You Serve Me Alone

THIRD PERSON'S POV

Holding him that close, Ryan was able to sense he hasn't gotten his wolf yet, and that explained everything.

"Pathetic." He scoffed, his breath hot against Ethan's skin.

Hearing him, Ethan opened his eyes, which immediately widened at the sight of who had caught him from falling.

Not only did he feel so small compared to the tall frame above him, he was also afraid.

He panicked and immediately pulled away.

"I'm so…rry." He stammered. "I'm so, so sorry." He bowed in shame.

Saying this, he turned and ran, but he didn't get far before he was caught by his cloak.

"You're pretty good at running. Is that all you know how to do?" Ryan asked before pulling him back to himself, closer to the point of feeling his warm breath.

"His eyes, they're pretty." Ryan thought, but he quickly dismissed the thought.

"Uh… I… I'm… I'm so sorry, Alpha, please spare my life." Ethan said, his eyes flickering in fear, and his heart almost beating out his ribcage, while Ryan, who was still holding onto him just kept staring at him with his brown eyes.

Misunderstanding the stare, Ethan panicked, his eyes got teary.

"This is my first time outside, I didn't know I wasn't supposed to look at you. It won't happen again, please spare my life. I promise, you won't see me ever again."

Ryan laughed for the first time in a very long time as he listened to Ethan's innocent rant.

Hearing him laugh instead of striking, Ethan froze.

"What's your name?" Ryan asked.

"Eth…an." He stammered.

"You can't even pronounce your name properly, is there anything you can do right?" Ryan scoffed as he let go of his cloak.

"I'm sorry." Ethan bowed, reflexively covering his face with the hood.

Ryan held his jaw, gently raising his face, and that was when he took notice of the bruises on his face clearly. He was so lost in his eyes that he didn't notice the obvious bruises on his face.

He tilted his face left and right for a better look.

His eyes softened for a moment.

He wanted to ask who did that to him, he felt a surprisingly strong urge to punish whoever it was, but all he could say was;

"Come with me, you are to serve only me tonight until the ceremony ends." He immediately turned to leave.

Ethan nodded in response with a smile that reached his eyes, hope flickering in his chest.

Serving the Alpha meant a bigger reward, one that may be enough to finally earn his stepdad’s approval and a better treatment.

He would finally be considered useful by his stepdad.

Ethan quickly followed Ryan, his eyes fixed on the Alpha's broad back as he fought the strong urge to touch it.

The stare, the whispers, Ethan heard it all as he obediently walked behind the Alpha.

He looked over to his stepdad to meet his fiery look, he quickly looked away.

"He will be happy with me once he sees how much I would be getting." He muttered to himself with a smile.

Getting to his seat, Ryan sat down.

"Stand closer to me." He commanded.

Ethan bowed in response before he obeyed.

Lucy looked at Ethan disgusted and filled with disdain, her eyes narrowing as she whispered to Ryan, "Seriously, why him? The servants assigned to you are far more capable, and they look and smell better too." Ryan's expression remained unreadable, as he totally ignored her.

Lucy frowned and turned her attention to Ethan. "You," she snapped, her voice like a whip crack. "Fetch me a cup of wine from the jug over there." She pointed at the jug which was one of the many jugs on the huge table in front of them.

Ethan bowed quickly and was about to get it, but his hand was firmly held by Ryan stopping him.

"Get it yourself." Ryan said to Lucy. He looked angry.

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise, her face reddening with anger as she stared at Ryan. "Excuse me?" she spat, her voice low and venomous. Ryan's expression remained firm, his eyes fixed on hers.

Ethan watched the exchange with bated breath. He stood frozen, his hand still held by Ryan's. He wanted to speak, but he knew that would only get him into more trouble so he stood quietly.

Lucy's gaze flickered to Ethan and back to Ryan, her lips curling into a sneer. "Fine," she hissed, getting up from her seat to fetch the wine herself.

As Lucy stalked off to get the wine, her embroidered shoes clicking against the cool stone floor, Ethan let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Ryan's grip on his hand remained firm, his fingers wrapped tightly around Ethan's wrist.

Ethan tried to pull away, but Ryan held him in place. "Don't move," Ryan said, his voice low and even.

Ethan froze. Scared, his eyes got teary.

"I'm sorry." He said softly.

Confused about his sudden apology, Ryan slowly let go of his wrist.

The people around didn't seem to pay attention to what was going on, as everyone was engrossed in the fun they were having.

Lucy returned with the wine, her face still twisted in a scowl. She walked up to Ethan, used her fingers to snap the hood off his head before pouring the wine slowly.

Ethan stood still in tears as the wine poured slowly over his head, the cold liquid seeping into his hair and running down his face. He felt a sting as some of it got into his eyes, but he didn't flinch, didn't dare to move.

He looked at the gathering only to meet his step dad's furious gaze, the murmurs from the crowd didn't help too.

He slowly bowed his head in shame as the liquid flowed down.

On the other hand, witnessing what had happened ignited a fury in Ryan.

He stood up angrily and snatched the cup from Lucy.

Gripping her wrist, he said through clenched teeth, "Come with me." As he tried to hide the anger that was boiling in him.

As he pulled her away, he ordered a palace servant who was arriving with a tray of fruits, "Make sure he is cleaned up and given fresh clothes immediately."

The servant immediately knew who he was talking about, since there was only one person who looked like they needed a change of clothes, one covered in wine.

He slowly bowed in response.

"What is the matter with you?" Lucy yelled, stumbling as Ryan dragged her away.

Once they were away from the gathering, he released her hand. His eyes had changed, and it was now glowing with the blood-red hue of his wolf form, which made Lucy scared.

"You can do whatever it is you want to, but if you really want to keep your position here, you better say away from Ethan." He growled.

Lucy stared at Ryan confused.

"What the hell is going on with you?" she spat, her voice sharp. "You're actually defending that pathetic servant? What's so special about him?" She sneered, her tone dripping with disdain and disgust.

Ryan's eyes slowly returned to its brown color, "You stay away from him." He said before walking out.

Heading to the servant quarters where he was sure Ethan was being attended to, Ryan paused at the door.

He watched as Ethan wiped his wet hair with a towel and the servant hurriedly ate in the corner.

Without making a sound, he left before they even realised he was there.

Getting back to the ceremony he gave his final speech before dismissing himself for the night and asking his Beta, Liam, to take over.

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as he turned to leave.

Having Ethan around gave him something he desperately needed, the calmness  within, so he decided to keep him close, and unharmed, at least until he can break the bond that bound them.