Chapter 90: Do I Want Her Dead?
Alana🌸;
I hoped she was joking.
...Well, the rational, well-functioning part of my brain hoped she was.
The rather... irrational, immature part of me was jumping in excitement as I walked behind her with her leading me through the bushes.
A crush.
She has a crush on me...
How am I supposed to feel about this?
There are so many reasons this is wrong.
So many reasons this could be a problem.
She’s one of my Alpha’s cousins, and Alpha Liandria’s niece.
This is a recipe for disaster!
I stare at her blue hair swaying elegantly as she leads the way, and I decide to distract myself from my thoughts by listening to the ground crunch beneath our feet as we walk.
"We’re almost there." Igma suddenly informs, and I nod even though she can’t see me.
"Mmm," I reply and she steals a glance at me before looking away.
How can someone as perfect as her find someone like me attractive?
There are so many better-looking Betas and omegas... so why me?
...But then again... It’s not that deep. She simply called me her crush.
Just a passing word that I’m already blowing out of proportion.
Crushes fade...
This might as well...
It’s folly to let myself dwell much on this.
She’s just an Alpha messing around.
If I get hurt from this, it would be completely my fault.
I shouldn’t let that happen.i need to guard my heart.
We soon begin to approach the castle and every ounce of courage I had in me vanishes as it looms over us. I feel my palms start sweating and my mouth dries up.
I want to stop, but Igma turns to me with a bright, rather excited smile.
"You’ll love my Father!" She announces and I take a long, shaky breath.
Looks like there’s really no way out of this, is there?
****
Erymas✨;
The kitchen doors fly open and when I turn around, I find Igma bouncing in, with a young lady following nervously behind her.
Igma’s eyes are bright with excitement and that massive smile on her face tells me that she’s way over the moon.
I peek behind her at the young lady she’s dragged home and the young Floplin has her gaze on the ground as she nervously rubs her toes together.
"Pa, this is Alana. The girl I told you about!" Igma speaks proudly as she steps aside so I can have a proper view of the girl and I must say, she is a flawless young lady.
Beautiful is an understatement. Even with her maiden dress, and haphazardly done hair, she’s still a glowing epitome of gentle beauty.
She peeks up at me from under her lashes and I smile at her.
No wonder Igma is so crazy about her. The goddess knew exactly what she was doing, giving my daughter a mate like this.
"Alana, this is my Father. Erymas Silvermoon!" Igma announces and the young girl, although trembling like a bird in snow, bows respectfully to me.
"It’s... an honour to meet you, my Lord." She speaks in a soft, shaky voice and my smile grows.
I walk over to her and hold out a hand to her.
"Same here, Alana. I’ve heard so much about you." I say kindly to her, and she bats her eyelids timidly at me.
"Oh... I... didn’t know there was much to tell about me." She replies as she takes my hand, and I feel her hand tremble in mine.
I look down at her delicate fingers and smile at the gentle strength she possesses. The strength that every one of us Omegas uses to face the struggles of this gruesome world of ours.
She might hide her scent as much as she likes... but I can tell what she is. She and I are very alike.
I can see the scars she’s trying to hide with her smile. The scars this world gives only to our kind.
"There is much to tell when Igma’s the one telling it," I reply as I give Alana’s hand the gentlest squeeze, and she smiles at me.
A small, genuine smile.
"Pa, are you calling me a chatterbox!?" Igma demands in feigned annoyance and I scoff as I pull my hand away from Alana’s.
"Try parrot, and we might be on the same page," I say to her as I gently squeeze her cheek, and she chuckles.
"Make yourselves at home. The meal’s almost done." I inform as I turn my back on the girls, and as I hear shuffling and whispers, the one thing that stands out to me is my daughter’s excitement.
She’s totally smitten by this girl.
I just hope her happiness isn’t tampered with. I pray the same fate that broke me... wouldn’t find her.
******
Alpha Rhydian;
"I’m hot on someone’s trail, Alpha," Ishu speaks as he helps me put on my robe, and I stare at him through the mirror.
"He’s been shuffling between the lowlands and the castle for three days now. I think he’s a messenger of some kind. He might be Balinar’s informant or spy. I’m not completely sure, but I’m getting closer to the truth." He adds, and I take a deep breath.
"Hmm. Still no news on Balinar?" I question, and he shakes his head in negation as he bends down to help me wear my sandals.
"Not yet, Alpha Rhydian. It almost seems like he knows you are here, so he’s being extra cautious. Nonetheless, I will catch him. I won’t give him the chance to escape." He replies and I nod. I take a deep breath as I stare at my reflection in the mirror.
What if my Mother truly is in cahoots with Balinar?
What if the woman who gave birth to me, had gone behind everybody’s backs and decided to betray the entire land?
It honestly isn’t something above her, but it still hurts to think about.
The punishment for such betrayal...
She’ll lose everything she’s spent her life building.
Why would she take such a risk?
I’m upset with her and I know she’s cruel, but somehow I’m hoping the evil in her is not deep enough for her to do this...
"Alpha Rhydian, please don’t worry. I promise I’ll find the truth." Ishu suddenly speaks behind me, and my eyes dart to the reflection of the young man standing with his gaze to the ground.
"I’m sorry it’s taking this much time to get the truth." He adds, and smiles at him.
"It’s okay, Ishu. You’re doing a brilliant job... Welldone." I say honestly to him, and he tries to hide a smile.
"You think so, Alpha?" He questions, and I nod as I turn around and place a hand on his shoulder.
"I know so. I couldn’t have hoped to solve this case without you. With you by my side, I’m beyond certain I’ll get the answers I need." I reply and his smile grows.
Ishu likes it when I compliment his effort. Just like almost anyone else, he likes his efforts being seen and appreciated. Even though he’ll never ask and will try to hide the fact that he likes being appreciated.
Ishu has been my loyal aide for as long as I can remember. We grew up together. Even though I seemed closed off and uninterested in learning about him, it was a lie.
I learned as much as I could and all that learning made me understand that he was one of the few people who truly ever understood me.
He is so devoted to his duty that sometimes I wonder if he doesn’t want a life outside this job.
It is true what they say. After the bond of an Omega and his Alpha, the strongest bond is the one between a master and his aide.
Ishu is so in sync with me that he doesn’t need words to understand me. He’s always been like that. When I need space, when I need someone to just be there and not say anything...
He’s always been my loyal, silent, devoted companion.
My smile drops when I remember that Zethar lost his aide. The thought of how painful that must have felt hits me, and my grip on Ishu’s shoulder tightens.
"Be careful with whatever you do here, Ishu. This may be my mothers land but it’s overflowing with vile people. I don’t want you getting hurt in the process of doing my biddings." I speak and he blinks dazed at me.
This is the first time I’m openly showing him concern but I mean the things I’m saying.
"Im serious, Ishu. I may be distracting my mother but she’s no fool. She has eyes everywhere. I don’t want something happening to you. So ensure you’re watching from the shadows and are in no way too close to danger. Okay?" I add, and heis mouth parts, still dazed for a second before clumsily nodding.
"Yes, Alpha."
I smile and nod in approval and he bows.
"I’ll take my leave now." He says, and I wave my hand with a dismissive nod, and with that, I watch as he turns around and walks off.
I let out a sigh as the thought of what will happen to Mother if she’s found guilty floods my mind.
She’ll be killed.
I hate her...
But do I hate her that much?
Do I truly want her dead??