Chapter 12

Lisa's POV

I struggled against my bonds as I was roughly dragged by one of the goons as we went to the palace. I couldn't believe that this was happening. I had been captured by the werewolves after all despite my best attempts. They had learnt their lessons the hard way so my hands were tied behind stopping me from using my powers to escape.

They all must have looked an intimidating sight to anyone watching judging from their appearance. The sentinels around must have never heard of shirts as their upper bodies were bare leaving their well defined muscles to all and sundry. In a different world I would have swooned at the sight of all these hot male bodies around me.

The brazen show of bodies was something that creatures like the vampires wouldn't do. They more much too noble and proud to behave barbaric. At least in public. When outside, their lords affected a gentlemanly air around them that could fool the unwary.

I was pulled out of my thoughts roughly as I stumbled and fell on the rough stones that filled the woods. I grazed my knees as I was pulled up rather roughly by my captor. Ahead of us, the Alpha grumbled aloud and told us to increase our pace.

For a strange reason, I felt attracted to the Alpha. It was as if something was pulling me to him. There was the issue where he had called me mate but that certainly was a mistake. Maybe I reminded him of someone he had lost. Things had taken a turn when he held me by the neck demanding explanations.

There was the sound of a whistle being blown and I saw that our surroundings had evened out to a flater landscape. We were out of the woods. Despite myself, I was impressed with the sight of the castle as it rose up from the mist like some ghostly spectre. I sighed with relief when we got closer and I saw the gates. It had been a long trek and my limbs were aching already. I reckoned that it wouldn't be long till dawn. All I could think of was a warm bed.

"The palace is this way, where are we going to," I asked in surprise as I noticed that we weren't going through the gates but had diverted to a windy path on our left.

There was no answer from any of them at my words. Instead some of the guards left us and headed back to the woods. Their perfect synchrony without speaking made me pause and realise that the Alpha must have given them instructions through the mind link. I knew this because i had read books on werewolves while growing up.

The path led to a stony dark cave that seemed to lead underground. Without breaking in their strides, the rest of the guards all went in lowering their heads as they did so. I was pushed in too and narrowly missed bumping my head on the low ceiling. My chains along the stony ground was the only sound amongst us as we walked on.

We came to a stop among a row of doors that looked suspiciously like prison cells. The Alpha gestured for me to be brought forward and with the aid of a lighted torch, we both entered a rather spacious cell. I was pushed to the ground while he hovered above me. I knew it was an intimidation tactic so I wasn't fazed by it.

After a brief talk between them, the rest of the wolves left us too. The Alpha and I were now alone which didn't seem like a good idea as I saw his hostile eyes piercing into me and I felt small and dirty under his intense gaze. I was scared to be alone with him as I felt his aura becoming overwhelming.

"I missed a really good party to be here so start talking now. For starters, what's your name." He said coldly.

"Lisa Adrian," I replied back quickly. His tone showed that he wouldn't tolerate any argument. I knew how men could get when exasperated.

"What are you, apart from the filth on you, you don't have a scent which means you're not a wolf. You don't seem like a vampire either. My best bet is that you're a witch."

I winced a little at his sharp words. I realized how bedraggled I must look to him. My mind raced, contemplating how much I should reveal. The truth could be my only ally in this dark situation.

"I am a vampire," I said, meeting the Alpha's intense gaze with a mixture of defiance and fear. I gulped and looked down when he matched my stare without blinking. "But I mean no harm. I'm not a threat to your pack or your territory. Your men caught me when I mistakenly strayed into your territory."

He scrutinized me, his eyes searching for any signs of deception. The tension in the air thickened as I waited for his reaction. After what felt like an eternity, he finally spoke.

"You were running in the middle of the night when you were caught. Who were you running away from?,"

I twirled my fingers behind me wondering if it was safe to tell him the truth. For all I know, it could start a war between two factions. I looked up at him to see that he was still waiting expectantly.

"Lord Alireza Firouzja," I finally said. I heard him take a sharp intake of breath at my words. It was clear that the news affected him however much he tried not to show it.

"Hmmm. You mean he's close here. What business does he have with you in the first place?,"

"I'm his daughter," I said ashamed of saying it aloud. Lord Alireza had never played a fatherly role in my life despite seeding me.

"What wouldn't old Alireza give to get his daughter back" He said aloud to himself with a chuckle. From the look on his face, I knew that he was thinking of how he could play this to his advantage. As Alpha and vampire lord, they were both natural enemies and the stakes would definitely be high.

"If you're thinking of using me as a bargaining chip, you can forget about it. He wouldn't care less about what happens to me. I'm his illegitimate daughter, he'll be happy that I'm gone."

"Bastard daughter or not. What proper father will let his daughter die like that. I'm curious as to why you ran away from your clan in the first place."

"I was locked up in the dungeons. I escaped the first chance I got. It was all going well before your men caught me." I said throwing him a dirty look.

"But where were you running to?," He asked, ignoring my looks. "You don't look like you know your way around this side."

"I was going to go to Anver. I don't really remember my mother but i heard it was her hometown. My relatives would be there too so I won't be stranded."

"Why did your father lock you up in the first place. You must have really annoyed him."