Page 31 of Becoming the Alpha

I turned to Nia and grabbed her hand. “Let’s get out of here!”

We raced up the stairs, pushing past the few guards who were on their way back down and were confused as to what was happening. We burst out into the main hallway, sped walked past the infirmary, and into the main hallway. The guards burst out of the room behind us. “Hey!”

I glanced over my shoulder, then sprinted like my life depended on it, dragging Nia along behind me. It was full of people milling around, so we had to maneuver around everyone, but they helped hide us pretty well. We raced down the main hallway and turned into the hallway with the Royal rooms. I dragged Nia into Jason’s room, shutting the door firmly behind us and shoving a dresser in front of it.

“That’s not going to stop them from coming into the room,” Nia scoffed.

“I know.”

I moved toward the bed, walking around Nia. I pulled open the balcony doors and stared out at the land in front of us. Guards were roaming around, building a small stage near the castle walls, cordoning off the area, and getting ready for the challenge. I took a deep breath, looking up at the dull, gray sky. It seemed fitting for how the day had been going so far and was most likely going to continue to go. I wrapped my arms around my waist, shivering as I realized that my life could be over today.

“Are you okay?”

I barked out a laugh, the hopelessness taking over me. “No, Nia. I’m not okay. I don’t think I’m going to be okay until this whole thing is put behind us.”

“It’s going to all work out.”

“You don’t know that.”

“No, I don’t, but I believe the Goddess Leto will provide for us.”

I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “I don’t believe in her or her ability to provide. She has done nothing for me. I’ve cried out to her many times over the last year and there has been no answer. A real Goddess wouldn’t put her people through this shit.”

“You don’t know that, Lily. Besides, she brought Jason to you. She’s given you the opportunity to take control of your life and make your own decisions. She brought your friend into your life. You are living your life, day-by-day. You don’t know what your future is going to look like, but she does. She cares for her people - you included,” Nia said, her voice strong and determined. I sighed, tucking a lock of my hair behind my ear.

“It sure doesn’t feel like it.”

Nia walked up and wrapped her arm around my shoulders and squeezed. I sat there watching everyone hurry around the castle grounds, taking things here and there, getting the area ready for the challenge. I watched as they led the prisoners into the forest. Nia and I glanced at each other with a wary look.

“Alright, we need to get going,” I said, pulling back from her.

“Going? We just got here…”

“I know, but we have to get to the ceremony area. We need to be there for Jason.”

“You’re insane. You’re going to get us killed.”

“Probably. Let’s go,” I sighed. Nia shook her head and followed me back into the bedroom. I looked around, grabbing the sheets off the bed and starting to tie them together. “What are you doing now?”

“We can’t go out the front door. We’re not going to be able to get to the ceremonial area by walking through the castle. We’re going out through the balcony,” I responded, not bothering to even look up at her. She let out a sharp laugh and grabbed my hands, stopping me from tying the sheets together. I frowned at her.

“We are not going down the balcony!”

“We are, Nia. We don’t have time to discuss this. Everyone is going to be heading out to the ceremonial area shortly and if we aren’t there before them, we’re going to get caught again and executed. It’s not that far down. We’ll be fine. Let’s go,” I said, shoving her hands off of the sheets and standing up. I moved back to the balcony, standing in the doorway and looking over.

“Nobody is on the grounds and it’s all clear. Come on! We need to go now,” I said, tying the end of the sheets on the bars of the railing and throwing the sheets down to the ground. I threw my leg over the railing and lowered myself down. I glanced up and realized Nia was standing in the doorway, staring at me with horror on her face. I tilted my head, raising my eyebrows.

“Nia?”

33

Jason

I stood at the edge of the castle grounds, the forest trees mostly hiding me as I surveyed everyone who was trying to finish getting the area ready. I took a deep breath, closing my eyes. Today was the day that was going to change everything for everyone. I listened to the hustle and bustle going on around us, listening to the sounds of life.

“Hey, man. You doing okay?” Dean asked, coming to stand next to me. I took another deep breath and opened my eyes. I let out a humorless laugh, running a hand through my hair.

“No. I’m not alright. The last few days have been chaotic and full of emotions. I have no idea how I’m going to win against my father. I have no idea how to run a kingdom if I somehow manage to win. I have no idea what to do with Lily and our relationship and now there’s all this new information my father has been keeping from our entire kingdom that I have to figure out. I’m not okay, Dean.”

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