L Y C A N

13.

The sky darkened as the funeral party left the burial grounds, Dimitri remained hidden as the family made there way back to the street, guards lined the path leading from the grave but the family didn't seem to care, still lost in grief.

She felt a pang of guilt, her intentions though pure seemed to only cause problems, she was really mucking this up she realized.

she swallowed a lump in her throat but didn't move from her spot, she wasn't ready to face him, he was so unpredictable, he made her want to kiss him and punch him in the same breath.

He stepped from the shadow of the trees and immediately she felt his presence, like a scorching bath after being stung by the cold for a century, she tried not to get comfortable.

"compulsive huh?"

He seemed calm, too calm, he stared at the loose earth beside his feet, long lashes framing high defined cheekbones, his face was a mask of darkness almost haunting.

she took a step back biting her lip to prevent herself from saying something she couldn't take back, thunder rolled up ahead.

"I didn't have a choice"

"oh yes you did, you chose to endanger yourself and the royal family, you chose to disobey me-"

"I didn't do anything I wasn't supposed to"

His eyes twitched, and whatever facade of calmness he tried to put up crumbled like sand "You didn't do anything wrong?, odd" he growled "then why didn't you talk to me about what you planned to do?, why did you storm from the castle before I was even informed?"

His body vibrated "unless it's unclear to you Alexandra, you are nolonger a random or simple civilian, you are the future queen, killing you might be the last thing on any enemies list but it doesn't mean it can't happen, goddammit this is a new life for yo-"

"Yes!, a life that isn't even mine if only you and the Queen Mother get to dictate my life!"

A sharp edge hardened his eyes "if that were so Alexandra you would have just one option, marry me with a concubine"

"While you think about that, think about the fact that you didn't just put yourself in danger when you showed up here, you put every single civilian within a 10-mile radius in danger"

His eyes blazed with fury, but she didn't feel scorched if anything she felt sad ..  lonely

he pointed at the earth "That, that could've been you, I need you to understand that!"

"I do! why do you think I'm here!" 

he shook his head, " I don't think you do and that's what angers me"

He turned from her, shoulders stiff, her head began to ache from grinding her molars, the first drop of rain fell against her cheek, cooling her heated skin and as she looked up at grey clouds, ones just like the day they had laid Princess Gwen to rest, she realised how much this must've reminded Dimitri of his sister and his loss.

Frustration caused tears to burn her eyes Annabeth was only a few years older than the princess was and they had both lost their lives too young, because of their affiliation to the crown.

when heavier raindrops soaked through her black turtle neck she finally moved from her spot, whispering a prayer for Anna and for herself.

She took her time walking through the quiet forest, despite the light drizzle, up ahead a woman in white and red shoulder length hair in a heart afro, gazed at the sky, there was something familiar about her but Alexandra counldn't put her finger on it.

"Oh" she turned around startled, her eyes slanting slightly before widening, she bowed a little and thats when Alexandra connected the dots.

"Your highness"

"you look familiar, aren't you one of the chosen?" She looked up, green-brown eyes peering at her, she stood an impressive 5'10, cocoa skin and stubborn chin.

She nodded and Alexandra frowned, something nagging her, "how are you here, the Queen has you all on lockdown", A roll of thunder and the rain became harsher, a bitter smile curved her full dusky lips "The Queen told me one Omega was enough for the Royal household"  fire lit a path in her stomach.

"Excuse me?" 

She looked quickly at the sky, fingering her fro for a moment before giving Alexandra an apologetic smile "water is good for this baby but too much and she loses her shape, please excuse me, your highness" and with a parting bow she quickly ran through the path.

Alexandra stood in the downpour until the fire in stomach cooled to a simmer, she had never been big on hatred or the type to hold grudges but the queen seemed to know the exact buttons to push and when they came face to face in the castle foyer, the Queen fierce, elegant and refined, Alexandra a wet shivering mess, she couldn't help her haughty childish tone.

"Why did you send one of the chosen away?" 

The queen stared at her from atop the stares, lacking the distaste Alexandra thought she would have displayed on her face.

" I sent her home, the woman who will carry my grandchild will not be a lowly Omega with physical imperfections"

Her skin became hot all over again, lowly? 

"i'm sure the King will agree with me" she stated matter of factly, Alexandra's eyes twitched and the Queen seemed pleased with how out of tune she was with her emotions.

"You said one of the ladies chosen will be the concubine, she's among those ladies, please call for her immediate return to the castle" despite her mind screaming at her to leave it be, she really wanted the Queen to see that being an Omega was nothing to be ashamed of or looked down on. she would show her.

If the Queen was surprised or pleased she didn't show it and when she spoke her voice lacked the normal iciness instead it was filled with genuine interest.

"Currently you aren't in favor with the King, if you lose your footing with him, you lose this fight .. and yet here you are fighting for the Omega to have the right to stand by the King"

She conceeded with a nod of her head, decending the stairs to walk past Alexandra an air of superiority around her.

 "If this so happens to be your downfall don't blame anyone but yourself"