Alpha's Bargain, Luna's Curse

　　Carmilla

　　"Run, Carmilla" Her voice desperate, filled with fear.

　　I looked at my mom ,still holding her hands. My heart was pounding but I couldn't see her face clearly. Everywhere was red-she was covered in blood.I was still reluctant to let go of her hands and then she smiled at me with tears in her eyes.She removed the silver necklace she was wearing and gave it to me.

　　"Always keep this necklace with you,don't lose it."She said.

　　My feet moved before I could think. The ground beneath me was wet and sticky. The smell of smoke burnt my nose ,mixing with something else- something metallic.

　　Blood

　　I ran.

　　I had no destination in mind but all I knew was that I had to keep on moving. Branches scratched against my skin while I pushed through the trees as I grasped for air .My mother's voice echoed behind me but it was distant now ,swallowed by forest noises.

　　"Don't stop- keep running!"

　　I wanted to scream but I couldn't. My throat felt heavy ,like something was holding it back.

　　But then I saw them.

　　Figures lurking in the darkness, a deep growl filled the air.My legs froze.

　　The shadow moved closer.I could hear my heartbeat thrashing in my ear as I tried to move backwards but I couldn't.

　　A sharp pain exploded in my chest. I gasped for air as I fell down to my knees. The trees around me blurred ,the voices fading.

　　And then, everything went blank.

　　My eyes snapped open , my chest rising and falling due to rapid breaths. My skin damp from sweat, trembling hands clutching over my thin blanket.

　　That dream again.

　　The memory was still fresh even after years had passed on. I wasn't a helpless child anymore but some wounds just never healed.

　　I turned to my side ,staring at my ceiling.

　　After that night, I was taken in by my father's sister ,Aunt Freya.I initially believed she took me in as an act of kindness. But Freya didn't do kindness- She did control.

　　I was given a room and it was nothing more than a glorified prison.I wasn't allowed to leave the estate or ask questions related to my mother's death. And whenever I did her answer was the same. "You are lucky I took you in. Don't forget that."

　　But deep down I knew I wasn't kept hidden out of love.

　　I was either protected or being silenced.

　　From what ? I still didn't know.

　　I exhaled shakily , running my hands through my tangled hair as I stood up to style my hair at the dressing table.

　　I sat down on the chair and picked up my grey hairbrush as I looked into the mirror to brush my hair. I stared at myself and my eyes went to the necklace my mother had given me years ago.I could still remember those words she said to me that day. My smile wavered as I touched her necklace.

　　The sound of the door creaking open snapped me out of my thoughts. I stiffened, my hands dropping to my lap.

　　Footsteps. Soft, measured.

　　Aunt Freya.

　　She stepped inside, her sharp amber eyes sweeping over me. "You're awake."

　　I didn't answer. I just watched her.I wondered what she wanted to tell me this time.I noticed the tray she was holding and each time she brought me food herself , it was either because she wanted to say something important or she needed my help with an important task.

　　She sighed and walked further in, with the small tray in her hands. A plate of food. "Eat."

　　I stared at it. My stomach churned. I wasn't hungry.

　　She sat down across from me, placing the tray between us. "You're getting married, Carmilla."

　　I moved back slightly with my eyes widening.I pretended not to hear what she said. It could have been some kind of morning joke.

　　"What?"I said, cocking my head.

　　"You heard me."

　　I shook my head, my breath catching. "No. No, I-"

　　"It's already decided," she said, cutting me off. "You'll marry Alpha Evans. It's for the good of our pack."

　　Our pack? I almost laughed. This wasn't my pack. This wasn't even my home.How did that have anything to do with me.

　　I clenched my fists. "I don't want to get married."

　　She gave me a cold look. "That doesn't matter."

　　"Wait why am I getting married to him?"

　　"Your father owed Evan's father a debt, Carmilla."

　　"Debt?" I swallowed hard.

　　"He promised us protection bad without it, our pack is vulnerable. And now he's here to take it."

　　"But why me?" I looked up at her.

　　"He believes you possess a very powerful weapon."

　　"Powerful weapon?" I said with a confused expression.

　　"Your father had a very powerful tool that

　　was capable of dominating everywhere, but he didn't believe in using magic to fight. So he sealed it up and hid it. Since your parents were powerful, they believe you are too. They think you are capable of shifting too meanwhile you can't and that's one thing you should never let them find out."

　　My throat tightened. I wanted to scream, to fight, to tell her I would rather die than be given away like an object. But I knew it wouldn't change anything.

　　Freya wasn't the type to care, but she carefully gave me the details of everything that had happen. At least I knew what I was getting into.

　　She reached into her pocket and brought out a pearl bracelet ."This is a gift from me.It would look so pretty on your pretty pale skin."

　　I stared at her in utmost disgust as she dropped the bracelet on the counter close to my bedside.

　　The wedding is in three days. Behave, and I might let you out of this estate until then."

　　She repeatedly ignored the glares I gave to her.

　　"Eat," she repeated before standing up. "You'll need your strength."

　　With that, she turned and left, the door closing behind her with a heavy thud.

　　I sat there, staring at the untouched food.

　　I was trapped.

　　And in three days, I would be married to a man I didn't even know.

　　"Your wedding is in three days. Behave, and I might let you out of this estate until then".Her words echoed in my mind, and I felt a knot forming in my abdomen. It also meant I could take this as an opportunity to escape.

　　I just had to pretend for at least two days straight, so I have to act as though I'm alright with it? My aunt wasn't stupid enough to fall for such an act though… Was this the reason she proposed setting me free in the first place?

　　It wouldn't hurt to give it a try, would it? There's also a possibility of her knowing if I tried something as stupid as running, I might end up becoming a rouge.

　　With my eyes still fixed on the food tray, these thoughts swirled through my mind, and I started to feel nauseous. I had to come up with a plan within three days. "I have to do something, anything." My eyes blurred with tears, and my heartbeat rate increased tenfold.