Chapter 3

Time had passed already. The night had fallen over the Ezra kingdom. But to Alvera, it had come too quickly..time seemed to be moving faster than it needed to. That had to be because she had a whole lot on her mind. The moment her father had made mention of her being the only solution to the crisis that the kingdom was in, her whole world crumbled. She just could not bring herself to imagine what life beyond the walls of Ezra would be like. Through her life, she had not spent time in any other place other than her kingdom for more than was necessary. This time around, it was not just that she needed to spend time outside Ezra, but that she needed to be handed over as the plaything of Alpha Duncan of Azra. 

" Hmm." She let out a heavy breath , stroking her hair as she paced the room . 

Her anxiety was on the increase. Not even for a single moment of her life did she stop imagining what life would have been for the princess of Ezra who was handed over to the then alpha king of Azra. What she never saw coming was the fact that the same story would be told about her. 

What was she to do? She thought. The entire hope of the nation was on her shoulders. If she refuses to go , then everyone would be in danger. 

" One who will have the interest of other people at heart. " 

Her response to the question of her father came running to her thoughts. She was meant to be the ruler after her father was no longer there. Would she be a perfect ruler? Maybe it was a test of time. 

" Come on, Alvera. " She said to herself. " You can do this."  

Bracing up her shoulders , she shook off the last strand of doubt that she had on her . It was time to make a move. The people of Ezra needed to survive. That was first. If not any other thing, she was happy history was not particularly about to repeat itself. First, her father was not pushing her. In fact, he had no idea about her move. And secondly, it was her choice. A sacrifice she needed to make for the people. 

Without any further hesitation, she braced up and left her room . Her destination was just one place. 

Azra kingdom. 

On getting outside the palace , she turned and looked back at it for the last time. For a while, she stood there with tears forming around her eyes. She could not just hold it in . This had to be the last time she would set her eyes on the palace, at least, for a while. 

Hours passed and the morning bells began to roll in the kingdom of Ezra. It was time to wake up for most people. But not for the alpha king. He had been awake all through drooling over the discussion he had had with his daughter. No matter what the situation was, he was never going to hand her over in such an awkward manner. Had it been she was going there on the terms of a person that would have her rights guaranteed, it would have been a different case. 

Ring! …..Ring!.....! Ring…

.!

The sound of a towing bell filled his ear. His ears twitched. It was not the normal waking bell. It was beyond that. This one was the sound of a great emergency situation. 

What was happening? 

Could it be that Azra was already on the move? 

He felt his body shoot up into the sky and he turned to leave his room. Just then, a knock landed on the door. 

Knock. Knock. Knock. 

" Your majesty, the chief guard is here to see—" 

" Let him in!" He thundered. 

The chief guard pushed through the door and strode in. 

" Your majesty, there is a big problem."

" You said that last time. Is Azra now on the move to us?"

" No." He shook his head. 

" What is the situation right now?" 

The chief guard hesitated, not knowing how to spill such information to the alpha king. 

" I command you to speak. " 

" Your majesty, the alpha king, " he paused before continuing," the princess of Ezra is missing." 

The statement hit Alpha Lahey like a mighty tornado, sending multiple shockwaves through his entire body system. Was this a joke or something? 

" What do you mean by that? Alvera is missing?" 

" Yes, your majesty. She is nowhere to be found in the fortress. " 

Kilometers away from.the borders of Ezra, Alvera rode her horse without stopping. She had been riding since she left Ezra and had no reason to stop. First of all, she knew it would not take long before her absence was nothing. And if that should be the case, it was without any sort of doubt that a search party would be sent to go after her. She needed to save her people. 

" Hyah!" She said out loud, kicking against the belly of the horse. 

In a few moments, she was drawing closer to the borders of the kingdom of Azra. After a few more distances, she was brought to a sudden halt by the emerging of warriors all around her. 

" Halt!!" One ordered her. 

" Take me to Duncan, your alpha king!" She said with every piece of boldness she could muster up. 

" Why would we want to do that?" The warrior asked. 

" Because he wants me." She replied bluntly. 

" And who might you be?" 

She grinned. " I am.the price to save Ezra." 

" Your name?" 

" Alvera. " She said. " Alvera , princess of Ezra." 

 Alvera was led straight to the main fortress of Azra and to the palace where Duncan was. Duncan sat on his throne with his right hand caressing his jaw when the princess of Ezra walked with no trace of fear to him. 

" To what do the people of Azra owe this sudden visit?" He asked , leaning out of the throne and locking his fingers. 

" Let Ezra be!" Alvera said in a commanding tone. 

" Why would I want to do that?" 

There was a little pause. Alvera's face dissolved into a grimace. Duncan glared at her with his deep eyes. Her sense of pride while standing before him was very daring. She dared cross the borders to his palace. 

" Because you now have the only princess of Ezra." She replied. 

" So be it." Duncan said, a wry smile crossing lips.