My Alpha’s Betrayal: Burning In The Flames Of His Vengeance

68. These Emotions THEON “Like her parents, she’s a traitor!” “Who would have thought someone so beautiful and sweet was working for the Obsidian Shadow pack? “Is it true, the amulet belonged to the Hale family?” “To the Alpha family of the Obsidian Shadow pack? Who would have thought.” “They should have her beheaded!” “Publicly!” “I knew she should never have been allowed to becan epsilon rank warrior!” “It's because of her, Gamma Raiden Bolton is in critical condition!” “He tried to protect her from Theon of Westerfell and this is what happened...” “Yes yes, Theon of Westerfell must have realised she was a traitor!” The distorted versions of the truth were already sifting through the crowd, as a path split through the throngs, allowing us to pass. How foolish were they blaming her for something | did? | needed to stick by Andres’ side, he was the only one who had power over Soleil's command. The only one who held the power to not have Yileyna beheaded.

‘Make sure Yileyna De’Lacor is unharmed and untouched. Place her in the cells, and Patrick, | want you to watch her until the Alpha has further orders.” | said through the link, knowing Andres hadn't given any further order. He was one of the men | trusted enough to know he would not disobey me.

‘Yes Beta! | frowned, Beta... A title | didn’t claim... If the princess and | had gotten engaged... | could have killed the king soon after and taken the throne. It had been so simple, | had been telling myself repeatedly to go through with it and then kill the Aphelion family. They deserved to die, because of them I had lost so much...

“Andres, Alpha Andres!” Soleil's voice hissed as she grabbed onto Andres’ arm.

His head jerked towards her as if suddenly brought out of a reverie.

There was something off about him...

“What is it?” He asked curtly, but he lacked his usual power and arrogance.

“The engagement.” She said coldly. “Now isn’t the time.” | replied impassively. Soleil turned, glaring atfor speaking, but before she could reply, Andres turned when we reached the entrance doors to the hall and looked around the room.

“Take rest, there will be no engagement tonight! But fear not, this engagement will happen!” He called loudly and clearly. Not waiting for a reaction or reply, he turned and left the grand hall swiftly. “Theon, as your future mother-in-law, tell me, what is with you and De’Lacor?! You are to marry Charlene, yet you seemed to be besotted by the traitor.” Soleil hissed, now turning her attention to me, her voice shaking with rage. The day | slit her throat would be a day | was going to enjoy thoroughly...

“Soleil, go to our quarters, | have much to do. This engagement will happen, don’t worry about that. Just givetto sort this mess out.” Andres said dangerously.

“You are acting strange, Andres.” “Soleil, go.” His command was absolute. He removed the crown from his head and shoved it into Soleil's hands.

“Grayson!” “Yes Alpha?” Grayson stepped forward, his eyes serious yet his face was as emotionless and professional as ever.

Andres paused as if trying to think of what he needed to say or do, only makingwatch him sharply. His words ‘what have | done?’ stuck with me... his reaction to everything that had happened was intriguing. Had he figured out her truth? But if that was so, then why was he not ordering for Yileyna to be killed? It was something else... but what? “Make sure the Boltons are alright... Check up on Raiden and | will talk to Henry when he is ready.” Andres sighed heavily. “Theon, | will have a.word with you now. In my office.” My brows furrowed, | was missing something, but what was it? 2 | gave a small nod, walking past him and up the stairs, heading towards his office.

Enjoy your tgiving commands, Andres, for soon this crown, this title, and this kingdom will be mine.

The door shut behind Andres with a snap and he walked to his chair, dropping onto it as if carrying his own body had been exhausting. He ran his hand down his face, exhaling sharply. “Theon... Theon... Why?” He questioned silently. Our eyes met and | crossed my arms.

He didn’t need to announce what he meant, even if he had handled it calmly or didn’t react, it wasn’t a small matter.

“I have no excuse; | lost my temper and | attacked him.” He looked troubled before he placed his head in his hands. “Theon... You are to be future Alpha, alongside Charlene. You cannot hurt your future Gamma, Raiden is a good man.” | don’t really give a fuck.

Yileyna... what was to happen to her? | looked down at the pendant in my hand, my heart clenching.

How did she have it? This should have been lost at sea...

My heart was thundering as | pushed away the grief that threatened to seep through...

I never thought I'd see this pendant again, was it a sign that Yileyna had it? Memories from long ago rang in my mind and | swallowed hard as the voice filled my head.

This? It’s very precious son... it’s beautiful... it is, isn’t it? One day | will give it to you to give to the woman you love... Woman? Yuck, I'm never going to fall in love... Oh, is that so?’ 1 Mom's pendant... gifted to her by my grandmother and to be worn by the Luna of our pack... A necklace she had always worn, a necklace which she was wearing when she had been killed by that siren, a necklace which should have been lost at sea... 2 My stomach twisted as suddenly the siren’s face leered in my mind, a face so beautiful yet so evil... a face which looked so like Yileyna it madesick.

Fuck was my mind playing tricks on me? Blonde hair...

No, they didn’t look alike.

1 ran my hand through my hair, the sheer reality of Yileyna’s truth hittingonce again.

Fuck 1 Did she know? Her having the necklace... My heart began hammering as a thousand possibilities cthrough my mind.

| needed to ask her. | needed to know where she got it from.

Was this why she felt so compassionate towards the young siren back on Bellmead Island? No. She couldn’t fucking know... right? | turned, needing to see her now.

“We are not done, Theon.” Andres said, his voice sharp. My eyes flashed, it tooka moment to calm my anger before | place an emotionless expression on my face and looked back over my shoulder at him. “I'm waiting for an answer.” “I have no answer, | lost my temper...” “It's the girl, isn’t it?” His voice was quiet, and | clenched my jaw, turning around fully.

“Yileyna... What do you plan to do with her? | don’t believe she is working alongside the Obsidian Shadow pack.” | said quietly.

“You are not answering my question.” He replied quietly, but there it was, those emotions and that... was it fear? “Is something troubling you?” | asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Worrying me? I... no... it's...” His face looked haunted, and he closed his eyes. “It's nothing... answer your Alpha, Theon. You said this girl was a mere distraction... Are you sure it's not more?” | clenched my jaw. Her life was already at risk... but to deny the obvious...

“I don’t know.” | said quietly.

She'll hatesoon enough anyway.

He sighed heavily, standing up. “'Theon, throwing away your potential for a woman.” “I already agreed to this union, leave Yileyna out of it.” | growled, my eyes flashing dangerously The king's own expression darkened. “Do not disrespect me, son. Remember | am still your Alpha.” He growled. Like hell he was my fucking Alpha. | clenched my jaw but didn’t reply. “I said I'd accept the punishment for hurting Bolton. What will happen to Yileyna?” The king looked away. “I do not know yet... she... | will talk to her first. | want to see what she says.” He said takingby surprise.

Something was off.

I nodded.

“Give her a chance to explain.” It was a statement.

“Theon... You know | trust you with everything. Did anything about Yileyna seem... odd to you? My heart fucking betrayed me, and the king looked atsharply.

“Ah... so it did.” He chuckled humourlessly. “Yet you will not speak of it. You are far too deeply infatuated with her it seems.” “I'm not.” | refuted dangerously.

“Deny it all you want, but whether you admit it or not... or if it's just the magic of her temptations....” His voice becbitter as he trailed off and | saw the flash of anger in his eyes. | knew what he was insinuating, and although neither of us said it aloud, we were on the spage.

He knew she was part siren... It must have been her display of power... | had hoped no one would notice but they had. Who else had seen her? “I will take Charlene as my chosen mate as promised, let's leave Yileyna out of this.” | said quietly.

He knew she meant something to me, no matter how much I denied it. Right now she was in his grasp...

“Theon, being king means we make hard decisions. If | find that this... girl... is coming in the way of my plans: You know the consequences... | will handle it swiftly before the problem becomes far too.” “She will not cin the way of any of your plans. As long as Yileyna is unharmed... | will do as you say.” | cut in, trying to control the flaring rage withinat his obvious threat.

He knew she meant something toand he was willing to use her against me.

So these are your true colours. | hated him with a vengeance, and until | destroyed him, | would not rest.

A small smirk crossed his lips.

“Good. Very good... You are dismissed.” Without even a second look at him, | left the room, controlling the rage within me. | wanted to shift and rip them all to pieces, but we didn’t need a rebellion... | made my way through the castle, heading towards the dungeons.

My heart was thudding, and my hands were shaking with anger.

“Leave us.” | commanded to the guards as | walked down to the cells, her scent guiding me. My fists balled with anger.

Sea breeze...

| slowed down as | took a deep breath, spotting Patrick standing there near her cell with two other guards.

Behind them, | saw Yileyna on the floor behind the bars, still in her dress. Her hair was half down, as if someone had yanked on it, making another wave of anger rage through me. | was like a storm waiting to be unleashed, and | wasn’t sure I'd be able to hold back for much longer.

“Queen’s orders, no one can see the prisoner!” One of them said blocking my path.

My eyes flashed, and | grabbed his throat.

“You are speaking to the future Alpha, I’m here to question the prisoner.” | growled. “Leave!” His eyes widened in fear. His heart beating irritatingly loud. What would it feel like to rip his heart out? But before I could ponder on that thought, Patrick stepped forward. “Yes sir, we will leave you.” He said curtly as both he and the third guard pulled the guard free from my hold.

| let go, satisfied with the blood that dripped down his neck. The three men were about to walk past when | held my hand out.

“Key.” | said coldly.

The two hesitated before the man who had dared bark atpassedthe key. | didn’t move until they had all left. The dungeon door slammed shut and we were left in silence.

Just the two of us...

| swallowed hard as | slowly made my way over to the silver-barred cell. She sat there, with her knees tucked under her, her face turned away from me. For a moment, | pictured her with a siren’s tail, and my stomach churned at the image.

She’s a hybrid, not a full siren... She isn’t a monster...

I unlocked the door to the cell, letting it swing open. The hinges creaked and the sound echoed in the cold, damp dungeons. She tensed but still refused to look at me.

“Yileyna.” “What do you want?” She asked quietly.

“Look at me.” She refused, making my eyes flash as | closed the gap between us and crouching down before her, | took hold of her face, forcing her to look at me. My heart skipped a beat as | saw the tears she refused to shed.

She lowered her gaze and | eased my grip. | reached behind her, taking out the few pins that held up her half- loose hair, allowing her hair to fall free around her shoulders. Neither of us spoke, all | wanted was to pull her close... tell her it was going to be ok... But was it? | had hurt her tand tagain... “Where did you find the necklace?” | asked.

I still had it, in my pocket.

She looked atsharply, and although she tried to pull free, | didn’t let go.

Fuck, she was beautiful...

“I don’t want to talk to you. When | am tired, | will speak then.” She replied coldly, pulling free from my hold. She stood up and put as much distance as she could between us.

But the cell wasn’t that big...

| advanced towards her, her heart racing as she watchedsharply.

For a second, | couldn’t even recognise her... Where was that girl who looked atwith adoration and love? 4 “AnswerYileyna, you know not everyone around here gets a trial... You were wearing the crest of the Hale family... that’s no small matter. Now will you talk? Or do | need to force it from you?” | asked quietly, placing my hands on the walls, caging her between my arms. She looked away, pursing her lips. When | thought she wouldn't reply, she frowned.

“It's the necklace you sawcleaning, the one | bought from a merchant in Bellmead.” She said after a moment.

| scowled, looking down at her, only for my gaze to fall to her breasts. | averted my gaze.

“So you had no idea what it was...” “Obviously not, or do you think | would wear it openly? | am not a traitor.” She glared at me, trying to pushback Her hands felt good on my chest, and to piss her off | stepped closer. Chest to chest, our hearts beating as one as we stared into the other's eyes. “So it was a mistake...” Obviously, | knew she wasn't a traitor...

“So you believe me?” She asked with disbelief.

| cocked a brow, looking down at her. “When have | ever doubted you, Little Storm?” Little Storm... was it ironic that the nsuited her so well now? They said only the imperial sirens could control the weather.... My heart thumped at the sudden thought, but before | could delve further into my thoughts; she smiled, scoffing as she shook her head.

“Now that you got your answer, leavealone. What you did to Raiden is something | won't forgive you for.

Ever.” She whispered, her voice full of rage.

“I told you tand tagain, the moment you agreed to becmine that no other man could touch you.” | growled dangerously.

She raised an arched eyebrow. “That deal was off the moment you walked out of my life. | will do whatever | want, with whomever | want, and | will like to see you try to stop me.” She spat as she shovedaway from her, and this tshe managed it. | was forced to move back, the sheer strength in her push takingby surprise. Had the fae managed to awaken her powers? “No, | can’t stop you, but | will fucking kill anyone who dares to touch you.” | growled possessively. “Don’t you dare try to claimwhen | am nothing to you!” She said pushing past me, the tingles of pleasure that danced along my skin as she brushed againstwas something | had missed...

| growled, grabbing her arm and slamming her up against the wall, making her breasts bounce. She gasped as | pinned her wrists to the wall. “Do not pushYileyna, or | swear | will paint this fucking city in the blood of every man who dares to approach you.” | warned darkly. “Or better yet, | wouldn't mind painting you with it, you look good covered in blood.” | whispered, leaning into her, my lips brushing her neck. She shivered in response, | didn’t care if it was from fear or pleasure.

She was mine...

The urge to kiss her... claim her and fuck her was overpowering me, but | forced myself back. | smirked arrogantly and her eyes flashed. | saw the iridescent multi-coloured shades that now painted her iris’. 1.

Beautiful...

Her plump lips curled into a smirk as she lookedover. “The thing is Theon, | realised that my feelings for you weren't enough. Not enough to keep you happy, and so | let you go. You no longer hold any claim over me. Touch anyone ever again and | swear...” She left her threat hanging, her chest heaving with anger. “Move aside or you will regret it.” Her voice was soft, yet the coldness remindedof the harshest winters.

That aura around her was there again, the temperature plunging, and then ice began spreading from beneath her feet.

“Enough.” We both froze. We had been so caught up that neither of us had noticed when the king had arrived. His voice was powerful and dangerous, his aura now swirling around him so strong 1 wondered how | had fucking missed it. 1 bewerful and dangerous, his aura now swi ng around hi s strong i | looked into Yileyna’s eyes, which had returned to her usual beautiful grey, before | looked down at our position.