Chapter 4

Alicia's POV

"You can't escape me, Alicia. The sooner you realize that, the better for all of us," Alpha Astor exclaimed, stunning me before I could create any more disturbances, as I had already gone too far, causing me to lose consciousness almost instantly.

"Guards, keep a close watch on her and ensure no one enters the room without my explicit permission. Is that clear?" he instructed the guards, who couldn't meet his gaze, and they all nodded in agreement.

I awoke from my motionless slumber and noticed that everything had become quiet. "Ouch... Oh... my head... it... it hurts," I murmured to myself as I slowly placed my feet on the floor, and suddenly, the memories came rushing back.

"Did we... did we kiss?" I pondered to myself, and my eyes widened as the memories flooded back. When I had been dazed, I couldn't recall what had happened next, but now, with my pounding headache, it felt like the aftermath of a hangover from too much drinking. I felt dreadful and disoriented, having been attacked by a man in his wolf form.

"Is anyone out there? Hello?" I pounded on the door, but my strength waned, and I collapsed to the ground, overcome by despair.

"Mom... Dad... You made the toughest choice by leaving this world and leaving me behind in this harsh reality. You both did your best. I deserve better than this," I whispered to myself, wiping away the warm tears that streamed down my face, recalling my mom's words echoing in my mind once more.

"My beloved angel, I vowed to provide you with the finest life and ensure your future partner is worthy of you," but now, all those assurances felt hollow. I was nowhere near being a princess, let alone finding a suitable suitor.

Suddenly, I glanced out the window and saw an opportunity to escape if I could only break the glass. As I began searching for an object to assist me, the door suddenly swung open.

"And just what do you think you're up to?" I jolted in alarm, quickly retreating to a corner, my body drenched in sweat.

"I-I-I'm sorry. I won't do that again. Please, don't tell anyone," I pleaded, sinking to my knees almost instantly, feeling as if my entire world was falling apart before me. I couldn't bear to meet the gaze of the guard standing before me.

"Alright, get up. Let's take you back to where you belong, okay?" he said, helping me up from the cold tiled floor, which seemed to exude an air of opulence and secrecy. I sensed something peculiar about the room, but it wasn't the time to dwell on it.

I followed the guard from behind, resembling a lost puppy, while other maids, slaves, and guards observed me. They all knew I hadn't spent the previous night in my prison cell. My torn clothes were a testament to my futile attempt to escape Alpha Astor's grasp, but I dared not reveal that to anyone else, knowing that it could cost me my life.

I returned to my cell, once again confined as the violent individual I had been from the start. Unlike the others, I wasn't allowed to engage in any activities, as they feared I might attempt to escape, a scenario that could cost the guards their lives.

My fellow inmates who were not on duty rushed over to me almost immediately.

"Hey, are you alright? You appear quite pale. The rumors about your torn clothes have spread throughout the place like wildfire. Who did you meet with last night?" a woman, almost the same age as my mother would have been if she were alive, inquired.

"I met with Alpha Astor," I whispered to her, and she looked at me in shock and confusion.

"You did what? That beast? Did he hurt you?" she exclaimed, spinning me around to check for any injuries.

"No, he didn't hurt me," I reassured her.

"Good. Good. He's not a good man, and you must avoid him at all costs. He's a murderer and resorts to force to get what he wants, okay?" Mrs. Sinclair advised, pulling me into a tight hug.

"I won't. I won't meet with him again. He's so evil," I whispered to myself as warm tears trickled down my cheek. 

She gently stroked my hair, and since I was utterly exhausted, I rested my head on her lap, drifting off to sleep.

The sun had set in the northern sky, causing the prison walls to heat up and rouse me from my slumber. While my fellow inmates had been taken out to perform strenuous labor, I remained confined due to Alpha Astor's peculiar interest in me. My initial lack of compliance had eroded the guards' trust in me, making them hesitant to allow me outside. Nevertheless, we had been well-fed since my arrival.

"Leave and do not permit anyone to enter until I'm finished. Is that clear?" he snapped, his eyes turning red as he issued the command. They all responded, "Yes, your Highness," bowing before exiting the area.

I was already awake, his voice still echoing in my mind. Determined not to face him, I turned my back against him and stared at the prison wall.

"What do you want from me, huh? You refuse to let me go, and I won't be your plaything, alright? I won't!" I confronted him without hesitation, paying little heed to what he had to say.

"I've been deeply concerned since yesterday. I couldn't get you out of my mind," he replied calmly, extending his hand towards me in the cell. Although I wasn't facing him, I sensed his intention to touch me.

"So... you intend to forcefully kiss me again like you did the other night, or what? What is it that you want from me? And don't bother trying to play the good Samaritan or the nice guy, because we both know it's all a façade," I countered.

"Fine! It's clear you're still in the game. Let's see how long you can hold out!" he exclaimed angrily before storming off.

As soon as he departed, I felt something inside me shatter. I grappled with the urge to call him back or to maintain my composure, but ultimately, I succumbed to tears, my thoughts returning to my stepmother, the one who had led me into this predicament in the first place.

I vowed that she wouldn't escape retribution if I ever managed to escape from this place. This promise echoed within me as I clenched my fists.

I languished in the prison's monotony. The surroundings were dull, and it was evident that they had no intention of allowing me to join the others working in the fields. Alpha Astor's command to keep me under constant watch seemed to be strictly adhered to.

"Hello? Can anyone hear me? Excuse me!" I yelled, pounding on the prison gate, but there was no response, leaving me utterly frustrated. I struck my hand against the wall in frustration, cursing under my breath. "Damn!" I exclaimed as I noticed a trickle of blood from my injured hand. However, I quickly wiped it away and regained my composure.

Before long, a werewolf guard arrived, his gaze fixed on me. I glared back at him, seething with anger, but I dared not speak.

"What was all that noise about?" he inquired, his voice tinged with gruffness, though it didn't faze me much. I decided to keep my cool to avoid any further trouble.

"I need to use the restroom. Seriously, you can't expect me to do that here," I retorted, meeting his gaze with a hint of seriousness that soon transformed into a scoff.

"What's so amusing? I said I need to go, and you're laughing. Does this situation strike you as funny..." I couldn't finish my sentence as he interrupted me.

"Listen here, young lady. It seems you're unaware of the predicament you're in... I'm not your equal here; you're the one in servitude, and you'll obey whatever I say! If you're in dire need, then do your business right here; otherwise, you'll only have yourself to blame," the werewolf soldier admonished, his eyes filled with disdain.

"So you're trying to tell me that every..." I couldn't finish my sentence when he forcefully pulled me closer by my prison garb.

"Say one more word, Alicia, just one more word, and I'll demonstrate why they've appointed me as the captain of this prison guard!" He yelled, causing me to go silent instantly.

He released my attire, and I collapsed onto the prison floor. I resumed my position, realizing that this guard was far more astute than I had anticipated. It seemed my plan had failed; he must have suspected I had something up my sleeve, which was why he refused to allow me out of the prison.

When I realized that I couldn't just sit there doing nothing, I began to sing a song to myself. After a while, I drifted off to sleep. I could tell that the werewolf guard enjoyed the way I hummed the song, as I heard him softly joining in.

The sound of the prison doors slamming woke me up. I observed the remaining prisoners being ushered into their cells; they all appeared tired and hungry. Some immediately collapsed and fell asleep, while others lay on the floor with open eyes, unable to sleep due to hunger. It was really terrible, the kind of unfair treatment we were subjected to here.

"Hello, Mrs. Sinclair," I greeted, relieved to see her. I had missed her company, and I had no one to talk to since morning. At least now, I had someone to converse with.

"Hey, dear. How are you? I've got something to share with you," she replied, glancing around to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

"Go on," I encouraged.

"Are you aware that Alpha Astor's marriage has become the talk of the whole place? He's getting married to a lady named Melissa."

She moved closer to me, speaking in a hushed tone to keep the conversation private.

"They say the Luna is a distant ally of this kingdom. I think she should be arriving tonight," Mrs. Sinclair, who was like a mother to me, shared the news.

"Are you sure about everything you're saying?" I asked, seeking reassurance.

"Why would I lie to you about that? Of course, my dear, it's real."

"With Melissa entering the picture, trouble is looming," I thought to myself, growing increasingly concerned.