The packhouse's stone courtyard stretched before me, the morning sun glinting off the cobbled path as I stepped out, my emerald cloak billowing in the crisp breeze.
Lara hovered behind, her wide eyes darting nervously. I'd steeled myself for the town trip with Elias, expecting a carriage to shield me from the Pack's prying eyes.
My heart still raced from our breakfast clash, my sharp words cutting through his mockery, but his scent lingered, a maddening pull against my mission to undermine him for the Sect.
I scanned the courtyard, searching for the carriage's polished frame, but found only Elias, standing beside a single chestnut horse, its mane gleaming under his proud hand.
I froze, confusion knotting my brow.
"Where is the carriage?" I asked, my voice sharp, slicing through the morning's quiet.
Elias turned, his dark eyes glinting with amusement, his long black hair catching the light. "What carriage, princess?" His tone was lazy, teasing, as if I'd asked for the moon or that gold we had spoken about this morning.
I crossed my arms, my cloak rustling. "I thought you said we were going into town."
"Yes, I did," he replied, his smirk widening, a challenge in his gaze.
"Then where is the carriage?" I pressed, my voice rising with irritation.
He patted the horse's flank, his grin infuriating. "What do we need one for?"
I let out an annoyed laugh, sharp and incredulous. "What do you mean, what do we need one for, Alpha? We need a carriage to go into town."
"No, we don't," he said, his voice calm but edged with amusement, as if I were a child throwing a tantrum.
I stepped closer, my eyes narrowing. "How are we going into town, then?"
He tapped the horse proudly, his smile gleaming. "With this, princess."
I stared, my jaw tightening. "Alpha, I apologize, but I think we need a carriage to go into town. There are two of us."
He raised a brow, leaning against the horse. "Have you never ridden a horse? Two people can ride one."
I laughed again, my heart pounding with a mix of annoyance and unease. "Two people, Alpha? On one horse? You must be joking."
His eyes flashed, a mix of irritation and intrigue. "Not joking, princess. It's practical. Unless you'd rather walk."
I crossed my arms tighter, my voice cutting. "Practical for you, perhaps, Alpha. I'm not accustomed to clinging to a beast or its rider."
He chuckled, a low rumble that grated my nerves. "Clinging, is it? I'd say you're more suited to it than you think."
My cheeks flushed, but I held my ground. "I'd say you underestimate my standards, Alpha."
His jaw twitched, but he stepped closer, his scent overwhelming. "Get on the horse, Seraphina. Or do you plan to argue until the sun sets?"
"I am not getting on that" I said refusing to go into town on a horse.
"Then return back to your chambers princess. All that talk of not neglecting your work and you didn't even last a second" he smirked.
Oh how I hate this man. I have never ridden a horse in my life but maybe it wasn't hard. All I had to do was get on it right?
The horse snorted, its eyes glinting, and my pulse raced. But I wouldn't let him see my fear.
With a defiant glare, I gripped the saddle, letting Elias's steady hand help me up. I settled behind him, my body tense, keeping as much distance as the saddle allowed.
The horse trotted forward, the courtyard fading as we headed toward town. The rhythm jolted me, and I gripped the saddle's edge, refusing to hold Elias. Our bickering resumed, my voice sharp. "A fine plan, Alpha. Parading me on a horse like some trophy."
He glanced back, his smirk infuriating. "A trophy? You give yourself too much credit."
I rolled my eyes, my tone biting. "And you give yourself too little sense, Alpha. A carriage would've spared us this farce."
"Enough with the 'Alpha,'" he snapped, his voice low but firm. "Stop calling me that."
I turned, staring at him as if he'd sprouted horns. "Stop calling you Alpha? You are an Alpha. What game are you playing?"
His eyes darkened, irritation flaring. "Stop looking at me like I'm stupid. I said stop calling me Alpha."
I leaned forward, my voice a cold challenge. "I wouldn't dare, Alpha." I knew this game. Alphas demanding informality, only to punish you when their title was dropped. Father had taught me that lesson with his whip. Elias would not outwit me.
He sighed, a sharp exhale.
"Why wouldn't you? You're my wife, even if you hate me. Who still calls Alphas 'Alpha'? Everyone has a name."
I went quiet, confusion knotting my thoughts. In the Sect, titles were law calling an Alpha by name was defiance, a sin Father punished harshly. Was Elias mocking me, setting a trap to laugh when I faltered? My silence stretched, the horse's hooves clopping rhythmically. His scent enveloped me, stirring unwanted warmth.
"What are you thinking in that small head of yours?" Elias asked, almost sighing, his eyes flicking to mine.
I rolled my eyes, looking away, the town's rooftops appearing in the distance. "Nothing you'd understand, Alpha."
He groaned, his voice tight. "We're going into town undercover. No one can know who we are. Call me Mark. I'll call you Martina."
I burst out laughing, the sound sharp and incredulous, echoing over the fields. "Mark and Martina? What are we, siblings? Twins?"
He rolled his eyes, his jaw tightening. "Keep laughing, princess. It's for our safety."
I stifled another laugh, my smile cutting. "Safety, Alpha…pardon me, Mark? Your plans grow more absurd by the minute."
"Call me Mark," he repeated, his voice firm. "And drop the attitude, Martina."
I smirked, leaning back. "I'll consider it, Mark, when you stop treating me like a fool."
From here we could see the roofs of the houses in the town. We could even hear the sounds of people talking. This was my first time coming out of the castle since I arrived in the bloodmoon pack. This might be fun.