Chapter 3: The Alpha’s Prisoner

Rose

“I think you should take a moment to cool off. When you're ready, we can continue the conversation.” He says it coldly before leaving.

I’m flung on the floor of my bedroom by his guards.

I cry out as my head crashes into my bedpost, tears falling furiously. 

“Jacob, please!” I wail, crawling forward on my knees to where he’s standing, watching me suffer. “Why… Why are you letting them treat me this way?”

“Shh.” He places a finger over his mouth and crouches to run the back of his palm on my cheek. 

“You promised you would never hurt me,” I say, and he shakes his head, still holding my cheek.

“Rose, I’m not abandoning you. My home is still your home. Every vow I made to you stands. I just need you to calm down. Okay?”

I bob my head slowly, like he wants me to.

And Jacob spares a half smile before leaving my room with the pack guards.

The locks on my bedroom door fall in place with a loud clang, and my breath hitches in my throat. 

I bring my knees to my chest, on the floor against my bed, gripping my hand tightly.

It won’t last forever, I tell myself. He has a duty as Alpha to restore the peace.

I have to understand my husband. He’s doing this for all of us. 

Later in the day, when I’m served dinner, it breaks my heart to confirm I’m his prisoner with the many guards stationed outside my door. 

I stare at the feast. It makes me want to puke, but I’m not surviving for just myself now.

I and Jacob’s baby—our baby needs to eat. 

I close my eyes to get some rest afterwards, my hand over the ring he gave me. 

He may love his fated mate, but I know our four years of marriage weren’t a lie. It’s impossible for Jacob not to feel anything for me. 

I’m certain he’ll come around. 

Days pass, and before I even realize it, an entire week has gone by in perpetual silence. The lock on my bedroom suddenly opens, and I jump up, eager to see my husband.

It’s been seven days. He must miss me as much as I miss him. My hand covers my stomach as I wait for the door to open and reveal him.

My smile splits my face in two.

“Jac—” I stop, face crumpling, when I realize it’s just Rhiannon. 

She rushes at me, pulling me into a warm hug, and I cling to her because I’ve also missed my best friend terribly.

“Where have you been?” I sob against her body, holding her like she’s my lifeline. 

She sobs back. “I was sent to the frontlines to protect the pack just immediately after he locked you up. I’m sorry.”

“No, you don’t have to apologize. Is Jacob alright? Is he healthy? Has he faced any trouble—”

“Why the hell are you worrying about someone who did this to you?” Her face darkens as she lets go of me. 

“Rhi, you won’t understand. Jacob has a lot of responsibilities weighing on him. I’m sure he didn’t mean to do this.”

“I see. Responsibilities. So why hasn’t he come to see you all week?” My mouth opens in surprise as I try to find the words. “Yes, Rose, I know he left you here to rot,” Rhi adds in a seething voice.

“He’s just busy.” I wince.

“No, he’s parading his slut around the pack and buying stuff for his heir.” Rhi thrashes her hands in anger. “She’s slowly taking your place, Rose.”

I’m stunned by her words, taking a step back. 

I blink repeatedly, tears dripping down my cheeks one after the other. Jacob didn’t even know I was carrying his baby, too.

I tried to tell him, but he chose her.

Rhi gasps at the sight of who walks into my bedroom now.

It’s Zaneta.

She looks different from when I saw her at the ball.

He’s adorned her in fancy clothes and jewelry. I clench my jaw, hands clasped in front of me. 

“Rose, if anyone’s a slut, it’s you.” She shakes her head, faking empathy while letting us know she heard every word we spoke. “You clung to a man you weren’t fated to, and you are still clinging to him shamelessly now.”

“Don’t bother trying to understand her relationship with the Alpha, Zaneta! Just have your fun while it lasts,” Rhi grits, stepping in front of me protectively.

Zaneta fixes her gaze on her. “It seems this one is loyal to you. Ezra,” she orders, taking off her black silk gloves. “Deal with this... quietly.”

The tall, muscular guard that Zaneta came with grabs Rhiannon and hauls her outside. I scream in fear inside me because this bitch won’t get to see me weak. 

She was faking meekness at the ball. I see her for who she really is now. 

“I order you to stop,” I say, but no one listens, and Zaneta just smirks at my frustration.

Rhi tries to fight the guard, but he’s stronger. Red fills my gaze. 

“What are you doing?” I gulp when the door closes behind them, and it’s just us now.

“Your reign has come to an end, Rose. The Alpha has decided to reject you and let you go.”

I smirked to her surprise. “Jacob will never do that, and you see, that’s the thing you keep failing to understand, Zaneta. He made a vow to me. Alphas of the Raven pack always keep their word.”

She throws her head back, laughing like I’m nothing but a fool, and I clench my fists.

“Your crown is mine.” She steps into my personal space, a sneer on her face. “Go ahead. Bow to your Luna now, you slut.”

I roll my eyes, and it angers her. She tries to slap me. I grab her wrist, stopping and struggling with her.

Suddenly, the door opens, and the next thing I know, Zaneta cries out, falling to the ground on her stomach. Her loud sobs fill the room. 

“Zaneta!” Jacob shouts her name and rushes to her side. “What’s wrong?! What happened to you, my love?”

I’m burning with rage inside me. I know what she’s trying to do, but there’s no way Jacob will be too blind to realize it.

His eyes find mine. “Is this what you truly are?”

“What?” My heart races. “What are you talking about?”

“You were so jealous of Zaneta that you deliberately fought her to harm my child inside her.”

I shake my head in disgust and frank disbelief, pulling off the ring he gave me to remind him.

“Did… Did you forget our vows? Has it really gotten to the extent where you’d accuse me of something as terrible as this, Jacob?” 

Jacob moves closer, snatches the ring from me, and tosses it out my bedroom window. I realize his fingers are also empty now.

I glare at him, his betrayal stinging ten times worse than a bullet. 

“Rose Raymond, I reject you as my mate, this day and forever. You will no longer serve as Luna of the Raven Pack,” he seethes, hateful eyes locked on mine. 

A sharp pain slices through my chest, destroying me instantly. I can’t resist his rejection because my wolf is weak. My stomach cramps, hurting like it’s splitting apart.

“Bastard,” I whisper, trying to hold back my tears, but seeing Zaneta’s smiling face behind him worsens the pain. 

“Guards! I want this woman locked away for trying to harm my child.” Jacob turns his back on me while I hold my stomach, the truth at the tip of my tongue. “Ensure she never sees the light of day again.”