Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

AYLA

I stood at the window of the room I had been confined in since arriving in Emberfall six days ago. I was no longer strapped to the bed but I was not allowed to leave the room.

As I stared down at the courtyard below, I could tell that something was happening.It was unusual to see servants scurrying up and down carrying linens and garlands unless there was a celebration in place.

The guards outside my door changed shifts three times a day and Mira came twice, once in the morning with my morning meal and once in the evening, also with my evening meal.

She never stayed long enough for she and I to chat ever since the first day she apologized for telling on me and revealed two things to me.

One, Lucius intended to make me his mate.

Two, Amara... the one who had bound my wolf was a witch and practiced dark magic.

I had heard about witches but just in whispered conversation when I served in Alpha Kieran’s court.

They were known as practitioners of the dark arts. They refused the light and the energy from the moon goddess. Witches were known to steal the life from others to stretch their own and Lucius had one of them in his pack, advising him.

It was enough for me to know he was up to no good.

The door handle turned and I spun around as Lucius stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

He was dressed in a dark tunic and dark pants with boots. It was a simple outfit but it made him look majestic.

Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.

The only way I knew I would be able to rid myself of this place was if I allowed them think I was on their side and ready to do their bidding.

I tried to still my beating heart as he approached me.

"Hey," I said softly.

Lucius paused in his stride, surprise etched on his face at my greeting but it was gone as soon as it came. He continued walking until he was standing beside me by the window. He looked down at the courtyard, at the servants and the torches and the cart of barrels, and then he looked at me.

"Ayla." His voice was warm. "How are you doing today?"

"I am doing well, thank you." I tilted my head, letting the corner of my mouth curve upward. "You?"

He did not answer but his eyes moved across my face, searching for something.

"What?" I asked.

"You are not being yourself."

"You mean I am not fighting and demanding that you let me go?"

He nodded slowly, a smile gracing his face. "That is exactly what I mean."

I sighed and folded my arms across my chest.

"Maybe it is because I have realized it is a futile endeavor," I said. "You have no plans of letting me go. At least not until you have what you want from me."

"You are making it sound like a dreadful thing, Ayla."

He drew nearer and I resisted the urge to flinch.

"You and I have a destiny," he said. His voice had dropped. "One that has been written in the stars long before we were even thought to be born. I need you to see that as well as I do."

I turned to him and I put my hand on his arm.

"I would love for you to show me, Lucius."

I held his gaze and saw his surprise. He had not expected me to touch him.

I let my hand remain for one heartbeat before I pulled back as if I had touched him by accident or impulse.

"If that is okay with you," I added. "Of course."

Lucius reached for my hand before I could pull it all the way back. His fingers closed around mine and he lifted my knuckles to his lips.

"Thank you, Ayla." he said, placing a kiss on them.

When he released my hand, his eyes were bright with something that might have been triumph or hunger or both.

"Tonight," he said. "I have something to announce to my people and I hope you will grace me with your presence by my side."

I blinked at this.

"Oh-"

"What better way to begin showing you all that I mean?" He spread his hands. "By letting my people see us walking side by side together. They need to meet you. There have been questions about who their Alpha came home with." His smile deepened. "And I cannot wait to introduce you."

I found my smile again and fixed it in place.

"Of course," I said. "I cannot wait to be introduced."

He smiled an utterly disarming smile and then he stepped closer again. His hand came up to my face, and his fingers traced my cheekbone with a tenderness that made my skin crawl.

I held still as he leaned in and pressed his lips to my cheek.

The kiss lingered a moment too long before he pulled back, his eyes taking in my face.

"I will have the maids come in with a selection of outfits you can choose from." His voice was soft now. "But even in sackcloth, you are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

"Thank you, Lucius." I inclined my head, letting my lashes drop. "You flatter me."

"It is not flattery, Ayla." He held my gaze. "You are."

I smiled again and dipped my head in a shy nod... the nod of a girl who was overwhelmed by compliments, who did not know what to do with such attention, who was harmless and grateful and not a threat at all.

He watched me for a moment longer before he released me and walked to the door. He cast one more look of wonder in my direction before leaving.

I waited until he was gone before turning to the window.

That would explain the movements in the courtyard, I thought.

If he wanted me to play along, I would play along. If he wanted me to smile and nod and walk beside him like a willing partner, I would do all of that and more.

I did not need to know much about men to recognize hunger when I saw it. Lucius was infatuated with me as much as he was suspicious of me and if I played my cards right, he would let his guard down and that would be his worst mistake.

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