Chapter seventeen
ARIA'S POV.
Things started to fall apart a week later.
The market I was in, was bustling with life, the air thick with the scent of fresh produce and the sound of merchants calling out their wares. I strolled through the crowded stalls, a few guards trailing behind me for protection. The sights and sounds were almost enough to distract me from my worries-almost.
Suddenly, an uproar erupted behind me. I spun around, heart pounding in my chest, to see a group of armored guards pushing through the crowd. They wore insignia I didn't recognize at first, but my blood ran cold as the realization dawned
on me.
They were from Alpha Denderick's pack.
I thought that I had managed to escape them at my coronation ceremony, but here they were, tormenting me with their presence. Again.
The foreign guards rounded up all the pregnant women in the market, forcing them to their knees. Panic and confusion spread through the crowd like wildfire. Women cried out in fear, their hands instinctively going to their swollen bellies as the guards showed no mercy.
I felt a lump of dread form in my throat. What was happening?
I turned to one of the guards accompanying me, my voice barely steady. "What is going on, please?"
"Apologies for the intrusion, Lady Aria." The guard's expression was grim. "They've been given permission by the Council of Alphas to search all the packs. They're looking for a specific pregnant woman who left Alpha Denderick's pack. She should be about three months along now."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. They were searching for me!
The world around me seemed to tilt, and I had to fight to keep my composure. My thoughts raced as I considered my options, but fear paralyzed me.
I couldn't let them find out who I was, not here, not now.
"What do we do?" I asked the guard, my voice trembling despite my efforts to stay calm.
He looked at me with a mixture of concern and determination. "We need to get you out of here, quickly and quietly."
But it was too late. One of Denderick's guards had noticed us and started making his way over, suspicion gleaming in his eyes. I clutched my cloak tighter around my belly, trying to hide the growing bump, but I knew it wouldn't be enough. The guard from Alpha Denderick's pack approached us, eyes narrowing as he looked me over. "Who is this?" he demanded.
My guard stepped in front of me protectively. "She's under the protection of Alpha Logan. You have no right to question her."
The foreign guard sneered. "We have every right, by order of the Council of Alphas. Step aside."
Panic surged through me. If they discovered who I was, everything would be over. I had to think fast, but my mind was blank with terror. The situation was spiraling out of control, and I felt utterly helpless.
"Please," I whispered to my guard. "We have to get out of here."
He nodded curtly, and without another word, he grabbed my arm and started leading me away from the market. But the foreign guard wasn't about to let us go so easily.
"Stop them!" he shouted, and chaos erupted as he and his men moved to intercept us. The guards started to herd me away, and I scrambled to get away from Alpha Denderick's men.
I watched in horror as the pregnant women were being manhandled, their cries piercing the air. My heart ached for them, but I couldn't bring myself to step forward. I wanted to save my child, even though it felt selfish. The thought of Alpha Denderick finding us was too much to bear.
I couldn't let them take me back to Alpha Denderick. I had to find a way out, for my sake and for the sake of my child.
Suddenly, an idea formed in my mind. I turned to my guards, my voice wavering. "Please, I don't feel well. I need to go back home."
One of the foreign guards approached us, suspicion etched on his face. "Why should we let you leave?" he demanded.
I clutched my stomach, pretending to be in pain. "I... I've been feeling ill all morning. I think it's something I ate. Please, I just need to lie down."
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The guard eyed me skeptically, but my own guards stepped in, shielding me from his gaze. "She's under Alpha Logan's protection. If she says she's unwell, we'll take her home. If you do not like that, you can come and say it to Alpha Logan's face yourselves!"
The foreign guard hesitated, then nodded begrudgingly. "Fine, but we will come to question her. Make sure she doesn't leave the premises."
My heart pounded as my guards led me away, my legs feeling weak with relief and fear. As we walked, I couldn't help but glance back at the chaos in the market. The pregnant women were still being rounded up, and guilt gnawed at me. But I had to protect my child, no matter what.Content is © 2024 NôvelDrama.Org.
When we finally reached the safety of Alpha Logan's pack house, I felt like I could breathe again. But the sense of dread lingered. How long could I keep these lies up? How long before Alpha Denderick's guards discovered the truth? I needed to think of a plan, and fast.
As I stood in the foyer, trying to steady my breath, I felt strong arms wrap around me from behind. I stiffened immediately, fighting the urge to squirm.
"My love!" Alpha Logan called out, snuggling his face into the crook of my neck. Alpha Logan's embrace was meant to be comforting, but it only added to my unease.
He must have noticed my discomfort, as he pulled back, turning me to face him.
"Aria, what's wrong?" he asked.
A plan slowly formed in my mind, as I stared at him. I had to reinforce the idea that I was unwell. Maybe it would buy me more time and keep the guards from questioning me further.
I allowed my knees to buckle and let out a soft gasp. "Logan... I..." I whispered before pretending to faint, letting my body go limp in his arms.