The Alpha's Prize

I Can't Breathe

         I spent the next day trying to sort through my fuzzy memories. Soren really wasn't my mate. I didn't know what to do with that information. I trusted him, and I trusted my parents. What's to say that my 'actual' mate is any better? I can't trust him yet, either. No matter how kind or sweet he is to me, I don't want anything to do with him yet.

      I was so anxious, stuck in my own thoughts. I was so far in my own head that I didn't realize that Calik had woken up and dressed for the day. He left me in peace and closed the door. I continued to talk with Minsi, trying to figure this problem out.

    You don't need to be fixing things. We found our real mate, and we can forget that asshole Soren. We can start fresh and put it all in the past.

     'It's not that simple! My parent's lied, I was tricked. And I didn't even realize it until Calik took me.'

     "Elara, come and eat." Calik said, knocking lightly on the door.

      "I'm not hungry." I called, putting that note of finality in my voice. I heard his sigh.

      "Come down and eat, or I'll make you." He growled, sounding impatient. 

     Damn alphas. So, possessive and bossy. I'm an independent woman, not a child.

    "Fine, I'm coming." Huffing, I stomped to the door and brushed past his huge form.
 
     I was too confused and betrayed to want anything more than some sleep. My family lied, and I can't just ignore that. I heard him following behind me as I made my way towards the kitchen and dining room. Nausea wracked my stomach, and even the smell of food right now made me want to gag.

     I took a tense seat at one of the empty chairs around the table. To my relief, no one was there except for us. Calik started preparing a plate with his back turned to me. 

     "Did you sleep well?" He asked me, while he popped a piece of bread in the toaster. 

      "Yes, thank you." I just couldn't get the panic to go away, so I focused on taking deep breaths and counting down from 100. 

       "I hope you know, Elara, that they won't get to you again. Neither pack is allowed onto my territory. You will have a guard with you at all times to watch over you. 

        Dammit, not again! Absolutely not, I'm not going to deal with being cooped up in a house again. I clenched my jaw and tried not to snap. It would make more problems than it would solve.

       "I can protect myself. I don't need guards, and I don't need babied." I bit out, already annoyed with this whole fucking day. Calik turned to look at me from the corner of his eye as he fried some eggs. 

       "I never said you couldn't protect yourself. But Soren will do anything to get you back, and I don't want to risk losing you after I just found you." He had a point... I hate it that in a way he's right.

     'Should I run? I could go far away from here and restart my life in a new place.'

     If we run, He'll find us. Or worse, Soren will.

     That was true. 

      "I refuse to be kept in this house all day. I'm not a princess." I really should just shut up and stop while I'm ahead.

      His sharp look of confusion confused me in turn. 

      "You can go anywhere you want, do whatever you want. I just want you to take someone with you." He turned around and plated the food as I sat in shock. That instantly made me feel a bit better, so I dropped that particular subject.