Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

Chapter 10: Here Comes the Bride

~Alice~

(May 16th)

My sickness had grown worse. Either from nervousness or actually illness, I couldn't distinguish the two. Today was the day I would be wedded off to Shay and be forced to bare his offspring. Ellie fixed the silver pin in my hair and smiled broadly. The dress was breathtaking. A pearl white and decorated with dark blue lace around the edges.

The reception was held inside of Fort Arsenal, surrounded by Redcoats. Shay and I hadn't spoken since the night I stayed with him to help him get over the loss of his eldest. I held him as he cried and he clung to me for dear life.

"You look gorgeous!" Elle held a hand to her mouth. "I think I might cry." I smiled weakly and stepped down from the pedastool. My hair was curled and wrapped around my head like a halo. A diamond necklace even hung from my throat. Courtesy of Haytham himself. Although my wolf necklace was still hidden underneath.

"I feel so sick." I winced at the pain again and looked at Elle with watery eyes. She frowned and pressed a hand to my head.

"No fever. But you look as pale as a sheet." She tapped her lower lip in thought right before the doors swung open. Haytham walked in with his trademark grin and hands folded behind his back.

"There's our bride to be." He teased.

"Screw you." I responded through my clenched teeth. Haytham let the comment roll off and stepped closer.

"Plenty of that tonight, my dear. Isaac is so excited to walk you down the isle." I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from talking anymore. Haytham held out his arm and I knew there was no escaping this nightmare. I hooked arms and Haytham led me down the hall.

The day was beautiful and the middle of early Spring. The wedding would be held in the garden and I could already see the decorations from the windows. The aisle was packed to the brim with strangers. The air was thick with tension and flower petals.

Katelyn was ahead of me. Dropping the white flowers down the aisle. Her dress was a soft pink and her hair was tied up in a pony tail decorated with curls. Haytham patted my arm as we stood before the group of people. All were Templars, no doubt. Or their accomplices.

"Smile my dear. It is you're wedding day." The piano outside began to play a familiar tune. My head reeled and my knees buckled. Haytham stiffened as my grip turned deadly. My breathing became labored and sweat now collected thickly on my head. "Alice, you can't just stand here. Shay is waiting."

He was, in fact, on the other end with hands folded and the tiniest smile on his lips. His hair was tied back as usual, freshly shaven and wearing a black outfit that resembled a funeral rather than a wedding.

Fear gripped me even harder, the first few steps were the hardest I had ever took. Shay's eyebrow rose and his attention heightened. Katelyn poked her head around from the corner with childish curiosity.

My father, who was sitting to the left, stood and stepped in the middle of the lane. "Alice?"

My world turned black.

~Timeskip~

I awoke with heavy eyes. My body was exhausted and I could bring myself to roll to my side on the plush bed. Shay was reclining in a wooden chair, his head in his hands. I didn't know if he was sleeping, praying or possibly crying. Haytham was leaning in the doorway with a odd, angered expression.

"The plans are ruined. Because of that thing growing inside of you." Haytham sneered. I pushed myself up to a sitting position and groaned. "If I had the right of mind, I would have got the doctor to be rid of it."

"What in the hell are you talking about?!" I growled through clench teeth. My wedding dress was now ruffled and covered in dirty smudges. My throat closed, "a thing growing inside of me"?

"A child! The offspring of Connor." If only I could pass out again to escape reality. My fingers twitched as I lifted them to my still flat abdomen. My emotions ranged from complete joy to complete fear. I was surrounded by Templars and they could easily wipe me and my unborn child off the face of this earth.

"Grand Master, ya shouldn't yell at her. She didn't know." It was rare for Shay to ever speak up to Haytham. The older man huffed in anger and pinched the bridge of his nose. I brought my knees up to my chest and clenched my eyes close tightly.

"The only solution is for you to stay with me. Until you birth this child it is a nuisance to us all. I'll have Elle pack your things, we leave tonight."

"Please Haytham! Don't do this to me!" I stood with shaking legs and Shay was right behind me to steady my legs or protect his precious Grandmaster. Haytham took a step back at to which I lunged and grabbed his hand. "For your grandchild." Haytham recoiled like I had slapped him physically. His lip twisted in disgust and he laid a hand on the doorknob leading outside.

"Alice?" A small voice echoes off the door. Haytham slid to the side when Katelyn poked her head inside with a cute smile. "Are you feeling better?" I wiped the small tears away from my cheeks and cleared my nose.

"Yeah, I'm fine." She slipped inside with grace and wrapped her arms around my middle, laying her head on my chest.

"You aren't leaving, are you?" She looked at me with wide eyes. I smiled down at her sadly and brushed a piece of her from her face.

"I'm sorry. But I'm sure your father will let you visit as much as you want." I heard Shay shuffle behind me as I conversed with his daughter. She smiled widely and took my hand in her much smaller one.

"I'll help you pack."

~Chapter End~