CH. 3: Battlefront

For a moment, I panicked, wondering where Draco had gone. Had something happened to him? Had he been killed in kidnapped? I relaxed. I shouldn't care what happened to him anyway.

He kept my people under his thumb.

I quickly got dressed and made my way to the door, intent on finding out what was going on. But the guards stationed outside stopped me in my tracks.

"Where is Draco?" I demanded, my voice sharp. "What's happened?"

The guards looked at each other warily, as if they weren't sure what to say. Finally, one of them spoke up. "The Alpha has gone to battle, my lady. He left early this morning with his troops."

My heart sank at the news. I didn't know what to make of it. Was he fighting against my pack? Was he trying to prove his strength as a leader? I couldn't bear the thought of him being hurt or killed, but I also knew that I couldn't stay here and do nothing.

I turned to the guards, trying to muster up some kind of authority. "I need to go to the battlefront," I said, my voice firm. "I need to see what's going on for myself."

The guards exchanged another wary glance, and I knew that they weren't going to let me leave. I felt a surge of anger, feeling trapped and powerless.

"I have to do something," I muttered to myself, pacing back and forth in the room. "I can't just sit here and wait for him to come back. I need to find a way out."

That's when I spotted the window. It was high up on the wall, but I knew that I could make the jump if I had to. I quickly ran over to it and peered out, checking to make sure that there were no guards outside.

The coast was clear, so I took a deep breath and climbed onto the windowsill. I steadied myself for a moment, feeling the cool breeze on my face, and then launched myself out into the air.

I landed with a thud on the ground below, wincing at the impact. But I didn't have time to worry about bruises or broken bones. I had to get to the battlefront, to see what was happening.

I started running as fast as I could, my heart pounding in my chest. I could hear the distant sound of growling and wolves fighting, and I knew that I was getting closer.

But before I could reach the front lines, I was intercepted by a group of Devilclaw warriors. They surrounded me, their weapons at the ready.

"What are you doing here, girl?" one of them demanded, his voice gruff.

"I need to see Draco," I said, my voice shaking slightly. "I have important information for him."

The soldiers looked at each other skeptically, but they eventually relented and led me to Draco's tent. They must be scared shitless by a lady who dared call Draco by his name.

It wasn't Draco in the tent. It was Logan.

He sat behind a desk, his expression unreadable.

"What is it that you want, girl?" he asked, his voice rough.

"I need to know what's going on," I said, my voice firm. "I need to know why Draco is fighting."

Logan's expression hardened, and I could tell that he was angry. "You have no business being here," he growled. "You are not a soldier, and you have no right to interfere."

"But I am his wife," I protested. "I need to do something."

Logan shook his head, a look of disdain on his face. "You are a bride, nothing more. You have no place on the battlefield. I'd get the guards escort you back to your chambers."

"No, Logan. I—"

"It's not open for arguments, girl."

•••

After being forcibly taken back to the castle, I found myself back in my room once again. I was bored out of my mind, my thoughts consumed by the battle that I had just missed. I paced around the room, trying to shake off the feeling of helplessness that had settled over me.

As I studied the length and breadth of the room, I noticed a young maid moving around, setting the table for lunch. She looked up at me and smiled hesitantly.

"Hello, my lady," she said softly. "My name is Elsie. Can I get you anything?"

I felt a spark of excitement at the thought of having someone to talk to. "No, thank you," I said, my voice friendly. "But can I ask you something?"

"Of course, my lady," Elsie said, her expression curious.

"What's it like here?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual. "I mean, what's it like living in this castle?"

Elsie hesitated for a moment, as if trying to choose her words carefully. "It's...not always easy," she said finally, her voice low. "The Alpha can be...difficult, at times. And his previous wives..."

She trailed off, but I could sense the fear in her voice. "What about them?" I pressed, feeling a sense of foreboding.

"They all died," Elsie said quietly. "One way or another."

My heart sank at the news, and I felt a sense of cold dread wash over me. Was this my fate, too? To be trapped here, married to a man who had already lost multiple wives?

I didn't know what to do, or where to turn. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape.

But almost immediately, the door burst open, and in strode Draco. His armor was dented and bloodied, and he looked tired but exhilarated.

•••

I didn't know what to make of his sudden appearance, or his enthusiasm. But despite my fear, I found myself drawn to him.

"I'm glad you're back," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady. "Are you...okay?"

Draco looked at me, his expression unreadable. For a moment, I thought that he was going to snap at me, or dismiss me entirely. But instead, he moved towards me, his hand reaching out to touch my cheek.

"You're so sweet," he said, his voice low and almost...affectionate. "So soft and supple."

I felt my heart skip a beat at his words, a flush creeping up my neck. Despite everything that had happened, despite my fear and uncertainty, I couldn't help but feel a spark of attraction to this man.

As he drew closer, I could feel his breath on my neck, his hand moving down to rest on my waist. I should have been scared, or repulsed, but instead I found myself leaning in closer to him, wanting more.

And then, just as suddenly as he had appeared, he pulled away from me, a look of anger on his face.

"But don't think for a second that you can be a warrior," he growled, his eyes flashing. "You are my bride, and your only purpose is to bear my children and keep me satisfied."

I felt a surge of anger at his words, feeling as if he was trying to control me. But even as I pushed back against him, I couldn't deny the spark of attraction that still lingered between us.

I didn't know what the future held,

•••

Despite everything, despite the fear and uncertainty, I found myself consumed by passion in Draco's bedchamber. I couldn't deny the way his touch made my skin tingle, or the way his kisses made my heart race.

But just as we were reaching the height of passion, something inside me snapped. I couldn't bear the thought of being trapped here, unable to control my own fate. And so, I pushed him away and ran from the room.

I didn't know where I was going, or what I was going to do. I just knew that I needed to escape, to find some sense of freedom and control in my life.

As I ran through the corridors, my heart racing and my breath coming in short gasps, I saw Elsie up ahead, cleaning a room.

"Elsie," I said breathlessly, grabbing her arm. "Please, you have to help me. I can't stay here any longer."