Chapter 3

Teagan’s Point of View

They locked us in our rooms. Threw away the keys. Or rather, misplaced them until they wanted to speak with either of us. Even our windows were nailed shut. That measure alone told me all I needed to know.

Most girls would swoon at the thought of marrying the heir of Desert Sun. Hell, from what I have heard along the grapevine, some have thrown their panties at him. Whored themselves out to him every chance they got.

Anything to be the next Luna of Desert Sun. Anything to be noticed by the playboy prince who ran it all. 

I, on the other hand, had been sheltered by my parents most of my life. The only man ever allowed around me were the guards that had protected me whilst I went out shopping.

Homeschooled and had no contact with other people besides my family, yet I still ended up a disappointment to my family.

Suck it, tiger parenting. You still fucking lost.

“You need to eat, Teagan. Simply refusing food isn’t going to change their minds or help you in any way. You are only harming yourself like this.” Josephine had been nagging me to eat for the last week.

All the other maids and servants stayed away. Some even spoke harshly outside my door, knowing full well I could hear them.

All of it was insufferable.

“I’m not in the mood to eat but thank you for the effort,” I stated dully and carried on staring out into the world.

Right outside my window, the world was moving on without me. The first night had left me in tears. I could hear Harland snarl and kick and fight to be let go whilst I was escorted away.

His howls didn’t stop when they put him in the furthest room to mine. They only got louder as time went on. One of the maids had said something about him being sedated.

How fucking cruel of my parents.

Josephine regarded me with a grim look. Her eyes darted to the closed door, then back to me. With light steps, she came closer. Squatted down in front of me. Her wrinkled hands settled on mine.

“What you and Harland have is unique, child. You love each other desperately. Don’t let your parents' bad decisions influence the rest of your life. Don’t let their lies rule you.” She whispered, clinging to my hand.

I let my eyes flicker down to her. Took in the urgency on her face. 

Lies? What lies?

“What do you mean-”

I wasn’t done speaking before my room door burst open. Josephine jumped back a meter or two and refused to look at me again. I did the same with the person at the door. If it wasn’t Harland, then I didn’t want to see them.

“She refused another meal, ma’am,” Josephine said and bowed her head.

My mother remained at the door. Her eyes dug deep into my flesh. I could feel it. Feel her scanning me from head to toe. It was unnerving but nothing I wasn’t used to by now.

“At least she will be thin for Bellamy. Get her dressed, Josephine. The Alpha and his son will be over in an hour and I need her on her best behavior.” There was a twinge of emotion in her voice. Not much. But enough for me to give pause.

Glancing over my shoulder, I looked at the woman I had called mother all of my life. Her hair was perfectly blow-dried. Nails sparkled from a fresh manicure. Her eyes, on the other hand, looked tired.

Done with this world.

“If you let me out of this room, I will hurt anyone that comes close to me. Do you understand that?” I hissed.

She looked taken aback for a moment. Scowled at me the next. “Then I will have no choice but to sedate you as well. Bellamy doesn’t have to like your personality. Only your body. After all, you will be nothing but his broodmare.”

When had I incurred her fury? Her hatred?  I was her child. Her own flesh and blood. I grew within her womb and drank milk from her. As a child, they spoiled me rotten. Gave me everything, especially their time.

Only one thing changed now and I was tossed to the side. So was Harland.

“What is wrong with you?” I couldn’t help but hiss back at her. Let every ounce of venom I had in me drip into my words.

My mother scoffed. “I’m not the abomination to nature itself. That is all you, my dear.”

***

Josephine was quiet for the rest of the process. Her head bobbed up and down several times, assessing me from every angle. Whatever she had wanted to tell me earlier was gone. Replaced by silence.

My mother had cut off her tongue. Metaphorically speaking, of course. She had also ripped out my heart. 

An abomination of nature. It cut deeper than any knife ever could.

“You are all done and dolled up.” Josephine declared, taking a step away from me.

Our eyes met in the mirror. There was a glint in hers. Some proud front that slid across her face. Slowly, Josephine placed her hands on my shoulders. Smiled at me cruelly in the mirror.

“Do not let them define you, young one.”

I had no idea what she meant. They had already won. The last song had been sung. There was no way out of this and we both knew it. Or she knew something else.

“How is he?” I asked softly, making sure to mouth the words more than say them. 

Josephine’s smile widened even more. She had concocted something. “He is fine. In the kitchen, enjoying some of the cake I made. I thought you would like some but alas. Orders are orders.”

She was referring to my parents prohibiting us from seeing each other. 

When I frowned, Josephine patted my shoulder.

“It would be a damn fucking shame if a fire broke out right about now. The white tent they put up in the back garden is so wonderfully decorated for your engagement to the heir. Besides, such a distraction could lead to some gaps in security. People might get hurt. Or go missing.”

There it was. A small glimmer of hope in the dimness surrounding me. Our grand escape. They would send out various teams to try and find us.

It was a risk I was willing to take.

Ten minutes later, I had already packed two bags. Rucksacks that you could easily throw over your shoulder with expandable ties for when you had to shift in a hurry. Bare minimum along with a whole lot of cash that my parents stored in the hall closet safe.

Another five minutes passed in which my heart refused to calm down. Blood was rushing in my ears. Sweat beaded on my forehead.

I knew where every guard in this house was. Where they liked hanging out for smoke breaks. Even whilst they were distracted they were on guard. I had to wait.

Wait. Wait. Time it perfectly. She will help. I don't know why but she will.

Wait. Breathe. Countersteer, like Harland would.

A resounding explosion flooded my ears then. Loud and menacing. I cringed but moved into the closet again. People were going to flood the halls in three. Two. One.

The first set of footsteps marched right past the closet. I held in a breath. My father's office was to my left. It must have been him. I needed another moment or two. Everyone was going to go out and investigate.

Right then, I heard Josephine scream for help. It woke something up inside my chest. It was now or fucking never.

I rushed out of the closet then. Took the stairs two at a time. Made sure to look in all the directions once I got to the bottom. When the coast was clear, I sprinted for the kitchen. Dodged the living and dining room and hurried into the stuffy kitchen.

From the entryway, I could see an unconscious Harland. He was moaning lightly. Rolled around on the floor in soiled clothes. Blood stained his shirt. His pants.

I stifled my reaction. Reminded myself that there was no time to lament his condition. We needed to go and we needed to go now.

Hurrying forward, I grabbed a pitcher of water from the counter. Slammed down beside him, nearly spilling the water. I had no idea how he had gotten here but I was relieved to see him. To be near him once more.

"Baby, please forgive me for this," I mumbled hastily. Gripped the pitcher firmly in my hands.

One. Two. Thr-

I threw the water all over him. Aimed for his head more than the rest of his body. It seemed to do the job rather well. 

Harland snapped awake, sitting bolt upright in the process. His eyes were wild as he took in everything around him. A snarl curled on his lips. 

Then he noticed me and everything softened. He inhaled.

"Hey there, sexy lady."

***

Bellamy's Point of View

There was an orange sheen against the fading horizon. The closer we got to the van der Merwe house, the larger it grew. Until I realized it was smoke that contrasted the orange.

My father didn't seem alarmed by the sight. He barely paid it any mind, even as we pulled into the estate. Even as we walked closer to the front door.

Alpha Jonah was dead set on getting this engagement through the gate. All of my protestation in the world couldn't budge him. Or sway his mood in any other direction. 

I stopped trying after the third fight. There was no use in it anymore. Not like my disdain for him made him feel any differently.

We stood on the porch for another good five minutes before my father lost his temper. Growled loudly that he was going to the other side of the house to see what was going on.

I wanted to tell him that he was either blind or stupid but remained silent. He left without another fuss. 

And that's when I saw her. My mate. The most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. Her dark brown hair whipped in the wind. Her narrowed shoulders jutted out prominently in the dress she wore.

But, she was clutching to another man. Intimately, might I add. Anger coiled in my stomach. Reared its head for as long as I had them in my sight.

As always, my father had to ruin it for me. Finding my mate should have been wonderful and he threw cold water all over my skin.

"Fucking get over here, Bellamy. The house is on fire and we don't know where your bride is."

Just like that, I was thrown back into my shitty reality.