Near Death

A long, deep inhale and then a deep, threatening growl follows after. In the next moment, Alaric's hand moves from where he restrained my hands and instead, his hands enclose around my neck, restricting my airflow.

My eyes snap open, wide and alarmed and I notice with dread that the gleam in his eyes had receded again.

His hold on my throat tightens crushingly and with my now free hands, I claw at his hands violently, struggling to catch a breath of air.

"Why? Do you think you can get me to fuck you just because you look a little like my beloved?" Alaric hisses in a low tone, thick with disdain.

"I... I... please..." I beg desperately, tears sprung to my eyes as black spots dance across my vision.

"You may look like her...but you do not smell like her. Do not think of me as a fool... I knew when I saw you in the woods that Cedric would get ideas, I just did not realize you were foolish and greedy enough to accept whatever he offered you." Alaric spat viciously,

"I will never...never, make love to you. Let that sink into your head and never try this madness again. If you come anywhere near me, I will kill you." Alaric makes a solemn promise.

"Now run... run and do not look back." Alaric hissed.

His grip loosens and I crumble to the ground, gasping for breath as I clutch my chest.

"Leave!" Alaric roared,

I scramble to my feet, forgetting my robe in my haste, I dive for the door, forcing it open and I dash out, and I just keep running down the hallway until I barrel into someone.

"Kyra! Kyra!" Sera calls, grabbing my shoulders to steady me, she shakes me back to reality.

My gaze moves up to meet Sera's and a sob tears its way out of my throat, Sera's worried gaze searches mine.

"What did he do?" She asked me, her tone tight.

"He...he is a monster! He... I can't... I..." My words stumble over themselves and I cannot form a full statement.

Sera breathes a heavy sigh and pulls me into a hug, in the next moment, I am fully crying.

I sob loudly until another familiar voice reaches us.

"By the Supreme's orders, Kyra is to be sent back to the cells." Tracker's voice is easily recognized.

Sera does not let go of me, instead she addresses Tracker, her tone still tight.

"Turn around and take off your jacket." Sera orders firmly.

I do not see if Tracker complies, but I realize he does when Sera straps a large jacket over my shoulder, shielding my barely clothed body from any eyes.

The jacket was large enough to reach the mid thigh and so I was completely covered, and it also banished the chills of the night.

"If she is decent, I will take her away now." Tracker interrupts, as Sera buttons up the jacket.

I glance up at Tracker, his gaze stares straight ahead and does not meet mine. I want to ask exactly when he received the order from Alaric, but I do not dare voice the name ever again.

Sera helps me up to my feet and then stands aside. "Go with Tracker for now, I will speak with Top and get you out of there soon, but the Supreme's orders..."

"Must be obeyed." I murmur in understanding.

Tracker gestures with his head and then goes off down the hallway and I obediently follow behind him, eager to be as far away from Alaric as I can be.

Soon, we are in the elevator leading down to the holding cells.

"Cedric is a fool. And you... you will be nothing but a victim if you do not think of a way out for yourself." Tracker says out of the blue.

I glance over at Tracker in surprise but his gaze is fixed on the elevator door.

"I... Cedric... I mean Top, does he want me harmed?" I ask in terror.

Tracker glances over at me and then shakes his head slightly.

"No one wants you harmed here, Kyra..at least not yet. Cedric has good intentions, he is Alaric's best friend...they are practically brothers and the idea of getting Alaric back to normal will send him into a frenzy, doing everything and anything."

"Cedric does not want you harmed, but he knows the Luna supreme is a sensitive spot for Alaric. He is forcing Alaric's hand. This could go one of two ways, you either succeed or you die. In favor of the first possibility, Cedric is willing to risk the second." Tracker clarifies.

"Everyone is willing to risk that for a possibility of getting Alaric to normal. You should expect that much, Alaric is our Supreme... whereas you...well you're not much of anything." Tracker adds as an afterthought.

Tracker's words are harsh, but I can tell he is being completely honest and I appreciated that, it is more than I can hope for at this time.

"What would you... advise me to do?" I ask uncertainly.

Tracker remains quiet for a long time and just when I conclude he will not say anything, he speaks.

"The facts are this, you look exactly like the Luna supreme, but you are not her and of all people to fool, Alaric would be the last...to mistake his most beloved woman for another." Tracker begins.

"But you cannot escape this situation and so think of your own way, a way everybody gets what they want including you. If I were you, I would not be trying to be someone else."

"Alaric already fell in love with the Luna supreme, he can equally fall for another. Not an impostor... just another unique woman." Tracker murmured.

I think over his words, wringing my hands and I remain deep in thought till we arrive at the holding cell.

"Go in. Top won't let this opportunity go, he may be more stubborn than the Supreme is... so, you don't have to worry about being here for long. But you might also end up here often, being caught between Top and the supreme so...get used to it." Tracker adviced.

"Why are you helping me? You don't like me... clearly." I quickly ask.

"Help you? When did I ever do that?" Tracker asks, glaring at me before he slams the door in my face.