Cirice Forge doesn't know who she is. Other than a piece of paper with her name on it, she knows nothing about her time before she was dispersed into the foster system. Now, she bartends at a popular gentleman's club with plenty of ogling and still...
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"Two weeks!? Who do you think you are!?" Alex spat angrily as they entered the townhouse. They had since bid goodbye to Margaery and were now left to the tension that even she could sense.
"I will not have you dawdle on this any longer." Alpha shot angrily as he strolled into the parlor. His mother held his father's coat, shaking it out and hanging it on the hall tree. She gave him a pleading look as she removed her drenched shawl.
"Dawdle? You think that is what I am doing?" Alex shot, stomping into the room. His father had his pipe, the scent of cloves making Alex's senses tingle. A thought of her flashed across his mind before his father spoke.
"I do. Now I have allowed you free reign these past fourteen years, but enough is enough. You will marry her, within the fortnight. You will then ensure that a son is produced. I refuse to debate this with you any further." Alpha said, giving a dismissive wave of his hand.
"What if I could ensure the future of our family, but not with Margaery?" he asked softly. Alex was in dangerous territory. Alpha looked up at him. He could barely see his father's eyes as they narrowed.
"You cannot possibly...no," he started, scoffing. Alex's jaw locked as his father laughed.
"You are still on her--she is far above your station." his father commented, still chuckling.
"You think I don't know that?" Alex said hotly. His father shook his head.
"I know you know that, and that is what makes this whole thing so comical. Her father would never allow it and neither would I." Alex could feel his emotions heightening. His hands began to feel warm, and he knew at any moment it would happen. A soft glow reflected in the buttons of his father's vest. Alpha stood and approached him.
"You quiet yourself now!" he spat. Alex breathed deeply, the fire suddenly dissipating from his fists.
"I will hear no more of this. You will marry Margaery and put that Princess out of your head. If I find out otherwise, you will be sorry." Alex scoffed.
"Who knows dad, maybe you'll be the sorry one," Alex said smoothly, stepping back and leaving the room. He trotted up the steps, ignoring his mother's questions. Upstairs in his room, he removed his formal attire and replaced it with a worn pair of jeans he had snagged before he and Cirice had left. He fell back on his bed, looking once again out the window and up towards the dark, rainy sky.
The rain pattered against his window, a calming sound that helped him recall the day he had signed his life away.
Fourteen Years Ago
"Alexander! Watch out!" Cirice cried, her long dark hair flying behind her as she raced down the hallway. Mason was hot on her tail, this time a tiger participating in an extreme game of tag. Alex took Cirice's hand and they both bolted down the nearest stairway. Mason galumphed down the stairs after them, playfully baring his teeth.
Cirice squealed in delight as her stockinged feet slid down the slick wood of the next hallway. Alex looked back at her, beaming with a toothy grin at the plucky eight-year-old before him. Behind her, Mason appeared, creeping slowly. He raised his furry eyebrow and Alex grinned.
"What is it, Alexander? Do I have something on my dress?" Cirice asked, looking down at the stately blue fabric. Alex nodded and Mason pounced, pinning Cirice to the ground. He haphazardly morphed back, a striped tail still protruding from his back as Alex cried "You're it!"
Cirice huffed as she pushed him off. "How about-"
"To Hell with this plan! I won't allow it!" The sound of Papa's voice made the trio jump and immediately look further down the hall. Quickly, they shuffled to the door that was just slightly ajar. Mason morphed into a small spider and slid through the crack. Alex took the keyhole and Cirice kneeled to look under the door.
"Papa please, this is the most solid plan we have had yet. It is the only way we can protect her." Mason's mother, Cosette pleaded. She reached for Papa but he jolted away.
"Why send her away from the safest place there is? Alpha just had the men increase their patrols." Papa questioned, stalking over to the fireplace. Ithica cleared her throat, knotting her hands together.
"Your Grace, there was an incident. We had hoped it was a rogue event, but sources have confirmed otherwise." Papa turned to her, his feet signaling the movement to Cirice.
"What happened?" Papa spat.
"Moira, Cirice's night nurse. She attempted to slit the little lamb's throat as she lay sleeping. If it hadn't been for me putting linens away, she would have succeeded." Ithica said sharply, shaking her head. Alpha stood in the corner, watching them.
"Well, there is your answer, Papa." Sister Imperator said mournfully, eyeing him. Papa turned back to the fire, contemplating the conundrum before him. How had his castle been infiltrated? Would there be more assassination attempts? If he did send her away, would she ever find her way back? He couldn't lose her again.
Papa looked up, taking in the portrait of his late wife, Evelyn. Her knowing green eyes seemed to tell him to accept the offer he had been dreading. He cleared his throat.
"I will accept your offer. We shall send her somewhere that he will never find her, but someone must accompany her. I will not have her alone in the world."
Before anyone could speak, Alex pushed the door open, stepping in. The group, all surprised at the intrusion, eyed him with disappointment.
"It's always yours, Alpha," Cosette scolded, just as Mason suddenly morphed from his place in the corner.
"I'll do it. I'll go." Alex said as Cirice pushed herself up off of the floor and came to his side. Papa eyed Alpha who remained silent. Papa approached Cirice and Alex, stooping to their level.
"You do understand the importance of something like this? It is not to be taken lightly." Papa said, his tone somber and stern. Cirice watched them both with her large, green eyes filled with fear. Alex nodded.
"There may be trials along the way and monsters to face. By taking this vow, you accept all responsibility for your princess and agree to escort her when the time comes for her to return?" Papa's words were hash as Alex stood tall, his chin up and chest inflated.
"Yes sir. I will protect Princess Cirice with my life." Cirice was plagued with confusion, but somehow felt comforted by Alex's words. He had been protecting her since they were little--at least he tried when she wasn't getting herself into precarious situations. Papa stood and looked at the group.
"Then it is settled. They will leave at sunset with you, Cosette."
Outside, Alpha waited until he was out of sight of the castle to accost his son.
"How dare you disrespect me and this family, boy!?" he spat, boxing Alex's ears. Alex cried out but stood his ground as his father pushed him against the cold stone wall.
"I'm going with Cirice," he said shakily. His father sighed angrily and kneeled, taking him in. Alex glared at him, his small hands drawn into fists.
"I suppose there is no changing your mind?" he asked, his voice softer than before. Alex shook his head, watching his father.
"Fine, but I have conditions of my own," Alpha added quickly just as Alex smiled.
"You may go, but when you return you must dedicate yourself to this family. You will do as I command with no hesitance. Is that understood?" Alpha asked, his finger pointed at him. The stone of the house was hard and cold against Alex's back as he answered his father, not even considering the agreement he was about to enter.
