My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance by Moonlight Muse

42. My Fear & Surrender

TRIGGER WARNING – CHAPTER CONTAINS DISTRESSING SCENES – I will mark the most upsetting part with a double line of *****

YILEYNA.

I looked in the mirror at the gown that I wore, trying to calm the storm that bubbled beneath the surface. It was the following day, and after being given food and allowed to bathe, two omegas had come to help me get ready. Now, save for the thick black collar around my neck that was cutting into my skin, I looked like a queen, but it was not the queen I wanted to be.

I was wearing an off-shoulder amber gown, that was cinched in from the waist with a jewelled corset, and skirts that flowed to the floor with two slits down the sides. My hair was up in a coiled bun, adorned with a gold tiara. My arms and hands were covered with jewellery, and my make-up was dark. Theoden’s queen, that was what I had become, but I didn’t recognise the woman staring back at me.

I wish I had some way to contact Deliana, but goddess knows where my necklace was. I had tried to reach out to Raiden, since he was meant to be in Theoden’s hold, but it was clear they were bound in silver or given wolfsbane.

I would need to tread carefully.

I was now in the Alpha’s quarters, in the room that once belonged to the previous king and queen, and although Theoden didn’t come here last night, I wasn’t so sure that would be for forever. I had seen the way his eyes had ran over me, and it made me shudder.

The doors opened, and the monster himself stepped inside. He looked me over and gave me a small nod.

“You now look befitting of being my queen… Don’t you agree?” I didn’t reply as he came over, my chest heaving with unspoken rage that I was trying to hide. He grabbed hold of my jaw, squeezing it painfully. I could feel the darkness around him that I hadn’t noticed or felt last night, it was more than his own evil, this darkness felt like Arabella’s. It encased him like an armour.

“You will answer when I ask you a question. Understood?” He hissed.

“Understood.” I replied icily.

He let go of me, but he didn’t get angry as I expected, instead he looked at me again. “You’ve changed since you escaped. You no longer look like the girl who left from here.”

“It’s only been several weeks, I am still the girl I was.”

No I wasn’t, not in mind or body, but I didn’t like the way he was looking at me, as if he had not seen me properly before.

He let out a sinister chuckle as he stood behind me.

“Lies.” He whispered in my ear. I wanted him away from me, but I was not ready to anger him when he had so much that he could use against me. The image of the two children came to my mind, and I closed my eyes, wondering about their parents. Did they know their children are dead?

“Do you know what day it is today?” Theoden asked, his fingers ghosting down my back.

I pulled away and turned to face him, my stomach twisting.

“No, I don’t, but I am sure you are about to tell me.”

“Today is the day I have announced to the entire city that we will officially unite in matrimony, very soon, and become the King and Queen of this kingdom. The entire city will see that you have consented to this marriage. Isn’t that what you wanted? To be queen?”

No, but for some reason you want me to be your queen. “No, but I have no choice. Tell me, Theoden, why do you want me as your Queen when the kingdom is yours?” I asked, trying to remain as calm and respectful as I could.

duty is to stand by my side, understood?” He hissed, grabbing the

and I took a calming breath. Was

thumping. I could almost see the darkness around him, just the way it surrounded Arabella… The door shut with

they had been barred… Theoden was

so soon, married to Theoden… would

I needed to think of

to my forehead as I began

Think Yileyna, think…

the balcony of the castle, and I had seen many people gathered below, many whom I recognised were of the

know about it. A ruler is nothing without

replayed in my mind

bonded in matrimony! We will rule this world side by

it a

I do!” I

think of was Arabella, she was the one who had created this collar, meaning she was the one I needed to kill first… Plus I knew Theoden would be on full alert around me. I could try to kill him, but I had to make sure my plan was fool-proof, otherwise, he would kill many more of my people to punish me. I sighed as I leaned

swiftly I moved to the bed and lay down on it, steadying my breathing as I pretended to sleep. The key turned in the lock and the door opened, but still, I focused on my breathing. It was Theoden and a scent I didn’t recognise, along with the delicious taste of roast chicken and potatoes, but even if I was hungry, I continued to pretend to sleep. My chest rose and fell steadily. “Place the food down, if she awakes, she will eat it.” Theoden said coldly. “Leave! And close the door behind you!” Why was he staying? Despite the fear beginning to gather in

on fire, the darkness biting into me so much I hissed

be around you without any protection? I know what you

fool to not sense someone touching me.” I hissed. So I was right, there was some sort

and if I say you will spread

will.”

was unable to control my anger as I felt my teeth sharpen. “You will not touch me.” I warned menacingly, trying to rein my powers back. His eyes flashed as he slapped me across the face, that was clearly this bastard’s

whether you want it or not. You

amusement, I felt uneasy. “‘What a disobedient one you are, I like it… Keep going. I will bring those who have died because of you losing

Calm yourself, Yileyna.

within me

needed to control myself but it was getting harder. “Ah, how I wish I kept Andres alive… at least long enough to fuck his daughter in front of him, and then let him watch as I passed you onto my men when I was done.” He chuckled darkly, and I had to fight myself not to

Breathe…

My people will die…

Calm down…

not only was I fighting the urge to unleash hell, but I was trying to reign my emotions in so no one else

have learned your lesson. Ah, look, a present

Theoden’s men, holding a bundle which

What was it…

chilling thought came to me and I prayed it was

it.” Theoden

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