The Alpha's Prize

33

Word Count: 2048

~Hunter

The transport jostles and undulates against the uneven ground.

Occasionally my head bumps against the wall and I let out an irritated sigh. We only returned from our honeymoon a couple days ago, and now we are being sent off somewhere else.

This time, with Tay.

I suppose I can't complain. I don't want to be in that manor with Kaan and Tay's parents, knowing they are likely the one's poisoning me.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Kaan mutters, watching me.

He wasn't pleased when his parents instructed us to head across the Pack to show off our marriage to a very important political friend of their family. It would be important if I weren't silently figuring out a way to get out of this.

With Kaan, this time.

"I agree," Tay adds.

"You're far too unwell." Kaan's jaw has settled into a permanent hard line. Ever since he found out what happened to me, he hasn't let me out of his sight.

Over these past few days I haven't felt much better. I've been incredibly selective about the food I've eaten, trying to avoid whole meals.

Not that it matters, I don't think Tay has come out of the kitchen since I told her what was going on. She's monitored every meal with a perceptive eye.

"I should be safe out of the estate at least," I tell them.

"We will find who did this," Tay assures me, a dark cloud looming over her expression. "No one hurts my friend."

When I told her a murderous expression appeared on her face. I'm not sure what I did to deserve her overprotective friendship, but I appreciate how helpful she is being.

"If you were such a good friend you would have noticed this," Kaan growls.

"You're the one married to her," Tay snaps back.

I hold my hands up, silencing them both.

"Hey you two. Neither of you know what is in my food, so you can't possibly know." Their care is appreciated, but the last thing I need is them at each other's throats when no one could have predicted this.

Kaan sighs, rubbing his temples while Tay slounges in her seat, glaring at her brother.

Maybe one day I'll understand why those two bicker so much.

"I still hate seeing you like this," Kaan murmurs, taking my hand into his, squeezing it gently.

I give him a reassuring smile. I feel fine, right now. Whoever is doing this to me doesn't know that I know, which means they won't try to kill me yet.

I hope...

"We will figure out what's going on soon. Let's just enjoy this trip to the beach," I tell them both, even if neither of them look excited for this.

Getting out of the house and going to the beach sound great to me. After spending the week in the snow, I could do with some sun and sand and a breath of fresh air.

As long as Tay and Kaan don't kill each other first. Especially because Tay won't leave us alone this trip.

"It's mostly to impress nosy politicians," Kaan tells me, shaking his head.

"I don't know about you two, but I'm sleeping. I better not wake up to you guys having sex." Tay narrows her eyes on us before she stuffs the pillow up against the wall and the seat, and rests her head against it, her eyes fluttering closed.

Kaan glances at me, a wicked glint in his eyes.

"No promises."

"Kaan." I smack his leg lightly.

Kaan and I manage to keep our hands off each other for the whole trip, which takes a painfully long time. By the time we arrive it's nearly dusk, however, any worries glide off my skin as the warm air drapes over me.

Their family friend's home is magnificent. It's mostly made of glass and sandstone, facing the beach. I can only see the dunes from here, but I can smell the sea, and hear the gentle lapping of waves against the shore.

The towering glass doors to the home open and a couple walk out. For a moment I fear I may recgonise them, but thankfully, I've never seen their faces before.

"Well, if it isn't the happy couple," the woman says.

They are both similar in age to Kaan and Tay's parents. The woman wears a light, almost sheer dress that floats around her body, her dark blonde hair pulled away from her face. The man, with darker hair, wears a loose cotton shirt with the buttons undone and pants that sling low on his hips.

These people don't look like the snakes Kaan and Tay have made them out to be. They don't even look political in the slightest.

"Welcome to our home," the man greets, grinning broadly. "Especially you, Hunter. My name is Leon and this is my wife, Kara."

I bow my head. "Thank you for having us."

"Time passes slowly here. I hope you enjoy your time here," Kara says, trying to catch Tay's gaze, but the girl seems more interested in the sandy driveway beneath us then anything else.

Kaan rests his hand on my lower back, smiling down at me.

"We have been travelling for a while now, would you mind if we head down to the beach for a bit before dinner?" He asks lightly.

He knows how badly I want to see the beach, to feel the warm sand between my toes. I'm glad Kaan insisted we all change into beach appropriate clothing before we left, because I'm already starting to sweat from the sun, even if it is dipping toward the horizon.

"You are most welcome to," Kara smiles.

We leave our shoes at the door before padding down the dunes to the beach. My breath catches in my throat as I finally lay eyes on the sea.

The setting sun has stained the sea a mix of purple, pink and orange. The water is effortless calm, with only small frothy waves creeping up the shoreline.

I can practically feel my dress melt as the warm breeze pulls my hair over my shoulders.

"Those two seem nice," I tell Kaan, our feet sinking deep into the loose sand.

His expression remains grim, even with the beautiful view before him. "They will tear you apart for as much information as possible later, trust me."

We spend about an hour on the beach. We let the water up to our knees, we walk for a while before we sit, not caring about all the sand getting through our clothing.

"It feels good to relax," I murmur, sifting my fingers through the sand. It's starting to cool around us, but some parts of the sand still hold it's warmth.

Kaan gazes at me, smiling softly. "You deserve it. You need to rest and heal."

The shadowy purple tones of dusk suit the hard lines of his face. I want to touch him, to kiss him, but Tay sits with us, and wouldn't be very impressed if I started make-out with her brother.

"You don't feel any better?" She asks. She's been frowning since she saw me wince as I sat down.

"I feel a bit better, but not by much. It's been starting to improve since I went away with Kaan, but it will be a long process to heal from," I tell her.

The salt breeze brushes against my skin, against my hair. It's hard to worry when I'm here.

Were I to ever have to run away again, I think I would find a place close to the beach to make my home. The warmth feeds my soul.

"If anyone can do it, you can," Tay assures me softly.

"I just want to know who did this," I mutter. As calm as I am here, the thought still haunts me.

I'm used to feeling chased, feeling hunted. But I've never thought anyone wanted me dead, even with Vinn. He wanted to control me, but maybe that's what the poison has been about.

Controlling me...keeping me in one place so I can't run.

"I have a guess," Tay says, picking at her fingernails.

"Who?"

"Don't Tay. Keep your opinions to yourself," Kaan snaps, giving her a murderous look.

There must be a reason why Kaan doesn't want Tay to mention her theory. It's likely because she thinks Azura is doing this, and Kaan is protective over his youngest sister. And for whatever reason, Tay has a strained relationship with Azura.

"But-"

"It doesn't matter. We don't plan to stick around for long," I tell her lightly. She doesn't need to accuse Azura. I know in my heart it wouldn't be her doing this.

I mean, she wanted me to leave, not stay...

"I need a swim. What about you two?" Kaan asks, shedding off his shirt.

"Good idea," I say. "Just give me a minute."

He nods before heading off down to the beach. We may not be in swimwear, but I don't mind. Kaan is my lover and Tay is family at this point.

"I had no idea you were being poisoned, Hunter," Tay says anxiously as I start to braid my hair. "I'm a terrible friend."

"You're not. No one could have seen this coming, seriously. You're not responsible for my health," I soothe, patting her leg comfortingly.

I should have known she would take this personally. I'm not sure why, but I seem to be her favourite person, and ever since she found out she's been stressing that I could die at any moment.

"Promise me you'll take some time to hang out with me one of these days." Her large, pale green eyes blink earnestly.

"Of course," I assure her.

She stands with me, taking a cautious look toward the sea. Considering how she's avoiding letting the water touch more than her toes so far, I doubt she is going to want to swim with us.

"I'm really happy about you an Kaan. You're part of this family now and you suit it," she tells me softly, her smile lighting up her whole face.

If it weren't for her parents, I could see myself being part of their family.

It would be my first experience with a real one...

"That's so kind of you, Tay."

"Go have fun with him. You both need to let loose some more," she says, brushing her hair back, looking sad for a moment as she looks toward her brother.

Before I can ask her about it, she turns and heads up the beach, her sundress whipping around her legs as the breeze kicks up.

I shed off my own dress, leaving in just my undergarments before I rush off toward the sea. It's still warm as it grazes my skin, and the salty smell is divine.

Kaan wades waist deep, the waves so pitifully small they barely bump against him as he stares out toward the horizon.

"You okay?" I ask him, coming to stand beside him.

He turns to look at me, the tension bleeding from his shoulders. "I'm great. I'm happy to be here with you."

"I am too. This place is perfect," I murmur.

I would do anything for Kaan to not be an Alpha with obligations right now. I want nothing more than for him to be some normal man who can move anywhere with me, be anyone he wants.

He shifts his body so he's facing me, reaching his wet hands to hold my face.

"I'm falling so deeply in love with you..." he admits gently.

I draw in a slow breath, trying not to let that overwhelm me. "That's scary."

I've never been loved before, and I've never loved. I'm not sure what it feels like, but I'm starting to feel like it could be the strange emotion bubbling beneath my skin.

"No. It's good," he insists, brushing my hair behind my ear tenderly.

I hold his gaze, terrified and exhilarated at the same time.

"I think I'm falling in love with you too."

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