145

“Do you want me to beat him for you?”

A chuckle escapes my lips as I walk further down, toward the balcony. The wind hit me with full force and I held onto the railing to keep myself from falling. I could see the streets from up here and I was amazed at the snow-blanketed roofs and the Christmas lights that connected the residential houses. People walked in groups, chatting and laughing, unbothered by the snow that fell from the skies. It reminded me of Bluestone. Not the snow, but the unity among people. I sigh as Lukas’ letter comes to mind.

I need to go back, but how? Thjis wouldn’t let me go easily, nor will Dogara, especially now I’m pregnant with her grandchild. Ugh! Everything is so messed up. Things can never go back to normal, so I am just going to make the most out of it.

“No, I don’t need you to beat him for me Mujin.”

“You sure? ‘Cause it seemed like you wanted to bury your fist in his face.”

“Yeah, I want to but…”

“But nothing. Do it Crinka. Maybe it will make you hate me less.”

Ruarc.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“I live here Crinka.”

Mujin quietly excused us, but I know he was within earshot. “No, you don’t. You live in the other palace with your other asshat brothers.”

He sighed. “You should go inside. It’s cold.”

“I’m fine.”

I wasn’t. “Us wolves can also stand a chance against the cold.”

He sighed again. “Crinka…”

“You aid you wanted my forgiveness. How is humiliating me before your concubines, working for my forgiveness?”

He ran his fingers through his hair, messing it up. “I’m sorry, okay? I have begged and apologized. I even let you into the safe space. Wha else do you want?”

He’s not going to like what I have to say, so I keep it to myself. However, when I sight Igrith marching toward us, I changed

my mind.

I grabbed him by the lapels of his collar, pulling him toward me.

“Crinka, what are you….”

“Here’s your chance,” I mutter, squeezing his hand, “and you’re forgiven.”

He blinked. “What?”

“Your approval to do as I like,” I whisper, placing my hands on his chest.

“No.”

The footsteps sounded in my ears. She was coming closer. “Ruarc please.”

“No, Crinka. I refuse to bend the rules for you.”

His words carried wright and I hated myself for letting them affect me. Well, what can I say? I am pregnant and emotional.

This is all Sia’s fault.

I step away from him, leaving enough distance between us. Tears pricked at my eyelids and I blinked a few times.

I’m done crying over him.

With that in mind, I faced the Crown Prince as Igrith sidled up next to him.

“I, Crinka Clepp, first and last of my name, reject your rejection towards my first acclaimed rejection. I cut every ties I have with you. I render every moment of intimacy between us useless. And you, Crown Prince Ruarc Raja Lancaster, first and last of his name, first son of Thjis Lancaster, husband to the barren princesses, uncle to princess Waxlyn, prince Eloive and Yale Lancaster, must accept my rejected rejection is he ever wants to have peace of mind.”

Igrith smiled. Ruarc, however, looked broken. His eyes brimmed with tears. His bottom lip quivered and I don’t think he is breathing.

“Who taught you the words?”

I shrug. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Crinka, this could kill us both,” he murmured, looking at me.

“It won’t because I am not your first,” I say coldly.

“You could lose the child.”

I roll my eyes. “I didn’t want it.”

“I could lose my sanity, Crinka.”

“Well, one of us has to lose their sanity and it cannot be me.”

A tear rolled down his cheeks. “How can you be so cold?”

“Sorry, but the weather is not friendly.”

“Don’t do this to me Crinka. Don’t do this to us.”

“There is no us.”

“Please,” he begged, voice sad. “Withdraw please. For the sake of your child. Do it for the other royal wombs, Crinka, please.”

“I don’t care about the other royal wombs just as they don’t care about me.”

He fell on his knees before me and I jump back, startled.

“What are you doing?”

“He’s surging within me, Crinka please withdraw.”

“I’m doing this to protect myself from heartache Ruarc.”

“Crinka, if he comes through, we’re done for, do you understand?”

I roll my eyes. “We? There is no we Ruarc. There’s just you and there’s me.”

“And there’s Raja.”

Cocci.

What is he doing here? His eyes are fixed on his brother and he averts them to look at me. “I don’t know what transpired between you two, but you reverse it now before Ruarc loses it.”

“I am not doing shit.”

He approached me and yanked me by the arm. “Crinka, listen to me. Raja is a lycan. Lycans hate werewolves. If you don’t withdraw, he will kill you.”

“Great. I don’t want to live anymore!”

He shook my arm. “Listen to me you fool. If Ruarc surrenders to the beast in him, we’re done for. All of us. The only ones who can hold him off are not around. Massa has disappeared and Sia has left the Icelands. People will die Crinka, don’t you get that?”

I sigh. “Then let them die. They did want me dead after all.”

“Crinka, listen to me.”

“No, you listen to me!”, I yell, hot tears rolling down my cheeks. “All I’ve ever wanted was acceptance. Everything I’ve done, I did it for acceptance. My mother didn’t want me, my pack didn’t want me! Now I journeyed far, came here just so I could be wanted, but the minute I’m here, you fuckers are planning my funeral! You humiliated me before your people! Before your stupid council! You humiliated me before my own maid! You guys made me feel stupid for offering to help! You criticized everything I did, forcing me to be something I’m not.

“You forced a bond on me by raping me! You humiliated me at the church, even after I was made a royal concubine! You humiliated me, and made jokes about me like I was some fucking object! You turn me into a slut to satisfy your selfish desires. You push me out to the public knowing fully well that they despise me. They try to kill me and when I try to seek solace in your arms, you fucking degrade me!

“You befriend me, then try to murder me afterwards! You point fingers when I pass, mocking me as I walk. And when I try to leave, to escape the madness, you accuse me of stealing and put me in prison. You made decisions regarding me without considering how I would feel about those decisions. You make and enforce rules I am not aware of, waiting for me to break a rule so that you can jeer at me! So that you can shame me!”

I take in a deep breath, before continuing. “So forgive me if I don’t withdraw. Fucking hate me if I do not care if a bunch of you fuckers die!”

Cocci swallowed. “I know you’re hurt but….”

I laugh bitterly. “I’m not hurt. I’m furious and I have every right to be.”

“Calm down so that we can work this out,” Cocci cooed.

I roll my eyes again. “There is no we. Not after what you’ve done.”

Cocci risked a glance at his brother before turning to me. “I’ll do anything just please withdraw.”

I wanted to withdraw, but if I do, I’ll only be giving room for them to hurt me again. However, I turn to Cocci.

“How long until he loses it?”

“What?”

“Answer the fucking question Cocci.”

He swallowed. “Um, two minutes I think.”

I eye him. “Is that time enough to get me out of the Icelands.”

His eyes widened. “Crinka, you know that’s not possible.”

“If it isn’t, Sia wouldn’t have left. I’ll not take long I promise. I’ll be back before the ball.”

“You need an Icelander to leave the Icelands.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“Crinka, I can’t.”

“You said you’ll do anything. Was that a lie as well?”

He swallowed. “Father won’t allow it.”

“Oh well, then he’ll just have to deal with the consequences,” I mumble, turning to Ruarc who is still on his knees. Poor guy is leaving us. I bate a breath, waiting for Cocci to conform.

He did, but it was already late.

Ruarc was gone, and towering above me was the Lycan.

The End.

Author's Note:

We've come to the end of Alpha and Omega and I'll like to thank all who participated. Have it in mind that the story doesn't end there. Yes, there is a sequel, and you'll be reading the synopsis in the next chapter.

Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back.