The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Episode 31

As soon as Ariana left I fell to the ground , unable to stop the tears from flowing down my cheeks . I didn’t know how to do it … didn’t know how to leave Austin . I trembled , I couldn’t think of a life without him in it , not after everything I’ve felt for him , after everything he has made me feel … not after the fire he had ignited within me , a fire that only he could control . I blinked through the tears , fighting hard to think clearly . If I wanted to leave before Austin got back , I had to stop thinking about him , had to stop my heart from feeling before I cried my life out .

Where was I going to go ? I couldn’t possibly go back to the council ,I would never let my child grow up in that sick place . As much as I wanted to be near my family , it wasn’t a risk I could take . I needed to go somewhere my baby would be safe .

I considered going back to my first home but I knew my step parents would never accept me back there , they were happy to get rid of me . It also wasn’t some place I’d want my baby growing up . They hated me with a passion and would no doubt hate my baby as well .

Then it hit me , the house where my brothers had taken me too the first time they’d introduced themselves to me , our first home . It was the perfect place , there was a quiet village nearby and Austin hadn’t been able to replace me there back then . I could replace a work , I already had the house … I was sure my family wouldn’t mind me staying there , after all it had no one there at the moment .

It wasn’t hard to replace either , I think I remembered everything from our trip back from after my brothers had kidnapped me and were bringing me back to the palace .

I picked myself off the floor and stepped into the room , trying hard not to look at anything that reminded me of Austin , it would only make it much harder to leave .

I pulled a suitcase out of the wardrobe and began packing . I wiped at the tears as I continued to shove my clothes into it .

I considered just leaving without letting Austin’s family know but I quickly dismissed that thought , after everything they’d done for me , I at least owed them a thank you and a proper goodbye .

……….

I found Maya and her parents in the dining room . Maya was the first to look my way , her brows furrowed as her eyes fell on the suitcase in my hand . ” Why are you holding a suitcase ?”

Austin’s parents finally turned to me at her words . ” Lucy ?” The queen questioned as she waited for me to answer Maya’s question .

“I’m sorry . ” I whispered , unable to look at them as I spoke . ” You have been the family I’d always wished I’d had , every one of you made my stay here an extremely beautiful one . I can’t thank you enough for your hospitality and the love you’ve showered upon me . However , I can’t stay here any longer .”

The complete silence that fell upon the room made me look up , the shocked horrified looks on each of their faces almost made me drop the suitcase and forget about the whole thing … I hated hurting the people I cared about .

“No.” The queen responded in a flat tone . “We aren’t letting you go anywhere .”

“I’m with mother on this .” Maya added .

” Please don’t stop me . ” I begged . ” Each time I see Ariana with Austin it completely breaks my heart , I can’t stand it anymore … I really can’t . So please , if you have any heart for me at all , let me go . Please.”

“I don’t want to let you go .” Maya cried . ” You’re the sister I’ve always wished for , I really can’t imagine home without you here anymore .”

“Lucy , please reconsider .” The king whispered in a sad tone . ” You’re family now , how are we supposed to just let you go like that ?”

When I remained quiet , the queen took my hands in hers . ” We’re sorry for the pain you’ve had to endure , we honestly wish things were different but if this is what you wish to do … we will respect your wishes .”

My eyes stung with tears as the three of them pulled me into a hug . ” You’ll always be family and if you ever need anything please remember we’re here Lucy . We will always be here for you .”

I nodded as I blinked through the tears . I didn’t know how long we stood like that , but after a lot of crying I was finally on my way out of the palace . Austin’s parents had forced me to take some cash with me , they gave me more than enough to last months , saying that they wouldn’t let me go unless I took it with me since I’d already refused transportation to where I wanted to go . I didn’t want anyone knowing where I was going , couldn’t risk Austin coming to replace me .

I rubbed my tummy . ” We’re going to be okay .” I whispered to my baby as I took one last look at the closest place to home I’d ever had . After a few seconds I finally forced myself to turn and walk away , leaving behind a piece of my heart … the love of my life , for both his happiness and the sake of my baby .

…………..

AUSTIN’S POV:

“I can’t believe she f*****g played such a trick on you .” Lucas growled . “Like if such a sensitive matter is something to joke about .”

Usually when Lucas said something against Ariana I would quickly defend her but he was f*****g right about this one . Who made a joke about being in danger when they were actually out shopping ?

Apparently she’d just wanted to see how quickly I’d come to her rescue if I thought she were in danger . My fists tightened at my sides as I remembered her foolish words .

” Something doesn’t seem right about her story .” James cut in , not looking pleased about this matter either . I couldn’t blame him for thinking that way , I didn’t buy Ariana’s story either . There was something she wasn’t telling us .

” All I know is that I left the comfort of my bed for that b***h and I don’t even like her .” Lucas mumbled . ” At least we’re finally home and I could go back to forgetting about her existence .”

Yes home … To Lucy .

She was in the middle of telling me something when I had heard Ariana was in danger , like a fool I had left her there without hearing her out or letting her finish . A string of curses left my mouth , I was even more pissed off now at the game Ariana had played . I had left Lucy there for absolutely nothing . That fact had me restless the whole trip back , at least I was back home now and could finally ask her what she had wanted to tell me .

I knew something was wrong the moment I stepped into the palace . My wolf was beyond restless but for some reason I couldn’t put a finger on what was wrong . I tried to remain calm but even my wolf was losing his cool , the look my brothers gave to me told me that even they sensed my edginess .

My body froze as my mind finally wrapped itself around what had me so uneasy … Lucy’s scent was no longer strong , in fact it was very faint … which meant she wasn’t here . My wolf started to pace within me , wanting to know where the f**k she was ,his thoughts mirroring that of my own feelings .

Where the f**k was Lucy ?

I rushed inside impatiently , desperate to replace my family to get to the bottom of this , someone must know where she went . My temper flared , why would they let her go anywhere without accompanying her ? I continued to race inside , my eyes scanning my surroundings and following their scents .

I didn’t have to look far as Maya along with my parents stood right before my eyes . I stiffened at the broken looks on each of their faces , a chill tingled down my spine figuring out that something must have happened and it definitely concerned Lucy .

“Where is she ?” I demanded , my voice sounding weird to my own ear .

My parents exchanged hesitant looks with each other , neither one of them speaking a word , almost as if they were afraid to tell me . Why were they all quiet ? I turned to Maya , unable to hide the desperation from my voice this time . “WHERE IS SHE ?” I repeated .

Maya shook her head at me, tears trickling down her cheeks . ” She’s gone .”

Gone ?

What the hell was that supposed to mean ? For Maya to look this upset things had to be pretty bad , it meant Lucy hadn’t just went on some trip , no she had to have went somewhere very far . My wolf paced once more at that thought , I felt him trying to rise , fighting to be set free .

“What do you mean by that ?” I asked taking a step closer , searching my sister’s face .

“She left Austin … for good .” She snapped . ” And she’s not coming back .”

I staggered back at her words … NO!

That wasn’t possible … she couldn’t … she wouldn’t . Panic filled me as my eyes scanned my surroundings , this had to be some kind of sick joke . My mind refused to come to terms with Lucy leaving but I couldn’t deny the broken looks on each member of my family’s faces nor could I deny the fact that her scent was definitely faint and she wasn’t anywhere to be seen .

“W-why?” I stuttered .

Maya narrowed her eyes at me , the look of disappointment on her face making me wince . “You know why.” She accused .

My heart clenched at her words , nothing compared to the pain I felt there , in fact not even the feeling of having a knife put straight through my heart , over an over again could compete with the pain I felt now . Even with all of the evidence , I still refused to believe she had left me … I wouldn’t believe it until I had seen it for myself , until I had searched every inch of this palace .

I raced up the stairs , ignoring the calls of my brothers and pushed the room door open with so much force that it slammed against the wall . My head was spinning as I scanned the room for anything that belonged to her … NO!

Gone , it was all gone .

‘If I have to see you with her one more time Austin I swear to God I’ll leave this place and you’ll never see me again .’

Lucy’s words rocked my brain as I fought to keep my composure , fought to not lose what was left of my sanity . How could she have left me so easily , without so much as a goodbye ? Was it that easy for her to let go of me , when the thought of losing her alone sent me into a frenzy ? How could she have done this so easily ?

HOW!

IT f*****g HURT ! BURNED LIKE A MOTHERFUCKER .

I was angry , hurt , distraught . Panic was making me lose my s**t and my heart wouldn’t stop throbbing , feeling like it might explode any second now if I didn’t see Lucy anytime soon … If I didn’t know in what state she was ,if I didn’t know whether she was happy or whether she was safe .

Everything within me was spinning out of control now that Lucy wasn’t here , she had left me … left me and took my whole heart with her .

NOT JUST MY HEART … SHE f*****g TOOK MY WHOLE LIFE ALONG WITH HER !

Clarity struck me harder than anything ever did in my entire f*****g life … it was her .

God.

It was her .

It was Lucy.

LUCY WAS MY MATE!

Lucy was my f*****g mate .

Lucy … not Ariana .

Lucy.

Lucy.

As soon as the recognition hit me a stabbing pain attacked my head and I doubled over , crashing to the floor . I held my head as I g*****d out loud , feeling a force within me completely shatter . I stayed like that for a few minutes , unable to move through the pain .

The moment the pain stopped I felt something lift from within me .

I froze as more clarity shocked me , my body turning to stone .

Ariana.

I felt nothing … nothing at all for her . All of the feelings had just magically disappeared like if all this time she had never meant a single thing to me … as if all of the feelings was never even there in the first place .

I stiffened .

What the f**k ?