The Blame

Raziya was taken to a dark, empty dungeon and thrown in like some unworthy slave. She sprang to her free almost immediately and ran to the gate, but it had already been locked with the boys walking away.

"Let me out of here!!" She yelled and banged on it. "You cannot do this to me!! Let me out! You animals!"

No response was made. And devasted, she moved away to muse on her life.

How did she end up in such a situation? Just that morning, she had woken up as a princess, her maid before her and doing as she pleased. She had so many plans, so many things to accomplish. How did she end up this way?

She sniffed and brushed her fingers into her hair. For the Protectors' sake, she couldn't even breathe! The entire place smelled just like the servants' toilet with littered trash all over! How on mother earth could she breathe in it?

No; something needed to be done. She had faith in her parents - especially her father. Definitely, he wouldn't rest until he's found a way to get her out of this cruel place. So, all she needed to do was hold on tight, keep calm for as long as possible and await the help she needed to leave that rathole.

*******

He took off his ring and dropped on the table. His wrist band went next, then his neck chain. And he took an apple and took a tiny bite afterward before turning to face the slovenly lady who was already on her knees.

Leaning his back on the table and taking another bite from his apple, he silently stared at his second concubine who looked like a mess due to the earlier struggle. Her hair was knotted, her clothes dirty and her entire appearance looked unpleasant to the eyes. And she roamed her eyes on the floor, saying nothing.

Calmly, Jagger dashed towards her and cut a slap through her cheek with the back of his palm. She winced and reactively lifted her hand to the cheek.

"The nerves of you to embarrass me, Nailah", he gruffed. "How dare you put up such churlish behavior in front of everyone"?

Nailah's eyes were already sour and swollen. Holding onto her cheek, she stared at the Alpha unbelievably.

"Embarrassment?" there was a cleft line on her forehead. "I was only being angry at my brother's killer".

"When you're mine, Nailah, you do not lose your sanity before me", he tugged her hair, making her wince again.

"You are not the first to lose a brother. So, you shall not act mad because of it".

Nailah's heart was thumping heavily. The anger she felt... it couldn't be explained.

"Take a look at yourself", Jagger pushed her off. "You look like one of those dogs in the street. If you do not come to your senses, I shall have you kicked out to where you belong. Get out", his words were brutal, firm.

Nailah wasn't surprised since she knew the Alpha was a man with no heart. But still, she felt hurt and bittered.

She got to her feet and with a bow, flounced out of the room.

*********************

TITASAL KINGDOM

*********************

King Zachary opened the door and found his wife on the bed, still blanched with the children trying to console her.

He paused and stared regrettably at them - his wife and children - and decided to blame himself for the pains they were passing through. Perhaps, he should've done more, done something better to save Raziya.

If the Queen knew he was there, she didn't react as she had a pale look and blankly stared into space. If it wasn't for the fact that she was sitting up, the King would've feared she wasn't alive.

Rana left the Queen's side and rushed to their father who was still at the door.

"Father. How is it going? Is there any development?" She asked curiously, trying to keep her voice as low as possible.

"Not yet, Rana. The first Alpha I reached out to - Alpha Oden - unfortunately, is an enemy to Jagger and can't have any dealings with him. He can't help us", the King answered sullenly and watched his daughter's hope drift away.

"Don't worry, I'll keep reaching out to other Alphas and ask for help from my fellow Kings. I'm positive we'll find a solution soon enough. How's your mother?" He darted his eyes to the Queen and Rana did the same.

"There is no improvement, father. She still wouldn't say a word or react to anything. Her condition is getting me scared".

The King bowed his head and sighed. It was expected since Raziya had been his wife's favorite child.

Prince Archie was in the room but seated next to the queen without saying a word. And after a while of silence, the King let out a deep breath.

"Just take care of her. I'll be back", he muttered to Rana and left.

With the door shut, Rana dipped her fingers into her hair and grunted. She hated this. She hated everything! Never did she dream of having such sadness in the family. What did they do to deserve such misfortune?

She looked at her mother, her pathetic sight breaking her heart the more. She loved Raziya so much. So, she could understand the pain she was passing through. It was actually a miracle she had recovered from the Alpha's attack else, it'd have probably been a different story.

She trudged towards her and held her shoulder.

"Don't worry, mother. Raziya will be rescued. She'll be fine", she heartened, tho she didn't expect any reaction from the Queen.

Patting her shoulder, she turned towards the door, wanting to go get some water, but on turning the knob, she held her mother's voice for the first time in hours:

"It was what you wanted".

Her voice would've been a great relief to Rana who turned excitedly, but her words were contradicting. With her brows puckered, she glanced at Archie, then at her mother who was still looking pale.

"M... Mother?"

"Your sister. You were angry at her and wanted her to go", the Queen repeated, her voice being so hoarse.

Gradually, she moved her gaze from the empty space and looked at Rana. And when she did, it was filled with so much pain and hate. Even Archie was getting confused.

"Mother, are you okay?" He held her shoulder and cooed.

"Hours ago, you told her you wished the Alpha wouldn't believe Mona so she could be discovered as the real culprit. And that is exactly what happened", a tear slipped the Queen's eye.

Rana scoffed. "Hold on, mother. Are you trying to put the blame on me?"

"Yes! Yes! Because it was what you wanted and it didn't take five seconds to happen!" The Queen yelled, standing on her feet.

"Mother, calm down..." Archie tried to interfere.

"Do not tell me to calm down! She hated her sister so much, she wished such evil for her!"

"You cannot possibly put the blame on me! I am not the reason Mona's lie was discovered. I didn't whisper any secrets to the Alpha" Rana was finding the whole thing ridiculous.

"But, you wished it, and it happened! You are the reason Raziya was taken! You are the reason she is not here with us!" The Queen sulked.

"So, am I also the reason she went hunting and shot a wolf? Am I the reason the wolf turned out to be the gamma of an Alpha who sought revenge? Am I the reason the Alpha was too smart to be lied to because his beta was there with him and confirmed Raziya was the one who shot the arrow and not Mona? Am I??" Rana found herself yelling back. "If you're looking for someone to blame this whole thing on, blame it on your daughter's character - not me".

"Shut up!!!" The Queen yelled tearfully, but Rana didn't comply.

"I've always loved my sister, mother. I love her far more than you imagine and would never wish anything bad on her. I'm so sorry this happened, but it's not my fault. You saw what happened - she annoyed me and I said those words out of anger. It doesn't mean I'm the reason it happened. So please, don't put this guilt on me".

"No matter what you say, Rana, it won't change the fact that it happened right after you wished it. I'm sorry, but you're the only one I can blame right now. And as long as your sister is still in the hands of those monsters, I will never forgive you", she pointed a finger at her.

Rana's eyes dimmed at once, the shock could visibly be seen in them. Did her mother just say those words to her? How possible...

She tried blinking back a tear, but it escaped and slid down her cheek. So quickly, she turned around to face the door. Her heart was wrenching terribly in her chest, the pain was worst than heartbreak.

"I understand you love Raziya more than you love me", she averred. "I understand she's always been your favorite and you'd probably choose her life over mine. But this... putting the blame of her mistake on me", she turned slightly. "It's unnecessary, mother". Her eyes were blood-shot red as another tear had slid down.

"Sometimes, you make me wonder if I really came through your legs or just your hands. And just so you know, I do not need your forgiveness".

"Rana" Prince Archie called faintly, but it made no impact as Rana opened the door and walked out.