5: She Is Ours, Now

King Rowen and Lucien sat on an adjoining seats in the office, exuding a deathly aura, their eyes narrowed into slits, as they stared at Ethan.

Ethan, on the other hand was tongue tied, his head bowed, not daring to make eye contact.

King Rowen pushed a paper towards his twin, Lucien, who immediately signed on them. And then it was slid over to Ethan, who slowly took it, his hands trembling slightly.

“That is the deal we are willing to offer," Rowen said icily, leaving no room for argument, “She is ours now.” He concluded.

Ethan stared at the paper before him, for a moment, and his eyes dimmed.

He blinked, and stared back at the twins, “You…you are offering all… all this ..for…her?” He let his eyes trail over Alycia, who had a frown on her face.

Alycia sat in between the twins. It took everything in her not to shatter-- not to burst into tears, but she masked her expression.

She didn't say a word, but her eyes were filled with skepticism, hate, and Ethan felt a cold chill over his body.

He didn't want this. The twins were offering a ridiculous amount of money for her. An amount he never even would have dreamt of. But at this point, he desperately needed to get her out of the way.

He knew he had no choice. He knew there was nothing he could do about it. It was the Lycan Twins and no one goes against their demands. But he would be damned if he didn't at least fight for what was his.

Ethan cleared his throat, finding his voice, “ Um….My Lords. With all due respect, She..she is my mate, and…..”

“ I believe you weren't thinking about that when you were about to behead her, were you?” Rowen's chilly tone cut through the air, as he fixed his cold gaze on him.

“ Sh...she co...committed a grave crime, my Lord,” Ethan stuttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

“ And she is ours, you filthy rogue.You do not get to decide her fate any longer. We do.”

Rogue.

Ethan trembled at the word, his fists clenched under the desk.

It was Lucien, the other twin. He had been a bit quiet since they came in, and as he spoke, his voice carried an underlying threat, daring Ethan to speak another word.

Of course, in reflex, Ethan's mouth opened to say a word, but no words seemed to come out of it, and he was forced to keep shut, as instructed.

In no time they were done, but as they made to leave, Alycia remained seated.

“It is time to leave, princess," one of the twins called, but she didn't say a word. She had her gaze fixated on Ethan.

“I need to have a word with him." Her voice was but a whisper, but they heard her clearly.

She said, and the twins sat back down.

She heaved a sigh, “Alone."

"Not happening, Princess..."

" Please. Just for a moment.” She finally looked up at them, and the vulnerability in those eyes made them pause momentarily.

Rowen's features softened almost instantly, his jaw unclenching, and he seemed to relax a bit.

Lucien, on the other hand, stared at her for a while, unsure, but finally, they stood, “ Five minutes!"

As soon as the door closed behind them, Ethan let out a sharp breath. He stood from his seat almost instantly, and began to pace the room.

Alycia's palms were spread on the table, as she stared at them. And then she stood as well, crossing her hands over her chest.

“You murdered my parents." She whispered, trying so hard, but failing to keep herself from crying.

Ethan stopped pacing, and he watched her for a while, " And what difference does it make now?” he snapped.

She knew he did it, but she wanted to hear him say it. She bit her lower lips, and nodded.

"You used me.”

This time her voice shook, and her lips trembled as she stared up at the man she had called her mate. The man she had made plans to spend the rest of her life with. The man she had wholeheartedly given everything.. including her birthright. The man she had trusted with every cell in her.

Ethan's gaze softened for a moment, and then they were cold again, as he tore his eyes away from her, " In a few hours, you will no longer feel the mate bond. This was all a facade. An illusion. A plan. And it wasn't my fault you fell right into it.”

"Your biggest mistake was trusting me, Alycia. But I wouldn't blame you. I lured you into thinking that we were fated mates. You should be smarter next time.”

Alycia blinked, " What…What are you talking about?"

“You still don't get it, do you?" He snapped in disgust, “Your sister, Maya is my mate, and not you! You were just a tool to a means, but all that is ruined now…”

Her shoulders slumped, brows furrowing as she tried to register his words. They weren't mates? How in the hell was that possible?

Alivia shook her head and cleared her throat, “You do know I wouldn't sit by and let you get away with this, don't you? I trusted you! But you murdered my parents and you will pay for this, Ethan. I promise you!"

Ethan opened his mouth to speak, when the door opened, and Alycia turned her back on him and stepped out.

She didn't realize the twins were by her side, and they followed her as she walked away.

The moment they stepped out of the palace house, her knees gave out. She was almost falling to the ground, but was held back up by the twins.

“Hey, hey.. Easy there."

Then the dam broke. Hot tears cascaded down her cheeks, as the weight of the situation dwelt on her.

She had trusted him. So much.

She gave him her all, and this was what she got in return.

There was not even an atom of regret in his eyes.

Alycia barely registered a large arm pulling her to a strong chest. She clutched at his robe, almost desperately, her body trembling all over.

She didn't know how long it was, but few moments later, she found herself being pulled into an SUV.

“Come on. Get in, Princess. You are in for a long ride."

They had hardly gotten a seat, when a figure ran out of the house, and quickly approached them.

It was Maya, and her eyes were wide and bloodshot.