The Alpha's Cruelty

~ Emilia ~

I watched Adrain leave and shook my head in disgust.

Adrain isn't even worth my love.

But wasn’t I even a fool for falling for someone who made it clear in the first place that our marriage was just for paper's sake and nothing else attached to it?

But something off was going on in this pack. I have overheard Austin complaining about a curse and the death of someone.

I hissed; it shouldn’t be any of my business though. The pack's affairs aren't meant to be bothering me.

My next plan was finding out more about Charlotte and how she is anyway, Ava.

I looked at the drawing and made up my mind not to continue with it or even look at it ever again.

I needed to concentrate on my well-being till the marriage days elapse, and I would leave just as he said.

I folded back the half-painted drawing, including the box of instruments I needed for the drawing, and headed outside to trash it.

I didn’t want to trash it anywhere close because looking at it might make me want to bring it back and continue with it.

I left the Alphas' quarters, where I stayed with Adrain, and headed to the servants' quarters, then moved to the courtyard.

Thrashing it in the courtyard would mean not seeing it again.

I stood at the door that led to the courtyard and watched what was going on.

Adrain stood on the stage, his hands clasped behind his back, with Austin beside him. Then some old-looking men, and then Ivy too.

It seemed like he had summoned his guards.

Because all the guards stood in lines, like they were at an orientation ground.

They all bowed as Adrain paced back and forth on the stage.

No one dared move or even shake. I glanced at Austin and the old men, and they were all bowing.

Was that really what authority meant?

“To address the issue at hand,” Adrain's voice rang in the entire courtyard. "Let it not be heard or ever said that the guards would resign from their duty post over the death of a fellow guard.” He commanded.

Everyone in the assembly ground stood still, his voice buried inside of them. They feared Adrain so much that they prayed they never crossed paths with him to avoid making a mistake in his watch.

“As you all know, Killian, the second in command to the general commander, is dead, and we will therefore appoint a new one.” He turned to Austin.

"Austin will take care of that later." He concluded and turned to leave.

The old men and even Austin looked at him inquiringly, like they had expected him to do or say something more.

“Austin, dismiss them." He turned back to Austin.

“Alpha!" A guard called from the other end of the ground.

I shifted closer and raised my head to look, then found out the courtyard had more than one entrance.

The guard walked in, followed by two other guards. They were carrying a body that looked lifeless.

They carried him to Adrain's front, then dropped the body and knelt before leaving.

Adrain kicked the body slightly, and I gasped, scared at what I saw.

The very guard that lay on the bare floor was lifeless; his body looked pale and cold. He didn’t move when Adrain gave him a kick.

But why on earth would Adrain give a lifeless body such a kick?

Was he that heartless?

“You can dispose of his body in the forest. Austin will appoint a new second in command once I leave. And he will be the one with four other guards to dispose of him." He said and shut his eyes for a moment.

Adrain was really cruel. Was disposing of a body part of their tradition as wolves?

Even if it were, he shouldn’t have kicked him like he was a piece of rag. This very guard risked his life to protect the pack.

Adrain opened his eyes after a few seconds.

Austin walked up to him while he was about to step down from the stage.

He whispered into his ears while Adrian shook his head at intervals. Others watched without saying a word.

Austin's face fell in utmost disappointment, and he stepped backward, making way for Adrain to pass.

I looked away when I heard the sound of clattering glass.

A piece of glass had shattered right beside me.

I stepped backward and missed my step, then tripped and fell into someone's arms.

I raised my hands to find out it was Adrain.

My thigh landed on his, brushing his thighs. One hand grabbed his chest, and his hands held my waist.

I stared into his eyes, and our eyes locked. Something primal tugged at me as my memory was clouded with his