Alethea
My mouth falls open, as my eyes widen in pure shock.
My legs refuse to move.
I feel frozen in place, locked in a silent stare with the man standing right in front of me-a smirk playing on his lips.
This has to be a fucking joke.
I remember him.
Alpha Craig.
He had come to Redwood before. Back then, he watched me with far too much interest. I tried to ignore it, but the longer his gaze stayed k. , the more it grated on my nerves.
I remember shifting uncomfortably under his intense stare. He had asked if I was from Redwood, and I remember Asher sending me a mind link to confirm that, yes, I was.
Then, Craig asked if I was of royal blood.
Asher had stepped in, cutting the conversation short, telling him we needed to focus on the real matter at hand.
But Craig had pushed further, stirring up rumors-accusing me of hating Maya, of plotting her death. He had questioned if Asher was willing to replace me with her.
And now, here he is.
I swallow the bile rising in my throat.
“Alpha Craig,” I say, lowering my head slightly in a forced display of respect, trying not to reveal how deeply unsettled I am.
I pray to the goddess that he isn’t the one I’m being forced to mate with. The thought alone makes my stomach turn.
“Alethea Weaver,” he drawls, his voice smooth yet unnerving. “Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise, Alpha,” I say evenly, schooling my expression. I can’t let him suspect that I have my own plans.
A chair is pulled out for me, and I sit down slowly.
Servants move around, bringing in food and drinks. I glance toward the entrance, hoping-praying-that someone else will join us.
I don’t want to be alone with this man.
“It’s a small world, isn’t it, Alethea?” Craig muses, his voice is casual, but I can sense the underlying meaning.
I lift my gaze to him, unsure of what he’s implying.
Then he raises a hand toward the table.
“Eat up,” he says smoothly. “It’s going to be a long night for you.”
My eyes drift to the food, my stomach betraying me with a sudden pang of hunger.
I only get one meal a day here, and even that has been barely enough.
If I want to survive in this place, I need my strength.
So, I reach for a plate.
Keeping it simple, I serve myself a portion of rice with stir-fry sauce, adding a piece of chicken. Other dishes are spread across the table, but I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I already have.
I focus on my plate, but my mind is racing.
Because something tells me this night is about to change everything.
I have cried. I have hoped.
But deep down, I know that the Moon Goddess will make a way for me. She has to.
Selena never told me much about her family.
All I knew was that she left home when this very same uncle arranged her mating with the Alpha of the North. She refused. And ever since, he let out a threat that forced her into hiding-hiding me.
The only sound filling the dining hall is the soft clinking of cutlery against plates.
I can feel Alpha Craig’s gaze on me, but I refuse to acknowledge him. Instead, I keep my head down, scooping food into my mouth at a steady pace.
“You should rest once you’re done eating,” he finally says, standing from his seat. Then, without another word, he walks away.
I watch him go, my fork halfway to my mouth.
Only when he disappears from sight do I allow myself to hurry, scooping up as much food as I can. I don’t know when I’ll have another proper meal, and I need my strength.
Once I’m full, I lean back in my chair, taking in my surroundings for the first time.
That’s when I noticed them.
Guards.
Stationed at every corner.
Watching me like a predator watches its prey.
I sigh. Escape isn’t an option. Not now.
Just as I lower my gaze back to my plate, the sound of footsteps catches my attention.
Alice steps into the dining hall.
“Alethea, this way. Back to your room, please,” she says in a polite tone, but there’s something else hidden beneath her words.
I study her for a moment.
I wonder if she, too, was taken against her will. She said we’re cousins, but how close are we, really?
The thought stays in my mind as I rise to my feet and silently follow her back to my room.
“You should rest, Alethea. You have a long night ahead.”
Alice’s words make me pause.
I narrow my eyes, as I study her carefully. What does she mean by that?
I already know I’m being forced into this-being marked by someone else. But there’s something in her expression, a flick of hesitation, something she isn’t saying.
And I intend to find out.
She told me I’m being shipped off to marry an Alpha, but what I don’t understand is why me?
Why go through the trouble of taking me from my home, from my loved ones, when he already has Alice? She could have been given away instead.
Something feels off.
Xena stirs uneasily in my mind, pacing, restless. That only fuels my growing unease.
I take a step closer, my voice low and firm.
“Is there something you aren’t telling me?”
Alice stiffens.
She doesn’t meet my eyes, and that’s all the confirmation I need. There’s more to this than just a mating and marking ceremony.
Something else is happening.
And I have a feeling I won’t like it.
If she won’t tell me willingly-I’ll just have to make her talk.
I shoot to my feet. No more waiting. No more guessing.
In a swift motion, I grab Alice and shove her back against the wall.
I had slipped the knife from the table earlier, hiding it in the folds of my dress. Now, it glints under the dim light, pressed firmly against Alice’s throat.
Her breath hitches.
The moment she opens her mouth, probably to scream, I cut her off with a deadly and low whisper.
“I swear by the Moon Goddess, if you make so much as a sound, I’ll slice your throat right now.”
She trembles against my grip. I can feel it, the fear rolling off her in waves.
Good.
I lean in, my voice a quiet demand. “What more do they need me for?”
Alice swallows hard, her whole body shaking like a leaf in the wind. I almost smirk. I have her right where I want her.
But then, she squeezes her eyes shut, her breathing slowing as she tries to clear her thoughts.
She knows.
She knows I can read emotions.
I press the knife closer, just enough to nick her skin. A single drop of blood scents the air.
Alice lets out a sharp breath, panic flashing in her eyes.
“Talk,” I command. “Now.”
She shudders, her lips trembling as she finally speaks, voice barely above a whisper-like saying the words alone might doom her.
“They need your blood, Alethea. They need your blood.”
The words send a shiver down my spine.