Word Count: 2674

~Lavelle

I feel Elowen's eyes on me as the carriage pulls to a stop.

Out the window, I can just see Tavrik's manor peeking over the hill. If we continue down this road, we'll make it to the main gate and into his clutches.

Elowen hikes her bag over her shoulder. It's only small, and has the necessities to make a trek with Caroline back to the inn where Mel waits.

"It's not too late to make a run for it," she murmurs carefully.

"We're doing this, Elowen," I state firmly, ignoring the ache in the depths of my stomach. "Can I trust you?"

She nods solemnly. "Of course you can."

"Then if I don't see you again, please ensure my sister gets to safety. Please ensure she doesn't make any more mistakes." I hold her gaze. I want her to know how important this is to me.

Regardless of Elowen and I's past, I know she will do everything in her power to get Caroline out.

She reaches out and grabs my arm, giving it a little squeeze. It empowers me to take a deep breath, to think that this might go exactly how we want it to.

"I will see you again," she says firmly. "Be safe."

"Be safe," I whisper back.

She gives me one last look, before she slips from the carriage. I watch her go, trekking across the  hill and beyond, where she will wait in the cover of darkness before sneaking her way onto Tavrik's property.

The carriage continues on, smoothly gliding along the paved surface.

My heart is in my throat as we approach the gates, my palms damp. I can hardly believe I made it here without being intercepted. I thought I would be more relieved, but truthfully, I am utterly terrified.

Tavrik is a monster, and I'm handing myself into him wilfully.

The door to the carriage is suddenly yanked open, and the head of a guard sticks in. He surveys the space before his eyes land on me, where they narrow.

"I require a private audience with Alpha Tavrik," I request stiffly. I have idea if they know who I am based on my face alone, but I highly doubt they've been expecting me.

The male frowns. "Do you have an appointment?"

"No, but he will want to see me," I exclaim. "Tell him my name is Lavelle."

The guard pulls his head from the carriage, turning to discuss something with another guard nearby. I wait impatiently, foot tapping anxiously against the floor.

Eventually, the door is closed, and the carriage lurches onward. I peek out the window, watching the gate pass by.

We've been granted entry.

We pull to a stop only a few moments later. I immediately step out, knowing that if I hesitate, I will try make a run for it, and my cover will be blown.

The air is balmy here and scented like fresh grass. Sun strikes my vision as I raise my gaze to take in the manor Zyre spent most of his life growing up in.

It is quite a sight to behold. It's terribly large with a white stone exterior and hulking columns guiding the way into the home. The gardens outside are well manicured, and staff mill about tending to the various hedges and bushes.

It would be idyllic, if I didn't know the poison that fester beyond the picturesque exterior.

I walk stiffly across fine crushed gravel, noting the perimeter guards that watch me sharply as I approach the main entrance.

I feel as though I'm walking into a predators cave, inviting myself into the maw of a great and vicious beast.

The air is cooler inside the manor as I step into the main foyer. The flagstone floor scuffs under foot as I come to stand beneath a large skylight that beams the afternoon sun down onto me. Stairs lead up to the second level right in front of me, curving as if they are heading up into the stars.

I can't help but imagine a younger Zyre exploring the space. Was he happy then, or tortured by his father and sadistic brother? What did his life truly look like here?

I wait, ignoring the sharp stares of weary guards. I know they are wondering why I'm here, why I have offered myself up like this.

Not too long later, I hear the faint sounds of someone approaching.

My entire body is wrought with tension as I turn to see him emerge from the shadows. An Alpha, a captor of my sister and my tormentor.

He's followed by a guard an what must be an attendant. Her shy gaze is trained on the floor in front of her.

Tavrik looks startlingly less like Zyre than I imagined he would. I see the similarity in their bone structure, but where Zyre's eyes are rich like whisky, Tavrik's are a light hazel, almost green. Where Zyre's hair is as dark as obsidian, Tavrik's is brown like bitter coffee.

And when he smiles as he approaches, I don't feel charmed. I feel some primal part of me startle like I am seeing something uncanny.

"Lavelle. Is that truly you?" He asks, his accent far thicker entwined into his voice than Zyre.

"In the flesh," I murmur, gesturing over myself.

He comes to stand before me, and it takes everything in me not to recoil. I feel the extent of his power, and it does little to draw me in.

"In the flesh and here, in my home," he notes. He sounds pleasantly curious, but he cannot mask the edge of suspicion.

I swallow thickly, my mind whirling. I've planned for this, for feeling confronted by his presence, but it is nothing like truly being here. I've almost forgotten my plan.

"I probably should have sent correspondence, but I left in...well, a rush," I explain hastily. I don't even have to act as though I am flustered. I feel it so naturally.

His brows crease. "Is everything okay?"

"Is my sister here? I got her letter and it...freaked me out." The first goal is to ascertain whether my sister is still alive, and what the extent of the abuse she has sustained here is.

Tavrik studies me with his unsettling eyes, giving away nothing. I imagine his calm countenance and the almost youthful smattering of dark brown freckles across his face would lull the usual person into a sense of comfort on any other day.

Unfortunately, I know too much about him.

"Yes, Caroline is here." He motions to the staircase. "She's upstairs."

I blink. "In a room?"

"She takes a lot of afternoon naps these days." He slides his hands into his pockets. "She'll be delighted to see you."

I rub my hands together, trying to gather up my surprise and hide it.

I thought he might make some sweeping excuse about how Caroline has been sent away elsewhere, and how she will be back later on. I thought he would do anything to keep me from her, or to perhaps have my arrested right away so he doesn't have to bother with the charade.

"Good, because I have so much to talk to her about."

"Are you certain everything is okay, Lavelle?" Tavrik asks softly, eyes tracing over my face.

I hope he attributes my anxiety for what I'm about to tell him, and not to my utter fear of him, and the fear that this plan will not work.

I need Tavrik to believe I'm here voluntarily. It might be all I can do to dissuade him from keeping me prisoner.

"No, not really." I look away. "I'm on the run."

"From?"

"Zyre."

He straightens, and the room suddenly seems a little less chilled.

"Did he hurt you?" He can't seem to summon an empathetic voice, like he truly cares. He is on a fact finding mission, to see whether I can truly be trusted or not.

"No, but he forced me into a marriage with him I didn't want. He tells me he wants to protect me, but he slaughtered Avi right in front of me," I say, my face twisting in anguish.

Tavrik sighs, taking another step closer to me.

"He did the same to my father, right in front of me," he murmurs.

"I thought I could believe him, at first. Believe he had good intentions about wanting to protect me, but I received your letter, and then Caroline's, and the doubts started to become too strong to ignore." I shake my head a little, as if I'm burdened by guilt.

There is every chance Tavrik does not care about my plight. Now I'm here, he has all he wants.

But what made me consider my plan was his original letter to me. The way he tried to clear his own name, insisting on innocence. It felt as if he truly thought I could be convinced by him.

Tavrik doesn't just want me in his possession, he wants my compliance.

"You've relied on your instinct. That is good," he says.

"His story just seemed to fanciful. It didn't make sense," I tell him. "And after I saw him kill Avi, and found out he killed his father, I knew I had to get away."

My stomach twists as I express these lies. It is the ultimate betrayal against Zyre, who has done nothing but try to protect me.

Tavrik tilts his head to the side, a lock of hair falling across his forehead. "What made you come here?"

"I think this might be the only place where I can be truly safe," I admit, resigned. "I don't expect you to give me safe haven...I am married to Zyre, after all. I just—"

"Lavelle," he murmurs calmly. "You are welcome to stay here as long as you like."

I blow out a relieved breath. The plan is working.

"Really?"

"Of course." He smiles, flashing slightly crooked teeth. "I just hope you don't feel uncomfortable, given the rumours waged against me."

He means the rumours that he wants to force an heir from me so he can have control over two packs. A rumour I very much believe to be true and is definitely contributing to the sick feeling I'm having being near him.

"I don't actually believe you're trying to impregnate me, don't worry," I say breezily, hoping he doesn't read the tension strewn about my body.

His smile doesn't slip. "I imagine you want to see your sister."

"I would, if that's alright." I can relax once I know she is okay.

"She's asleep upstairs. Why don't you and I have something to eat first. I'm sure you're tired after your day." He turns his body half away from the stairs, hoping I'll fall into step beside him.

Him trying to convince me into eating before seeing her unnerves me. Is he putting it off, buying himself time? Is the food going to contain some kind of toxin that paralyses me?

I shake the feeling off, focusing on my sole task.

"I would feel better about getting my eyes on Caroline first," I say carefully, hoping he doesn't take offence.

"I understand completely." The corner of his mouth twitches, betraying his hospitable mask for just a moment. "Johnathan, please take Lavelle up to her sister. In the meantime, we'll have a room set up for her."

The guard nods. "Yes sir."

"I hope to see you at dinner, with your sister," Tavrik says to me, in such a way that implies that it is an expectation.

I smile graciously. "You will."

He doesn't walk away initially. He watches me and Jonathan, the guard, walk up the stairs together, until we're out of his sight.

I shudder. Creep.

Tavrik can try all he like to appear like the victim in Zyre's narrative, portraying himself to be a kind and welcoming male who has done no wrong.

But I know the mask will slip. I know this is an act, to gain my confidence. I must ensure I do not upset him, do not do anything to dislodge the façade.

Because if I do, I know he will hurt me.

Jonathan leads me wordless down the hall, stopping in front of a door. I know it could be a trap, but the urge to see my sister is too strong to resist as I press inside.

The room is dim, the curtains drawn. I can make Caroline out, splayed amongst messy covers, her hair strewn about her face.

I rush to her side, giving her a sharp shake.

I expect to see her bruised and swollen. I expect to see her malnourished and unwashed, left to fester in this room with no escape.

But upon closer inspection, I see there are no bruises. Her skin is completely unmarred, and to my surprised, she has even gained a bit of weight.

"Caroline?" I shake her again.

She wakes drowsily, muttering a curse before her eyes blink open.

"Lavelle?" She sits up, looking at me in shock.

"Oh thank goodness. Are you okay?" I ask, lifting her arms, inspecting her closely.

How are there no signs of abuse? Why does she look better than when I last saw her?
 
"Of course I'm okay." She pulls me into a hug. "I'm so glad you're here."

I'm stiff as a board as her arms wrap around me. Tentatively, I hug her back, wondering where this sudden affection is coming from. I know we made amends before she left, but I didn't expect her to be so happy to be reacquainted.

"Has Tavrik been hurting you?" I ask as I pull away.

"Hurting me?" She frowns. "He's housed me. He's been so generous."

I sink back a bit, my heart still pounding.

This must be part of Tavrik's deception. He must have thought there was a chance Caroline's letter would entice me here, and to ensure the façade held strong, he didn't touch her.

"Good. That's a relief," I murmur, a little dazed.

"Why are you here? Did you finally escape that monster?" She asks, sweeping her hair — now noticeably less ratty — from her face.

"I did...I'm seeking refuge here, after getting your letter," I tell her carefully.

I wanted to be truthful, but if Tavrik has gotten into her head and manipulated her, then I can't risk it. I'll just have to make sure she knows to leave with Elowen later tonight.

She smiles softly, pinching my cheek. "You did the right thing, Lavelle."

"We cannot stay here forever though, can we?" I take her hand, lowering it from my face.

"No, but we're safe here for now." She shrugs, like there is no hurry at all. "Don't worry about Zyre, as I know you will. You made the right decision leaving him."

"I suppose," I mutter, looking around at the simple but well kept room.

Caroline's smile drops suddenly. "He's a murderer. You were probably going to be his victim eventually."

I want to tell her she's lost her mind, that I know Zyre would never hurt me. But I know right now, those would be wasted words.

"Well, we have dinner with Tavrik tonight." I'm curious about how Tavrik interacts with my sister. How deep has his claws dug in?

Caroline grins again, animated by the prospect of being in his company again.

"Perfect." She clasps her hands together. "You'll get to learn just how amazing he is."

I'm not sure how amazing I will find him, but I am certain there is much to learn.

🤍••🤍

If you want to read ahead, you can find this story COMPLETED on Inkitt! The first five chapters are available for free (:

(Just search up my profile 'Midika' and you will find it under the stories tab!)

Check you my latest 18+ werewolf novel out now on Wattpad!!

P.S I have a new story on Inkitt called Three Alpha King's. First five chapters are free! Check it out if you want (:

~Midika 💜🐈‍⬛