"You have to release her back to us. We will not leave her here in a cage." Stella fumed, beginning to dislike the very reason, didn't want to be away from her and two, because it was the law. Any trespasser would be locked up for three days and that was law and he wasn't about to break that even for his mate.
"There has to be another way."
Alpha Jayden tried to reason with him.
"There isn't," said Alex in a strict tone.
The moment he found out they were Mia's parents and they were done with their emotional drama of exchanging kisses and hugs, he threw her back into her cell.
They were now in his spacious and luxurious study. Alex was sitting comfortably on his chair while they stood in apprehension. He wasn't bothered because this was his Pack and he could do pretty much whatever he pleased with whoever he wanted here.
Mia cursed at him, throwing kicks and punches at the wind while he walked away from the scene.
Her parents had followed him back to his study to protest and that was where they had been for almost twenty minutes.
Whenever he was tired of their invasion of his privacy, he would throw them into another cell away from their daughter's.
"It's law and I don't care if she's my mat-betrothed." He was quick to stop himself from saying mate. They weren't aware and he'd like it to remain that way. "She's staying put," hee finished dismissively while thumbing through a file.
"What unjust law is that?" Stella snapped. Well, it seemed Stella didn't understand his dismissal.
Alex curled his palm into a fist, getting upset.
"At least, I don't kill intruders like your clan does." Alex seethed and it got them shut. "Now, get the hell out of my study and out of my Kingdom before I change my mind and lock you up alongside your daughter."
Alex had gotten up from his chair angrily and what the Alpha and his wife beheld wasn't a man, it was a real beast–a devil.
His eyes were now pure red and he suddenly seemed much bigger. They widened their eyes and fought to believe it was all a part of their imagination in order to remain sane.
They couldn't tell when they exited his study but all they knew was they did with the speed of lightning.
That day, Alpha Jayden understood what it felt like to be commanded by an Alpha which should be impossible as he was also an Alpha.
Who was this dude?
Stella made a quick, secret visit to Mia before leaving, promising to return the next day to get her out.
It wasn't exactly secret because the same man they tried to hide it from was well aware and could hear their every conversation.
"Be careful around, baby,"
Stella advised Mia silently. "You have to be. Promise me you'd be."
"Around who mom?" Mia whispered back, seemingly confused.
"The Alpha." Her mother was quick to reply, while throwing furtive glances around.
"I haven't even met him yet. How is he?" Mia asked as her curiosity bubbled.
"You have, hun. He's the one we returned with," her mother explained quickly in fear that the Alpha would arrive any minute and keep to his threat.
Mia's mouth fell open and realization washed over her.
"We have to go now." It was Alpha Jayden who had come to get his wife after waiting for her in his carriage for a while. He didn't want to take any chances with the Alpha as he hadn't even brought any soldiers in a bid to propel peace .
"We have to go now, love" Stella said, placing a gentle kiss on Mia head.
"I have to tell you something, ma." Mia was going tell her that she had found her mate and that mate was apparently the Alpha she was betrothed to. If that wasn't fate, she didn't know what was.
"You'll tell me tomorrow, I promise." Stella hated having to leave her precious little angel there all by herself and she struggled to hold back her tears.
Mia nodded in agreement as she reluctantly let go of her mother's hand.
She didn't know why they were in such a hurry but she was positive it had something to do with the Alpha, Alexander Heartman.
She liked his name too-what was her problem? She should be mad at him for throwing her back into her cell instead of grinning lovingly at the wall.
•••••
Stella got back into the carriage and broke down in tears, she had never been separated from her child before so now that she was, she was beyond heartbroken.
Alpha Jayden drew her into a tight embrace as the carriage took off back to their Pack.
"I'm really sorry." Alpha Jayden felt the need to apologize for being so weak.
"It's not your fault." Stella clung to him like her sanity depended on his touch.
Her lips trembled and her chest heaved as she sobbed more.
When she was done crying, she fell asleep in his arms and Alpha Jayden felt all the lost love start to rekindle. Alpha Jayden had always loved a sleeping Stella. She was always so peaceful and cute which weren't something he got to see everyday. He loved her and that was in no way questionable.
Did they have their ups and downs? Yes.
Did they fight all the time? Definitely.
But did he love every bit of her, even at her worst? Yes, he did and he always would.
•••••••••
Alex sat in his study, listening to the heartbeat of his mate.
It was slow and rhythmic and he found comfort in it, peace too.
She was excited again. He could feel it through the bond and he wished he understood why.
She was locked up for crying out loud!
Alex quickly rid himself of her thoughts when he realized just how much she had invaded his head.
He needed to find a way to block this bond and he needed to, quickly.
••••••••••••
Stella hadn't lied as she had returned to Crystal Moon Pack the next day promptly. She had suggested going there with guards and fighting for their child but Alpha Jayden was able to convince her otherwise, thankfully.
When they arrived there, Alex was a tad more receptive and even gave allocated luxurious rooms to them and their escorts.
Although he was arrogant, he was also very generous and it left them wondering just how wealthy he was and how he had acquired such wealth.
Although he had refused to release Mia until she served her jail time, he however made sure she was well taken care of.
She, on her side, made sure to stay entertained by her maid friends who did their chores very quick and early too just so they'd spend time with princess Mia. They had been thrilled to discover she was a princess and wanted to be just like her.
Mia had also gotten a bit attached to them herself but she missed Isa alot and even told them about her.
"I hope she's not in any trouble."
Anna chirped worriedly when Mia told them of Isabelle's plans and how they got her there.
"I don't know but it worries me," Mia said thoughtfully. "I promise to ask mother when she comes to see me again."
She swallowed a saliva, dreading the thoughts of what might or might not have happened to Isa.