"Alpha Nathaniel," Althea began, her voice smooth but edged with a challenge, "I suppose you don't mind me and my servant trying to get familiar with our new home, right?"
Nathaniel hummed, clearly amused at the direction this fearless woman was trying to steer the situation. He studied her, his smile deepening in amusement.
"Oh certainly not, my lady," he responded, his voice feel but casual. "But next time, I suggest you take one of my guards with you, or better still, I could accompany you myself. That way, you won't accidentally give the coachman the wrong address again." He paused briefly. "Barrowville is three kingdoms away. I wonder how you thought to go there. Must have been a slip of the tongue. Or were you planning to escape?"
Althea's smile didn't waver, but it grew more tighter.
"I have not thought to do that… yet."
His eyes darkened slightly, though the smile never left his lips. "I advise you not to. You could never escape from me."
Althea's fists clenched at her sides before she could stop herself. Her composure trembled on the edge of collapse, and Eliza, standing quietly behind her, saw the danger signs. Without waiting for a cue, Eliza stepped forward.
"Pardon me if I'm interrupting," she said with a bow. "But my lady has been on her feet all night."
Nathaniel's gaze didn't move from Althea's face, but he acknowledged Eliza's words with a slight tilt of his head.
"Go ahead. I wouldn't want her pretty feet to get swollen."
His grin widened as his eyes locked with Althea's glare. He was enjoying this.
Eliza gently touched her lady's arm, attempting to guide her away, but Althea remained rooted to the spot.
"Not now, my lady," Eliza whispered desperately, her voice barely audible.
Althea closed her eyes, steadying herself. When she opened them again, her expression had changed. A delicate, practiced smile now curved her lips.
"Goodnight, Alpha Nathaniel."
She turned, allowing Eliza to pull her along. They walked away without another word, but Nathaniel remained where he stood, the same amused smile lingering on his face. He watched them until they were out of sight, and just as he turned to leave, the coachman who had been nervously watching from a corner stepped forward.
"Alpha Nathaniel," he called out hesitantly.
Nathaniel turned slowly. His eyes swept over the man with a casual sort of interest that was more chilling than kind.
The coachman immediately lowered his gaze. "T-The mistress… she… she offered me three hundred silver coins."
Nathaniel let out a quiet hum, neither surprised nor angry.
"Ah," he said, turning his head toward Jared, his head guard. "Give him a thousand silver coins."
The coachman's eyes went wide as saucers. He dropped to his knees, pressing his forehead to the ground in gratitude.
"Long live Alpha Nathaniel!"
Nathaniel began walking again but paused after a few steps. He turned slightly over his shoulder.
"You know," he said thoughtfully, "I'm in a good mood." He turned his full attention back to Jared. "Make it five thousand silver coins."
Jared nodded silently.
Nathaniel then turned to leave, the ecstatic shouts of the coachman echoing behind him.
***
Althea paced across her room like a caged tigress, one hand pressed tightly to her waist whike she bit at the nails of the other hand. Her silk skirt swung violently with every step.
Eliza sat in the corner on a cushioned stool, legs crossed and hands clasped tightly in her lap. She watched her lady with worried eyes but said nothing.
"The more I see that Alpha…" Althea's voice broke the silence, "the more I want to scream until my lungs give out." She halted mid-step, her eyes blazing. "Do you think he knew we were trying to escape?"
Eliza nodded at once. "I told you it wasn't a good idea, my lady."
Althea dropped onto the floor, her arms resting limply on her knees. Her face paled.
"If the king hears this…" she whispered. "My parents…"
Then, just as quickly, her eyes sharpened and she stood up, the softness in her expression replaced with conviction.
"I'll go and beg him," she said. "I will plead that he leave my parents out of this. He can do whatever he wants to me, but not them."
"I don't think there'll be any need for that," Eliza finally spoke and walked to her. "I don't think he plans to punish you or anyone else. He didn't look angry. Not really."
Althea exhaled and began to relax slightly. She crossed the room and sat on the edge of her bed. Her fingers ran absently over the embroidered quilt.
"You're right," she said softly. "He didn't look angry. I'll feel him out first. If I see he's not planning anything…" she trailed off and then sat straighter, a spark forming in her eye, "then I move to the next plan."
Eliza stiffened "What plan again ?"
Althea's lips lifted into a grin. "What parent likes a rowdy daughter-in-law? I'll be rude, reckless, disrespectful. I'll make sure his family finds me intolerable. I'll make sure we never get married."
Eliza pressed her fingers to her temples, groaning. "My lady…"
"I'm serious," Althea declared. "If he thinks he can just drag me from my life and expect me to play happy second wife, he's mistaken. I'll make myself the worst choice he ever made."
Eliza knew better than to argue when her lady was like this. She stood with a sigh. "I'll run a bath for you."
Althea leaned back and swung her legs like a child, her mood suddenly lifted as she imagined her plan taking shape. Her mind raced through scenarios, picturing her disastrous interactions with Alpha Nathaniel's family.
Her thoughts suddenly drifted toward Ravenshore. She had tried to be a proper lady for only one man.
"How is the prince?" she asked, her voice dropping slightly. "Has he chosen a bride yet?"
Eliza smiled faintly. "No, he hasn't. But the prince came to your home after you were taken. He promised your parents he would do everything he could to bring you back."
Althea's heart swelled at the memory. She had never doubted the prince would come for her. They had spent too many days walking those gardens and talking of the future for him to forget her so easily. But still, something nagged at her.
"Then why hasn't he sent me a letter?" she murmured. "I've been waiting."
Eliza looked around quickly, then lowered her voice. "Maybe the Alpha has blocked them. He probably ordered that nothing from outside the borders reach you."
Althea's hands balled again. "That man," she seethed. "He's more controlling than a prison warden."
She stood again, her brows drawn tightly.
"Just wait," she muttered. "Once I'm done with him, he'll beg to return me to where he found me. I'll make sure he regrets ever laying eyes on me."