Music played on the radio as Charles drove further away from the Fairy Palace. The place that once felt like a prison to Priscilla was now long behind her. Buildings and villages began to cluster in the rearview mirror as they started to pass trees and forestry. Raphael and Charles stole glances at each other, as they looked in the mirror at their Alpha and the sleeping silver haired servant girl in the backseat.
"So…" Raphael said.
Alex didn't respond. He was too occupied with holding Priscilla under his right arm, keeping her close and safe. He was happy he was finally leaving the palace with his mate, but he didn't exactly plan for what would come next. His mind spiraled with thoughts about Luna ceremonies, how his pack would feel about his mate, enemies that would use Priscilla as leverage, and if Priscilla even wanted to be Luna of a pack.
He had no idea what she would do with her new found freedom. But one thing he was certain of was that they were mates and as long as she stuck by him, she would be safe and happy.
Raphael spoke for the second time, this time a little louder, "So…Alpha."
Alex snapped out of his thoughts at the mentioning of his title. His head slowly rose to meet Raphael's eyes in the rearview mirror.
"What is it?" Alex responded.
Charles and Raphael exchanged another quick glance at the other. Priscilla snored blissfully, unaware of the tension her presence had created in the car.
"Are you going to tell us who she is?" Raphael asked.
Alex hesitated before responding, "Her name is Priscilla and she is a new member of our pack."
Raphael frowned. He was confused as to why a fairy would be joining a pack of wolves. Also, he had a strong feeling his Alpha was hiding something. As Raphael glanced at the rearview mirror, he thought to himself how he never saw Alex hold a random woman so gently. So possessively. Charles, being less tactful, decided to interject.
"Did you steal her away from the Palace?"
Alex was taken aback by Charles' question. He was no stranger to his Gamma's bluntness, but he felt slighted by his assumption.
"I did not", Alex said sternly. "Are you insinuating that I am so low as to kidnap a vulnerable woman?"
"No Alpha. I'm just curious as to why we suddenly have a fairy servant driving back with us to our pack", Charles expressed.
Alex already figured Raphael and Charles would ask questions, but he didn't know what to say without revealing the fact that Priscilla was his mate. He didn't want to reveal it until he came up with a plan that would ensure her safety.
"Her skills are impressive. She is one of the top servants at the Palace. Surely you two understand the importance of having competent staff…" Alex spoke with a raised brow.
Charles and Raphael glanced at each other for the third time, not believing in anything their Alpha was saying. They knew that woman was somehow important. But they didn't know in what way. Was she powerful? A bargaining chip? The two men were undecided.
Hours passed as the road stretched through the forest. By the time Priscilla stirred awake again, the sun had already dipped low in the sky. Alex felt her shift in his arm and spoke softly, "We're almost home."
She blinked awake for a moment and realized her head was resting on Alex's shoulder. It felt unusual but safe. Instead of pulling away, she closed her eyes again.
Charles stopped the car for the night at a small roadside Inn. The sudden lack of movement made Priscilla fully awake. She slowly came to her senses to see that they had stopped in front of a dark brown building.
"You're finally awake."
Priscilla turned her head to see Alex grinning at her. She felt flustered and shy at the Alpha's direct eye contact and the intimacy of being the only two left in the car.
"Sorry I slept for so long", Priscilla apologized.
"Sorry? Why are you apologizing? Alex frowned.
She hesitated, unsure of how to answer.
Priscilla wondered why he wasn't scolding her. So far Alex had been kind to her, but she wondered if she could truly trust such selfless behavior from a man she had only known for 3 days.
"Sorry for apologizing", Priscilla murmured.
Alex sighed at his mate apologizing once again. He found it adorable but sad. She was so accustomed to feeling guilty about normal things. He planned on helping her grow out of that. He placed his hand under her chin and pulled her face to look at his.
"You don't have to apologize for everything. I want you to be comfortable. As long as you are with me, you will be safe and happy."
Priscilla blinked rapidly at the Alpha's words. Did she hear him correctly? What did he even mean? She was utterly confused but the words he spoke were kind and sweet.
"Thank you, Alpha Alex," Priscilla spoke.
"Alex. Just Alex. No Alpha", Alex said sternly.
He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to say his name.
She hesitated before speaking, "Thank you, Alex."
Alex's heart swelled at his mate addressing him casually and his wolf stirred proudly.
Alex helped Priscilla out of the car and made their way inside the Inn. Raphael and Charles had already checked them in and had taken the bags to their rooms. Alex opened the door to his assigned room and was met with a spacious, double occupancy suite. In the middle of the room was a single king sized bed with red pillows and white sheets. Priscilla, who stood behind him, walked inside to see the grand layout.
Priscilla was in awe as she looked around the room. It smelled of sweet roses and looked polished. Her brows furrowed at the sight of the single bed in the room. She looked at Alex who was setting their bags down and phoning room service.
"You must be hungry. I will order us something to eat," Alex said.
Priscilla wanted to reject the offer but her stomach had been growling ever since she woke up from the car ride. She decided to accept the Alpha's generosity with a thank you. As she stood inside the room, she couldn't help but feel out of place. She looked down at the current dress she wore, it was clean but plain.
Room service came with food fast and Alex brought it inside. Priscilla's mouth drooled at the smell of chicken and potatoes. Her stomach growled loudly causing Alex to chuckle. He sat next to her on the bed and began sharing out the food. Priscilla was beyond ready to dig in but she noticed that Alex was cutting her food for her.
"You don't need to do that, Alpha Alex."
Alex stopped cutting and looked at her with furrowed brows.
"I said, do not call me Alpha. Just Alex", Alex said sternly.
Heat rose to Priscilla's face as she realized her blunder.
"I'm sorry."
Alex sighed and dug his fork into a piece of chicken. He placed the fork with chicken near Priscilla's mouth, looking at her expectantly. Priscilla froze and stared at the fork full of chicken. Was he trying to feed her? She slowly opened her mouth and bit the fork full of food. Alex grinned in approval. He continued to feed her and himself.
"Alpha, are you there?" Charles spoke via mind link.
"What is it?" Alex responded, annoyed.
"Raphael and I will be at the bar. Mind link us if you need anything."
Alex didn't respond. There was no need to. He was used to Charles drinking his sorrows away and Raphael being there to babysit him. It was amusing, to say the least. Alex set the now empty plates aside and prepared the shower for Priscilla.
"You can shower first. I started the water for you. Let me know if you need any…assistance", Alex spoke with a mischievous grin.
Priscilla wondered why Alex was staring at her and why it always made her feel exposed.
"Thank you," she replied.
Priscilla stood under the hot water, relieved and blissful. She saw hot water as a luxury and couldn't believe she was finally able to properly clean herself. The shower water ran dark with dirt and sweat. She thought about her old attic room and Seraphina. Would she find her? And if she did, would Alex protect her? Trusting Alex with her safety felt risky and uncomfortable but he hadn't done anything to make her question it. So why did she still feel on edge? Priscilla had a hard time believing in happy moments. They came once every blue moon and they never lasted. Never.
Priscilla turned off the shower and wrapped herself in the complimentary bathrobe the Inn provided. She exited the bathroom and saw Alex was nowhere in sight. He was gone. Priscilla looked around the room, desperately. Panic arose in her as she realized she was alone and unsafe. She ran to a corner of the room and sat, hugging her knees. She was alone once again. She felt tears start to form in her eyes as her mind raced with dark thoughts.
The room door opened and Priscilla whipped her head up to see Alex standing by the door with wide eyes. He immediately dashed to her, scared and shaken in the corner.
"Priscilla! What happened? Did someone hurt you?"
Priscilla shook her head, still shaken.
"Please don't leave again," she whispered.
Alex's heart dropped and he embraced the scared girl in his broad arms.
"I'm sorry Priscilla. I only stepped out for a moment to check on Charles after Raphael mind linked me. But I am here now and I am not going anywhere."
Priscilla's tears stopped as she leaned into Alex's hug. He was warm and he smelled a little like peppermint. She loved that scent because it was tied to a memory of her parents. Alex picked Priscilla up princess style and walked her to the bed. He laid her down and covered her with the cotton white sheets.
"Tomorrow early morning we will continue on the road. We should make it back to our pack by midday. Sleep, I'll be here with you all night", Alex whispered in her ear.
Priscilla felt his warm breath against her skin and began to close her eyes. She didn't understand why Alex felt so safe or why she trusted him. She also didn't understand why he was being so kind and generous towards her. But she appreciated it, all of it. Tomorrow would be a new day and the start of a new life.