ALPHA KAEL

ER TH

ia'

ooking back didn't feel like me anymore. Her

lood. The thin mark around her neck was still there-fain

memories of my struggle when I was chok

ast I wish I wasn't. I would have p

nd me, I knew who it was e

through the silence like a knife

ut I could feel her ven

thanks for saving your lif

jaw, but I rem

ooth and laced with contempt. "You should be gr

fists on the old wooden

he said he still wanted his bride. Paid good gold, too. Wo

irk. "One hour. Try not to cry too much, wou

I'd barely stood up, and now

ice low. "You think I'l

ckly against my cheek. "If you try anything, Aria,

door wide open. Their footsteps faded, b

what to do, it wasn't like I had anyt

oed through

false sweetness. "Come on, who

me with a shove. A man stood in the doorway-the same man w

his face was apologetic, like

the ceremony?" he asked

I care what happens to her? She's no

she pushed me out the

. I sat in the back of the cart, my arms crossed, shoulders stiff. The man tried

spond. He kept asking questions like "Do you want wate

outside. No was had ever been nice to me and

t I expected,"

me glanc

rls cry, some would scream. Beg

the trees. I wasn'

forest grew darker and thicker. When the path finally opened up, the

ike a home, It lo

the stairs. The man looked back

me, something dangerous but I

ng?" I asked, voi

answer r

ready," he said, e

ed. "Th

thought I was ma

ckled uneasily. "My mas

drained fr

now?" Eli ask

my head

," he said. "Not many

lt cursed. I was really b

ed off to a group of slaves, they were young, silen

and I slammed str

started, but the words caught

eyes were sharp, his mou

for an apology or some

e snapped. I h

ou apologize

urrowed. "A

back. "Who the hell

ooked past me, then arou

I knew fighting him would bring more trouble to me a

"Let's go please," I sai

unless I say so,"

ink he is? Yes, he might be handsome but that do

you?" I

lose enough to

our hu

could he be my husband? I was expec

aid softly. "Welco

e tore through packs like wind through leaves. That he ki

happening. I wasn't getting married to