A Savage Debt (The Beholden Duet #1) - Zoey Ellis Page 0,10
Maddoc to exist, let alone do anything of such great benefit to the kingdom.”
Ana exhaled harshly. “He could have killed Father.”
“He could have,” her mother agreed gently, taking her hand. “And that is one of the three things I want you to remember about having to deal with this situation. Your father could be dead now.”
Relief and annoyance fought for dominance in Ana’s chest. “What are the other two things?”
The queen was silent for a moment. “This situation goes beyond you, Ana. The houses will be disrupted by this. The ones who are aligned with us could withdraw their support and then we are at risk of losing our claim to rule.”
“Why would they do that?”
“You are the key to a couple of the houses gaining more power. Being betrothed to Duke Ryden ties Redcrest more closely to the crown. Your children could also then be paired with potential children from House Thorneshaw. But if you are made to lay with this disgusting excuse for an Alpha…” She shook her head and then shrugged. “This has never happened before. Prince and princesses have taken lovers before their arranged marriages in the past, yes, but never something like this. You are the kingdom’s most precious individual, and he is the noxious stain Allandis has to bear. There is no telling how the kingdom will respond. We are trying to see if this outrageous request can be carried out as privately and discreetly as possible within the palace, but as you are aware there were many people, including commoners, in the assembly hall today.”
Ana’s mind swam as she took in what her mother was saying. Ana and her future children had already been tied up in agreements with two of the other houses. She’d known of the allegiances, but not the extent of them, nor the damage to the crown if they were to fall through. “If we lose their support, what happens?”
Her mother patted the back of her hand. “Let’s not worry about that right now, Ana. Let’s focus on the third thing I want you to remember. Do you remember some of your lessons on being an Omega?”
Ana nodded. Her lessons about the different dynamics had been some of the most interesting and had led her to do further reading. Each dynamic had specific qualities that were consistent among them, which typically predisposed them for certain roles, such as Alphas tending to be stronger rulers, leaders, or soldiers.
“And you are aware of the sexual compatibility between Alphas and Omegas?”
Ana nodded again, resisting the urge to drag her eyes from her mother. This was no time for bashfulness
Her mother’s eyes were tortured as they gazed at her. “You must be mindful of any… reaction you have with this outlaw.”
Ana inhaled sharply, closing her eyes for a moment. This was getting worse and worse. “I thought I would be compatible with Ryden,” she said, opening her eyes. “I thought that’s why our marriage was arranged.”
“Yes, you are. But that doesn’t mean you won’t experience something with this man, Ana. He is an Alpha, after all.”
Ana clenched her fists under her mother’s hand. Arranged marriages were supposed to protect Omegas.
“You are not due for your heat, so that is good. We are looking into a way to prevent you from having any reaction to him at all—but it may be impossible... and unkind.”
Ana frowned, but her mother continued. “The point is, you must not confuse any reaction as true feelings for this man. He is an outlaw and a criminal, and he has targeted you specifically to find a way to hurt your father.”
“Mother, I won’t forget. Arranged marriages are only for fated mates, aren’t they? Like you and Father. How can anything that happens compare to what it will be with Ryden?”
“It can’t.” The queen nodded in agreement. “But it will be your first experience, Ana. You won’t know what to expect.”
Ana nodded. That was true—but at least she would have her time with Ryden to look forward to.
“Which is why it’s so hard for Ryden,” her mother added.
Ana’s stomach dropped. “Do you know what he thinks of this?”
“As soon as you left, he spoke very passionately about this issue. He is furious. He’s trying to find a way to stop you from having to go through with it, but he won’t find one.”
Ana was silent for a long moment, her heart sinking. Maddoc was trying to hurt her father, but he’d already had the chance to kill him and he didn’t.