Chapter Ten
Rick Ronan.
I watched people scatter for safety as my father was moving almost mad, and snarling.
"I will punish you for this, Rick." Was my father's first statement after he transformed back into his human form.
"His words are meaningless," I thought. On my attempt to touch my bruised face, a wave of rushing pains traveled all over my body.
I dashed away, touching my bruises carefully.
"Rick," I heard Chase's voice call after me, and my first instinct was to ignore him.
"Rick, wait and hear me out."
I halted and managed to tilt my head towards his direction.
"I fear your father is up to something, Rick. He has always known about Eva and every other thing that transpired."
"It can't be possible!" I said in utter disbelief.
"What is he up to?" I asked, sounding desperate.
"I don't really know but, danger is looming and you need to act fast."
I thanked him and hurried away.
If he had always known about Eva then it could be that he was up to something towards her. Panting, I retrieved my phone and started calling Eva. I wish I could go back in time to change things between I and Eva. I wish never to be a coward. Life felt unfair! If only my father could stop controlling my life. I wish he let Eva be and not involve her in any of this.
That night, I retreated back to my room quite early and was thinking of the danger Chase had cautioned me about.
"Rick," My father roared, pushing my door open with force.
"Yes, sir." I jumped out of the bed, soaking up in fear and restlessness.
"Now, she is out of the way!"
"I don't understand, father!
"Eva is dead and gone for good. I shall plan another ceremony, where you will have no option other than to accept the bride I have chosen for you."
I let out a scream like an animal, praying that my ears were wrong.
"No! Not my Eva."
My father looked me dead in the eyes and told me that I needed to be taught one more lesson.
"Chase!" His voice thundered! "I want Rick to be locked up in the private cell until I order for his release on the very day of his bride choosing ceremony.
Chase, with all the empathy he had for me, couldn't bring himself to disobey my father else he could lose his head instantly.
"Let me have your phone," Said my father. And even before I reached for my pocket, he dipped his hand into my pocket and grabbed the phone.
Rick gestured me out like a prisoner and walked me down to the private cell.
With no attempt to rebel, I quietly followed him as tears started to stream down my face.
My Eva, please, don't die. I said to myself in desperation. If I have ever truly loved, then Eva was the one who had my heart.
My first night in the private cell was a horror, because I couldn't stop picturing Eva's face and recalling all the sweet memories we had together. And now that she had to die because of me, I felt like the worst human on earth. The following morning, Chase brought me breakfast but I left it untouched until he returned back with lunch in the afternoon.
"You haven't touched your breakfast?" Chase's voice was laced with empathy and concern.
"What good is food when my own father is against my happiness?" I asked in utmost despair.
"Sometimes, even your own family can be your greatest enemy." He said, lowering his gaze. "I'm sorry for your loss, Rick. I have to leave now."
My body seemed to be withering away on the third day, due to the fact that I hadn't eaten nor drunk anything. I couldn't wait to see Chase bring my breakfast, and when he finally did he watched me eat it like a deprived caged animal.
"Chase, I need a favor, please."
Chase didn't utter a word and then I spoke louder and repeated what I had said initially, but he only made hand gestures that suggested that he had been forbidden by my father from talking to me.
I knew what my father was capable of and how extreme he could be in making his rules work.
That night, I let my racing thoughts quiet, hoping that tomorrow I got released already.
It was in the middle of the night, amidst my sleep, when my father's thick voice jostled me out of sleep.
"I'm here to have some words with you, Rick." He said, feigning empathy.
"Alright." I said faintly.
"I'm the Alpha and my rules go. You are my heir and I have total control over your life affairs…" He paused for a while and smirked. "Your ceremony is tomorrow and your bride, as you have known, has been chosen for you.
"Father," the tone of my voice elevated. "Why did you have to kill Eva?"
He let out a disturbing laughter that came to a stop instantly. "Goodnight, Rick."