Queen Alpha

Chapter 3

My breaths became hollower by the seconds as my body was flinching against the heavy iron sword against my skin. I swallowed and locked my knees for support. I could feel the stature behind me move closer. The metal claymore moved upon my branded insignia on my shoulders.

''House Viteri? I received no information-'' the once familiar voice murmured against my neck. I couldn't help but chuckle as I slowly turned around, avoiding the lethal weapon.

''Lena'', Jenoah whispered as the weapon dropped to my side. His green eyes sparked at the sight of my face. I couldn't help but grin at his matured face. My childhood flashed in my mind as the face of my cousin stared back at me. His emerald green eyes looked less vibrant as they did when we teased each other in our youth as his rounded face had become more lean and angular as the years had passed.

''Is it really you?'' his lips trembled when his eyes searched my face. I nodded and gripped his arm for support.

''I missed you too'', my voice cracked and I embraced his neck. I could feel Jenoah's muscles tense underneath my touch before his arms squeezed my waist. His heavy breaths warmed my collarbone as he whispered into my auburn hair.

''I thought you were dead. Ever since the exile-'' he locked me tightly against his chainmail. My body quivered by his words.

The words ''Ever since the exile'' repeated it selves over and over again within my mind. What exile was he talking about? And why did he word it as ''the exile'' instead of ''your exile'' made my body freeze against his warm touch. The happiness from our reunion turned cold as I pushed his heavy shoulders off me as I stared into his occupied eyes.

''What are you talking about? What exile?'' I pressed and studied the face I had longed for years.

''Lena..'' he whispered and looked down. I grabbed his hand and his fingers slid into mine.

''Tell me'', I tightened our embraced fingers. I could see him swallowing slowly and his eyes traveled back towards mine. His soft eyes turned absent as he stroked my clammy hair behind my ears before he continued.

''Since the attack of Alexius Agos, Commander Nereus ruled it as a plot by house Viteri..'', he paused and looked away, as if a thought had flashed into his mind.

His attention snapped back to me when my legs betrayed me. His arms embraced my waist as my weight was supported by his grip on me.

''Plot? No..no..no'', I whispered while I attempted to inhale fresh air.

Everything was my fault. I had thrown my entire family into ruins, just because I killed Alexius. Now Nereus is calling it a plot carried out by my house to have Alexius assassinated? My actions alone drove my house to exile.

I could feel a blockage in my chest as I tried to breath but my head became heavier and heavier.

''Lethina, what happened?'' I could feel his breath against my cheek. I shook my head to focus but my vision just became blurrier.

''Father? Is he... alive?'' I forced the words out. Jenoah's fingers trailed towards my face as he came closer. All I could see was two widened pupils staring into my eyes.

''Lethina, you are poisoned. How much Wolf's bane did you use?'' he yelled. My body flinched against his words. I tried to regain enough strength to stay present but my mind grew heavier and heavier.

''We have to get you to the camp, they have herbs that will-'' his words clouded my mind when he lifted my body from the ground. I tried to push his grasp from me but it only made his hands tighten around my waist.

''What about Salvatore? Please... don't tell me..'', I murmured as my twin brother's face entered my mind. Jenoah's body tensed underneath me before a low breath exhaled from his throat.