Word Count: 2545

~Lavelle

I'm numb. Utterly numb.

There is no telling how many days have passed. The curtains in my room are closed, and I haven't gotten up for anything but the bathroom recently.

I simply lay in bed, the covers pulled up to my chin, my head buried in my pillow. I can do nothing but lay here, staring into the vacant dim of my room, endlessly replaying the night of Avi's death through my mind.

Slowly, I pull my hand out from the covers to inspect my absent finger.

The ring sits on my bedside table, never to be adorned again. My husband is gone, forever.

I roll onto my side, curling my legs up to my middle.

I'm not bound to this bed because I am so deeply overcome with grief. I'm in bed because I'm completely numb, my insides hollow. My heart feels still, knowing I've lost something great, yet I cannot allow myself to feel it.

I think I'm physically incapable of it.

There has been commotion downstairs for days. Zyre is moving himself and his people into Avi's palace, moving out my husband's belongings only to be replaced by...well, my husband's belongings.

Zyre is my husband now, and Avi is gone.

My eyes drift over the latest tray of food that has been brought to me. I suppose it's supposed to be lunch. Other than these deliveries, no one has made contact with me.

Just as I prefer.

I'm a prisoner here, as Zyre made clear the moment after he slaughtered Avi. He told me he needs to be to stay within the walls of the palace while he situates himself here.

From the muffled talk I've heard from out in the hall, Zyre has successfully taken charge within in this pack, stepping into the role of Alpha with ease.

It makes me ill just thinking about it.

A gentle knock sounds at the door before it opens a crack.

"Lavelle? Are you alright?" Zyre's voice floats into room, disturbing the eerie stillness that has settled into this room.

I don't bother turning to the door, coiling deeper into the covers. "Go away."

He's silent for a moment, contemplating entering. This is the first time he's stepped in here to speak to me, and he is not welcome.

"You've been in here for days. You haven't ventured out once," he murmurs gently, concern buried deep into every word.

"I'm a prisoner here. Where could I possibly go?" I roll onto my back, caring little for how I must appear to him.

I'm not sure when I brushed my hair last, and I wear the same clothing I numbly put on when I took off my wedding dress days ago. He's lucky I wear anything at all.

He on the other hand, looking painfully well put together. He looks unbothered by his murderous actions, settling himself well into his new role.

I ignore the smoothness of his skin and the distinct lack of shadows under his eyes, staring up at the ceiling.

"I know you're angry—"

"Angry? You murdered my husband and his family in cold blood. You've overtaken my pack and you've forced me into a false marriage with you," I bite out, my fingers curling into the sheets.

He sighs through his nose, approaching my bed. I sit up, eyeing him defensively.

If he is capable of murdering Avi and his parents, then he is capable of hurting me. I won't let him get so close to me again.

"I'm choosing to maintain this union in an effort to protect you, Lavelle," he says quietly.

I shoot him a look. "I only need protection from you."

"May I explain myself, at least?" His brows pull together in anguish.

My eyes narrow. He seems so desperate to gain my approval back. It's surprising. He's gotten what he wants, and he lied to me to get it. He should be happy with all he has pulled off.

"You became Alpha to spite your brother. I get it." I wave my hand dismissively. I picked up as much from what was exchanged between him and Avi.

He hesitates, before sitting on the end of my bed, facing me.

"It is much more than that," he explains tightly, cautiously. "You may not be interested in seeing why I've done this now, but trust me, it is for good reason. My brother is pure evil."

I huff, shaking my head. I'm well aware of that.

And Zyre is no better.

"Just leave me alone," I grumble tiredly.

"I warned you, over and over, Lavelle, not to marry Avi." His eyes brush over me. "I knew your union to him would be your true union to me."

I stare at his face, aghast.

He knew from the very moment Avi expressed his intention to marry me that him and I would marry? The thought is horrifying, knowing every interaction with him was so imbalanced at that time.

He knew all along, that if Avi went through with marrying me, I would become his.

"Warned me...you didn't warn me." I sit up straighter, my voice rising. "Maybe you should have tried 'hey Lavelle, maybe don't marry Avi. If you do, you're actually marrying me because I'm going to murder him and'—"

His winces. "I couldn't tell you in so much detail. You would have corrupted my plan by revealing it prematurely."

"Oh, Goddess forbid." I roll my eyes.

He's right though. No amount of flirtatious looks and remarks from him could have stopped me from revealing his plan to Avi. I couldn't allow him to kill my husband.

"I've been conflicted about how ardently I could have discouraged you to flee. See, your union to Avi meant my plan went smoothly. It means I can protect you, that you're safe," he explains. "I needed everyone who was to be taken out present in one place. Your wedding provided that opportunity, and after that, I knew I would have the power to keep you from harm, because I am..."

He drifts off, swallowing tightly. He still doesn't feel right calling himself my husband.

"Oh please. You're not conflicted about anything. You've gotten what you wanted."

His shoulders deflate as he sighs, sweeping a hand through his dark hair. "It has to be you, Lavelle. No one else sufficed."

I sit up, leaning forward. "Why, though? Why me? Why not spare me from all of this?"

How could I be so unlucky? I thought I finally had something good with Avi, and now it's been taken from me. Zyre knew for so long about his plan, and he led me on the entire time.

He hesitates, his mouth opening before it slowly closes again. He's nervous about whatever he wants to tell me.

"I...I'm wary of telling you the entire truth while you're in this state—"

"Tell me," I demand.

He rubs his face, pinching his brow. A dark, haunting feeling settles over me. This isn't going to be good.

"Avi made a deal with my brother many months ago. He was motivated by the need to pay off great debts caused by his failure to claim fruitful land during the occupation," he starts. "My brother was motivated by a need for an heir he could not sire."

I raise a cautious brow. "What was the deal, exactly?"

"Avi provide my brother an heir in exchange for liberation from his debts. Why he would be chosen for the task is beyond me, but I assume it's due to his bloodline being close enough to my brothers to suffice." He rubs his jaw.

"So?"

His gaze floats over my face, as sadness flooding his eyes. It makes my mouth dry. What is so bad that he is reluctant to tell me?

"Avi intended to fill you with an heir before trading you off to my brother. You would birth the heir before being his for free use," he says tightly.

The words take a moment to sink in, so absurd I can't fathom that they would possibly be true. Zyre could be lying to me to gain my trust again. He's stooped lower...

"You're lying." My voice shakes uneasily. "Why wouldn't you just sire the child?"

"My brother knew I would never. No amount of coercion or torture would convince me," he says. "And because he does not trust me. I attempted to challenge his reign many times, and failed. That is part of the reason I came here."

I eye him sceptically. "I don't believe you."

Why would I trust Zyre, who betrayed me and lied to me for months over a male I chose to marry? None of this makes any sense.

Zyre looks down at his hands, dark hair brushing against his forehead. "Worst of all, you were requested, by name, by my brother."

I draw in a breath. "That's not possible."

"It is." His mouth settles into a hard line.

Either this is the truth, or he's an incredible liar. I always got the feeling he was keeping something from me before, but he's always been good at artfully arranging the mask he presented to everyone. Perhaps this is just another one of this deceitful tactics.

"Why? How could he know about me?" I ask, sifting through the little that makes sense about his story.

"I'm still trying to find that one out," he mutters grimly.

Zyre's brother lives in a pack a great distance from mine. It's overseas, and is one of the largest packs in the land. So why would the Alpha of such a great and mighty pack concern himself with me? I'm not noble, and I have relevant social connections that would allow him to know I exist, let alone my name.

My eyes narrow. "So that's why you want me. To spite your brother and steal his chance for an heir."

"It's one of the many reasons." He shrugs, not bothering to deny it. "Believe it or not, I'm strongly compelled to keep you out of my brothers merciless hands. Trust me, that is for the best."

I shiver at his dark tone. That, I believe.

"Avi never cared for me then. That's what you're telling me."

"Perhaps he did. Perhaps he was attracted to you." He glances at the ring on my bedside. "But stronger motivations compelled him to choose you that night at the ball. It was never going to be anyone else."

I frown, considering my memories of that night.

Avi did seem taken by me when we met gazes across the ballroom. I was surprised when he approached Mel and I — I would never thought my looks alone would be enough to compel and Alpha. What if they never were, and he was always planning to target me?

No, I can't allow myself to believe that Avi has been planning this for so long. I was only invited to the ball because of Mel's invitation. Had he wanted me there so badly, I would presume he would send me an invitation personally.

I wrap my arms around myself, feeling ill.

"I don't believe you. We had a connection," I murmur, although uncertainty has taken root within me.

Avi and I's connected was always a little strange, but I assumed that was just due to his position as Alpha. He was wary about what he shared about me, and often steered us away from in depth conversations. In some ways I knew him, and others ways I didn't.

And then there's the matter of his insistence on us having children together right away...is there a chance Zyre is right?

He gazes at me solemnly. "He's an artful liar."

"Or you are."

"Maybe," he sighs. "You're going to have to trust me on this."

"It doesn't change the fact that you murdered him in cold blood. You're no better than your brother," I remind him brusquely.

I heard him slit Avi's throat. I saw the aftermath. That is the act of someone cruel and heartless. Someone who is in no position to protect me.

"Either way you're tied to someone of my bloodline, yes. However, you're under no obligation to perform marital duties with me." He clears his throat. "What my brother would have done to you...I shall not utter it."

I flinch, feeling as though I've been struck in the face.

I've heard terrible things about Zyre's brother, and I don't want to find myself anywhere near him. But that doesn't mean Zyre will be any better to me.

"I just don't understand, why me?" I ask breathlessly, hopelessly.

"I wish I knew."

He sounds sincere, but I know I can't trust him. If what he is saying is true, there must be a reason for his brother wanting me to carry his heir. I must know before I lose my mind.

I look over my new husband. "What now?"

"You stay here, where you're safe," he insists. "Something about you is desirable to my brother. Elsewhere, you're in danger of falling into his hands. If that happens, I don't know what will happen to you, and I don't know if I will be able to get you back."

My throat tightens. I won't let that happen.

"I can't trust you."

He doesn't look offended, only grimly impassive. "I know. But you're safe here. These walls will guard you, and so will I."

I look around. The room seems darker than when Avi was alive, or perhaps that is my new outlook. Either way, I'm not sure I can handle living here with him being gone. This doesn't feel like my home anymore.

Or perhaps it never did.

I slowly take in Zyre's form, his hidden strength and the determination buried in his eyes. "You're Alpha now..."

"I am."

"I hate that it suits you."

The corner of his mouth lifts. "I was born for this power. I was born to challenge my brothers rule."

I believe him. I only wish that it wasn't my pack and my husband that had to get involved in this. Now everything has changed, and the future is painfully unpredictable.

I press back into the headboard. "Please don't impregnate me."

"Rest assured, I will not." He laughs a little under his breath. "I am your husband, but that imparts no obligations beyond what is legal and ceremonial."

"Good." I pause, frowning. "Ceremonial?"

"You'll see." He rises from my bed. "Rest up."

I wait until he gets to my bedroom door before I speak again.

"Watch your back, Zyre. There's revenge coming for you in multiple forms," I warn quietly.

He only stares back at me quietly for a moment, seeing something that I don't.

"Please eat," he says, before he swiftly departs.

I glance at the tray of food since gone cold on my bedside table. Reluctantly I reach for it, emboldened by my new goal.

Revenge is coming for Zyre. From me.

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