Chapter 5

5

Glancing nervously, I slowly dipped my attention to my nervous hands gripping the saddle. 

People were gathered in masses upon landing in the Western Kingdom, welcoming Alpha's sort of steady arrival. Adorned and respected, they flicker with joy and excitement. Plenty vowed in his presence. Some shot apprehensive glances while others were uninviting. Their gleaming faces died down in an instant they noticed me. As much as I yearned to adore the intricate buildings of the kingdom, the sharp stares I was receiving imposed my distasteful appearance. I failed to mask the ramble of fear and anxiety within me as hushed whispers started dominating our surroundings. Although I was hidden in the veil of the cloak I was wearing, the scrutiny I was receiving made me feel naked for some reason.

I tilted my head forward, not wanting to look at anyone's face. All I could make out of were scowls and scorching stares. They wanted to at least have a flash or glimpse of the unknown stranger Alpha was accompanying. Unfortunately, I had no intention of exposing myself. If Alpha Strevus loathed me, what more of his people?

"Open the gates!" The guardsmen shouted. In an instant, they reached over a lever, and as the sound of metal chains reverberated, the steed slightly jerked in action. And as soon as the gates were holstered downward, with a gentle nudge, the horse moved across the gate that is now a bridge to the kingdom.

Inside the castle walls, there was yet another village housed by the tall barricaded walls.

Several knights atop the towering bulwark curiously glanced at our figure. Though I could feel their burning gaze, I chose to stay unaware of what was happening.

"The third prince! Alpha Strevus is here!"

Curiosity bubbled within me at the sound of vigorous cheers. At this moment, I warned myself to breathe, not worry, and stay calm. They are not looking at you. They are looking at him...

They don't care about you...you are nothing without your memories.

There was a series of knights who accompanied our path to the castle manor. I stared at nothing but my trembling hands, though I was tempted to turn around and bask in the kingdom's beauty. Alpha Strevus remained neutral and wordless, despite the gaping folks praising his highness. As an inaudible pain slowly crept down my body, I strangely looked up and noticed we were now closing in. I'd expected to be dropped off in another dungeon or cell; instead Alpha directed us inside. 

Buzzed and bewitched by the castle fortress, I didn't notice Alpha Strevus getting off. And when he prodded, he helped me get off his horse and land myself against the ground. As I scanned the pavilion, the uniformed guards snapped their attention toward me.

"Your Highness, prince...you brought someone..."

A man who exuded an air of nobility emerged from the cluster of guardsmen. While he didn't possess royal status as Alpha did, evident from the guardsmen not bowing in his presence, his demeanor carried a certain authority. Trailing behind the nobleman was a boy, his frame slender and his complexion pale. He held an array of papers and scrolls clutched in his hands. Strangely, he bore a resemblance to Fionna. The mere thought of her prompted an instinctive smile to grace my lips.

"She's no ordinary person...look at her eyes,"

The nobleman's forehead creased, walking up to me before he pulled my veil. And instantly, he was appalled upon seeing me.

"Y-you! A-an enemy!" He lambasted.

The guardsmen's hands instinctively grasped the hilts of their swords, their bodies shifting into a defensive posture. Amidst the tension, my gaze swept over the assembly of vigilant and cautious guards. Alpha's presence held a commanding assurance as he cast them a significant glance, his gesture conveying a sense of reassurance. Gradually, the guardsmen eased their grips on their weapons, and in response, my own tension subsided.

"Calm down, Wells...Let's not draw attention. I need to talk to my father about this...sudden appearance,"

"I can see that...What will you do to her?"

"Don't worry. She is compliant. She won't attempt to flee or escape,"

"How!? How can you place your trust in an enemy!? Let alone, permit her entry into the palace!"

"Wells...Have faith in me. I  am the third prince, holding the reins of the frontier as its commander. Rest assured, my actions are deliberate and purposeful,"

Wells' lips pressed into a thin line. His eyes held worry and contemplation, but it only took a few seconds before he nodded in agreement.

"You are right. I shouldn't doubt you,"

"Where's father?"

"My prince...nobody expected your arrival. Your father is in the Riverwood pack, managing his affairs for the upcoming drought season,"

"When will he return?"

"Based on my approximation...about three days max,"

A fleeting hint of impatience marred Alpha Strevus' countenance. "In that case, it seems we're left with no alternative... Have the maids prepare a room and attire for her,"

"Your Highness—"

"Not another word Wells,"

The man closed his mouth as he was instructed, but his sour look was hard to discern. He glared at me, dipping his head to bow to the Alpha before storming off with new orders. Meanwhile, the boy struggled to maintain his composure and match his pace to that of his master's, if indeed that's what they were to each other.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

Alpha Strevus's voice broke my silent reveries. Gulping, I followed him with a bit of haste.

"Alpha Strevus... Why do you require swords when your strength is already formidable? After all, you have the ability to shift into your wolf form,"

"I never granted you permission to address me by my surname. Use 'Alpha,' that's all, nothing else,"

"I'm sorry," I was quick to apologize, laying my head low.

Alpha Strevus must've noticed my gloom. "Merely possessing strength doesn't render us impervious to weaknesses. We still require swords—weapons to safeguard ourselves... circumstances such as eclipses make it challenging to shift into our wolf forms,"

Finally, I understood. As we walked in silence, I shortly took a glimpse of him. We had been exchanging the briefest of words. Sinking into my own thoughts, the torment of his unwelcoming behavior shatters me.

When the massive doors flew open, an extraordinary grandeur greeted me. The hall was spacious and airy, lined with red carpet and marble tilings. It led to a tall staircase that connected the second story and the grand hall. I never knew the power an intricate architecture might bring to the eyes of the beholder. Sprawled with a mix of royalty and nature, the palace seemed like a fortress than it was a castle inside, a perfect oasis for people of nobility—a place where magic could be imagined. 

"Your visit is unexpected, my love,"

My focus on the palace's intricacies swiftly broke when a woman's voice reverberated. Atop the staircase, a lady possessing delicate features, skin akin to porcelain, and eyes reminiscent of golden sunshine, adorned the corridors of the solitary palace. In contrast to my own attire, hers was a resplendent gown, reminiscent of the hue of berries. I found it challenging to classify the type of gown she wore, yet its allure was undeniable. It accentuated her silhouette and waistline, and curiously, a fragment within me yearned to be her.

"Love, I am glad that you returned safely to the kingdom...though this wasn't as planned," She said, eyes fixated on Alpha. My eyes scanned both of them.

Then she must be his lover...my heart quenched at the thought.

The woman descended gracefully, and it reminded me of rustling trees and the sway of ocean waves, calm and courtly. There was a smile on her face for a while, but upon landing, all of her focus sharpened toward me.

"And who might this lady be?" she inquired, her gaze settling on me with a perplexed expression.

I froze in sudden bewilderment, unable to comprehend the stinging pain buried in my heart; like a dagger piercing through, I could not force any words out of my mouth.

"I-I..." I uttered, barely rolling a word out of my tongue.

"A visitor," Alpha Strevus interjected, his countenance shifting as he cast a glance my way. My heart experienced a disconcerting flip, akin to an unwelcome somersault, as his pupils expanded in a display of exasperation. It dawned on me that he might be growing weary of the unceasing inquiries triggered by my presence.

"She doesn't appear as a typical guest...otherwise, she wouldn't be dressed so,"

I force myself to appear welcoming, assuring that I had no ill intent. Alpha was still looking at me, though his attention didn't span for quite a while since he longed to relinquish his time to his lover.

"In truth, she's a captive... albeit also a guest,"

"I hope this doesn't spur unwarranted speculation... There are many women who would yearn for the position I hold, and I don't wish to be exposed to threats from those of lower status. You did mention you would go to great lengths for my sake,"

"My feelings haven't changed, my love. Once the ritual is done, we will be forever bound, I promise,"

The mention of a ritual piqued my curiosity. While I didn't want to come across as overly inquisitive, my existence was still shrouded in uncertainty. At any moment, their decisions might waver, altering the course of our agreement. As their conversation alternated between dialogue and brief silences, the woman released a sigh of exasperation, adjusting the folds of her skirts—she and Alpha appeared to be engaged in a disagreement.

Servants passed us, without shooting a glance at me first, before bowing to courtesy. Alpha Strevus gestured a hand, and they all straightened up in unison.

"Where is Wells? I told him to send a maid to accommodate my guest—"

"Your Highness, I was assigned to provide her with attire and escort her to her quarters,"

"Then bring our guest to her suite," He commanded. Nodding, the woman sank in a bow and was dismissed immediately.

"I hope you provide the kingdom with certainty and help...my fiance seldomly brings strangers—or just people in general, and I'm certain that he has his reasons for bringing you here,"

It took me quite some time to realize that the woman, Alpha's lover, was referring to me. Halfheartedly smiling, I gave her a nod.

"What's your name?" She added. "I can't simply address you as a guest,"

With no name to call my own, Alpha seemed poised to elucidate, but I beat him to the punch.

"Amethyst without a last name. Just Amethyst,"

"You don't have a family name?"

"Not that I know of..."

I was glad she understood and didn't press further. Alpha Strevus also. He didn't mention my lost memories, and for me, it is somewhat helpful since it is my weakness. I still needed to keep my walls up to survive in this place. Moments later, the servant from earlier interrupted our conversation when she stormed with a heap of clothing in hand.

"All prepared, sire," The servant proclaimed.

"Then dress her with something suitable for the kingdom,"

The servant nodded, sauntering her way toward me and uttering something. But I didn't listen, not when I gazed at their two forms. There was a brief of silence, especially when Alpha Strevus walked out of the enormous hall, hand in hand with the woman who seemed to be his fiancee and lover. I don't know what got into me, but my heart indeed tears from each second they were close to one another. I genuinely want to know if this was the effect of what Fionna termed as mates.

The servant acknowledged with a nod, making her way over to me and uttering words that I barely registered since my attention was captivated by the two other figures. A hush seemed to envelop the space, particularly as Alpha Strevus and the woman exited the grand hall together, their hands entwined. I couldn't fathom what came over me, but with every passing second they spent in each other's proximity, my heart seemed to tear asunder. I earnestly wished to discern whether this was the effect of what Fionna referred to as "mates."

God, how I wish Fionna was here at least. Then maybe, it will be a bit better.

"Follow me," The servant urged.

Taking a deep breath, I followed her suit, turning every now and then from the puzzle-like castle's structure. Unlike the mansion at the camp, paintings found on the castle walls held portraits of persons within them, probably royals and herald officials of the kingdom. The hallways were lone and vacant, our footsteps echoing in the silence.

We were about to make a turn to our right when I suddenly stopped in my tracks, gaze following the portrait as wide and large as a room. It was a portrait of Alpha Strevus with a wolf as big as him, foreshadowing the background image, probably his wolf.

His was a black, dark wolf. And eyes with ember-like remains from burning wood—a glowing fiery behind them.

"Lady..."

My mind immediately snapped at the sudden interruption.

"Sorry,"

The room I was supposedly occupying was opened by the servant with a bit of force. With a creaking sound, I caught a glimpse of its interior. The place was veiled by white linen. The servant carefully dusted and swatted each linen and soon after revealed a room with a sofa, a bed, and a fireplace to accompany. The furniture and decorations were minimal, but enough to spark my brewing need to rest and the comforts it might bring.

"This is your room. If there's anything that you need, you can ring the bell," The servant pointed, uninterested.

There it was...A bell loosely hanging from the corner of the ceiling. Wondering from where it might be connected, I slightly tug at the rope.

"Kindly refrain from playing with that. Only use it when the situation calls for it,"

"I understand..." I replied to her.

The servant didn't spare me much time as she took the spoiled beddings and linen in her arms before leaving me inside to ease my worries. With her gone, I finally allowed myself to catch up with sleep and rest. It didn't matter what time it was. All I needed was to immerse myself in slumber. After everything that came to be—with Alpha's rejection, a kingdom in tow, a fiancee to wed, and my heart quenching in pain, I needed that sound, peaceful sleep.

The concept of werewolves still lurking at the back of my mind.

****

Unaware of the passage of hours, the concept of time eludes me. My eyes snapped open as my heart began to race, spurred by a combination of distant noises and heightened senses. A few sporadic sounds contributed to my awakening, but it was mainly my own attunement that roused me. Adjacent to me, the windows allowed the breeze to enter with impudence. I could no longer tolerate the cold, prompting me to rise and seal their sills. As I lowered my gaze to the palace courtyard, rows upon rows of maids and servants came into view, carrying cutlery and silverware while others engaged in hurried sweeping. A crease formed between my brows. 

What's going on?

I clasped myself together. A burst of inquisitiveness erupted within my running mind before I could prevent myself; the opportunity to satisfy my need for answers ultimately snatched me away.

The corridors lay empty as I peered out from my doorway. Seizing the opportunity, I emerged from my concealment and propelled myself forward in a swift motion.

"What are you doing loitering around?"

I stopped in my tracks, my heart pounding. I turned and looked at the person who spoke.

Then a man whom I never met before stood tall and handsome against the stray light of the moon. With a slight exasperation, my hands and heart pained all of a sudden.