A L M I R A

Chapter 1
Almira Davenport

I woke up chained to a cold, stone brick wall. The room was dark and had an unforgettable stench to it. It smells like something, or someone, died down here. My dress was dirty and ripped. The cell wreaked of sweat and blood.

Footsteps echoed through the halls and soon a hooded figure was in front of me with an oil lamp. "So you're the one Ross went on a date with," the deep voice commented, twirling a set of keys around his finger. He looked at me, but all I could see what his pearly white teeth grinning down at me.

"Unfortunately," I responded, sighing. I let my head hang low, looking at the ground. After being in the dark for some time, your eyes get used to seeing nothing. The oil lamp illuminating the bright light made my head pound.

"Well I suppose we should save the chit chat. I have a task to do and I might as well get it done now rather than later," He taunted, unlocking the cell door. He stepped inside and hung the lamp on a hook hanging from the ceiling. He pulled out a glass bottle and shook it, the liquid inside moving to his touch. "You see, Almira, this liquid is very important to Alpha Ross's plan. If the witches did their job correctly, you're about to be injected with a special liquid that will weaken your system. You'll sleep for a couple days and when you wake up, you'll start feeling something close to a mate pull towards Alpha Ross. Only then will the real plan start."

I took a moment to process everything. "Is that even possible? It's disrespectful to the Goddess to mimic the mate bond. In fact, it's shamed upon," I croaked. My throat and I desperately needed water. Another torcher method, I suppose.

"We're well aware. But I don't see her doing anything about it. Be a dear and hold still, would you?" He teased, knowing I was bound to these stone walls.

As he stepped closer, I became paralyzed in fear and mentally screamed at myself to do anything, even scream; I couldn't.

Just as he was about to reach me, a loud roar shook the walls, causing him to stop and look up. I looked at him, awaiting a reaction. "Alpha must be upset about something," He murmured before turning back to me. He shook his head. "I just keep drawing this out, my  apologies."

With one hasty motion, the bottle was against my mouth, the hot liquid burning my mouth, forcing me to swallow. The substance burned inside of me, causing me to scream in sheer pain. My body felt like it was on fire and I broke into a sweat. My breaths became rapid and uneven, my heart pounding against my chest. I felt like it was going to explode.

"Oh yeah, you'll feel a little bit of pain," He informed me, standing up. "Sweet dreams."

As he walked out of the cell, he turned to lock it up when a blur of black fur sped past my cell and tackled him to the ground. The hooded man struggled to fight the wolf on top of him, throwing punches aimlessly into the wolf's stomach. The wolf didn't seem to be phased. Quickly, he growled and ripped the man's head off.

I felt another wave of pain and I screamed, sweat beads rolling down my face. The wolf, who I came to realize had piercing grey eyes, snapped his head towards me and growled. I screamed again before my eyes became heavy. Darkness embraced me, warmth covering my entire body.

~-~

I woke up with the sun shining on my face. I shielded my eyes and sat up, looking around. I don't know where I am, but the room I'm in is definitely nice. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, sparkling when the light beams hit the glimmering glass.

The bed I was in had white sheets and a white duvet. Plants sat on the shelves against the wall, along with a clock, a couple books, and a music box. A full body length mirror was leaning against another wall, a small vanity and a cushioned white chair sitting beside it.

The room was beautiful, and so was the view from outside the window. I got out of bed to get a better look and immediately felt pain shoot up my legs and back. I hissed in pain and sat back on the bed. The door to the room opened and my head snapped to the door.

Two girls walked in and gasped when they seen me. "Oh my goodness, get His Majesty, he'd want to know she's awake."

The blonde girl of the two nodded vigorously and ran out of the room. The brunette girl took cautious steps towards me. "No need to fear me, I am but a simple maid to the King. I brought you fresh clothes and some other products incase you needed them."

I smiled at her. "Thank you."

She nodded and smiled back before walking out and closing the door behind her. I quickly took the clothes and items she gave me and went to the bathroom. I used the bathroom and changed clothes before brushing my teeth. I used a ribbon to pull my hair up in to a bun and opened the bathroom door.

At the same time I opened the bathroom door, the door to the bedroom opened and a tall man set foot in the room. He was charming, that's for sure. He was lean and muscular. He had jet black hair and familiar piercing grey eyes as the wolf from last night. He looked at me with a cold face. "You're awake," he stated.

"Yeah," I shortly replied. I didn't really know what to say.

"You slept for a while," He noted as I went to sit on the bed.

"I did? How long was I out? And where am I?" I blurted, questions pouring out of my mouth.

"Let's start from the beginning, shall we? You were out for about a week, but you'd occasionally wake up and scream, causing quite the commotion, if I do say so myself. I saved you from that cellar or dungeon, whichever you want to call it, so you're welcome for that. What else am I forgetting?" He questioned, looking at his watch for a second.

"Where am I?" I responded.

"Ah, right.  You're in the palace."

"Okay, so when do I get to go home?" I asked, popping my fingers.

"You don't. The castle is your new home from now on," He curtly retaliated.

"Why not?" I sputtered, looking up at him with shock.

"I have my reasons and you're going to respect them. Ambrielle will be in here later to give you a tour of the castle. Dinner is the same time everyday, I'd expect to see you there. You're not to leave castle grounds without one of the guards with you, and try not to prod into other rooms? It's really none of your business," he sneered, glaring at me before getting up.

He was about to get up and leave but I grabbed his hand. I at least wanted to know his name.

Sparks.

I jumped back and his head snapped in my direction. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

My mouth went dry and I bit my lip before coming up with something to say. "I was hoping to get your name."

"Calix West. The King."

With that he spun on his heels and walked out, closing the door behind him. I fell to my knees and pondered everything for a couple seconds.

I'm captive in this castle. I'm never going to see my friends or family again. I found my mate, and to top it all off, he's the king.

Calix West.

~-~

The sun was just now setting and I yawned, stretching my legs. I set the book I had picked up from the shelves down on the desk and looked at the standing clock.

The door opened and I turned my head to see who was coming in. There in the doorway stood a beautiful girl. She had mid-length honey hair and ocean blue eyes. She was a little taller than me, but not by much. "Hey there, darling. My name is Ambrielle, I'll be showing you around the castle, getting you familiar with the place."

I nodded and got out of bed, another pain shooting up my legs and back, heading straight to my neck. "Thank you."

She nodded and we both walked out of the room. I took in the castle. Everything was designed and made to perfection. Intricate designs were carved into the paneling and ceiling, making the castle all the more beautiful.

"So what's your name, hun?" She asked, continuing to walk the halls.

"Almira Davenport."

"Oh, you're Calix's mate?" She inquired.

"How did you know?" I shot back, looking at curiously.

"I was the witch that broke the seal when we saved you from that treacherous place. We had been planning to attack and expose Alpha Ross for sometime, but saving you was a perk I suppose. When you fell unconscious from the pain, Calix shifted back into his human form and broke the chains bounding you to the wall, ultimately saving you. He wouldn't let anybody else touch you on the way back. That kind of gave it away," she explained, opening a door.

When we walked in, I had found my favorite room in the castle. Inside was like pure bliss to me. There were plenty of shelves holding worlds yet to be explored, and seats near windows for me to read them at. There was a beautiful piano on the other end of the room that I couldn't wait to play. There was another little area that had a couch and two chairs in front of a fireplace that was lit.

"I only found out when I grabbed his hand to figure out his name. He didn't seem to happy about having me as a mate," I sighed, leaning against the wall.

"I can't speak for him, but give him time. He'll come around, but being king and ruling over his people has been his number one priority since I first met him. It'll take him some time before he can focus on something other than his people. In the mean time, I just ask you to bare with him," She pleaded, running her hand through her blonde locks.

"I've heard some stories about him. People talk, and he's a heartless monster who enjoys killing others is the latest story. Is that true?" I asked.

"I can't answer that."

"Why not?" I implored.

"It's not my place to fill your mind with an idea of what your mate is like. You need to find that out for yourself. All I can say is to brace yourself, love. Now come on, let's get you down to the dining hall. It's about time we eat."

I nodded, my stomach growling at the though of food. I guess that's what I get for being out cold for a week and not eating anything. I followed Ambrielle down to the dining hall and gasped at the scenery. The dining hall was just as beautiful as the rest of the castle. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, candles were lit on the dining table, and plates and carefully folded towelettes were delicately placed.

"Sit." Calix abruptly spoke, acknowledging the seat beside him. I quietly went and sat beside him.

Food came out and the smell wafted into my nose. I smiled at the thought of eating delicious food. All sorts of entrées were placed in front of me. I looked at Ambrielle who just smiled at me and nodded towards the plate in front of me. I looked at her for a split second more before taking a bite of the food.

After eating I quickly told everybody goodnight and made my way to the stairs. On my way up, I got another sharp pain in the same area. I grabbed onto the rail and stumbled.

"Almira, dear, are you alright?" Ambrielle called out, rushing from her seat to beside me on the stairs.

"Yeah... Yeah, I'm good, just a sharp pain," I said, my breath taken away from the pain.

"That's not normal," She said, feeling my forehead. She quickly pulled her hand back and shook her head. "You're burning up. Let's get you into your bed, you need rest." She grabbed my arm and decided to help me walk up the stairs.

Heat washed over my body and pain followed in pursuit. I groaned and leaned against the wall, holding my head. Calix was up there in an instance, his arms crossed as he watched the scene unfold. A big help he was.

It finally occurred to me. I was feeling the mimicked mate bond pain Ross created. He had to be alive and the liquid I drunk must have been working. "Ross. I need to see Ross." I gritted my teeth.

"No, I refuse." Calix snapped, glaring down at me.

I looked at him and shook my head. "You don't understand. When I was held in those cells, before you came and attacked that guy, he forced me to drink this liquid. The witches— they conjured it up. It makes me mimic the mate bond with Ross. I need to see him, please," I begged, looking at Calix.

"You will do nothing of the sorts," He growled, his temper rising. "You are my mate, not his. You don't need to see another man."

"I just need to figure out how to get rid of this fake bond, please."

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