3. Reckless

Alpha Adric’s words didn’t let me sleep. The more I think of it, the more the world feels so small for me to breathe.

At the end I caught a fever, my skin boiling hot throughout the night. My eyes are heavy from the headache that threatens to split my head.

How can someone as fragile as me do what he says? Find the rogue Alpha's weakness?

I am already terrified of becoming his bride, and now he wants me to find a way to bring him down.

I would be dead the moment he discovered my intention.

I don’t understand my father’s hatred. I am his blood, his flesh too. Was there never a moment when he saw me as his daughter? Not even for a heartbeat. Not even for a second.

He should have ènded me the night I was born.

I’m locked in my room.

This time maids were sent to deliver meals. There were guards stationed at the door to ensure I don’t escape before my marriage with the rogue Alpha.

I’m still baffled by why Alpha Drogo wants me as his bride, and no matter how much I think about it, the answer never makes sense.

Does he know I was born under the red full moon?

Does he think I’m a curse too?

Will he treat me well or worse?

I don’t think it matters to him. Alpha Drogo was rumored to be the cruelest Alpha, under an eternal curse of the moon goddess. Some refer to him as the devil who never dies. Some say he has horns like one of those terrifying beasts that haunts its prey at night.

But no one knows truly knows the real story behind the ruthless shadow.

The door creaks open, snapping me away from my thoughts. I sit up, watching Beth step in with her mother. Both hold their heads high.

The betrayal from Nathan is still fresh in my mind. A gaping hole in my heart that I might never heal from.

“Oh dear sister, don’t tell me you’re still upset about my wedding with Nathan,” Beth says, and I glare at her. “He chose to marry me instead. It’s not my fault I am more beautiful.”

“You seduced him," I hiss. "I saw the look in your eyes whenever you see us together. How could you stoop so low and become a bitch?”

Beth launches forward and slaps me. My head whips to the side. Pain shoots through my head harder than it has already.

“You’re the cursed one here.” She sneers. “Really? You thought Nathan was going to love and marry you? You are just a placeholder. A whore to get along with until he finds the rightful woman. Me! You deserve nothing less than the Alpha you are about to marry. He is cursed too. A perfect match for you.”

As much as I hate to admit, her words stings harder than it should.

Her mother snickers behind. She steps forward, holding her daughter by the shoulder. “Don’t trouble yourself, darling. She is not worth the saliva you use on her.”

Like mother, like daughter. Miranda was the closest friend to Mom. After Mom’s marriage to Alpha Aldric, she turned against her, stole her husband, and after I was born, she struck harder, claiming Mom cheated, claiming it was the reason why I was born on the red moon.

“You are just like your mother. Always wanting what doesn’t belong to her.” Miranda says. “We are here to say our goodbye since your wedding is tomorrow. This might be the last time we’ll see each other.”

Shock ripples through my system.

“Tomorrow?”

“Haven’t you heard?” Beth chimes in. “The pack is already preparing to welcome him tonight. Gosh, you should see the terror on everyone’s faces. Your soon-to-be husband is really something.”

My head spirals into chaos. This can’t be right.

“Better make yourself presentable," Miranda advice. "Your father needs an alliance from him. You should do us a favor and please him well. He’ll be here any minute.”

I can’t hear their footsteps as they leave. Chills spread over, worsening my headache. He is coming. The rogue Alpha is coming to take me, and I will become his bride.

No, I won’t let that happen.

I will escape, find help, and come to save Mom.

I reach my door, locking it from within. Then drag heavy furniture to guard it, careful not to alert the stationed guards, exchanging boring conversation outside. After that, I search around for something heavy to break the window. My eyes land on an iron lamp at the corner, one of the old relics of Mom’s.

I grab the blanket from my bed and wrap it around the window pipe to lessen the noise. I can’t alert the guards; they’ll catch me before I even smell the border.

After that I grab the lamp with both hands, the weight pulling me down, but my nerves are running and already edged with adrenaline. I slam the lamp against it.

A dull thud first. Second, a sharp crack. On the third, the window finally shatters.

“Did you hear that?” One of the guards by the door asks.

No, no.

Quickly, stomp my feet on the floor with a loud cry. “I don’t want to marry him. I would rather kill myself! Father!”

“Quiet! Unless you’d like to be whipped!” The guard snaps.

I snap my mouth shut, dragging a hand on my face to wipe my tears. As they continue discussing, I use the blanket to sweep away the jagged part of the window and slide a foot out to test it. It’s a small window, but my fragile, lean frame manages to squeeze through.

I land with a soft thud, wincing as I almost sprain my ankle. I pull my cloak close, concealing my red, disheveled hair and face.

The pack is indeed bustling with guards and servants. Since Alpha Drogo is known to be dangerous, my father must have stationed more scouts around his chamber, as he cares for himself more than the members of his pack.

I follow the servant quarter, sneaking my way into the back sacred garden, a place with fewer scouts. The space is surprisingly empty. Thanks to the moon.

Then I hear it. Commotion.

“What do you mean she is no longer in her room?!”

“Find her now!”

The hair at the back of my neck stands. I quicken my steps towards the forest, glancing back to see if I haven’t been spotted, only to bump into a hard surface and bounce back.

I land on my tailbone with a yelp and shoot a glare at the figure. But my heart freezes.

He is unlike any other man I had seen. Tall, broad-shouldered, with green eyes that pierce through the dark, his shadow is an epitome of darkness that screams, "Run for your life." Yet it makes my heart race like thunder rolling in my ribs.

He freezes the same way I do. His thick brows knitting with curiosity and something deeper. Shock, maybe? But not with the disgusted look that is always thrown in my way.

Who is he?

"Keep searching! She wouldn't have gotten far!"

Shit!

They will find me soon.

I scramble to my feet, hiding behind the mysterious man, who seems to be more dangerous than being caught by my father's men.

He glances over his shoulder. I don't look at him but I can feel his sharp gaze piercing through my skin.

He moves a step away. I meet those eyes. They tell a lot, like hidden dark stories that send chills to every inch of my frame.

His face is perfectly framed, and just in that second, I had to admit he is the most handsome male I've ever set my eyes on.

"I'm sorry." I glance behind him, noticing my father's men close. I shift closer, using his large frame to shield my fragile one.

"I need your help," I whisper. "I will do anything you say. Serve you, be your whôre. Anything. I just need to get out of here and find help." I hold his sleeve, not minding the way he freezes and how his eyes turn colder. "I can't marry him. I can't. Please."

"Marry who?" His eyes squint, his deep baritone vibrating through my veins.

I hesitate, but it's better he knows if I do need his help. He is a stranger, probably one of my father's strong allies, judging from his sleek, strong appearance.

"Alpha Drogo," I say, desperation etching my tone. His jaw thickens. "I will die if I marry him. I have no wolf to endure him. Please. Help."

He stares at me for a breath longer. The silence is deafening between us, only broken by the shout of the soldiers spotting me.

"So you're telling me. I should help you escape so you wouldn't have to marry me."

It takes seconds before his words sink in. I release his sleeve, staggering back with wide eyes and mouth.

I taste iron in my throat, and the world doesn't feel the same anymore.

"You're... You're... Alpha Drogo?"