The Princess’s Broken Alpha
Chapter 13

Kiarra woke to the deafening sound of the train and rattling railways as it blared it's way past the old motel. The train rumbling by shook the small room she rented and the structure creaked mercilessly. She gingerly pushed back the cream curtains to take a glimpse of the barely brightened early morning. She thought she would have arrived sooner but with the delays and stops she had finally reached Crystal Harbour.

The air was different, well clearer, you could tell you were near trees and water. She jumped out of the rumpled bed and walked into the bathroom. Looking in the mirror her hair was a tangled ball of mess. It was freeing to truly be on your own and to be completely independent. She didn't have to worry about anything or giving orders. Back at the palace she'd have to go through menus, staffing, everything down to the tiniest details such as what color the sheets should be. Seeing through countless events, affirming her position, hosting, being responsible for guests. But it didn't end there. She had to listen to countless discussions about everything from laws to local issues, reviewing various aspects of the beast kingdom. It was tireless work that she had been born into, so much that anything other than doing just that felt strange.

Being a future queen was a whole range of things while making sure you had the perfect posture doing it all. She'd never gotten the chance to breathe. She didn't have to plan out her day for tomorrow. She could sleep and wake up and do whatever she felt in the moment. At first it was weird to her. She was used to waking up promptly at 5 am with her breakfast ready and waiting. Waking up to no schedule made her restless, it made everything feel out of control, out of balance and she wanted though she didn't want to admit it to run home. She wanted to go back to the palace, to her normalcy, where everything fell into place, her safety net. Where everything was planned and detailed like she was used to. But she later shook it off realizing she was on schedule just that this time she was on hers.

Flushing the toilet, she stood to stare in the mirror feeling the cool air from the AC wrapping around her legs. It was set on only one temperature and that seemed to be the coldest possible. The front desk lady only nodded when she asked about it when showing her the room. It didn't overly bother her especially since she was Lycan. Her body heat was enough. The room was small with a bed that looked ancient, a flat screened television and a balcony that was only one story up with a view of the side street but listed as having an amazing view on the pamphlet out by the front.

Looking in the mirror her eyes flashed bright fire red. Kiarra sighed, pushing her tangled hair back. It seems she couldn't avoid reflecting in mirrors any more. What if this was a mistake? She could come all this way and be disappointed. Her mate could not be king quality with a poor character.

The first day she was there she slept. She fought the urge to allow her wolf to run into their territory. She could feel the pull. Everything was stronger for her because she was Lycan. She went to start the coffee machine and waited for it to finish to place the styrofoam cup of bitter liquid to her lips. This is where she was currently with her plan. She'd dumped one of her cards on one of the buses heading South and she hoped that would help to derail them for awhile.

She needed a plan for when she arrived at the Cartier residence. She couldn't just walk in and let them know she was the King's daughter. She didn't know these people and it was a heavy risk. The truth wouldn't work. It could sink a ship that hadn't even taken sail as yet. What could she tell them that they would believe? If they already knew she was missing probably being alerted by the palace then she would need to plan accordingly.

Her father, though he would want her back as soon as possible wouldn't label her as his missing daughter if it was made public. He was too powerful for that, it was a sign of weakness and Arthur Reviere displayed no such quality. If anything, he would be discreet and he would make this as discreet as possible. He would label her as a missing Lycan. She could try to pose as a royal hunter but it would be hard to pull off seeing as she was alone. They would know it was her especially with no proof of backing. She still needed some help. Kiarra showered and threw on the black hoodie she'd bought with her jeans and boots.

She needed help and she would get it. She had a phone call to make. Using the phone on the old table she dialed the number and waited for the ring.

"What happened? Did he turn out to be a frog?" came the dry response over the phone.

She had let her simmer long enough since their last conversation and she counted on it getting to her enough so she could do her this one favour. She had known how to get to Vivienne. She spent her days studying and learning how to outsmart old council men so this was nothing hard to do. If she was to truly make it she would need her help.

"I need a favour". There was no response on the line. Knowing that was all she would get she continued.

"Can you have the palace alert the Cartier pack and tell them I'm to arrive as a staying hunter searching for a missing Lycan?"

There was a soft sigh and Vivienne now had the upper hand. She could foil her plan if she wanted to.

"You're sure this is the pack? This is the one?" came the crisp response.

"Yes" she answered confidently.

"They've already been informed of a missing Lycan. Jackson has been there already but I'll let them know you're about to arrive Head hunter-?"

Kiarra let out a deep breath she was holding in and smiled into the receiver.

"Anastasia" she confirmed.

It came as no surprise that Jackson would be out looking for her like a hound dog and it shouldn't take that long before he found her. She just hoped not too soon. "Aunt Vivienne."

"Yes"

She was about to ask when she cut her off.

"You can relax I'm not going to send them for you but this is a huge risk for me as well Kiarra. Just be safe and if anything happens call me immediately and, although it might not seem like it sometimes I love you more than anything. Don't get too sentimental now because I'm not telling you again until next year."

"I know"

They both laughed over the phone. Her aunt was stern but she had a heart of gold.