.
I act innocent and sweet to both of them.
“I’m so sorry. I was looking for the restroom and I accidentally stumbled here. ” I muttered until I found a good idea.
“Help! Help! ” I shouted calling for help.
Both of them were shocked at what I did. I purposely messed up my hair and torn my beautiful dress, the king gave to me.
The soldiers came and the king. He saw me crying while playing a victim to my little game.
“They wanted to rape me, my Lord. I asked them where is the bathroom and they lead me here!” My tears began streaming on my face.
Fox and Red didn’t know what to do.
“She’s lying. We saw him—-” the King interrupted.
“Take them to the dungeon. Argus, teach them a lesson! How they treat my woman is a crime!” King Darius ordered him.
Fox and Red will be punished. This is the only part of my plan. I need to take the King’s side and him too for me to go on with my mission. I will deal with Ariana tonight.
“Lira!” He called his servant.
Lira came like a wind.
“Yes, my Lord” she replied.
King Darius gazes at me from head to toe. My heart pause from beating while waiting for his answer. I am ready for whatever he wants in his mind but I feel relieved when he did the opposite.
“Take her to her room, bath her and let her rest” he ordered her.
He walked out and leave me without even saying a single word.
Lira took me and help me dress.
End of flashback
——
I prepared myself to sleep until I finally doze off. I had to meet Ariana. I had to see her and tell her about her mission. She must not betray me or else, I’ll be going to stay here forever until my last breath.
Ariana Pov as Anika
Ariana POV
Finding myself inside Argus’ room made me feel nervous. I know I was too careless about Anika’s identity but I had no idea that he was also there and the worst fact is, he was the chosen Alpha of all races for a leadership award.
“Good to know that you’re awake,” he said after seeing me in a good state.
I quickly got up from his bed and I roamed around to find my dress because I think I was wearing a loose t-shirt which isn’t mine.
“Don’t worry, I told Melinda to laundry your gown. I lend you my t-shirt.” He said calmly.
“Who undress me? Was it you?” I asked him while covering myself with his sheets.
He laughed so hard like a total bad boy. He leans closer to my face like he was purposely doing it to tease me. I glared at him.
“Wow, I’m not that kind of a guy if that’s what you think. Merlinda did it, don’t worry.” He smirks.
“Let’s go. Let’s eat downstairs before we will have a serious conversation here.” He told me and left me alone.
I cupped my heart and I try to remember about last night. My head throbs about that night how I ended up here. The only thing I recalled is that he pulled me to the forest and he asked me why I am at the party too.
That’s it and I forgot what happened next.
“Arghhh, why I was like this? What did you do to me, Argus Mateo? Why I find it hard to forget you!” I asked myself.
I think I had to ask him myself how I end up here. What about Sebastian and Denise? What will they think about me now if they find out I didn’t go home last night. I think I will check my phone and made them a call.
I got up from his bed to find my bag but I couldn’t find it. How dare he keep my bag from me? Due to my frustration, I decided to go downstairs to meet Argus for a breakfast.
I was on my way down when he saw me first. He smiled at me and waved his hands for me to come down. I set an angry look at him.
“Come, have a seat” he offered me a chair like a true gentleman.
I accepted it and help myself. I am about to ask him about my bag but I think he could read my mind.
“About your phone, it was broken but I called Denise not to worry and I’ll bring you home after this” he talks like he was my father.
“How did my phone broke? Tell me what happened to the two of us last night?” I can’t sit here just to listen to his false stories and I think I made the wrong choice of choosing him over my husband.