Prisoner

I couldn’t believe my eyes! 

“Z-zaila!” I ran to her, my eyes filled with tears and hugged the older she-wolf. Her arms wrapped around me were so comforting!

“My child, what have they done to you?” She asked and caressed my face, then, looked at my whole body. 

“They just took me to the doctor and left me in the dungeon…”

“Dungeon?” She looked up and that was when I realized O’Horan was still there. “Why would you take my girl to a dungeon?” 

“It is not your place to question. Now, take care of her, do your job.” He answered in a cold tone and before Zaila could say anything else, the door closed and we were both alone. 

“Zaila, they said… They said dad betrayed the King!” 

“I know, child.” She had a sad expression. 

“Did him?” It hurt me to think my father could act so lowly. Betray his King, when the King did nothing wrong that I knew. Even though he was treating me poorly - and I could understand why - I had never heard of him treating anyone with injustice. 

“I don’t know, Casey. I really don’t.” She said with sincerity and a sad smile lingered on her lips. “But the truth always appears.” 

“I hope it will appear before they kill my father.” I knew he would be executed if condemned for treason. 

“Me too, my dear. Let’s think positive. You are not in a dungeon anymore.” 

That was true. The room they gave me was even more luxurious than mine back home. This was, I could imagine, like a princess room. Maybe the king was really a good werewolf. 

“Nanna, have you ever seen the king?” 

“No. I am too low ranked to see his Majesty. But I have been told he is truly handsome.” Zaila said and smiled. “He has Lycan blood, as do all of the nobles by birth.”

“And how can they tell? I heard Lycans are different, but father never let me read much about it.” 

“All I know is that their hair and eyes have different colors. Like… Mesmerizing eyes.” Zaila said and smiled more. “I used to dream, when I was a kid, I would meet one of them.”

“Maybe we might see him. They will surely call us for interrogation.” I would like to see the king. Not just to analyze his features, but because maybe if I talked to him, he would understand that our pack would never betray him. My father would never do such a thing.

It didn’t take long for them to serve us food and I must say: that was a banquet. The maids didn’t talk to us, they just entered, served the food and left. I tried to call their attention, but they remained silent. Well, I was grateful for at least being able to eat and have a comfortable bed to sleep in. And most of all, I had my Nanna with me. 

Later that night, with Nanna sleeping by my side in that enormous bed, I looked up at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The sheets were all white, but with small details, lines, in a golden color. I must even risk thinking it was made of gold. The King was wealthy enough to be able to afford it. The whole room was in pastels, pink, white, beige. And gold. The only thing that was different was the golden color. Even the ceiling had golden flowers drawn on it. 

I should be more relaxed, but I could not. I had a bad feeling that all that care with me and Nanna was for a reason they didn’t tell me. Maybe they would, when the sun rises. I preferred to know why they were so nice with me after everything.The sensation was that I was a pig, being fed and, later on, I would be sacrificed. 

By morning, we had another banquet for breakfast, again, no maids talked to us and that happened for the next three weeks. Nobody talked to us. Not even that O’Horan werewolf.

“It is maddening me!” I complained to Nanna. 

“If you keep walking back and forth, you’ll sure make a hole on the floor.” She said and put aside her embroidery. “Come, sit here. Relax a bit.”

“Relax? Nanna!” I turned to her with disbelief. “I have no idea what happened to father! They tell me nothing! I stay here in this room, like a prisoner. My cage has just changed, but I am still a prisoner!” 

“Don’t complain too much. It could be worse.” 

I knew she was right. I should remain thankful. But I couldn’t! Why were they treating me with all that good food, good bed, good bedchamber?

“They want something from me.” I said and Nanna sighed. 

“Maybe they are just treating you nicely because you are, by the end of the day, an Alpha’s daughter. No matter what happens, your blood is Alpha’s.”

“No Nanna. I have a bad feeling.” 

And I didn't have to wait for long, did I? A week after that, I was taken to the doctor again, by the she-wolf called Lexi. Her attitude toward me didn’t change, but at least she didn’t strike. 

“You look much better than last time!” The doctor said and smiled gently to me. 

“I have gained weight. Maybe because I do nothing the whole day but eat and sleep.” 

“You should do some exercises.” He said and scribbled something down.

“I agree, doctor. I would like to go to the gardens, at least. Do you think the King would allow it?” 

Then I saw a complicated expression on his face, as if he didn’t know how to say something. Oh, my goddess… They would kill me, after all, wouldn’t them?

“I will see what I can do, Miss Whelan.” He finally said, but his eyes were not smiling anymore. It was not his fault that my life was a wreck. I nodded and remained silent during the way back to my chambers. 

At night, maids entered our bedchamber but not with dinner. They were full of dresses and fragrances. 

“What is all that?” I asked and then, O’Horan was at the doorway. 

“Miss Whelan, you’ll be washed and prepared for today’s event.” 

“Event?” I asked, looking at the beautiful silk dresses before me. They were simple, but at the same time, I could tell they were expensive. 

“The King will meet you.” 

My eyes sparkled. 

“The King?” I asked and looked at Nanna, who smiled back at me. “An audience?”

My heart filled with hope! I was going to be able to talk to the King, to ask about my father, about my pack! To try to be free!

“You are to stay still and allow his Majesty to do what he must do.” O’Horan had a weird look in his eyes, his posture was tense and he was not meeting my face when talking. 

“Sir, what does it mean? What…” Again, dry throat. “What is the King going to do to me?” 

I saw his jaw clench and then, our eyes finally met. 

“You are to give birth to the next King.”