His Witchy Mate

~ Alicia ~

The fury that had driven me in Lucian’s presence slowly ebbed away as I retreated to the solitude of my room. My emotions were a tempestuous sea, tossing and turning within me. Lucian’s grip on my life and the anger he incited had become unbearable, and I knew I had to escape from this gilded cage he had trapped me in.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I lay down on the bed, feeling the weight of my helplessness. I had laid bare my grievances, I had confronted him, but it seemed that Lucian was unyielding in his determination to keep me under his control.

As the tears rolled down my cheeks, I began to form a plan in my mind. I couldn’t endure this any longer. I had to escape, to regain my freedom, to live a life where I wasn’t subject to his whims.

I wiped my tears away and focused on my escape plan. I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I was willing to risk everything to break free from the clutches of the man who had caused me so much pain.

~ Elara ~

As I left my room, the weight of the recent confrontation with Lucian still heavy on my mind, I decided to wander through the palace halls with my maid. The vastness of the place both amazed and bewildered me. I had been away for so long, and much had changed.

As we strolled, we overheard hushed conversations among the maids. The mention of Lucian’s lady being ill piqued my curiosity. I knew nothing of Lucian having a lady, and I couldn’t help but wonder who she might be.

A sudden thought hit me, like a bolt of lightning. Could it be Alicia?

I decided to follow the maids to the room where they said Lucian’s lady was staying. As I entered, my eyes fell upon a woman lying on the bed, her face pale and weak. Recognition dawned upon me as I realized who she was.

Memories of our shared past flooded my mind. Ena and I had been classmates, but we had never been friends. In fact, we had despised each other. Our school years had been filled with rivalry and animosity. I had hoped never to see her again.

Ena, however, seemed to remember me, and her shock was evident. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice laced with surprise.

I couldn’t resist a hint of pride as I replied, “I am the Alpha’s woman now.”

Ena’s eyes widened, disbelief in her gaze. “Dream on.”

Fury still smoldering within me, I stormed out of the room where I had found Ena and made my way to Lucian’s chambers. My steps were quick and determined, my heart pounding with a mixture of anger and confusion.

As I entered his room without bothering to knock, Lucian looked up from his desk, his expression unreadable. His ability to maintain a composed demeanor even when confronted never ceased to irritate me.

“Why is Ena here?” I demanded, not bothering with pleasantries. “What’s going on?”

Lucian regarded me for a moment, as if gauging how much information to divulge. Finally, he sighed and leaned back in his chair.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

“Ena is here because I need her,” he began, his tone measured. “She can be a valuable pawn in a dangerous game that’s unfolding.”

I couldn’t hide my skepticism. “A pawn? What are you talking about?”

Lucian proceeded to explain the intricate web of politics and betrayal that had ensnared Ena’s father, who happened to be one of the most influential figures in their world, second only to Lucian himself. He revealed that Ena’s father was planning to assassinate him and seize his position as Alpha.

“To weaken him and dismantle the conspiracy,” Lucian continued, “I need his daughter. Ena can act as bait to draw out the rebels and reveal their identities.”

The gravity of the situation began to sink in. Ena was not just a pawn; she was a crucial piece in a dangerous power struggle that threatened Lucian’s rule. My anger began to wane, replaced by a grim understanding of the necessity of Lucian’s actions.

“Ena may despise me for this,” Lucian admitted, his gaze heavy with the weight of his choices. “But it’s the only way to protect our world from those who seek to destroy it.”

I couldn’t deny the logic in his words, as much as it grated against my sense of justice. It was a stark reminder of the complex and often brutal world I had returned to.

As I absorbed the truth of the situation, Lucian’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You should go and rest as much as you can, Elara,” he said, his tone a curious mix of concern and authority. “This is a matter I must handle, and I need you safe.”

I couldn’t help but bristle at his directive. The thought of being confined to the sidelines while the world around me crumbled was infuriating. However, a small voice of reason within me knew that Lucian was right. I was ill-equipped to navigate the treacherous waters of political warfare.

Reluctantly, I agreed, my voice tinged with frustration. “Fine, but I won’t stay idle for long. I need to know what’s happening and how I can help.”

Lucian nodded, acknowledging my determination. “You will, Elara, but for now, let me deal with this. Rest assured, I will keep you informed.”

With a final, longing glance at Lucian, I turned and left his room.

~ Alicia ~

The morning sun filtered through the windows of the palace, casting a warm glow across the marble floors. I had become all too familiar with these opulent surroundings, trapped within the gilded cage of my new life. But today, there was a glimmer of hope, a chance to escape the confines of these walls.

As the head maid bustled about, her authoritative voice ordering the other maids to prepare for a trip to the market, I couldn’t help but overhear her concern. One of the maids was sick and unable to make the journey. It was a rare opportunity to leave the palace, and I knew I couldn’t let it slip through my fingers.

Summoning my courage, I stepped forward and addressed the head maid, “I can go to the market in her place.”