The Alpha Prince And His Bride
Episode 26

LUCY’S POV:

I felt everyone’s eyes on me , surely they all wanted to see my reaction to Austin and Ariana embracing right before me . Like always , a lot of sympathetic gazes were sent my way. This time however , I noticed many of the pack members giving Austin and Ariana disappointed looks , clearly just as unhappy about it as I was .

I clutched my tummy in pain , my stomach suddenly feeling uneasy , as though I wanted to throw up .I rushed through the narrow hallway without saying a word to anyone , not stopping till I reached a washroom . I threw open the door and shut it behind me before leaning over the sink , trying hard not to puke .

However the wave of nausea that attacked me had me doubling over as I emptied my stomach into the sink to the front of me . Hot tears filled my eyes as I blinked through the hurt and pain , compared to before , my reaction to seeing Austin and Ariana had definitely gotten much worse , was it really so bad to the point of me throwing up ?

I dropped to the floor and covered my face with my hands . Things were really bad , I couldn’t imagine a life where I had to see Ariana around Austin , it would destroy me to have to see something like that every day .

“Lucy!” I heard Maya call from the doorway . “Are you in there ?”

I forced myself to get up from the floor and open the door. Maya took one look at me and scrunched her nose , a crease forming on her forehead .

“You don’t look well .” She pointed out with a concerned look . ” Are you ill?”

I shook my head , not wanting her to worry about me . For I knew if I told Maya she would announce it to everyone outside and at the moment I just wanted to lock myself in a room and stay away from everyone . Needed some time to myself , no… needed to be away from Austin and Ariana . I’d been so caught up with all the drama that took place at the council’s palace that I’d forgotten about the sad reality of my life . What I saw a few minutes ago was like a cold dash of water to my face , reminding me of my life here .

“I don’t know if this is the right time to tell you this .” Maya started warily .” But my parents have decided to hold a party tonight to celebrate everyone’s safe return .”

I held back a g***n , I didn’t want Maya to feel bad , after all they were doing this for our safe return , I couldn’t not attend .

The last thing I wanted to do was attend a party tonight however , knowing exactly what I’ll have to deal with if I did . The last time they had a party Ariana was all up on Austin and I had to stand there and watch . I didn’t know if I would be able to handle that this time . For it seemed as though my reaction to seeing them together had definitely gone from bad to worse .

……..

We were finally back home and I was happy to be in my room , away from everyone . I dropped onto the bed and buried my head against the pillows .

I heard the door crack open and I didn’t need to look up to know that it was Austin.His scent immediately filled the room , everything else drowning out around me .

“Lucy?” I heard him call in a gentle tone .

My heart ached . How could he say my name like that after having that woman in his arms right in front of me like I meant absolutely nothing to him ? The thought about that earlier incident made me sick to my stomach once more , the sudden urge to throw up appearing once again .

I rose up from the bed slowly without looking in his direction as I placed my feet on the ground , feeling for my slipper . As soon as I felt it , I slipped it on and rose up gracefully .

“How are you ?” He asked when I chose to say nothing .

How was I ?

Why did he even care ? I felt his eyes on me , trailing my every move , his gaze burning into my body as I moved away but still I refused to say anything or even look at him for that matter .

I wanted to scream at him , tell him how much he and that girl had hurt me , tell him how heartless he was to put me through this after everything we’ve been through together the past few days . I bit my l*p and blinked back the tears , no… I wouldn’t cry in front of him.

I ignored his question as I strode out of the room .

I felt him following me but didn’t bother to stop or turn around .

“Lucy .” He called once again , panic evident in his tone .

I refused to speak a word to him , completely heart broken and hurt that he would just run back to Ariana after every thing that happened between us .

Before I could reach any further however he grabbed onto my arm and pulled me to a stop. He spun me around so that I was now facing him , his finger reached below my chin , forcing me to look him in the eye, He peered down at me , his eyes searching my own as though he was trying to understand what my problem was and why I was acting this way .

Were all men this clueless ?

“What’s wrong ?” He whispered , his forehead creasing with concern .

How could he not know ?

How clueless can one person be ?

“Are you not feeling well ?” He inquired softly, when I chose to remain quiet . His deep blue eyes like always pulled me in , making it hard to think clearly , especially when they looked at me the way he was staring at me now … like if he didn’t know what was wrong but desperately wanted to fix it.

I forced myself to look away , his eyes always made me weak … I wasn’t about to let that happen again , at least not this time .

“Lucy please–“

“Alpha!” Alex interrupted , his eyes going back and forth between Austin and I .

Austin gave Alex a death glare for the interruption and he instantly paled .” I’m sorry to interrupt Alpha but there is an issue that needs tending to immediately .” He announced .

He reluctantly let go of me , not before giving me another look of longing however . I ignored it and turned the other direction . He could go give that look to Ariana . Even though I was the one who had thought of those words , it hurt like hell , I didn’t want him looking at her period .

I inwardly cried .

God , this was so hard .

………

A quiet sigh escaped my lips .

The party had just started and already I wanted to leave the moment I saw Ariana enter the room . Her presence immediately put a damper in my mood , it wouldn’t be long before she went to find Austin .

I hadn’t seen him since our last encounter where I’d completely ignored him , whatever Alex had called him for seemed to have kept him preoccupied for the rest of the day .

“I see we meet again .”

I stiffened as my gaze fell on Eric , Ariana’s father . The last time I’d met him , he had completely creeped me out , things hadn’t changed . He still made me feel extremely uncomfortable .

I forced a smile on my face before shaking his outstretched hand .

“The word is out that your father is none other than Alpha Richard .” He pointed out , taking a drink out of the cup in his hand . ” We were once good friends until he betrayed your husband’s family .”

My eyes narrowed , why was he bringing this up now ?

“Your point ?” I asked , not the least bit happy with where this conversation was going .

The man’s gaze darkened , his face looking ten times creepier than before .” Everyone here may have forgotten that your family are traitors but I won’t … the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree , I’ll be keeping my eyes on you .”

What exactly was this man implying ? He continued to glare at me until the queen joined us .” Is everything okay ?” She asked me , studying my tensed state .

“Everything’s fine , I was just asking the princess about her time spent at the council .” Eric answered before I could say a word to Austin’s mother . My lips pressed together in anger and frustration , this man was just as bad as his daughter .

He was right … the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.

I quietly excused myself at the uncomfortable silence that followed between us , not wanting to be anywhere near this pathetic man .

I didn’t make it far however as none other than Ariana was standing in front of me , blocking my way . When I tried to go around her , she pushed forward and grabbed onto my arm roughly , her nails digging into my skin . ” I know what you’re doing .” She hissed, glaring at me .

I gave her a blank look .”Excuse me?”

She flipped her hair and rolled her eyes . ” I know you’re doing everything to take Austin from me but he’s mine b***h .” She threatened . ” The only reason he’s been protecting you thus far is because of his caring nature . In fact , tonight I’ll show you just how much more I mean to him than you do … watch him spend the entire night with me .”

A few hours later and I came to the conclusion that Ariana was right , I’d spent the entire night so far seeing Austin tend to her , he didn’t leave her side for a second … even though I was just a few feet away from them . It was like he couldn’t even see me as long as she was around and it broke me in a way that was difficult to put into words . I just felt completely lost and broken inside , like a part of my heart had been ripped out and stepped on in the most brutal way possible .

My legs were shaking from the pain the hurt brought to my body and I had to grip the chair next to me to keep from dropping to the floor and letting out all of the tears I had bottled up inside .

“Hi there beautiful .”

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t notice someone standing before me . I glanced up at the tall stranger , he had ash blond hair and scary dark eyes . His lips were curved in a smile as he focused all his attention on me .

I gave him a confused look . ” Were you speaking to me ?”

He chuckled . “Well you are the most beautiful in the room .”

I looked around me , trying to find some way to escape from this man’s presence but I couldn’t see anyone who could help . Something about him screamed trouble and I found it weird that he would openly flirt with me knowing that I was married to Austin. Since everyone else around seemed to respect that fact and kept their distance .

“Can I have this dance ?” He asked when I remained silent after I saw no reason to entertain this conversation .

I shook my head . “I’m sorry , I don’t think–“

The guy grabbed my waist without my consent , pulling me against him .” Come on , one dance wouldn’t hurt sweetheart .”

Before I had a chance to react and push him away , a loud menacing growl rippled throughout the room .

I jumped as the entire crowd grew silent .

“GET YOUR f*****g HANDS OFF HER!” Austin roared .