Three Alpha Princes for an Unwanted Omega

”We need to leave.”

Alistair stormed into Willow’s room. His breathing was heavy and his hair disheveled.

Willow set her cup down, staring at him in confusion.

”Leave?”

”Now. Right now.” He crossed to her, took her wrist.

”What happened?” she asked, concern etched on her face.

”I cannot explain.” he shook his head frantically. ”But we need to leave now, Willow.”

He pulled her toward the door and she had to plant her heels to stop him.

”What happened?” she said. ”Alistair... what happened?”

His jaw worked. You have to trust me. Come with me, Willow.”

Willow looked him over, her heart beginning to pound.

He was afraid.

”Alistair,” Willow whispered. ”What did you do?”

For several seconds, he said nothing. His throat worked as he swallowed.

”Alistair.”

”I made a mistake.” he murmured.

”What kind of mistake?” Willow asked.

Before he could answer, the door exploded inward.

Willow screamed as guards flooded the room with several swords drawn.

Alistair immediately stepped in front of Willow.

”What is the meaning of this?” He snapped at the front man.

”Alistair Veyr.” the man stepped forward.

”You have been summoned by your Alpha to answer for your crimes of treason and conspiracy.”

Willow’s mouth fell open.

”What?” She looked from the guard to Alistair. ”Treason?”

Alistair closed his eyes briefly then he sighed.

”It is not what you think, Willow.”

Two guards grabbed him.

”Wait!” Willow rushed forward. ”Where are you taking him?”

Alistair struggled against their grip.

”Willow, stay here.”

”No!”

She ran after them as they headed in the direction of Lucius’ study.

She did not understand.

Why would they call the King’s brother a traitor. Something had happened, something very serious and Alistair was involved in it.

The doors to Lucius’ study opened and Alistair was shoved inside.

Willow came in behind them, and the first thing she saw was Amara.

Her eyes narrowed at the witch standing at Lucius’ right hand, her hands folded. She had never liked Amara or trusted her and she had no idea what game the witch was playing.

Alistair turned toward Lucius.

”Brother.” His voice was calm. ”What is the meaning of this?”

Lucius stared at him for several seconds before he threw his head back and laughed.

”Meaning?” He approached. ”How dare you speak to me of meaning when I know what you have been doing?”

”And what have I been doing that would require you making your men drag me in here like a criminal.”

”That is because you are a criminal.” Lucius spat. ”Ares told me everything.”

Willow’s heart stopped.

Ares and Alistair?

She looked at Alistair.

”He told me of how you helped him get into the palace and how you helped him plot his escape.”

Lucius stopped in front of him.

”I know of how you betrayed your own brother.”

”I don’t know what you are talking about.” Alistair stared at him. ”Whatever Ares has told you is a lie.” But his voice faltered and Lucius heard it.

He smiled grimly.

He had not been sure but looking at his brother’s face now, he knew he had been right.

Alistair did not know how to tell a lie and he quite frankly did not have one traitorous bone in his body.

It is why he had been able to use him even though he had equal rights to be king as he did.

He was soft which is why he was shocked at this.

Shocked but not surprised.

It was only a matter of time before he knew he would have to get rid of his own brother.

”How could you?” Lucius shook his head. ”We are brothers... family and you do this to me?”

Alistair’s jaw clenched and in that moment, the pretense fell away.

”Do not talk to me about family, Lucius.” he snarled. ”You have never been a brother to me. You sent me to do your dirty deeds. Every time there was something you did not want to touch, you sent me.”

His breathing grew heavier as he spoke, anger in his voice.

”Every time someone had to get their hands dirty, it was Alistair. Every time someone had to lie, manipulate, threaten, kill...”

He pointed at himself.

”It was me. How long was I supposed to watch you ruin everything we fought for? You care about nothing but your own ambitions. You are so power drunk that you do not see your people suffering, dying.”

”Watch yourself.” Lucius’ voice rose in warning.

”Why?” Alistair laughed, looking directly into Lucius’ eyes. ”What are you going to do?”

Willow stood frozen in a spot.

She had never seen Alistair like this. She had never heard him speak to Lucius like this.

She could hear the years of resentment in his voice, years of feeling like the lesser brother.

She watched as Lucius slowly turned toward the guards.

”Take him and lock him in the dungeons. Tomorrow morning, he will be beheaded for treason against Emberfall.”

”No.” Willow gasped, her hands flying to her mouth as tears immediately filled her eyes.

Alistair turned to her, a small sad smile on his face as the guards dragged him toward the door.

Willow spun around to Lucius.

”Lucius, please reconsider... please.”

Lucius finally looked at her, his expression was cold.

”Why should I?”

”He is your brother... he is...”

”A traitor.” Lucius finished for her, his eyes hard. ”I should have you whipped too,” he said, ”for not noticing that Ayla had regained her memories. She has been playing us both for fools and she tried to run away with Ares. Thankfully, she was caught before she could.”

”What?” Willow whispered.

”You did not know?” Lucius tilted his head.

She did know about Ayla’s memories but she tried to leave?

Without her?

”You look genuinely shocked so I am going to assume you were as clueless as I was.”

Willow could not bring herself to speak. She just stood there, staring at the floor.

”If I may...” Amara cut in. ”I do not think it is wise to behead your brother.”

Lucius’ glanced at her.

”When I need your opinion, I will ask for it, Amara.”

”But...”

”Get out.” Lucius cut in. ”Both of you.”

”Lucius...” Willow started.

”Get out, Willow or I swear to the moon goddess, I will have you whipped so bad you will lose your ability to walk.”

Amara immediately stepped forward and grabbed Willow by the arm.

”Come with me.” she said, pulling her toward the door.

She kept her hand on Willow’s hand steering her to her own chambers. Once the door closed behind them, Willow snatched her hand away, whirling on Amara.

”How did this happen?”

”I do not know,” Amara said. ”Ayla did this without informing me.”

”You.” Willow laughed. ”You were helping her. You were the one training her. Do not pretend...”

”I am not pretending. She was meant to wait. We had a plan that would have cost no one.” Amara’s mouth thinned. ”She chose differently.”

Willow shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

”Now Alistair is going to die for it”

”Not if I can help it.” Amara cut in.

Willow stared at her.

”What?”

”I will help Alistair get out,” Amara said. ”I will help him. Tonight, if I can. Before morning.”

”Why?” Willow asked. ”Why would you...”

”Because we are on the same side, Willow.” Amara sighed. ”We are on Ayla’s side. All three of us and what she did today, she did it because she is desperate, and desperation is how she gets hurt. She needs us... both of us. So you can trust me.”

Willow stared at her for a long moment before she nodded.

”Good.” Amara smiled.