6. How could you?

Ally woke up from shouting next to her bed. She tried to open her eyes, but the light seemed too bright, and whenever she did- the young woman hissed in annoyance. Both figures, which were obviously the cause of the noise, didn't even notice how the princess woke up because of their loud voices.

She took a deep breath and tried to relax despite loud yelling. Ally tried to think of how she got back in her bed and what happened. Memories hit her harder than a brick wall- she was engaged. Not only engaged but promised for a stranger to marry. Thoughts about her future suffocated her, but she knew that she wouldn't give up. It was her life and her choices; she shouldn't let anyone rule over her future. The voices became louder; Ally decided to listen.

"How could you?" it was her mother. Eve seemed to be stuck in a wave of the most unpredictable emotions ever. She sobbed, but her voice was laced in so much venom and hatred- even Ally shivered.
Her mother is a human, yes, but it doesn't mean that the woman can't be terrifying at times.

"I had to! I've been trying to explain why this had to be done, but you wouldn't listen," Eros growled.

Both of her parents managed to step over each other's boundaries- dropping more fuel into the fire. Nobody is perfect, but during all those years, Ally never heard her parents fighting or arguing. Of course, they did have some disagreements, but the issues were minor most of the time.

"You promised our daughter to someone! She's only sixteen, and you're already giving my baby to some strangers as if she was a toy! I don't care about you being secretive and hiding the agreement from me, but deciding our daughter's fair is a low blow, Eros. Why don't you find someone who would like to fucking buy our next child, huh? I'll become a damn machine in your hands. Get a child in me; I'll carry it while being under risk of dying, and you'll give them away! I risked so much for my daughter to have a life I never had, all I wanted was to see her happy! How could you? I don't understand how could you," Eve's voice broke as the last words left her lips. She was utterly stunned by her mate's behavior. The King was giving up on his daughter.

"Eve, I had no choice. It was war or our daughter. You're putting me into a position I'll never find a way out. I have responsibilities for the Kingdom," Eros sounded desperate.

Ally understood that her father was thinking about the people. He was trying to achieve something no other King could do before even though it would come at a high cost- the cost of his daughter's freedom.

"You have a responsibility to be a father before you are the King. I shouldn't have even supported your decision to take the throne. We could have stayed at the pack; you could be the Alpha if the power is such an important issue. But what now? Am I supposed to bow my head in front of you and applause while you give my children to strangers? No, Eros, as much as I love you- I love my children more. From now on, you will be the King without a Queen..." Eve didn't finish what was on her mind as Eros grabbed her face and pulled her closer, smashing his lips against hers. He lost his mate once, and the man didn't think of letting her go ever again. They were meant for each other, and nothing would stand between them for as long as he is alive.

"You are not rejecting me, don't you even think of it," he spoke through gritted teeth as soon as they broke the kiss. Eros leaned his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes, watching how they filled with tears.

"I won't," Eve shook her head, wiping the tears away. Eros watched her with an unreadable facial expression, confused about what his mate was planning to do. "But I will; however, leave the Kingdom. I'm taking my children, and if you even think of trying to stop me- you won't have a mate with a heartbeat soon after. I'm not joking, I know this sounds outrageous, but I rather die than watch my daughter suffer next to an absolute stranger," Eve sounded desperate. As much as her mate tried to explain his doings- as a mother, she would never allow such things to happen. The Queen adored her firstborn; she would never take her daughter's opportunity to meet her mate, or choose a husband on her own. Eve did understand that eighteen is an age way too young to get married.

"But we don't know anything yet. Maybe those two will fall for each other and enjoy life together. We should give them a chance; Ally didn't overreact after the announcement," Eros tried to find excuses for his doings. He didn't want his family to leave, but the King knew that his mate could be stubborn at times of need.

"Eros, you cactus shit! She fainted, my daughter fucking fainted! She didn't lose her consciousness even after seeing broken limbs, blood baths and still didn't faint! How will she fall for someone who is chosen for her by her father? We don't live in the fucking past where parents decided who is to marry or who isn't. How on Earth is our daughter going to find her mate if she has to marry that son of your friend? I do not fucking approve! Don't you think that I'm clueless, I know enough about the law to understand that both parents have to give approval for arranged marriages. And I will not, ever! I'm taking my children, and that's final! You can see them over the weekends if you'll grow a pair and admit that this is wrong in way too many levels. And, of course, if you'll have enough guts to look into her eyes! If my children want nothing to do with you, I'll support their decisions. It is my way or the consequences." Eve slapped his hands away from her and stomped out of the room. Eros took the last glance at his daughter and ran after his mate.

Ally could hear them arguing in the hall- mainly because her mother wouldn't let her dad touch her. Eve kept yelling how much she despised his touch now; all the princess was left with was the bright walls of her room and sadness. Ally would love to kneel in front of her father and agree with whatever he had decided, but she was terrified. Two years of freedom while she's still in the school and then she would meet the stranger to call him her husband shortly.
She had plans about her future; deep down, the young woman hoped that Damien would be her mate, but now she won't be able to find that out. That is- if she doesn't follow her mother and leaves the castle.

Ally took her time to think about the worst scenario ever, depending on her choice. The worst thing to happen if she stays around her dad- marrying a total stranger. Then again, the worst thing to happen if she leaves with her mom- changing school, leaving friends, and losing the family. She had a lot to think about, but even she knew that there was not as much time left as she would like.
Her mother will want to leave before the next child is born.
Ally was about to get out of the bed when she overheard her parents, arguing again.

"I can't believe you're doing this! First, I had to leave and live in fear about our child when your so-called mother wanted to kill Ally and me. I was surrounded by medical staff but felt so alone back then because you weren't there to hold my hand. Now, I will have to go through the same experience again because you're selling off our daughter. Call me selfish; I don't care. All I ever wanted was a peaceful life with the man I love, but it's impossible with you! For once, I wanted to see how you put your family before the Kingdom, for fucking once!" Eve always avoided argument or causing trouble, so hearing her yelling at Eros like that shocked Ally. They have gone through a lot as a family, but this decision of her father seemed to be the lost drop the Queen could take.

"Don't blame me for the past, I told you to stay away from her Eve; I said that so many fucking times! I had to be there, but you took the chance away from me, and now you keep acting like a bitch to do the same!" Eros growled in anger. For a split second, Ally had a feeling that her father could slap her mother in anger. She never heard him sounding so furious, especially around his mate.

"Now listen up, I'm sick of this! So damn sick! You weren't there for my first pregnancy because I tried to protect the child you're trying to give away now. I didn't run away to save her life just to let you ruin it later. Oh, and look at me now- the big bad human bitch taking your chances away. You've seen how I'm carrying your child, you've seen the pain and suffering I have to go through to keep the baby alive. And you have the audacity to tell me that I'm acting like a bitch? I'm doing my best, why don't you try to carry children in a body which is close to shutting down and then watch how your partner does as he pleases? You heard your fucking doctors, Eros; I'm dying! Fuck you, fuck this, and fuck everyone whose life is more important to you! Don't you dare to stand in my way!" Eve shouted. Ally could hear the servants rushing around. Unlike any other household, the staff didn't involve themselves in the arguments. Of course, everyone loved to spread rumors, but nobody was dumb enough to jump in and listen to the Queen and King arguing. If they did- they might as well sign their own death sentences. Such behavior didn't go unnoticed.

"You're not leaving!" Eros kept trying to stay on his ground. He had no idea what to do in order to stop Eve, but he didn't know that his daughter heard everything either. Both parents thought that Ally was asleep, resting from the announcement shock.

"Yeah? Watch me! Anto! Baka!" The way her mother sounded terrified Ally. Eve had this weird tone of voice whenever she called out for the Watchers. Most of the time, she sounded like a demon possessed her body.

"You can't! Eve, you can't! Think about our children!" Eros begged Eve to change her mind. He couldn't change his decision since most of the Kingdom already knew about the news, and the deal was settled. No matter what happens- he didn't have an option to get out of it, even with a price worth his life.

"I can, and I did. By the way, I am thinking about MY children, unlike certain someone," Eve wasn't a person who acts the way she did right now. She was a kind and loving woman, thinking about others more than herself. This time the kindness wouldn't do anything to save her daughter, so the best way out of the situation was turning her back to the Kingdom. There was only one thing Eve was utterly sure about- she would rather become a traitor in the eyes of people than sell her daughter for a peace offer. The underground Lords were known for breaking the deals and doing as they please. Maybe Eros didn't think the same as Eve did since they talked about the son of his friend, but it didn't matter. Lords most likely would take Ally and start yet another war for power. That was the way they did things.

"Our Queen," the Watchers' voices boomed throughout the castle. Even windows in Ally's room trembled.

This was it. They were leaving, and nobody could change the things as they went. Maybe it's for the best; perhaps Ally, her mom, and little sister will learn to love their life without her dad around. The only issue Ally found in the whole argument, despite many being pointed out, was what Eve told Eros. Ally was facing a situation where her mom spoke out loud about her health. The Queen is dying, and no one except the King and doctors knew about that. The young woman couldn't get over the fact- they all kept quiet about it for this whole time. Ally will have a baby sister, they will leave the palace because Watchers already arrived. No matter what she says or does- the decision has been made. Maybe that's for the best, maybe it will actually get her out of the helpless situation.

*"I don't want to get married, especially to someone whom we don't know. Someone from the underground. People say those creatures are more beasts that our dad is. How could he make a decision about such a thing without asking us first? I can't believe it!"* Seraphima suddenly spoke up, repeating the same things which were on Ally's mind for this whole time.