The Alpha King’s Broken Mate

Who poisoned the alpha king?

Namiko

As I stirred awake, my head spun, and my body ached. I looked around, trying to take in my surroundings. I was in a room with practically no furniture. Just a small wardrobe across from me, a small table, a basin with water, and a wet towel beside it. This couldn't be heaven.

A maid stood across from me, pacing back and forth, worry on her face. She suddenly stopped stirring as her eyes met with mine me, then hurriedly moved to my side.

"Welcome back," the maid said. "You've been asleep for a while. Do you remember what happened?"

I tried to recall, but my memories were hazy. I rubbed my temples, trying to piece together the events leading up to this moment.

“I will get the healer,” She said and began to walk towards the door.

“No, wait!” Of course, I remember what had happened. I was attacked by some wolves. Not just any wolf, Alpha wolves. There is no way I won't remember that. I guess I have them to thank for not killing me.

She dashed out anyway without looking back to hear what I had to say. I must be in trouble. If I'm still in the healer’s pack, it must mean these wolves are from here and that means they know about my weakness of not being able to shift to my wolf form even when I'm faced with danger. I have to leave.

The door creaked shut behind her, leaving me alone in the empty room. I swung my legs over the side of the bed, trying to stand, but a wave of dizziness washed over me, forcing me back onto the bed. I looked down at myself, taking stock of my battered body. Bruises and cuts covered my skin, my body has not completely healed from my dark experience. My head hurt as I tried to make myself forget what my stepfather and his guards had done to me. All those men!

This is a problem for me! These people will know who I am. A wolf who takes too much time to heal, a wolf who can't shift to defend herself.

No, I have to get out of here before they starts to ask me questions I don't want to answer.

I slowly got up again, this time making it to my feet. I stumbled towards the wardrobe, hoping to find some answers or at least some clothes. The one on me feels like what they would wear for a sick person who needs to breathe well.

Before I will myself to open the wardrobe, I saw what I needed. The dress the healer gave me a day before was hanging on the bed frame.

I put it on very quickly. The dress was simple but surprisingly clean despite what dirt I might have accumulated with it.

I turned my attention to the table with the basin of water. It was a small bowl with a cloth next to it. I dipped the cloth in the water and wrung it out, using it to clean my face and hands. The cool water revived me slightly, and I felt a bit more alert.

I looked around the room again, searching for any clues or a way out without going through the door. The window was small, but it might be big enough for me to squeeze through. I made my way to the window and pushed it open, looking out at my surroundings. We were in some kind of castle or fortress, with high walls and towers. I could see guards patrolling the grounds below.

I realized that escaping through the window wouldn't be easy, and I might get caught or hurt again. That's not a good option, I needed a better plan.

Maybe dashing out the door is the best way. I can just walk out and pretend that I work here. It must mean I must have a little bit of free will if I'm not being chained up and locked inside this room.

As I stood there deciding what to do, I heard footsteps outside the door again. This time, it wasn't just the maid.

I quickly moved away from the window and stood still, trying to look calm and innocent. The door creaked open, and the maid and the healer entered into the room.

“Trying to escape again, are you? Where do you think you are going? I already told you, that there is no way you are escaping from here except you are let go!” Okay, I can see the healer is angry but what right does she have to be angry with me?

“So, I am a prisoner here?” I asked, my heart beating in my chest about how this was going to go.

“Do you think you are being treated as one?”

“No, I don't think so but I’d like to leave”

“You can't. You can't leave now. If you had stayed where I told you, we would not be in this mess. I brought you into the palace, child and you got me in trouble for being kind to you” Her lips are clamped together. I can see she is livid. She is not trying to hide it.

“What are you talking about? What did I do?” My heart beating too fast in my chest, I wonder why they can't hear, because i’m truly worried for my safety now.

“You have poisoned the Alpha King, witch!” Someone else has joined the three of us. Another maid? What is the accusing me of?

“No” I shake my head vehemently in denial. She couldn't have said that. Except she did and they are all looking right at me.

This is crazy! I have never met the alpha king, how could I possibly have poisoned him? Did they poison their Alpha king and decide to try to pin the devious act on the only stranger in the pack?

“This is absolutely crazy! I didn't poison anyone. I couldn't even stand in front of the Alpha King even if I had the chance, how then would I have poisoned someone so mighty without being dead myself? I have to leave here now! You are looking for a scapegoat to pin this on! You are looking for who to bear your punishment and shame so you think of me?” I looked at the healer now. Disbelief is evident on my face. I thought she was nice. I thought she said her wolf liked me.

So why?

“I need to leave. Please let me go. You don't know what I have been through, if you did. You would let me go” My eyes sting, the tears threatening to pour.

The healer's eyes filled with a deep sadness as she gazed at me. "I would have helped you, child," she said, her words heavy. "But not when you have committed a great crime like this." She sounds helpless, and I just want to think that she truly wished she could help me, but circumstances were beyond her control.

“You are lucky you don't have your severed head on a platter somewhere already.” One of the maids commented behind her. I'm guessing it’s the new maid who just joined us.

“The Alpha King wants to see you” She finally said.

“I thought you said he was poisoned” I screamed at her. Maybe a normal person wouldn't act like this, but I stopped being normal since the world decided to be cruel to me.

“Well, that's why he is the Alpha king. Move or I will drag you all the way there” She didn't seem affected by my screams or my acting out.

“She is healing, Josie. Be careful with her” The healer pleaded to the angry-looking maid, but it doesn't matter if she is careful or careless, I have been through worse. My concern is only that I do not even wish to go anywhere with her.

“Please, don't leave me with them. I am sorry but please believe me. I didn't poison the Alpha King. I promise you. There is no way that can happen. I can’t do that. I am not that strong. I don't have my wolf and I have not even met him before” I pleaded to two deaf ears as the two maids dragged me out of the room.

“May your fate stand with you, child” I heard the healer say and the door closed behind me.