Alex’s POV
The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor, and I thought I was dreaming when I heard her voice.
"Alex!" Hearing her soft and beautiful voice made my heart skip a beat, a surge of hope and relief flooding my veins.
Catarina had found me.
Finally.
Everything was going to be alright.
But as my eyes followed her gaze, my breath caught in my throat. Standing behind her, the very embodiment of betrayal, was Lochlan. What was he doing with her? How could she stand beside him? Why was he not dead?
A seething rage coursed through my body, overpowering any semblance of calm that remained.
"Get away from her!" I growled, my voice laced with anger and protectiveness. Each word dripped with venom, a warning to Lochlan that he had trespassed too far.
Catarina's eyes widened in surprise, her delicate features mirroring the confusion and conflict that waged within her. She reached out a gentle hand, a plea for understanding in her touch.
“Alex, please," she implored, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and desperation. "There's more to this than meets the eye. Lochlan... he has reasons. Reasons that I can't fully explain right now. We need to get you out of here. You can’t shift or connect to your wolf in this place. Alex, come with me.” Catarina yanked at the chains which held me captive against my will. I let out a growl.
"I know I haven't been able to connect to my wolf, I haven't been able to protect myself or my kingdom, and I am supposed to be a powerful king." I said angrily.
"Mark my words, when I am free from this prison, I will do what it takes to take back my kingdom." I glared at Lochlan as I spoke.
My knuckles turning white as my mind grappled with the sight before me. Lochlan, the man who had torn our kingdom apart, now stood side by side with my beloved queen, the woman I would lay down my life for.
"Alex, please trust."
"I should trust him, should I? Has he fooled you?" I interrupted her.
But as I looked into Catarina's eyes, I saw a glimmer of conviction, a depth of understanding that surpassed my own. There was more to the story, a truth that demanded to be untraveled. And though the fire of anger still burned within me, I hesitated, compelled to listen to her, to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“Please, let me explain.” Lochlan stepped forward. I was stunned by his bravery to speak out in front of me.
"Fine! Explain yourself, Lochlan," I hissed, my words dripping with disdain. "What game are you playing at? And how dare you stand so close to my queen."
Lochlan's face remained stoic, an infuriating calmness radiating from his very core. "I know that you despise me, Alex," he replied, his voice tinged with regret. "But please understand, my motives have evolved. I may have been misguided in the past, but now... now I fight for something greater. The twins, my children. Your pathetic excuse of a friend, Carl dared to threaten harm to my children.”
With a moment of hesitation, I turned to Catarina, my voice softer but tinged with caution. "If what he says is true... If our children's safety is at stake... then I need to know, Catarina. I need you to tell me the whole truth. Every detail."
"It was Tara. That witchy bitch. She was consumed by an insatiable obsession for Lochlan from the very beginning. She faked it all, the fainting, the pregnancy! She orchestrated all this chaos, along with David. She had the entire Kingdom under her powerful spell and now it is wearing off the whole kingdom is waking up. Oh, and not forgetting Carl, your dear friend and confidant, he had succumbed to greed and was determined to seize everything that rightfully belonged to you. He coveted this kingdom for himself." Catarina's words pierced through me.
Carl? How could it be? He had been my loyal companion, akin to a brother. Surely, there had to be a rational explanation behind these shocking revelations. My entire kingdom taken over by the magic of a hybrid werewolf witch. This was a lot to take in.
My eyes shot open, blazing with a fire that demanded answers. "Get me out of here! It is time to put things right."
“Release him," Catarina commanded, her gaze unwavering as she nodded toward Lochlan, a tacit order. And without hesitation, Lochlan obeyed, swiftly unlocking the shackles that had bound me for far too long.
As the last shackle fell from my wrists, a surge of liberation coursed through my veins. The weight that had burdened me for so long began to dissipate, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose. With newfound clarity, I looked into Catarina's eyes, seeking reassurance and finding strength.
"I need to hear the whole truth," I declared, my voice steady and resolute. "Every detail, every secret they've hidden from us. We must expose Tara, David, and anyone else who has betrayed our trust.”
Catarina's grip tightened on my shoulders, “Tara is dead, Carl too. David was taken away by the guards.”
I stared in disbelief. “And the twins? Where are they?”
“They are safe with Mindy.” Catarina told me.
“Well, then we must gather our guards and troops to ensure the kingdom is not in any further danger. Lochlan, perhaps your pack is going to try to attack further since your silly lady friend thought it would be a good idea.” I glared his way and raised my eyebrows. “We need to sort this once and for all.”
Lochlan, standing silently by, nodded in agreement. His eyes bore the weight of regret and redemption, as he silently vowed to redeem himself for his past mistakes. Though my instincts told me to remain cautious, I couldn't ignore the flicker of sincerity in his gaze.
"I made a promise to your queen that I would prove myself. I will honour that promise." he said and headed out.
“Alex, my love. Let’s get out of here. Our twins and kingdom need us.” Catarina took my hand, and we followed Lochlan out of the disgusting cell that I was glad to be leaving.
As we stepped outside the confines of the cell block, a surge of relief washed over me. The cool evening air brushed against my skin, marking our escape from the oppressive walls that entrapped us. As darkness began to settle in, the sky painted itself in hues of orange and purple, adding a touch of serenity to the chaos that had ensued.
But the respite was short-lived. Just as we emerged into the open, the piercing howl reverberated through the night, interrupting the tranquillity. Its haunting sound echoed in my ears, stirring my primal instincts once again. A low growl escaped my throat involuntarily, my body instinctively reacting to the imminent threat.
"GUARDS!" I roared.
As the guards sprinted towards the outskirts of the kingdom in response to my command, a surge of satisfaction washed over me. We were no longer prisoners, but warriors ready to reclaim what was rightfully ours.
"Guards, get to work. We have a kingdom to reclaim," I barked, the authority in my voice resonating through the air. Their feet pounded against the ground as they swiftly obeyed, their determination mirroring my own.
“Lochlan, if that is more of your men, your allies then I will have them all beheaded for daring to take over my kingdom.” I snarled at him, using all my might to try and connect with my wolf.