The Alpha’s Rejected And Broken Mate
Chapter 25

Amber

POV

God, the time passes so slowly when you are confined in your bedroom. The clock ticks loudly, and the tutor looks frustrated at me. "Can you try and pay attention Miss Amber."

I scowl at her. Sarah is a pack member and an omega. Father has entrusted her to tutor me, based on the fact that she is an ex-teacher. She's old, with wrinkles all over her wizened face, blue eyes, and has white silvery hair that falls down to her shoulders. Not only that, but she's extremely grumpy and doesn't make learning any easier or fun. She's also too afraid of father to listen to my pleas of being let out. "Please, just let me out, my father doesn't have to know" I try again, knowing that it's pointless. Her fear is too great to put herself at risk of father's retribution.

She shakes her head and then glances at the clock, a look of relief crossing her face. "Well, it's time to finish. I will see you again tomorrow" she exclaims cheerfully.

Sarah gets up, dusting herself off, and then grabs hold of her handbag and various textbooks, edging backward and knocking loudly on the bedroom door, eyeing me as though I might try to rush forward and take her hostage or something. I hear the sound of a key being placed in the lock and then turning slowly, the door opening just large enough for Sarah to slip through before shutting with a loud clang.

"Let me out" I scream, feeling hysterical "please, just let me out. I can't take it anymore..." I trail off sobbing. It had been days but it felt more like weeks stuck in this small room of mine.

The key turns back in the lock and Maria pokes her head in, before coming inside and shutting it. "Your father is permitting me to visit with you" she breathes, coming forward and holding my hands. "How are you doing sweetheart?"

I sob. "Maria, I can't stand it, I need to go outside, get fresh air, go back to school. Will father not forgive me still?"

She hesitates and then shakes her head. "He is determined to make you marry someone, however, I have heard Sophie speaking on your behalf in the living room, trying to convince your parents to at least allow you out on some sort of outing she has planned. I believe it's to do with her wedding" she explains.

I'm shocked that my twin would try and argue with my parents over my confinement. For the first time, I feel a sense of warmth towards Sophie, instead of my usual bitterness and resentment.

Maria exhales. She looks at me with something akin to pity. "I am so sorry" she whispers "I really wish I could sneak you out."

"You have your children to think of" I point out miserably "I wouldn't have you risk it."

She sighs and sits down next to me, gathering me in a hug. "I made a phone call," she says cryptically "and now we wait. I want you to trust me, if the person I called comes forward, you must take his hand in marriage. It will be the only way you can escape child. It sucks, but your father has increased security not only around your house but the borders as well."

We both hear footsteps, several of them. There is a knock on the door and then I hear my father's low growl "Maria, it's time for you to go. I have something to discuss with Amber" he adds. He does not sound pleased.

Maria reluctantly gets up and makes her way to the door, giving me an apologetic look. I give her a shaky smile and she mouths the words to me 'see you soon, promise', as the door opens and she's forced to sidle outside. Father comes storming inside, looking displeased and disgruntled, Sophie behind him, wringing her hands.

"It appears, that I may have to adjust your punishment somewhat" father begins.

A tiny spark of hope kindles in my breast as I stare at him and Sophie in astonishment. Had she managed to convince our father to let me go?

"Sophie here has been advocating on your behalf" father snaps "and if it wasn't for her or your meddling mother" he warns me "you would still be locked up tight in this room for eternity if that's what it took."

Was he letting me go? The door is wide open, but there is no way in hell I'm going to run for it. I wouldn't even make it two steps towards the door. Mother comes walking in, a smile on her face, as though nothing is wrong. I envy her for that. I'm still confused though, by mother and Sophie's interference.

"Mathew, it's not that bad. You had conditions that we agreed to" mother says quietly, trying to sound encouraging.

I can see Sophie rolling her eyes, a smirk on her face. She's enjoying this. Whatever her reasons for wanting me to leave the room, they aren't to help me, but rather must be something she wants. I frown at them all.

"Will you just spit it out" I snap, knowing instantly that's a mistake, as father's expression turns dark "I've been locked up here for days?"

"Whose fault is that," father says icily "your own, now be quiet."

I fall silent. Mother begins to fidget with her hands, father gives a large sigh.

"Your sister here is wanting something from you and has something to ask you" he snarls, turning to Sophie and smiling widely at her, nodding his head towards me.

She steps forward. "Amber, I would really love it if you would be the maid of honor for my wedding. I feel like it's time we started getting a bit close to each other before we both end up married and separated from each other. Besides, we are twins and I want to respect that. Please say yes" she pleads, her eyes twinkling with amusement at my predicament.

She wants me to be the maid of honor, at her wedding, to my ex-boyfriend? My first instinct is to retort and tell her no in uncertain terms, but the other part of me is hesitant. This might be the only way father will agree to free me, and if I turn her down, I could end up locked up again. Still, it rankles. She's rubbing her wedding to Darius right in my face, knowing full well the consequences if I turn her down. No wonder she's smirking at me. "Well," mother prods, beaming at me.

"What would I have to do?" I ask quickly, watching my mother's face droop in disappointment.

Sophie just smiles wider "all you have to do is walk down the aisle with one of the best men. Nothing too hard or too serious" she laughs lightly "oh and help me pick out my dress as well."

Great. A front row seat to watching Sophie and Darius say their vows and kiss each other. Thanks a bunch, Sophie, you little b***h. I force a smile to my face, my father's eyes watching my every movement "It would be an honor to be your maid of honor" I force out, trying not to sound full of resentment.

Sophie gives a little squeal and then hugs me "oh it's going to be so exciting. I can't wait to go dress shopping with you and pick out both our dresses."

She gives a small twirl and then hugs our father. His eyes soften as he hugs her tightly back. "Thank you father" she coos softly and he smiles at her, giving her hair a tussle. "No problems baby girl," he tells her.

God, it hurts to see how differently he treats her in comparison to me, but I force the hurt down, swallowing hard as Sophie turns and leaves the room so that it's just our parents and myself left there.

"Don't think this means you are forgiven for your irreprehensible behavior" father snaps at me. "Nor does it mean that you're free. You will be allowed to go downstairs, but you have to wear this at all times."

He produces a bracelet from his pockets. "It has a GPS signal in it and tells me where you are at all times. I will have someone trailing you from school and home. If you attempt to remove the GPS, it sends out a warning and injects you with wolfsbane, rendering you unconscious. Do you understand?"

Sick bastard. I can't believe the lengths he'll go to. Even without a wolf, I still get affected by wolfsbane and it would only require a minuscule amount to render me unconscious. I don't even want to know how the bracelet fully works. It's solid gold and chunky, as I take hold of it, I gingerly place it on my right wrist, locking it into place. It fits perfectly, even with my dainty wrists. I want to swear, but instead, I bow my head, trying to look like I've been defeated, when the opposite is true. This only makes me more determined to get the hell away from here.

"Isn't it lovely?" mother asks looking pleased with herself "our tech team at work produced it. I wanted something that would look nice on you."

I stare at her dumbly. "You helped choose it?" I asked.

"It was her idea" father scoffs "the only reason I agreed to let you out. Otherwise, you would still be up here, watching the blue sky from your barred windows."

"Thank you," I say uncertainly. On one hand, it was nice for her to come up with a plan to free me, but on the other hand, she had ensured my captivity. It was all so confusing. Did she care for me, or was this just to make Sophie happy?

"You're welcome" mother coos. She gestures toward me. "Come on, you can come out" she urges as I follow her footsteps "but you have to promise not to try and run away again."

"I wouldn't advise it," father says furiously "I've increased security as that damn housekeeper Maria probably told you already."

I keep quiet. I wasn't about to tell him he was right. My mind was whirling. Now I had my freedom of sorts, but I wondered what I was going to do with it. Without work, I only had school and homework to do. I wasn't the type to enjoy movies on my own and I adored the outdoors. Something told me, it would be a really bad idea to ask to go for a walk.

Mother and I traipse downstairs, father's heavy footsteps sounding behind us. We walk into the living room, just in time to see a startled Sophie and Darius break apart. They were having some sort of argument from what I could tell, but the second we all appeared, Sophie and Darius smiled as though nothing was happening.

"You're out" Darius exclaims joyfully.

I scowl at him. Sophie hands our mother a piece of paper. It's an invitation from Luna Marian.

Dear Clarissa

I'm sending my son Darius with this invitation. I wondered, perhaps if you would like to go dress shopping for Sophie tomorrow at the local wedding dress shop? About 10 am? I could have asked via mind-link but this was much more elegant. Please send your response with Darius. I look forward to your reply and will meet you at the shop if you are free.

Regards

Luna Marian.

Mother looked touched at the elegant invitation. She hastily went rushing for a pen, while the rest of us stared in bemusement. "Of course, we will go dress shopping tomorrow. Amber can come as well so we can find a dress for her" she cried, scribbling on the invitation and handing it to Darius who silently took it.

"Thank you, I will give the response to mother. Have fun tomorrow" he told her and then left without a backward glance, Sophie glaring at his back. I wonder what that's all about?

"Remember what I said, you make one wrong move tomorrow and you end up in the dungeon instead of your room" father whispers into my ear.

As if I could forget.