The Alpha’s Prize

~HunterI awake slowly, my numb arm rolling under me as I turn, blinking through the mellow light that guides me back into a state of wakefulness.Distantly, I feel pain in my middle back, pressing in as more consciousness dawns on me. My senses are too distracted to truly accept the pain, a cloying scent of flowers muddled with dirt surrounding me."Oh...You're awake."I blink, feeling the soft press of a pillow beneath my head, of blankets draped over me. I'm not outside...I'm not in the forest.I’m inside. Trapped.My attempts to sit up are quickly thwarted by the stabbing pain in my back.I was shot, by an arrow, and by the chemical taste on the back of my tongue, it was laced with poison."What's going on,” I grit out, as a face pops into my vision from the side of the bed.It’s the girl from the forest. I growl, trying to move, but the pain in my back is so overwhelming I’m left paralysed."Woah, you should calm down, you don't want to exert so much energy," she warns, patting m

~HunterI stare down at the plate in front of me, trying not to grimace.I've been propped up on a stiff chair at a table adorned with food I can't bear to stomach right now.There is an insistent, stabbing pain in my back, but I've been told this dinner is an honour for me to attend, as I am in the presence of Alpha royalty.The two straight-backed, stern-faced people in front of me are the parents of Kaan and Taysa, and the previous Alpha and Luna.Tay told me as she helped me stumble my way downstairs that they relinquished their title to Kaan, but not their control.They look so much like two as well.The father has cold green eyes like Kaan, although slightly more narrowed. The mother is much more like Taysa, with warmer eyes and softer features."Thank you for joining us for dinner," the man says. Cyrus is his name, I believe.Allira, the previous Luna, gives me a long look. "I want to apologise on behalf of my son. I understand he did not mean to shoot you, he was just concerne

~HunterFor the first time in days, I'm not in excruciating pain.The slightly too hot water has numbed my senses in the most blissful way. The soap, scented rose and vanilla leaves my skin feeling smooth and buttery.However, this is one thing ruining my experience.“I don’t like the fact that you could turn around at any moment," I mumble, casting my gaze back to Kaan.It's only been five minutes since I sat down but he hasn't so much as tilted his head in my direction.“Believe it or not, I have no interest in seeing you undressed," he responds.I roll my eyes.Maybe it's because my mind is no longer on the pain, or maybe I'm just losing it, but I can't help but wonder if he has a lover. Not because I want him, but because Tay mentioned that they don't breach these walls often.“Have you even spoken to a woman other than your sisters?” It comes out like a dig, which I don't mind.His shoulders tense. “What makes you think I don’t?”“Taysa doesn’t see anyone, so I presumed…” I drift

~HunterI grit my teeth, pain searing down my back."Stand.""I can stand.""Then do it."Huffing out a breath, I stare at my legs stretched out in front of me. I was instructed by Kaan to lay down on the grass and now I'm going through the painful process of trying to get to my feet.Sliding from the bed is one thing. Actually standing up entirely is a whole other battle.And it doesn't help that Kaan is staring down at me with his arms folded, his brows raised."Give me a second..." I mumble, trying to manoeuvre my legs under me so I can rest on them.The pain isn't even the difficult part to overcome. It's how weak my legs have become, how little they respond to my silent demands."You're overthinking. Use your legs," Kaan instructs.I glare at his boots, wishing he didn't feel obliged to help me. Regardless of how I feel about it, I'm letting him aid me in my recovery in hopes it gets me out of here quicker."Grab me if you need to," he murmurs, extending a hand.I ignore it."I'l

~HunterThe air is cold around me as I stalk as quickly toward the edge of the forest as fast I can.My legs and back collectively protest with each step, but I fight on. This is the first time I've left the manor since I got here a few weeks ago, and it feels great.Even if each step makes me feel like I'm about to collapse.Once I make it to the perimeter wall, I scale along it to find a side gate that staff use. Tay mentioned in passing that the lock is rusty and no one has bothered to replace it.I knock it loose and pass through with little issue.I pick my way carefully through the forest, trying to focus with the low lighting. The nearest village isn't too far from here, apparently, and I want to find out where Kaan is going, and what he's doing in the middle of the night."Following me?"I nearly scream, whirling around. Kaan emerges from behind a tree, smirking knowingly at me.Letting out a deep breath, I try calm my thundering heart. When did he figure out I was following h