Marrieta's POV
It's been seven months since the attack. Our pack suffered a great loss but we have lived through it. Bodies were recovered and buried. The burnt-down buildings were renovated two months ago. The injured are healing. We have resumed our normal activities.
I haven't seen or heard anything from Mata but her body was not among those recovered so I assume she is still alive somewhere and every day I hope she will find her way back.
I miss her so much. I don't have anyone to share my thoughts or worries with. No one to console me or advise me. Her absence made me realize how much of a loner I am.
Nobody has still been able to tell why the attack went south but my father would not relent. Investigations are still ongoing.
These days I have formed the habit of sitting by the stream just miles away from the village clearing.
This stream is the village's second source of water after the well which is located at the center of the village.
It is my only source of comfort these days. Mata is nowhere to be found and my father is too busy with the affairs of our pack.
I love the sight of water. There is this serenity and tenderness that surrounds its body. Staring at a body of water makes me forget life and its complexity. It puts me in a state of equilibrium forgetting all my worries, desires, or ambition.
Today, however, I am not at peace. Even the stream could not make me forget my worries so I came back to my room.
The news got to me that Alyssa was still alive. She was sighted traveling on horseback with a man and I guessed it must be Marcus.
I had hoped she would be consumed by the fight but to my disappointment, she made it out alive.
I feel like she doesn't deserve to live because she has caused me so much.
She took Marcus away from me, made me look like a cheap criminal in front of the courtroom, and caused a conflict that has now led to the loss of lives and properties.
My father may have planned the attack but if it wasn't for her all these would not have happened. She might even be the hypocrite behind the change of plans for all I care.
Okay, maybe I am just overthinking it due to anger. She doesn't have that kind of influence.
Alyssa is just a cheap outcast who is loved by no one except for that dickhead Marcus of course and her little puppet Ethan. Who knows she might have hypnotized them.
She is such a hypocrite. You will be amazed at the kind of terrible things innocent-looking women like her are capable of doing behind closed doors.
They are nothing but lions in a ship's clothing. I seeth in anger
"If I don't make her suffer for this then I am not alpha Prince Marrieta," I said looking at myself in the mirror.
I noticed how thin I have grown. My eyes have sunk, These recent happenings have taken a serious toll on me even more than I had imagined. The fact that no one has ever commented on this made me realize even more how much of a loner I am.
If not for her, Mata would be here and she would have noticed and even advised me on what to do.
She has cost me so much and deserves to be punished. Who knows maybe she escaped because life wants to offer me the opportunity to deal with her. Maybe she deserves to suffer before she dies. I tried to look at things from the brighter side.
As I sat in front of my mirror conversing with my mind, a knock came on the door. It is one of my father's men.
"The alpha would like to see you in his chambers," he said after I opened the door.
"Tell him I will be there in a jiffy," I said and he nodded and left.
I wondered why my father wanted to see me. I know we usually sit together to have a conversation over a drink but I know he doesn't have that kind of time right now.
I miss our talks and all that but I understood when he is busy and needs space.
When I got to his chamber, he was sitting on a wide wooden chair that was long enough to accommodate at least three people. He wore a plain white robe made of silk.
"Come here," he said, tapping on the chair with his right hand. I sat down next to him feeling the warmth of his body as he gently lay his hands over my shoulder.
This brought back memories of my childhood. I remember how I ran into his warm embrace each time he returned from a journey. He would throw me into the air and catch me several times. It made me laugh.
I loved it a lot and he knew that. My father and I have always been very close, maybe because I lost my mother at birth. He said I remind him of her and he promised her he was going to take good care of me.
These were one of the few days I have seen my father sober. I imagine how hard it must be playing the role of both parents while still handling the affairs of the pack.
I have always admired his courage and secretly wish to be like him even though he is one of those men who think a woman should not be allowed to live a hard life. He believes women are treasures that should be protected at all times. But, I was not going to be a burden on anyone.
I always feel I can do more than live at the mercy of another. Besides, the best person you can trust is yourself.
I had a lot of hobbies but horse riding and archery are at the top of my list. My father hates seeing me ride on horseback for fun or shooting arrows but he couldn't dissuade me from it.
"How have you been my little angel? " He asked as he caressed my kinky hair.
"Fine Dad". I replied in my usual baby voice.
Somehow I thought he would be mad at me for kidnapping Alyssa but he doesn't seem bothered by it.
He called me out to talk with me like he normally does. He might have noticed how lonely I have become and decided to cheer me up.
He didn't say much about the attack but he assured me that if Mata is still alive she would be found and brought back to me.
We sat there silently for some time then he asked me about Marcus.
"Do you still feel anything for the young man?" He asked with a straight face.
"Of course not Dad" I scoffed.
"Not after everything he has done. All I want right now is to make him and that whore pay for humiliating me" I said. I was thirsty for vengeance.
My father nodded indicating that he consented to what I just said.
"That's my little princess. You make me proud. You are too great to settle for less.
If he prefers an outcast then he is not man enough for you.
His father humiliated me by supporting the accusation levied against you in front of everyone. That is unforgivable. I intend to make him pay heavily".
I was surprised at these words coming from my father but I was happy to know that he was on my side.
"The battle line has been drawn". He said.