Alpha Loren novel Chapter 143

A week later I was still trapped in this God forbidden castle. I desperately missed Leo and all the kids and was beginning to get awfully bored. I'd thought long and hard about a way to escape but it is with my deepest regret to inform you that they well and truly had every possible option covered. Every window was welded shut, every door was bolted more than three times and after escape attempt number 1, the secret passageway had been sealed along with every other yet to be discovered exit route in the castle. There are times in life when it's justifiable to sit around and wait for a man to save you and unfortunately, this was one of them. The only foreseeable way to get home was if Leo somehow located me. Considering that I didn't even have a single clue where I was, I wasn't holding out much hope for that. This was my life now.

"Ella!" I heard my brother's voice call down the hallway as I sat with my Dad in what had become my chambers. Today, like every other day, he was watching me paint and giving the occasional tip. It was of my family since without the photos on my phone it was the only way to show him what my children look like. I had just finished Lili's little nose when the door opened.

"The King wants you...again..." Connor said to me wearily from the doorway.  

"Again?"  I questioned with a grown.

"It appears he can no longer take his daily walk around the grounds without you."

"Fucking hell. It's freezing out there. What is his problem?" I said aggressively putting my paintbrush down.

Connor shrugged and handed me a long winter's cloak that had been given to me, "Guess he just has a massive crush on you."

"Shut up," I snapped throwing the cloak like garment around me and heading for the door. There was no point trying to resist what the King wanted. I'd learnt that by now.

I made my way through the hallways with Connor to one of the heavily guarded doors leading out to the extensive castle gardens. There awaited the King a.k.a Lennard, with a beaming smile. I gave him a short-lived one in return before Connor left me and I began the tiresome walk with the King. 

"So," I began. "Since my mate doesn't appear to be showing up any time soon. I think it is about time we ought to be discussing the terms of my release. Your plan has clearly foiled so what need there would be to keep me here any longer I do not know."

"I like a bit of optimism, Ella," he replied as we passed through an avenue of leafless trees. "But yours is ill-informed. You will only ever leave this castle in a casket. And besides, why would you want to leave here?"

I could think of many reasons.

"There's a ball here tonight."

"A ball?"

"To celebrate success in phase one of the plan. Kidnapping you," he replied.

"Oh. How wonderful," I said through gritted teeth. "And I suppose I am required to attend?"

"Of course."

"Even better."

"How absurd this is. Inviting a prisoner to a ball," he remarked before laughing. "And imagine all the balls we'll have once the beast has been slain. Perhaps the centrepiece will be his head on a spike."

I felt a sudden lurch of pain in my stomach at his words.