Owned By The Alpha Brothers

Ciara.

Lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the clouds which were heavy and grey with raindrops. The wind picked up, causing the trees to sway and scattering particles all around, some of which got into my eyes.

Josiah grabbed me forcefully from outside the hall, determined to lead me out of the palace there and then. It was easy for him, considering the fact that no one was in sight as they were all busy with the Masquerade ball event. I was able to free myself from his grasp once we got to the fountain, and I tried to leave, but he pulled me back.

"Quit being stubborn! You must come with me to the Moonstone Pack now!" he thundered, coinciding with a loud crash of thunder echoing through the sky.

"I don't want to go anywhere near that wretched Pack. You already saved my life, so why are you trying to endanger it now?" I barked at him.

"I'm not trying to put you in harm's way. Like you said, I've saved your life once, so you have to trust that I'll do so again," he said.

I shook my head. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that. No, I won't do that, so leave this place right this minute and tell whoever sent you that you didn't see me," I instructed.

The rain began to pour down harder, soaking us completely and we had to start shouting so we could hear each other over the noisy downpour.

"I also can't do that. Do you know what it took for me to be able to find you here? I can't leave empty-handed. Come with me. I'll explain everything on the way," he said.

"I do not need any explanation from you. Please, just let me go. Is your life on the line? Did they promise to free you if you brought me back? Is that it? Well, you have

left and you now have the opportunity to never return to that evil Pack. You can stay here in the Silver Crest Pack and start all over again, not as a guard but as your own person, doing whatever you want to do at any time you want to. The members of the Pack here are kind, and I'm sure you'll blend in in no time," I said, looking at him with pleading eyes.

Josiah rubbed his wet face with both palms and turned around to pace for a bit. I wondered if he was considering what I had said, and I hoped he would just let me go.

He turned back around to face me. "Listen to me carefully, you are needed at the Moonstone Pack. I get that you're afraid, but I promise you this. As long as I'm alive, no one will hurt you."

I sighed, defeated. "And how can I trust your words when you're the one who is trying to hurt me?"

"I have my reasons, Lady Ciara. I told you before that I knew your mother. There are things you need to know, but I can't tell you all that now. We have to hurry or we won't make it there in time," Josiah stated.

I wanted to believe him, I really did, but I had just gotten the freedom I had dreamt about for so long and there was no way I was letting go of it without putting up a fight.

"The answer is no, Josiah. Pretend I'm dead or like I never existed. Just let me go," I said, and turned around to leave, but the ground was so slippery from the rain and I lost my balance. I was falling when he grabbed me tightly by my arm and helped me regain my balance.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to take you by force," he said, then raised his fist to the air in an attempt to knock me out.

Just then, someone rushed out of nowhere and punched Josiah right in the face. He staggered backward and growled in annoyance.

I looked up to see who my savior was, and a smile appeared on my face upon seeing it was Alden.

"How dare you!" Josiah screamed, lunging forward at Alden, but Alden blocked the attack and kicked him in the stomach instead which sent Josiah flying a couple of feet back and landing on the ground with a thud.

Josiah groaned in pain as he cracked his bones and managed to stand up, glaring at Alden with clenched fists.

Alden got me behind him and stood firmly trying to protect me.

"Listen carefully, you scoundrel! I am Prince Alden, son of the great Alpha King Rowland and Luna Queen Vienna. Any further aggression towards me would count as an attempt on my life and you will be executed. If you still value what's left of your pathetic miserable life, you'll leave this palace right this minute and the Silver Crest Pack entirely.

"I already know how you look, so painting a portrait of you to hand over to the security team won't be difficult. If you ever step foot in the Silver Crest Pack again, you'll be beheaded on sight. Now, go!" Alden commanded. "You don't understand. I—"

"Don't waste my time. Go!" Alden yelled again.

Josiah heaved a defeated sigh, threw one final glance my way, then turned around and walked off into the darkness.

"Are you okay?" Alden asked, pulling me close to him to ensure I wasn't hurt in any way.

"I am. How... how much of it did you hear?" I asked, searching his eyes.

When he didn't respond, I swallowed, knowing he had heard everything. "I can explain," I said, with tears welling up in my eyes. "You don't need to."

"I'm sorry that I lied about having amnesia and not knowing who I was, but if you hear my story-"

"I don't want to hear anything, Ciara. I know you had your reasons, and whatever happened, all that is in the past," he said.

I was surprised by how kind he remained even in this moment. "But, it's not just you I lied to. I understand if you have to tell your family about what you witnessed today. Just give me the time to leave first. Please, do that for me," I pleaded. "No, Ciara. I won't tell anyone anything. Your secret's safe with me, so don't go," Alden assured me, holding my hands in his large ones.

I felt a weight being lifted off my chest, a sense of relief taking over my whole body.

No one had ever treated me the way he did. A drop of tear fell from my eyes and I squeezed his hands gently.

"Thank you, Alden. You have no idea how much this means to me," I said.

We stayed that way for a little while, just standing under the rain in silence until eventually, the thunder died down and the rain started to subside.

"We should get going. I wouldn't want you to catch a cold," he said, breaking the silence as he let go of my hand and started walking away.

However, I wasn't ready for this moment to be over yet. I knew I wasn't the only one who was feeling the way I did while we stood, looking into each other's eyes. I also knew Alden would never ever make the first move.

Ignoring my sense of reasoning, I held his hand and stopped him from leaving. He opened his mouth to say something, but I interrupted him by standing on tiptoes and wrapping my arms around his neck.

Closing my eyes, I leaned forward until my forehead rested against his and that was when I kissed him.

Alden stood motionless for a moment and didn't kiss me back, eventually pushing me away and looking shocked.

"I'm... I'm sorry," I blurted out, feeling embarrassed.

"No, I'm sorry that I didn't do it first," he said, and then, he cupped my face and his lips came crashing down on mine.

He kissed me desperately as if he was drowning and I could feel the warmth of his breath on my skin. I closed my eyes and let the passion wash over me. When we finally separated, he pulled me closer to him, burying my face in his chest. "What do you say we ditch this ball and go somewhere private... my room, maybe?" he asked in the deepest tone I had ever heard him use.

"I'd love to."