The Alpha Prince's Abused Mate Chapter 38

ALANA

“Why? The alpha prince needs to know about this, Alana. This is an emergency,” she answered confused about why would I hide something so important from William.

I took Francine’s hand and squeezed them, relishing in the warmth from her palms. “If you told him about what happened, he would have more reasons to take me back to the castle. I don’t want him to be worried about me when I have you with me. Please Francine, let me be the one to tell William. I just don’t want him to be distracted by his duties.”

The woman is still not convinced about my reasoning but good thing Lucas quickly jumped to take my side.

“Let her be, Francine. Alana is right. It would cause so much ruckus to William if he ever learns of it now. Let’s wait a few days to let Alana tell him. if something goes wrong, I will take full responsibility.”

In the end, we managed to persuade her. It took one long look between them before Francine finally nodded.

“Alright,” she surrendered.

I sighed out of relief and faced Lucas. “Thank you so much, Lucas.”

He gazed at me first before simply nodding and averting his eyes from me. “Don’t mention it.”

We were able to escape from the assassins successfully but we lost two guards on the ground sadly.

“This is all my fault,” I said while crying. “They could have been alive if it was not for me. Francine, what would I tell their families once they look for their loved ones?”

“Alana, this is not your fault, okay? Whoever sent those assassins to kill you are the ones who should face judgment, not you.”

Francine embraced me and dried my tears.

“Come on, don’t cry now. I will make sure to send the families our condolences.”

I nodded while shivering in her arms. I just don’t have the thick of a face to personally go to their families and ask for forgiveness. Maybe someday when I have the courage.

We settled into another hotel with an increased protection from the local members of the royal guards. With one last toss and turn in my bed, I walked out of the room onto the porch where I can see the guards patrolling around the vicinity.

Hugging myself, I closed my eyes and looked up to the shining moon imagining that William is here by my side talking to me, telling me stories about the places he’d been and the adventures he had experienced.

“William,” I whispered into the air and embraced myself closer.

I know I will not be less afraid if he’s with me just like when we were at Roan.

Suddenly, a blanket was wrapped around me from behind and Lucas took the seat next to me.

“Why are you still not asleep? Tomorrow, we will depart early. You should rest now, Alana.”

I held the blanket closer into my body before sighing in its warmth. “I cannot sleep.”

He stared at my face and cleared his throat. “Is it about your mission? Are you scared about your family?”

I looked at William’s best friend in curiosity. Just like William, there is a shroud of mystery surrounding him and I cannot really pinpoint what it is.

I nodded slowly, the chill in my body going back into me. “Yes… I don’t really know what to expect.”

“If you are so afraid, then why did you come back? The alpha prince does not want you to go. All he wants is for you to be by his side.”

Tears welled in my eyes when I remembered how William begged for me to stay at the castle and how I sensed his wolf crying when I told him that I really have to go.

“But I have to, Lucas,” I said, fighting off my tears. “I have to go back here.”

Exhaling harshly, I moved my head to the side so he wouldn't see how my tears flowed out of my eyes. I have to think that he is not William. For some reason, I only want my mate to see me this vulnerable.

“Why are you here with us, Lucas? Did William ask you to come with me just like what he instructed Francine?” I asked afterwards when I somehow calmed myself.

I have accepted this responsibility so I have to do it well. Calming myself, comforting myself- I have to learn them all by myself.

He shook his head, his eyes momentarily stopping at my neck where the mark of William is proudly displayed. “No. I am here on an official errand too, one that I cannot disclose.”

I instantly covered my neck with my hair while his eyes were not leaving my face.

“Why? Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked innocently, having no idea why he is looking at me so tenderly.

Wait… my scars. I quickly parted my hair to cover my face in shame. I am sure he is wondering why the perfect and great alpha prince would fall for someone like me.

“Your eyes are so beautiful…” he whispered as if in a trance.

“What?”

His eyes reddened as he stood up hastily, his one hand brushing off his hair back.

“I mean it’s really late, Alana,” he snapped back. “I think you really have to rest.”

Oh, he must have been really sleepy to find my eyes to be beautiful.

“Okay. You too.”

I stood up and returned the blanket to him while mentally telling myself that I should say sorry to him for keeping him late.

The next morning, a few minutes before the sun rose, we reached my village. At that point, I could no longer hold my nerves and I was shaking all over.

“If you want, we can go back. You don’t have to do this, Alana,” Francine whispered to me while reaching for my hand.

“No, Francine. I have to do this. I can do this.”

She sighed and nodded at the driver to open the door for me but before he could do that, the door to my side opened and Lucas was there wearing a warm expression on his face.

He held out his hand to me and I accepted it hesitantly.

“I will make sure to guard you with all of my heart, Alana.”

He even squeezed my hand.

I gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Lucas.”

I caught Francine’s eyes who had been observing us since earlier.

“Be careful,” she whispered in my ears before letting go of my other hand.

I froze. It felt like more than its words. It felt more like an omen.

What could she mean by that?

“I will,” I answered and thought that she was pertaining to me going back into the pit of hell that William saved me from.

I took a long breath and emerged out of the car to my waiting family, dread all over my face.

This is it. My life as an ambassadress is here. My time to collect my justice has come.