Chapter 128
The General's decision sent a bolt of panic through me, and I lurched forward despite the guards restraining me. "You can't kill him. That’s a bad idea!” I pleaded, my voice hoarse.
“His death won’t do anything. It won’t even give you what you want. They will only stand more united against you. They will have a reason to band together and fight you.” I continued.
You think his death will give you power? It won't. He has a brother, Lucian is no pushover. He is just as fierce and he’ll use that opportunity to take his place immediately. You won't gain anything!"
The General chuckled, his expression one of cruel amusement. "Oh, you poor girl. Did you really think I was serious? I was just joking with you.”
“I wanted to see the horror in your eyes as you realised the consequences of your actions. And I did.”
Killing the alpha king would be foolish. We didn’t plan this for years just to make a huge mistake like that.” He smirked, his dark eyes glinting. "We already have a plan in place. But you... you will suffer for your crimes.”
“We haven’t forgotten all that you have done. It’s because of you our mission was on hold for so long. After we saved you life, gave you food, shelter and clothing, you promised to repay us by enacting revenge on the ones who wronged you.”
“Instead, you joined them and turned your back on us. And your people.” He said grimly as he pointed to Kaelin who looked emotionless.
“You forget that your kind has been treated as an abomination in these lands for years. We gave you shelter just as we did to hundreds of your people. Look at how you repay us. You'll be taken to Braam to face an inquiry, and until then, you'll serve a purpose. You will be our pawn to keep the King of Zaire in check."
I clenched my fists, rage and fear warring inside me. "You can't do this!"
The General merely nodded to the guards. "Take her away."
The guards dragged me toward a tent, my body weak from exhaustion and hunger. I barely had time to gather my thoughts before the flaps of the tent rustled, and Kaelin stepped inside.
My breath hitched. "Is this what you wanted? To see me like this? To see me tied up like some criminal and be punished?”
Kaelin crossed her arms, her expression cold. "You brought this on yourself Ariadne. Don’t act like you didn’t play a part in this.”
I let out a hollow laugh. "You could've just told me no. You could have said you didn’t want to help me run away. I would have let you run free with or without me Instead, you handed me over to Braam like sone traitor."
Her jaw tightened. "Well aren’t you?! Aren’t you a traitor? What about what you did to me? You joined hands with your husband and kidnapped me first. You made your choice."
"That was no easy decision for me to make. And I did it to protect myself! To protect my child!" I shot back, my voice breaking. "You were making threats, threatening to bring it all down. I had to do what I could to save my family. But you wouldn't understand that, would you?"
Kaelin's face darkened, but she didn't respond. She turned sharply and walked out, leaving me alone in the dimly lit tent.
I curled my arms around myself, my stomach tight with hunger and fear. I missed Rowan. I missed the soft soft sheets of his bed.
Why did I even leave the castle. Now there would be war either way. I thought running away would protect us but I was wrong.
Now in the hands of the enemy, they could do whatever they wanted with me. They could ask Rowan to give up Zaire and he would.
Time passed in a blur, my body growing weaker. Then, the tent flaps rustled again, and the same woman who had treated my wounds before entered, carrying a bowl of soup and some dry, stale bread.
She crouched beside me, setting the food down. "Eat," she said gruffly.
I reached for the bread with trembling fingers, but she suddenly frowned, placing a hand on my forehead. "You're burning up. Are you feeling sick?"
I hesitated before nodding weakly. "I don't know... I just hope my baby is okay."
The woman's eyes widened. "Baby?"
“They didn’t tell me that you were with child! I would have checked you out sooner.”
She quickly loosened my outer tunic, her hands pressing gently over my small belly. After a tense moment, she exhaled. "Everything seems to be fine with your child. But your sudden fever worries me. You should rest as much as you can.”
Desperation clawed at my chest. I grabbed her wrist. "How can I rest when I’m locked up? Please... please help me. You have to help me.”
“With what?” The woman asked sceptically.
“They will take me away from here, and I know I won't survive it. Only death awaits me in Braam. I cannot step foot in Braam.”
The woman stiffened, her expression unreadable.
"I'm Otsayak, like you," I whispered, my voice raw, I pushed my hair out of the way to show my mark.
“I never met my parents. I don’t even remember them ever existing. I've spent my whole life running, never belonging anywhere. I’ve been sold like a slave, treated like a servant, beaten, battered and abused. But for the first time, I found a home—with Rowan. And they took him from me."
At Rowan's name, the woman spat on the ground, her disgust evident. "Rowan? The Alpha King? That vicious wolfman?! You expect me to pity you when you stand beside a monster?"
“You stand beside a monster whose ancestors took away everything we had and slaughtered us like prey.”
"He's not like the others!" I insisted, gripping her arm tighter. "And why? Why must he suffer for his ancestors sins? He doesn't see me as a curse, he never has. He actually likes me—for who I am."
She shook her head. "That's not possible. No wolf would ever—"
"He does," I interrupted, my voice cracking. "I swear to you, he does. He loves me and he loves our child. He would do anything to protect us! Not all wolves are like that.”
“He knew what I was from the very beginning and he never shied away from it.” I sighed as I sat down quietly.
The woman hesitated, her face flickering with uncertainty. I pressed on, desperation giving me strength. "If not for me, then for the child inside me. Please. Let me go."
She looked down at my stomach, something unreadable passing over her face. Her hands clenched at her sides as she took a shaky breath.
And then... silence.
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