Betrayed by My Alpha, Bound to the King

Ayesha stayed silent as they pulled her from the punishment hall and discarded her like trash. Lyra trailed behind, sniffling, her tiny hand clutching Ayesha's dress tightly. 

"I'm okay," Ayesha whispered, gently patting her head. "See? I'm still here," she winked. But Lyra didn't answer; she just cried harder.

"Let's visit the healer," Lyra urged, her voice hoarse, and Ayesha nodded. 

The pain was sharp and relentless as she pressed a torn piece of cloth from her dress against the bleeding. Her hands shook, her vision blurred, but she clenched her teeth and endured. It was only a finger. She was alive, and as long as she was breathing, she would defend Lyra, no matter the sacrifice.

The healer tended to her wound, and Ayesha remained silent despite the pain. She only smiled and winked at Lyra occasionally, which eventually helped her niece stop crying.

As they headed back to Levi's house, Ayesha asked, "Lyra, what really happened?" 

"I didn't steal, Aunt. That's wrong. Lyra knows it. I found the dried meat outside and took it," Lyra explained. "Then Luna's servant suddenly grabbed me, accusing me of theft." 

Ayesha clenched her teeth. As she thought, Luciana wouldn't back down. She never would. They needed to escape, and quickly.

Later that night, familiar knocks echoed, their three rapid strikes causing Ayesha's stomach to lurch. 

She opened the door cautiously to find the guard. "Alpha Ronan has summoned you." 

She nodded silently, unable to afford to refuse, especially tonight. She adjusted her cloak and followed the guard with a blank face, her heart feeling frozen. 

Another night, another summons. Yet, a quiet, desperate prayer rose within her: 'Please… just one chance. One opportunity to escape. To save Lyra.' 

Upon entering Ronan's private chambers, he didn't face her immediately. He stood by the window, shirtless, holding a drink, gazing into the darkness as if it held secrets only he could understand. 

"I heard what happened," he finally said. "Luciana told me everything." Ayesha bowed her head, trying to remain silent and hide her irritation. "She said you were being... difficult," he added, his tone casual but with an edge. "Refusing to let the child be punished."

Ayesha swallowed. She couldn't help but speak, "I only wanted to protect her. She's just a child."

Ronan turned then, and his gaze cut like a blade. "She stole."

"She didn't steal anything. It was a setup," she said quietly. "Lyra told me the dried meat was lying outside the storage room. She just picked it up."

Still, Ayesha spoke the words, though she already knew they wouldn't change a thing.

"She embarrassed you. And me," he said flatly, as if her explanation meant nothing at all. He hadn't listened, he never did.

Ayesha looked at him, shocked by how deeply love had blinded her.

"You can't let her act like that," he added coldly. "Keep her in line, Ayesha."

She didn't reply, not out of fear but because she was restraining herself.

His eyes sharpened. "If she causes trouble again, the punishment will be harsher. And I won't intervene." Ayesha swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat.

'Be patient,' she told herself, clenching her jaw to suppress her anger.

He gazed at her for a moment. She lowered her head again and softly said, "I'm sorry for disappointing you."

He moved closer, his hand brushing her cheek not with tenderness, but possessively. "Luciana said you were acting defiant. I don't want to hear that again." 

"I wasn't trying to," she whispered. "I'll improve."

"You'd better." He walked to the table and poured another drink. "You should be grateful I allow you to live here. A wolfless omega with no name. I feed you. I house you. I protect you."

She remained silent despite the storm of emotions inside her. She felt like a volcano ready to erupt but forced herself to stay composed, both for Lyra's sake and for the freedom they still needed to find.

He turned toward her, extending a glass. "Drink."

She hesitated briefly. His eyes darkened, so she took the glass with her stronger hand, lifted it to her lips, and drank.

Ronan watched her with that same intense, hungry look he always had, making her feel more like prey than a partner.

"Come here," he whispered, pulling her into his arms. She obeyed. Her body and hand were hurting, but she rested her head against his chest like a submissive lover.

"I don't want to lose you," he whispered, fingers curling possessively around her waist. "But you must endure until I gain control of everything, Ayesha. I need Luciana. The alliance with her father is too important to me right now."

He kissed her hair softly. "Don't forget that."

And just like that, he crushed his lips against hers, taking her with possessive hunger. 

Ayesha performed her role convincingly… obedient, dedicated, and eager to please. Once again, she reciprocated his kiss, touched him as he preferred, and whispered the words he wanted to hear. The last thing she needed was for him to suspect she was considering escape.

Much later, there was a knock at the door. Ayesha remained still, pretending to sleep with her eyes closed, her breathing steady, and her limbs heavy. Her ears perked up as soon as she sensed Ronan get out of bed.

The door creaked open.

"The Alpha King's convoy will pass near our borders by midnight," the guard reported in a low voice.

There was a pause. Then Ronan's voice… cold, eager. "That's good. Gather the men. We leave now. Make sure they're all disguised as rogues. We'll ambush the convoy and this time-" his tone darkened with venom, "-I'll make sure Alaric is gone for good."

Ayesha's heart pounded in her chest. She kept her eyes closed and didn't flinch, but suddenly, every part of her was alert.

She had heard Ronan rant before, usually when he was drunk around her, about how the throne should have been his and how it was unfair that Alaric inherited it simply because his father was the previous Alpha King. 

Ronan always believed he was the true ruler of the werewolf continent and thought Alaric didn't deserve the crown or its power. He was plotting to take the throne of the Alpha King. 

If Ronan was leaving now, tonight, this was her only chance to escape with Lyra.