Three Create a Cage

Delphine is distraught as the night ends and she returns to the boarding house by the opera. It’s where most of the cast and crew stay, and some, like her, live here full time. She gave up everything else in her life to pursue this career and what does she have to show for it? A small room in a house that’s falling apart and the attention of a mysterious dangerous Alpha who bought her life.

Julian doesn’t understand why she’s so upset as she cries later in his arms, “Del, please, tell me what’s so disastrous as having a wealthy and attractive Alpha as our new boss? This is what you wanted, isn’t it? For someone to save Austerus Luscinia.”

She wants to choke on her words, “I ran from a forced marriage to be my own person! Not to be someone else’s caged bird.”

“Del… you never mentioned anything like that,” Julian has a deep frown on his face. “I thought your family just didn’t approve of your choice in career.”

“They don’t approve of my career choice, but they also wanted to deprive me of all my choices. I can just tell this.. this Alpha Tiberius will do the same,” Delphine holds tighter to her friend and wonders what she could possibly do to get out of this.

Julian rubs the back of his head as he thinks, “If you want… and I mean really want to, I can help you get out of here. My husband has some people who owe him favors down at the docks. We can smuggle you out.”

Delphine looks at him with wide, unbelieving eyes, “Jules, you would do that for me? Go against the alpha of the company you work for?”

“You’re my best friend,” Julian wipes her tears gently and presses their foreheads together. “I would die for you, if I had to.”

Delphine obviously doesn’t want anyone to die for her, but she appreciates the sentiment nonetheless. The two of them quickly throw together a small go bag for her as Julian presses his phone to his ear, talking to his husband, Marcus. Delphine can feel her heart hammer in her chest, but there is a sense of calm that bubbles her. She will get out of here and start over, she’ll do it again and will continue to do so until a time where people stop trying to cage her.

Julian’s husband arrives at the stroke of midnight under cover of the cloudy night. Delphine has met him a few times and he’s a very nice guy, hardworking and simple. She thinks he’s one of the good ones in a world of bad, controlling Alphas. Delphine sits in the back of his truck as Julian goes back inside to make it seem as if she never left. The further the boarding house and opera get, the more relief she feels.

The docks appear and Delphine gives Marcus a tight parting hug, “Thank you so much Marcus. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you.”

“Don’t worry about it kiddo, just be safe now, okay,” he pats the top of her head and watches as she departs. Delphine waves one last time. He hopes she will be okay.

Delphine relaxes into the small row boat that is to take her to a larger ship further out. Less likely to attract any attention this way- so says the sailor. She is out under the thumb of another Alpha who wishes to keep her locked up. Tiberius didn’t say that, exactly, but she felt his intentions. The sailor helps her up on the boat deck and Delphine freezes as a bright light hits her face.

Blinking rapidly, her eyes adjust and immediately fill with tears at who’s on the other end- Tiberius. He pouts at her as he walks closer and she tries so hard to flee, but her body won’t move. He grazes her cheek slowly and almost tenderly. Delphine bites back a sob as she sees Marie behind the Alpha with arms crossed and a deep frown on her features. Marie sold her out, she must’ve overheard their conversation or saw her leaving. Julian wouldn’t betray her and Marcus has no reason to either- unless Tiberius threatened them?

“Little song bird,” the alpha’s rich voice penetrates her spiraling thoughts. “I had a feeling you would run and my intuition is never wrong. Marie was even so kind as to keep an eye on you to let me know of your plans. A dock full of sailors who owe a smaller Alpha a favor and the cover of clouds over the moon. Clever, very clever Delphine, but I’m moreso.”

She can’t help the pathetic whimper she gets out, “Please.”

Tiberius sighs into her hair as he hugs her, “Worry not, I shall take care of you. I’ll never let you go.”