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ALTHEA
In the middle of the night, a few minutes before the sky would start changing its colors. It was quite outside. I couldn't hear anything. I tiptoed toward the door and opened it, peaking out just to see if Alpha Collin was still outside. To my surprise, he wasn't.
I walked back toward my bed. I didn't have much time. And in a split second, I made up my mind. Living in a constant fear of my well-being was not acceptable. Humiliation was unacceptable. I grabbed a bag, stuffed everything that actually belonged to me in that closet, things that he hadn't bought for me, and I was ready to leave. Being a rogue was better than living in fear for my life.
The backpack was ready and I stepped out of the room. The house was completely dark. Gulping hard, I tiptoed my way toward the door. “Are you leaving me?” My heart leapt into my throat and I froze in my place. My vision adjusted with the darkness in a few minutes. And I found Alpha Collin standing in front of me.
I took a deep breath to calm myself down. I knew I could cower down at this point. He would either kill me or let me go. I refuse to think of the worst case scenario. Which was him keeping me alive and torturing me every single day until there would be no self-respect left in me, and I would completely be at his submission. A doll for him to control the way he pleases.
“I can't live like this. In constant fear for my life. You get angry whenever you hear Alexander say anything about me and then you either break my bones or decide to do something worse.” My voice might be shaking as I talked to him but I was determined to get my dignity and my independence back. I wanted to be able to breathe freely again.
What made my jaw drop on the ground, was the scene before me. Something I had never expected in my life. Alpha Collin, the ruthless, the most feared Alpha of the shifter kingdom, was on his knees before me, holding my hand, looking at me. “Don't leave me, Althea. Just…” he paused, narrowing his head. I was breathing heavily and he was trying his best not to scatter all over the place, right before my eyes. “...just don't leave.” He added after a long pause. It was the first time I heard his voice crack.
“It was the fear and constant humiliation that made me leave my birth pack. I came here because you were protecting every rogue with a cruel past. I just wanted to live freely. You marked me forcefully, knowing well that I was marked before. Now every single time my ex pack does something, I get to bear the burden. You didn't once ask about me when we were attacked. I fought for this pack with every warrior. Yet I had a broken arm not because of the war, but because you lost it. And you lost your mind a few hours again, ready to do… I don't even want to say it out loud.” I had tears in my eyes. But I was shouting at him.
I was through, people taking me for granted, using me as their doormats. I was slave to no one. Alpha Collin stood up and cupped my face with both of his hands. “I am aware of my anger. I am aware that it's hurting you more than I can imagine. That's why, I have decided to do something that can put some distance between us for a long time.” He whispered, staring into my eyes. It was the first time I was actually staring into his eyes.
His eyes were mostly glowing with his wolf on guard always. “What do you mean?” I asked in a low tone. I was a little calmed at that point.
“You need your Luna training. I will send you to the royal academy to get your Luna training. Meanwhile, I will work on my anger issues so I will never hurt you ever again.” His words held a promise with a kind of authority that was impossible to ignore.
“I am banned from the royal academy. They will never accept me there.” I replied, suppressing my emotions. It was my dream to attend the royal academy. I had worked my ass off in my teens. Focusing on studies and other academic activities just to be able to get to the royal academy. And one act from my parents banned me from my dream forever. It was cruel how I was the one who fought the rogues and other wolves of my own pack just to save Callista that night. Yet I ended up being cheated by that very woman.
Listening to my claims, I heard him chuckle. “You are underestimating your mate, sweet bun. There is nothing you should be concerned about. It's my job. You just prepare to attend the academy. I will take care of the rest myself.” With wide eyes, I looked at that man.
I had no idea what he might have in mind as he claimed he could actually control the royal academy council with ease. I knew alpha Damon begged them to take me in for weeks, even attended a meeting to convince the council, telling them the whole story about how I saved Callista and almost sacrificed myself for the pack, fighting my own parents. I still got banned for life.
“What are you gonna do? They didn't even listen to alpha Damon.” I questioned. I was not underestimating him or anything. I was just stating the fact.
“Half of the royal asses are protected by my warriors and my territory. They breathe because I exist. You were Alpha Damon's pack member. But now, you are my mate. There is a difference in both situations. Just pack up and be ready. We are going in a few hours.” I rolled my eyes as I heard him bragging about his strength and power. He actually thought he was above royalty.