Chapter 3

Afraid to move, my heart thumped even louder.

I did my best to tell myself that this was my place as a slave, but I couldn't get used to it.

After all, I came from a rich family too.

"Why are you trembling? Are you scared?"

Hearing the deep voice, I looked up and suddenly found his face not all that scary.

And then there were those eyes that gleamed as brightly as the stars.

"I'm not scared, but just a little hungry."

How would a few slices of bread ever fill a stomach?

After a while, he laughed cheerfully. "My Uncle Ben told me to pick a slave… I guess I picked someone amusing."

Uncle Ben? As in his third uncle? The same pack elder who would instigate infighting and later assassinate Yoran himself?

Still, I kept my head down while Yoran summoned a servant, who brought so many dishes that they covered the entire table.

Just the scent of food was enough to make me drool.

"Sit. Eat."

He spoke to me with a surprisingly gentle voice.

I hesitated for a moment but eventually sat down and wolfed down everything.

How long had it been since I had a full stomach?

As I kept eating, my tears threatened to fall, while Yoran sat on the opposite end of the table and watched me eat with a twinkle in his eye.

Those eyes had to be the most beautiful eyes I had ever seen, and I really couldn't see him chewing through a person's neck.

When I had finished eating, Yoran stood up and headed outside.

Wait, he wasn't going to do anything?

"Get some rest. Uncle Ben and I have business to discuss," he said and started to leave.

"Wait," I called out as I remembered the rumors about Ben in my past life. "You should be careful around your uncle."

Those words were as rude as they could be, and to no surprise, Yoran was glaring coldly at me when I finished. "What do you mean?"

I mustered my courage and laid down the facts of what had happened in my past life, including Ben taking bribes, sending spies who hid in the ranks of Yoran's lackeys, and conspiring against Yoran…

Yoran appeared bemused by that last part. "Who is he conspiring with?"

I racked my brains and decided to take a bet. "I'm not sure, but you can perform a paternity test on the child of your father's fifth wife."

Yoran held my gaze for a long while and said, "I hope that's the truth, or else…"

He trailed off, but I noticed the threat in his voice.

I certainly knew that I'd be destroyed if I lied to him, but I had to take a chance if I wanted to survive.

-

Days later, the city put together a grand party.

Yoran was invited, and he attended it with me instead of his usual companions.

Everyone was surprised since I had nothing going for me, be it beauty or connections, not to mention that Yoran and I had only met once.

The small servant's room was renovated into a proper bedchamber, with servants bringing in stacks of elegant clothes and jewelry.

At that moment, I understood that Yoran had acquired proof of my claims.

We were the last to arrive at the party, and everyone was eager to greet Yoran.

After all, being the youngest Alpha there was, he had both power and resources.

I quietly retreated to a corner when I spotted a familiar face—Joey.

She was socializing with the other trophy wives but had trouble keeping up with their conversations.

Eventually, as she got bored and looked around, she found me and came straight toward me.

She studied me elegantly with a hint of rage but soon giggled smugly. "How lucky that you get to attend this party, Erin!

"That said, I heard you didn't get to sleep with your owner, and that he only came to you once. That's definitely not the case for Sion—it's like he's glued to me, and he's been cooking for me and feeding me ever since he took me home. I'm sure you don't get that, do you?"

The glee on Joey's face grew even more apparent as she continued, "You know, it wasn't easy for our parents to bring you to this world. But here you are, not repaying their grace and not calling once. You're so heartless, Erin."

I know that she was talking about Sion taking our parents to his castle, as word had spread across the city that Sion really doted on his slave and even brought her parents home.

She just had no idea about the demon Sion really was.

Still, I told her, "I envy you so much. Your owner really loves you."

I lowered my gaze to hide my smile.

I just hoped Joey wouldn't regret this.

"Exactly. You really can't even get jealous of me," Joey gloated, even more gleeful while her tone was filled with contempt. "I don't want to be mean, but you shouldn't leave home with that face, or you'd scare people."

She then giggled, "Oh, I'm always so blunt. You don't blame me, right?"

Everyone around me was clamoring, and the scar she left on my ear seemed to burn.

I took a deep breath, scowling as I demanded, "In that case, why don't you apologize?"

Joey's face dropped and she snapped, "How dare you disrespect me! You're nothing more than a slave!"

"And you're disrespecting all lycans, aren't you?" I retorted, my expression dark.

Stunned again, Joey pointed at me and bellowed, "Who do you think you are, taking up that tone with me?! Our parents should have strangled you in the crib—"

"Watch your words, ma'am."

Yoran was beside me before I knew it, his icy glare fixed on Joey and leaving her flinching.

Then, he turned to me, suddenly mild as he kissed my ear and touched my belly. "Don't get upset, dear. You'll hurt the baby."

Baby? What baby?!