I Would Still Stand Tall Without You, Alpha!

When I arrived at the private hunting grounds, I felt the weight of the pack’s eyes on me. It wasn’t the usual gazes that they would cast on me. This time, it was different.

I wasn’t just the betrothed of Alpha Alex. Rather, I was the woman who dared to challenge his mistress, Avery. The tension in the air was palpable. Actually, I could almost feel the pack members waiting for the next move.

Avery was already standing by Alex. Her face looked very red as she held back her anger. The moment I stepped into the clearing, she shot me a glare that could melt stone.

“You’re late,” she said, her voice laced with disdain.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I retorted, trying to keep my tone steady.

Alex chose to pretend to ignore the tension. The Alpha smiled as if he had treated me well for the past five years, approaching me. However, it made me want to laugh.

“Felicia, I’m glad you could join us. The elders have been pressuring me to make sure you’re included,” the man said.

Avery’s lip curled in annoyance when she heard it, but Alex didn’t notice. His focus was entirely on me, or rather, on keeping up appearances. Seeing it made me have enough.

“I’m sure it’s not because you want me here, Alpha. But I’m grateful for the invitation,” I said sarcastically as I forced a smile.

Avery’s eyes narrowed as she boldly said, “Well, I’m not.”

The mistress was clearly upset that her lover had included me, but Alex waved her off as he brushed her concerns aside.

“Let’s not make a scene, Avery. We’re all here to enjoy the day. The last thing I need is more pressure from the pack,” the man said.

Avery opened her mouth to argue, but the Alpha silenced her with a glance before he said, “Please, just bear with it. It’s what’s best for the pack.”

Obviously, I could see the discomfort in her eyes. Eventually, she nodded stiffly. It was clear that she was unhappy. However, she was forced to comply.

The hunting party was soon underway.

As expected, both Alex and Avery stayed close. Their laughter echoed through the trees. I felt like an outsider, a third wheel, but I refused to let it show.

However, Avery’s voice cut through my thoughts as she said, “Lady Felicia, let’s ride together.”

“Ride?” I asked her back.

The mistress coldly said, “Yes, you heard me, my lady.”

Avery’s eyes gleamed with a mixture of annoyance and amusement as she continued, “I think it’ll be good for us to bond.”

I hesitated. Avery knew my fear of water, so she might use it to her advantage. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in a situation where I would be forced to face my fear. But I couldn’t back down with the pack watching.

“Fine. But only for a short while,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

The horses were already saddled when we arrived at the stables. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. Although I loved riding, the idea of being near water made my heart race. It had been a fear since childhood that I had never quite shaken off.

Avery’s smirk told me she knew exactly how I felt. She was enjoying this. In fact, she might enjoy it more than she should have.

“We’ll ride near the lake. It’ll be fun,” she said with her voice laced with malice.

I bit my lip, trying to hide the panic bubbling up inside me. However, I couldn’t back out without looking weak. So, I rode my horse and followed Avery as the woman led the way toward the lake.

As both of us got closer to the water, I felt my heart begin to race. The lake was beautiful, indeed. However, the memories of near-drowning when I was younger began replaying in my mind. I could feel the old fear rising within me as my body then tensed.

Avery slowed her horse as we approached the water’s edge.

“It’s beautiful here, isn’t it?” she asked innocently, but I could see the cruel gleam in her eyes.

“It is,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She glanced at me as her smirk widened and said, “Maybe we should take a closer look.”

Before I could react, Avery spurred her horse forward. My horse followed automatically, but I tugged on the reins, trying to slow down. I wasn’t ready to get any closer to the water, but Avery wasn’t having it.

“Come on, Lady Felicia. You’re not afraid, are you?” she asked me mockingly.

“I’m not,” I said through gritted teeth, but my heart was hammering in my chest.

Without warning, Avery kicked her horse’s sides. The animal quickly took off, charging straight into the lake. I gasped, pulling hard on the reins, trying to stop my own horse. However, Avery had already forced both our horses into the water.

Immediately, The force of the water hit us. I struggled to stay on the horse’s back as it reared, the lake’s cold embrace threatening to pull me under.

“Lady Avery, stop!” I shouted, panic rising in my chest. But she only laughed.

Before I could react, her horse bucked again. Then, I was thrown from the saddle. It felt as if the world tilted when I fell into the cold, dark water.

I gasped for air as I struggled to stay afloat. The shock of the cold water quickly seized my chest. I kicked my legs, trying to swim. But my body was heavy and my panic only made it worse.

‘Help! Alex!’ I shouted through my mind-link with Alex, but I couldn’t hear him.

My vision was blurry as the water swirled around me. I couldn’t breathe, see, or think. Although I heard voices, I knew the voice wasn’t Alex’s. Avery was still laughing from the shore, her mocking voice cutting through my desperation.

“Alex, save me!” she shouted loudly.

Meanwhile, I reached out as my hands grasping for anything. However, it felt like the water was swallowing me whole.

A strong feeling of suffocation came over me, the air I breathed became thinner and thinner, and I felt like I was about to die...