Labyrinth Garden
**\[ALICE’s Point of View\]**
Despite the Head Healer’s advice, I didn’t leave and stayed outside Alpha Zenon’s room. I sat with my knees on my chest, still weeping and scared. I asked the goddess why she let it happen to a gentle and kind person like him.
I didn’t know what that Maverick wanted from me. From the very first day I saw him, he had already demanded to take me and brand me to become one of the girls in his harem. That cruel monster who had been hunting me hadn’t given up yet and it scared me to death. What if he really had my father? What should I do?
“He is getting better, Lady Holly. You shouldn’t punish yourself for what happened to him. It isn’t your fault.” A muscular guy stood before me, crouched to look at my teary face. The scar on his right face expanded when he smiled. I bit my lower lip hard when he patted my head with his large hand. “Alpha Zenon is tougher than everyone else thinks he is.”
I wiped my tears with my wrist. “He didn’t have to go after them.” I croaked. “He didn’t have to.”
Briar, Alpha Zenon’s Beta smiled sadly and sighed before he said softly, “It’s his duty to protect you and your family as your soon-to-be husband, lady Alice. It’s his way to tell you that there’s no one and nothing that can harm you inside his territory. That you will be safe with him.”
I glared at Briar, angry not at anyone but more at myself. “I can fight, Briar. He knows I can fight! I was not raised to just stay inside a high tower. I was raised as a fighter. I could have helped him—”
“That’s the point, Lady Alice,” Briar said with a thoughtful look in his left eye. “You had been fighting all your life. You had been trying to survive for you and your father. Alpha Zenon just wants to make sure you live a comfortable life from now on. He would do anything to make sure you are happy. That’s the kind of man he is.”
I didn’t expect to hear those words from him—from Beta Briar, who had been looking at me suspiciously since I went to live in the Miller Mansion. I didn’t know what had changed, but I was glad he was being soft with me since I had no bad intentions with their Alpha. All I wanted was for Alpha Zenon to be happy.
Goddess, who was I lying to? My forehead touched my knees as I hid my face from Briar. I was so ashamed of myself. Just a few hours ago, I had completely decided to convince Bellamy that I wanted him to mark me. While Alpha Zenon was out there risking his life for my father’s safety, I was here with Bellamy kissing him. Letting him touch me.
The feeling was awful yet I couldn’t feel any regret from it. Was I that bad? Was I that desperate? Why couldn’t I choose? Why did I keep on pushing myself to the man who didn’t want me?
Briar seemed helpless. When he knew there was nothing he could do to help me, he stood again and patted my shoulder twice before he left.
I looked up the tall, wide window in front of me and found the moon shining brightly in the cloudless night sky. Should I go? Should I just stay here outside his door and wait until the healers allow me to go inside and get to see him? I remembered what Bellamy and I talked about before I found out what happened to my fiance. Would it be right if I went to the garden to see him? Would he be there?
I didn’t know the answers to all the fears I had in my chest. What if he didn’t come? Should I suffer like this for the rest of my life?
No. I should stop this cowardice and face Bellamy. I had to end it. If he thinks there’s no future between us, then there is no reason for his bond to exist. I had to do it for my peace of mind. I had to do it because it was the right thing to do.
Almost midnight and I marched straight to the labyrinth garden, hoping my mate was already there. The cold wind welcomed me when I opened the back door and I shuddered. As a hybrid, my body wasn’t warm enough to stand cold days like this. I blamed myself for not bringing a jacket when winter was coming soon.
Embracing myself as I went inside the garden, I was surprised to feel Bellamy’s presence there. How long had he been waiting for me? I walked around, looking for him, and I found him sitting on the concrete floor against the round coping of the fountain—shoulders dropped and looking miserable.
We both were miserable.
I sniffed and he smelled alcohol.
“Walking in the garden without a jacket. Are you trying to catch a cold?” he asked in a slurry, hoarse voice, and then took a huge swig of brandy from a bottle.
“I am here to talk to you,” I said to him and swallowed hard. I didn’t know if it was my refusal to cry in front of him again or because of the cold that my throat started to feel hurt. “I am here so we could end this.”
He snorted and then looked up at the clear, moonlit sky and said, “You are here because you are guilty of what happened to Zen. Right?”
His words felt like knives on my chest. I couldn't believe he would say it. “Judge me whatever you want, Bellamy. If you don’t want me, then why can’t you just let me go? Why can’t you just leave me alone so I can move on from all of the g*dd*mned feelings for you? I know it’s not about the danger of the ritual, Bellamy. You are hiding something from me and I want to know what it is! Tell me!”
He shook his head, his face still stoic and cold. “Whatever it is, it doesn’t matter anymore, Alice. I know you have already chosen.” He stood from the floor and towered over me. His eyes were cruel and scary; it made me flinch. “Let’s do it then.”