Chapter 5 Officially a breeder

[Ciara’s pov]

 “What happened in prison?”

I wanted so much to confide in him about everything but Thomas had stopped loving me a long time ago. 

So I looked away. “It is none of your concern.”

His expression hardened. “Ciara.”

I stepped around him. “Move.”

He didn't.

The Mate Bond pulsed between us and my wolf stirred again. I heard her scream in my head when she smelt Thomas’s scent.

I hated it.

I hated the way my body recognized him even when my heart wasn’t willing. Thomas suddenly reached for me, his fingers closed around my chin.

I froze. My mind went numb for a moment.

He turned my face toward the light, examining it. I couldn't bear the man who loved me to treat me like damaged merchandise. 

I shoved him away. “Don't touch me.”

Thomas stepped back as I saw his expression darkened. “There is nothing wrong with you… physically. You spend five years hiding behind bars from all the people that you destroyed. You are a murderer and a coward.”

“Yes, that is who I am.” I fight back my tears so hard my nose hurts. “Your mate, the murderer. The coward. Now leave me alone!”

“Listen to me.” His voice became colder, filled with hatred. “Don't you dare think you can use our Mate Bond to get close to me again.”

I stared at him. “Believe me, I'm not trying to.”

“Good.” His eyes hardened. “Because no matter what happens between us from now on, I will never forgive you.”

I forced myself not to react. “I don't need your forgiveness.”

His brows furrowed, the answer seemed to anger him. “You haven't changed.” A bitter smile touched my lips. “You're still as heartless as you were five years ago.”

My chest tightened.

Thomas stepped closer. “You murdered my sister mercilessly.”

I said nothing.

“She was your best friend.”

My fingers curled.

“She trusted you.”

My breathing became shallow.

“She loved you like a sister, and you killed her.”

I couldn’t take it anymore, the flashes of her dead body made me restless. I looked directly at Thomas. “Then why would you agree to have a child with the woman who killed your sister?”

He went silent.

I turned away because if I stayed there any longer, I was afraid my eyes would betray me. I wanted to scream that Alicent had pushed the Princess. That my adoptive family had begged me to take the blame.

I wanted to tell Thomas how Luther had staged the crime scene so perfectly that every piece of evidence pointed toward me.

But what evidence did I have now?

Nothing.

So I remained silent and walked away.

“Ciara.”

I ignored him.

“Ciara! Stop right there!”

I kept walking, my eyes burned. I reached the staircase and hurried upward. The moment I entered my room, I stopped.

Alicent was waiting inside, she looked at me and smiled.

“What are you doing here?”

She stood. “You're supposed to be getting ready.”

“For what?”

“The banquet.”

Five years in prison for her, she still bosses me around. “I thought Luther told me to stay hidden.”

“He changed his mind.” Alicent walked toward me as if she could sense I had met with Prince Thomas. 

Her eyes traveled over my face and for a brief moment, satisfaction flickered across her expressions.

“Very good patch job. You look almost presentable.”

Then she smiled sweetly. “You'll be coming downstairs.”

“I won't.”

Her smile disappeared. “You don't have a choice, sister. Change your clothes. The King and Queen are waiting for your presence.”

“Why?”

“Because you're going to greet the royal family.”

My stomach tightened.

I understood immediately. They wanted to display me as the surrogate breeder for the Alpha King. 

I looked at my reflection in the small mirror.

The patch covered the worst of the damage, but I could still see the edges of the scars. I wondered what Thomas had thought when he saw them.

Alicent went away while I helplessly stared at the clothes. I had to obey, because I knew what would happen if I refused.

I followed her downstairs, and the ballroom doors opened. For a second, I couldn't breathe. This time I entered it as a convict instead of the pack heiress.

My eyes moved toward the royal family, their eyes met mine with hatred. I lowered my gaze, knowing I had expected nothing else. 

Then Thomas entered beside Alicent.

My wolf stirred, but I forced it down.

“Tonight, we gather to announce an important decision regarding the future of the kingdom.”

My stomach sank even though this is not news to me. He is marrying her.

“Prince Thomas will marry Alicent Laurent and recognize her as his Luna. And because the future Alpha must produce an heir through his true Mate Bond…”

His gaze settled on me. “Ciara Laurent will fulfill her duty by bearing the future Crown Prince.”

I felt hundreds of eyes turn toward me.

“And after the child is born,” The King addressed them calmly. “Ciara Laurent’s remaining years of imprisonment will be erased permanently.”

Freedom. The word should have tempted me. Instead, it made me sick knowing what it would cost me. 

“No.”

The room went silent.

The King frowned. “No?”

I looked directly at him. “I'd rather return to prison.” A gasp traveled through the ballroom.

Luther's face turned red. “Ciara. Shup up!”

I didn't look at him. “I said no.”

“You ungrateful—” He stepped toward me, I barely had time to react. His hand struck my face and a sharp pain exploded through my cheek.

My head snapped sideways as the skin patch peeled away. 

It fell to the marble floor.

I stood there frozen. Then I slowly raised my hand to my cheek to cover it. My fingers touched raw, scarred skin.

I slowly lowered my hand when my eyes met Thomas's. He was staring at me but this time he was horrified. His face had gone pale.

He took one step toward me. “Ciara…”

I couldn't hear anything else because my entire world had narrowed down to one unbearable breath after another.