Found By The Lycan King
9: My Graveyard

ADRIANA'S POV

"He is not my lover. Aiden is just a... a helper!” I say, in a final pathetic attempt to save Aiden’s life. “Please let him go!” I whisper, my voice almost breaking.

Alpha Xander says nothing but I notice him grow stiffer, he stares down at Aiden whose feet are off the ground, it wouldn't take much to end him.

"Get her, we can't stay here for too long. It will be dawn soon.” He says to one of the men, inclining his head toward me. The smaller wolf bows then he runs off only to come back a few seconds later in his human form, dressed in low jeans only. He is holding onto another pair of jeans which he drops at the front of the black wolf.

He shifts right there, not caring that he is naked and pulls the pants up. He approached me, his eyes trained on my body with his lips turned down in an angry frown.

My heart beats frantically in my chest with every step that he takes. Something about him screams danger and instinctively I step back, trying to get as far away from him as possible. I keep going backwards and at some point, break into a weak run. Aware that it was a stupid move.

I couldn't outrun them. I don't even make it to five steps before I hear heavy footfalls from behind me, it only makes me push myself harder. Now even more scared of the inevitable.

"Don't be fucking stupid, wolf!" he growls out. His voice holds almost as much strength as Alpha Xander's. "You will hate me when I catch you.” I ignore him and continue to run. S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

He seems to grow bored because he so easily reaches me and grabs me by the arm, the unexpectedness of it making me almost fall. He forces me upright and growls in my face.

“I fucking warned you, you bitch." his voice held so much contempt.

He drags me back, not caring when I hit and bump into tree branches. It goes on this way until we reach the clearing.

Xander is standing there, his eyes blazing with anger while Aiden lay on the floor. My heart sinks as I wonder if he did kill him. A muffled cry escapes my lips as I fall to the ground on my knees.

"Why do you insist on testing my patience, little wolf?" Alpha Xander growls, glaring at me with fire blazing in his dark eyes. "And you ran, leaving your lover behind?" He said, his words mocking.

I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. "I told you, he is not my lover.” he opens his mouth to speak but i don't let him. “I didn't plan to run away with him. I left on my own because I couldn't stand the thought of marrying you." I explained myself, glaring at him. I don't know where I'm getting the audacity from, but if it angers him and makes him realize Aiden has nothing to do with it, maybe he would let him go.

I glance at his body shortly and notice the shallow rise and fall of his chest. It is enough for me. He is still alive.

“She is fucking dumb,” the man that caught me says, glowering at me with so much hatred in his eyes.

I ignore him and still try to make Alpha Xander understand. “I met him in the woods and lied to him. He only wanted to help because he saw me helpless.”

“And he just so readily happens to want to die for you?” he asks, I don't care that his voice sounds mocking. I nod frantically.

"He promised to keep me safe.” I choke out.

"Just shut up,” the same man says, shaking his head like he thinks I'm dumb. Maybe I am, but I've never had a man’s life in my hands.

“He isn't to blame for any of this, all of this is my doing.” the man exhales loudly, giving me a look that makes me feel like I don't even have a brain. I look away from him and face Alpha Xander.

He doesn't bother meeting my eyes as he turns to the other man who has been silent through the whole exchange and orders him to put Aiden in a kneeling position.

My panic makes me freeze as Xander crouches over Aiden's trembling body. Aiden's entire chest is covered in blood, the wound from Xander's claws still not healing for some reason. He didn't even try to defend himself, completely at the mercy of a man who has never heard of the word.

"Please," I rasp out again, not wanting to give up. My voice is barely above a whisper as I plead. "Please don't do this. I beg of you."

"You can't do this,” I whisper, my eyes on the man that I am to call my husband soon but he ignores me.

I step closer, not willing to give up. "Please, I beg of you. Aiden is not a threat and he saved my life.” I added, hoping that would sway him.

He continues to stand over him, exuding the strong aura we had felt before he came.

I couldn't let this happen. I had to do something to save Aiden's life, no matter what the cost. So I stepped forward and stood between Xander and Aiden, my eyes fixed on the Alpha as I begged him to spare Aiden’s life by any means necessary.

"Please, Alpha, I beg of you," I implore him, my voice shaking with emotion. "He gave me his word that he would fight for me till the end and that's why he didn't want to go back." I was sputtering at this point. I didn't care, as long as it stopped Xander from doing what he intended.

“I'll come with you. Please just don't hurt him."The tension after I said that could be cut through with a knife. "Please, Xander," I begged again. "He found me in the woods where I had fainted, took me into his house and-"

"And fucked you?” he cut me off, rudely. The other man snorted, embarrassment washing over me. He growls at them, shutting them off without a word.

Xander's face is hard and he glares at me. Telling me without words that he doesn't believe a word I said. “While this all is a perfect story on your part, I'll let Aiden live, but only on one condition: he comes to my pack as a prisoner, and he'll serve out the rest of his days in penance for his crimes.” “Xander,” the man that has been speaking starts but a small grunt from his alpha makes him swallow down his words.

Relief fills my chest as he said that.

Aiden might have to spend the rest of his life in captivity. It was a harsh punishment, but it was better than death.

I turn to Aiden, who is still on his knees with his head bent low. He looks weak and that breaks my heart.

I don't think twice before kneeling beside him. "I'm so sorry.” I whisper to him, knowing I will never be able to give him what it took from him, his freedom. But at least I didn't take his life.

I wouldn't be able to live with myself.

"You're Seriously not about to do this.” The same man speaks, Alpha Xander ignores him and motions for the other man to take Aiden.

He drags him to his feet and I watch as he is taken away, leaving Alpha Xander, the other man and me in the clearing.

“You do as I say from now on, do you understand me?!” Alpha Xander's voice makes me jump.

"Yes, alpha.” I reply meekly. The other man grumbles, muttering something I can't make out under his breath as he walks off.

Alpha Xander grabs me and follows the trail the others did.

We are almost at the end of the dirt road when I hear the sound of footsteps approaching from behind.

"Adriana!" My father growled, his eyes blazing with fury.

"You foolish girl! You could have been killed out here! We've been searching for you everywhere. I was beside myself with worry." he lies, sending me a look of anger mixed with faux concern

I lower my head, feeling guilty for doing the wrong things even though I know he is more worried about losing his bargaining chip than for me as his daughter.

Alpha Xander steps forward, his body tense as he looks down at my father. "She is with me now, you don't have to throw a tantrum." His tone suggests he doesn't like my father very much.

Then why the hell is he agreeing to marry me?

My father sneers at him, their dislike for each other mutual. "You haven't married her yet, so you have no right to her.”

"I have every right to her,” Alpha Xander growls and he takes a warning step toward my father. "She has been since you left that afternoon, don't complicate this for you.”

My father's hand shoots out, as if he were going to strike me. But before he could, Alpha Xander grabs his arm, his grip tight and unyielding.

"You will not lay a hand on her," he snarled, his voice low and menacing. “Do not breach that boundary Jameson, you know how I am with my possessions.”

I don't even pay much attention to being referred to as a possession, like a bag or a piece of clothing.

“And I remind you that you can't take her until after the wedding,” my father tries to match Alpha Xander's tone though it comes out less threatening.

“Then I guess I should remind you that you can't fucking tell me what to do. She comes with me today and you're going to accept that, understood?” he is losing patience. He sounds almost like he did earlier with Aiden and in fear of that scene repeating itself, I speak.

"I'll be fine, father.” my voice sounds weak in the presence of all the men with overwhelming powerful auras. My father can't hide his shock at me speaking out of turn. My brothers, Damien and Carlson silently seethe with rage.

My father's nostrils flare with anger as he fights the urge to hit me, his hands shaking by his side. It's a small movement that I doubt anyone will notice, but I know it. I've seen it the few times he has important guests over and he has to introduce me as part of the family. He always gets like this when he believes I didn't do something right, and knowing he can't do anything about it only means I'll suffer more later.

He is biding his time, not knowing how Alpha Xander will take it.

"I see,” he finally says, looking at the distance between Alpha Xander and I. I'm suddenly aware of his hand still holding my arm as my father's gaze locks on it. He nods slowly.

“You choose to go with this man?” he asks, his eyes boring into mind.

Alpha Xander's hold on me loosens, but the fear of what he might do to Aiden keeps me rooted in place and I nod.

"Yes, father. You said I am to obey him." I shrug, using his words against him.

Whatever Alpha Xander does, it wouldn't be as bad as the man who birthed me. He hasn't broken my trust the way my father has.

I never had the courage to choose anything, my life has been designed by my father. Now though, I get to pick my graveyard. And it is so much better than my father's.

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