The Alpha Killed My Husband

26| Pups In The Picture

Versailles Palace is Vampuza’s pride and Vasuki’s Pond is the ‘jewel in the crown' of that pride.

The premise is a benchmark owing to its inimitable structure crafted with apt precision as it maintains nature’s offerings to the bone.

An enormous state accompanied by breathtaking architecture sculpted by generations, it encloses various palaces, royal residences, and passages that explicitly narrate every generation’s passionate efforts to build it into the marvel that it is today.

At the curvature, the jewel outshines. A circular pond zone with the largest dancing fountain I have ever seen, Vasuki, is enthralling.

‘It’s…’ I am speechless. There are times when vocabulary fails when no word, expression, or thing can explain it. It’s the moment for me.

‘Enough.’ Rudransh fills in, intertwining our fingers lightly. I breathed out a sigh of contentment.

Together we watch ducks swimming freely alongside the Shikaras, a floating hut where a live orchestra plays steady beats of the

violin.

Blossoming flowers adorn the flowing water alongside some attractively weaved weeb. It’s a soothing sight with a mixture of intoxicating flavours of aroma in the air.

The ambience is neither bright nor dull. It’s just…sufficient with artificial illumination bent at perfect angles, highlighting tiny details in multitudes.

‘Enough?’ I am a bit confused. I am not sure if I’d chosen the word. It could have been ‘hypnotising’, ‘charming’, or better, ‘unbelievable’. It could have been a billion other things but not ‘enough’.

‘Yeah! It’s just right. Not too much, not too little. It’s just right. Satisfactory. Content. Fulfilment. There is hardly any time or any place where we can feel it nowadays.’ I took a long once-over around.

Thinking about that, Rudransh is right. It truly is enough.

‘I have been wanting to show it to you for so long. You always turned down the proposal whenever I asked you to accompany me.

This is the one thing that keeps bringing me here even for a short time.’ He complains, smiling tenderly. ‘It makes me want to halt.’

I blinked at him unassuredly. I am not sure what he meant by that.

He might have asked Luna Aaradhya to keep him company in the land of monsters and she might have turned him down for whatever reasons, but it was never me. I never once turned him down except for his dirty desires, because, deep down, I was always worried.

The fear of him piercing through the veil has kept me up on the edge. I have been nothing but an obliging wife…the role I have played for the whole of my life.

‘If you keep looking at me this way, I might want to rip your clothes and have my ways right here. Kevin is losing his mind.’ He breathes on my face huskily.

I don’t blink. I do not dare move as I unwantedly notice another tiny detail that hasn’t been or could not be captured by the flashing cameras, but is so gratifying, that I’d nearly kiss him if he walks his.

Two teensy-weensy (almost invisible) dimples form on either side of his cheek. It makes him look cute.

I gaze at his face in search of answers that have never been given. ‘How can I deny it?’ I ask disbelievingly. I hate how my voice comes out in breathy rasps at our proximity.

Rudransh chuckles with a shake of his head. The hypnotising eyes twinkle with delight and excitement of a pup.

‘How will I know what goes into this little head of yours? You are always up to something incredibly lame.’ He pokes my head playfully, oblivious of the background audience.

‘There is another reason why I’d want you to see it though.’ He flashes a cheeky grin so innocent that I am almost faint in his arms. My heart somersaults in the ribcage. A warmness explodes. It’s like I am peeling out a new me.

Enemy! Warning! E.N.E.M.Y

Nobody cares! Nagini shrugs.

‘What is it?’ I cannot help but jump a little. Rudransh is unpredictable, but it’s charming in a way. It amazes me how involved he stays in the moment as if he has nothing to worry or care about.

There are no resentments or desires as if whatever he does is the right thing to do. I have never heard him mention the great contest or how badly he wants to come to power once. He never once displays a lack of something or want of something. He is always cool in his temper, unlike other Alphas, Betas or wolves in general.

It’s something I should learn from him…living.

‘Have a keen look and observe. I want to see if you can take out the underlying message.’ He challenges. His tone is subtle, dripping with all sorts of encouragement as he stuffs his hands in his pockets and breaths in.

His shoulders are relaxed. The lips have an amused grin. I looked at him quizzically, working up my mind already all over the place.

I look at the wetland, natural greenery, and the magnificent wonders vampires have done on it. Ronit and Scarlet feed aquatics not too far from us.

Alpha King Atharva and Luna Queen Laxmi are chatting animatedly amongst themselves. Beta Shantanu is standing alone, lost in his thoughts. His face is dull with apparent tiredness.

I glanced at the Vasuki again. Nothing!

‘It’s…It’s…I—’ I struggle. I try hard to dig deeper into my wisdom to come up with something wise. Maybe he is talking about the creativity with which the Shikara is crafted. It could be the idea of a floating house. Dolphins? Piranha? Crows?

No! Seconds turn to minutes, I cannot solve the riddle. There ain’t any underlying message hidden as far as I can see. Whatever my brain or Nagini comes up with is unimpressive or so stupid, I had rather leap at Vasuki but say it aloud.

‘It just shows how honest commitment to perseverance can lead to wonder.’ Rudransh answers. ‘Just like how a relationship works in every area of life.’ He continues. ‘One just has to stick to it with great passion and determination. The consequences will work wonders. It will not only make you happy, but it will also be so contagious you'll infect your companions greatly.’

‘But it may collapse sometimes. It’s not always a smooth walk.’ I mused, feeling slightly disappointed. I was looking for something cleverer.

‘It has happened many times. It will be too. We just have to learn to look past it and stick to the greater vision. Versailles has taken a lot of jabs. Vasuki was parched dry. From 1870 to 1899, 2006, 2014—time and again, reluctance has fostered. It’s Vamp’s commitment that is still keeping it enacted. Not giving up is the key. It isn’t the brick but faith that builds a castle, Aary.’

I hang on to his every word like a lizard. His talks always bring the best out of me. It challenges me and urges me to ponder and contemplate.

I feel him shuffling into my personal space. I, unconsciously or otherwise, mimic his actions. For some reason, it feels like the right thing.

A few years back, if Vachaspati had brought me here and displayed even half my affection, I would have leapt in tingly delight—

heady, madly in love with him.

The butterflies, dreamy hazy stares, love in the soul—growing up, I have only dreamt of the romance of novels. It isn’t a wonder that

I am just light-headed, bathing in this fresh pool of feelings.

‘I think we should think about building our clan.’ Rudransh proposes, eyes still on me. ‘I was thinking if we should plan…only if you are ready. It’s your body after all, but know it, I will be the happiest wolf ever residing on the planet.’ He adds hurriedly. ‘I trust my past, present, and future with you. I love you. This relationship is nothing but magical. Still, your decision will be binding and final.’

His long fingers graze my cheeks lightly. He leans and pecks my forehead. His lips linger there for a while as if he wants to reassure me. It’s a conversation of unspoken words. A promise is sealed.

‘Only a black robe is missing or he would have become one of the primary villains in one of the best horror comedies.’ Shantanu chuckles in what comes out to be an internal joke. He points gingerly at a vampire approaching us.

The lawn is trimmed with no trace of weeds growing and snaking anywhere, yet Dracula crushes sprouting flowers by walking on the bush pigmentation instead.

Evil douche!

‘What is he talking about?’ I raised my head to meet Rudransh’s dark eyes. His eyes are captivating. It makes me frightened at the intensity. No matter how many times I look into them, it still drives me crazy.

‘Bonjour! Mi-amour.’ A raspy voice annonces an arrival.

The old, bald, fat vampire lets out a belly laugh, sauntering towards us. He is sporting a taintless white jersey with a complementing hat. A golf club is secured tightly in his feeble arms.

His fangs are yellowish, his eyes a hazy shade of red. His pale face is a case of bad acne.

'Where in the f*****g hell are we? And who is that old fart?' I mumble under my breath, cursing him with every disgusting word I can think of.

My mind still has not wrapped around Rudransh’s proposal of having a pup with me. However, from the look on his face, I doubt if Ronit and Rudransh can spot my conflicts.

They are rather occupied by the ugly vamp.

'The handsome groom!' Rudrnash mocks, pulling up his lips in a fake grin. I think I know him enough to say it is fake.

He steps up and bows slightly. The drizzle is unnerving. However, the ambience makes up for whatever is missing.

I gaped at him suspiciously. Nonetheless, mimic Alpha’s actions.

‘It’s so good to see you, Thomas. Congratulations on the big step again!’ Alpha King pats the old rag’s back like long-lost buddies.

I am dumbfounded.

'Please tell me he is joking. The man might die the next second from a bad cough. He cannot be getting married! Just look at his state! Oh My God!' I whispered, crying to Ronit.

No matter what in the hell happens, I am not going to let the Wolf brothers fool me. He cannot be the groom. He is barely alive.

He looks anything more than some sack barely. Some eighty-something-year-old bald head, ponch for a belly, wrinkled face, and a disgustingly long nose. His excessively bushy brows rise in surprise, making him look even uglier if that is even possible.

What’s a s**t doing outside the commode? It stinks. Nagini gags.

‘It’s a pleasure meeting you, Mr Thomas Alexander Quincy. I have been looking forward to our meeting. How is your bride doing?’ Ronit answers my question with a bow. His lips are pursed tight to stifle a laugh threatening to escape from my gaping face.

I stare at the old fart in disbelief.

‘And who are these two gorgeous ladies? Must be your mates! Gabriel, where are your manners? Please, help our guests inside. We cannot keep precious flowers out in harsh weather. They might wither. Come, my love! Grace my palace.’

Mr Quiccy kisses the backs of our hands one by one. His thumb draws a circle on my palm that I readily snatch from his grasp. He did not say a word. However, his eyes scream.

Oh ho!

____________________________________________

‘Why have you never brought your gorgeous mates to any of my weddings before, Rudransh? Huh, Ronit? They are absolutely stunning, just like Emily? Better. Far better. I cannot believe you have been hiding them all this while. I am upset, ladies. I never get to see pretty faces. The young budding lady-ah!’ The Old Bald Fart chuckles like a dirty pig taking a swig of his ‘bloodochino’. (It could be whiskey, mocktail, or plain coconut water for all I care. It’s blood-red, which makes it disgusting. His ugly hands around transparent glass do not help either.)

His lust-dripping eyes r**e Scarlet and me openly. I don’t fail to notice how his gaze stops at our visible cleavage extra longer when he openly checks us out or how he licks his wrinkled parched lips.

His horrendous eyes widened when I zipped up my dress till the collarbone, the most I could manage while maintaining hateful eye contact. I wish the designer had tucked it onto my head. I so want to hide my face or better pluck his eyeballs out.

Bloody paedophile! Just let me out, Sarva. I swear I will show him all the right things he should do! Nagini is shaking in rage. She should be as I am. It just isn’t the right time.

Let it be, babe! He is probably all talking and not walking at all. I doubt if he’d survive his wedding night past three minutes. Imagine how iconic it will be to read—FIRST SON DIED OUT OF EXHAUSTION ON WEDDING NIGHT! THE BRAVE WARRIOR LASTED FOR THREE WHOLE MINUTES!

‘Ahem!’ He cleared his throat. He looks slightly…not too much…just slightly embarrassed. Beside me, I heard Rudransh take a sharp breath. His fists are clenched to the side. He is furious. However, he manages to withhold himself for the sake of his father, Alpha King Atharva, who is occupying the same couch as that of the Old Bal’Fartie and looks at his son sympathetically.

Alpha King seems as uncomfortable with the shameless ogling as the Betas and security chief are. Yet, staying quiet could be the only thing he could do in a country that shares a bodily voting ratio with the UN organisation. Power is only rendered helpless in front of more power. Right now, the powers are at par.

‘Eh, Emily?’ Scarlet whispers ask timidly. It is still audible.

I glared at her audacity astonished. She seems unfazed by the eye assault. Rather, she is calm, as if it is the most common thing in the world.

Ronit’s eyes snapped open to his timid mate. He blinks at her in disbelief. Across him, Alpha King looks surprised and concerned. Laxmi is fidgeting with the hem of her dress, looking back and forth between her sons and the lewd.

‘My Fiance, Sugarcup. She is a lovely lady with matching traits. Only, I think you’d be a better mate to keep Ronit so involved and…busy.’ The Old bal’fartie winks.

Rudransh uses the censored vocabulary under his breath. He looks so baffled that I fear he'd pounce on the old rag any minute now. Shantanu pleads with his eyes while the rest of the royalty is unsure.

We cannot afford it. He mouths.

I unknowingly put my palm over Rudransh's. For once, I could feel his helplessness. We are not in the same boat, but I can relate. I smiled at him slightly, making a mental note to stay off old Balfartie's path forever.