Eliza’s POV
I felt a chill run down my spine as I stood in my bedroom, staring at the solid oak door that now seemed a barrier between me and the rest of the world. My father's words echoed: "It's for your good." But what was his good? Why did he suddenly act like a crazy paranoid nutcase?
I looked around the room, trying to distract myself from the unease growing inside me. The familiar objects that once comforted me now seemed dull and lifeless. The books on my shelf, the flower-patterned curtains, even the soft bed that had cradled me through nights - everything seemed to be suffocating me.
I paced back and forth, my mind racing with questions. What had I done to deserve this? Was it because I had rejected those brothers? Had I somehow disrespected him in some way? I recalled our last conversation, trying to remember any words or actions that might have triggered this reaction.
But nothing seemed to make sense. My father had been strict but never cruel in the short time we had gotten to know each other.
I felt a lump form in my throat as I thought about Bernard and Alfred standing guard outside my door. Why were they being ordered to keep me captive? Was my father afraid I would escape or try to harm myself?
I knew I had to find a way out of this room, out of this prison. I had to talk to my father to make him see sense. But how could I when he was so far gone?
I wondered what had happened to the quadruplets and alpha Morgan. After I had rejected them all, I felt things should be easier, and I should have been happier, but I wasn't.
I heard voices outside and crept up to listen carefully, but the door was suddenly unlocked and flung open. I expected to see my father, but it was my brother. He held his arms out to me and gave me a reassuring smile.
“Everything is going to be ok, Eliza. Come with me,” he said.
“I can't do that, Alex.” I hesitated momentarily, unsure if I should trust my brother's words. But his warm smile and open arms seemed to be a beacon of hope in this dark and confusing situation.
"Eliza, please," he said, his voice soft and reassuring. "You're not in trouble. Father...needs to calm himself down and talk to you when he has sorted himself out. I promise it will be ok. I will be by your side.”
I took a step forward, my heart racing with uncertainty. "What's going on, Alex?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. “Please tell me.”
He nodded as if he knew exactly what I was thinking. “Morgan and Lara are being held in the prison. The quadruplets have asked to see you before they leave. I think it might be worth talking to them and getting things off your chest.” his words shocked me.
Why would my brother think I would want to talk to them after I rejected their asses as my fated mates? Was he serious? I did not care if I never saw any of them again in my entire life or my next life.
I hesitated, unsure of what to do. Part of me wanted to believe my brother's words, to trust that he was telling the truth. But another part of me was screaming to get away from him, never to trust anyone again.
"Why would I want to talk to them?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. "I rejected them, brother. I don't want anything to do with them."
My brother's expression turned serious. "I know you did, Eliza. But maybe this is an opportunity for you to clear the air, to talk things through. You don't have to decide anything right now. Just listen to what they have to say."
I shook my head. "No, I won't do it. I won't even consider it." I probably sounded like a spoilt brat, but I didn't care.
My brother sighed. "Okay, Eliza. But please, hear me out. This might be the only chance we have to fix this situation.“
I felt a wave of fear at his words. What was going on?
What do you mean?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice calm.
“He wants to get revenge on them for your treatment. The way they kept you away for all this time. He believes they know you're true identity. He won't let them get away with it. Eliza, our father wants to take out the whole Creek pack.”
I felt like I had been punched in the gut. My father wanted to take out the entire Creek pack. That was wild. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "No, Alex, that's not possible," I said, trying to shake off the horror that had settled in my chest.
But Alex just nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid it's true, Eliza. Father is convinced that they're responsible for all of this."
"I won't let him do it," I said, my voice firm.
Alex looked at me with a mixture of concern and sadness. "Eliza, I know you're upset, but you must understand that Father is not thinking right now. He's...he's not himself. He lost you once, and he doesn't want to lose you again.”
I shook my head. "I don't care if he's not himself. He can't just take out the entire pack. Yes, they did me wrong, but innocent lives are still within that pack.”
Alex sighed and reached out to take my hand. "I know you're trying to protect everyone, Eliza, but you have to trust me on this one. Look, I will try to reason with Father, but you have to come with me. I have someone who may be able to help us resolve this issue." I nodded, and he hugged me before leading me out of the bedroom and down the hall.
Bernard and Alfred were close behind, but they did not utter a word.
The minute we entered one of the many rooms, I looked up and gasped at the one face I had not expected to see.
“Princess Eliza, what a pleasure to see you again.”