Chapter 3. The Price

Alexa

I stood, my arms shielding my exposed chest, refusing to break under their gaze.

Norman had taken the last bit of dignity I had left in me, and the memories of the selection ceremony weighed on my chest.

He stripped me of dignity, but he would never strip me of spirit.

I locked eyes with Nana, who was also naked.

“Hi,” she whispered, peering into my eyes and gesturing with her fingers, and I slowly nodded. “Are you okay? I'm sorry, it's just that you seem so familiar and I feel like I know you," she gestured again, slowly and very discreetly.

"Oh, my dear Nanny," I gestured back to her as I stared at her ever-smiling face, which wasn't so smiling given our present state.

She stared at me in shock and disbelief, trying her hardest not to cry as she saw me call out her name the way I had loved to—using sign language.

"Luna Ale... Alexa?" she gestured back to me through her hand movement, and I calmly nodded.

I had expected her reaction, but I didn't think I would get this emotional. She stared at me with her eyes filled with tears, but knowing where we were, she quickly comported herself.

“All right, round up!” Diana, the pack's official healer, snapped, as we pushed to line.

Twenty women. All weak. All offered as sacrifices.

I scoffed under my breath as Norman narrowed his eyes. "Something funny?"

"Nothing," I said flatly.

Wade growled. "She's mocking us."

Norman approached. "Step forward."

I did, my head held up high, ignoring the cold that froze my tits out.

"What’s that your name again?" he asked.

"Alexandria," I replied, voice calm.

Just then, a strange scent filled the air, causing everyone to freeze.

I turned my face as I stared in the direction everyone was looking.

From the corner of my eyes, I could see Norman's features tense slightly, a growl rumbling through his chest as the hair on his skin shot to attention.

“Oh, hush you little puppies.” A man with a cane strode in with a group of mean-looking guards, a playful grin directed at Norman and Wade. “I am only here to inspect the goods for this year.”

Hearing that, everyone backed down, fear clouding their expressions as they realized who this was.

The man was dressed like a butler, but his aura was dark and corrupted, making me wary.

I lowered my head just like everyone else, inching towards where I was once standing so as not to appear out of place.

My heart pounded like a drum. I wanted this over and done with soon.

“Hmm, what do we have here?” the man chirped, using his cane to lift my hair off my breasts.

I wanted to bite him.

But I endured, my hands balled into fists.

“She’s beautiful,” he muttered.

The man's eyes swirled as he stared at me lewdly.

Slowly, he brought his hand up to cup my boobs, not caring for the crowd around.

I tensed as I felt his disgusting cold hands caress my body down.

Eventually, he lost interest and left my side.

The man stared at Xena as she walked into the place we were gathered, and Norman immediately spoke up, “This is my Luna. Please, let me introduce you to her.”

The man looked bummed at the fact that she was taken, and Norman's actions sent a stake to my chest.

“Since that's the case, then don't bother,” he sighed, then turned to look at us. “Get them dressed so we can leave.”

Wade nodded. “Yes, sir!”

We were shoved into old-looking dresses made of sacks.

I hissed, biting my lower lip hard enough to leave a cut as the fabric roughly scratched my skin.

Once we were all clothed, the man wasted no time.

He yelled, stamping his cane on the ground. “Move out! The palace awaits!”

Guards lined every side, leading us away, ensuring we didn't run, while I continued to feel Norman's eyes on my back even as we walked farther away.

We walked through the dense forest and up the mountain located close to the pack on bare feet.

Rocks and dirt stuck to the soles of my feet, the sharper ones leaving a nasty cut and a trail of blood.

Tears threatened to fall as I stumbled forward, but knowing what would happen to the pack in my absence—Brad—he had promised to destroy the Pack. I also felt happy when I discovered Nana was selected; at least we get to watch the Pack burn from afar.

I felt a wave of ecstasy wash through me as I stealthily removed the pupil lens I had on.

The dye I had used on my hair would soon wear off, as well as the fake freckles I had drawn on my cheeks.

I lost the drugs I was given the second I was stripped of my clothes, which meant my wolf would be awake any time soon. I threw a quick glance at Nana and then at the guards around us.

I felt no regrets.

Reaching the top of the hill, my jaw hung as I stared at the huge palace before us in awe and dread.

The eerie sounds of crows flapping their wings as they circled above were like death notes to my ears as we approached the gates of the palace.

“Come on! Move it!” the guard beside me huffed, pushing me forward.

Hurriedly, we were marched into an underground room, which smelled of moss and a wet floor.

As we walked into the room, an old woman stood still, waiting for us.

She looked sternly at us. “You are welcome to the palace; to your new home, but first, you all need to be bathed.”

Without waiting for our consent, the female workers next to her took it upon themselves to strip us naked, leading us to a large bath that was already prepared for us.

I let myself still, as one of the female workers scrubbed every inch of my body, including my private parts.

I pursed my lips as I stared at Nana, who seemed so uncomfortable by the actions that were rendered on her body.

I passed a worried look at her, stiffly shaking my head at her not to protest.

We weren't in the pack anymore, and we had no idea what they could do to us.

After being bathed, we were clothed in transparent gowns and led to a huge receiving hall, which had a throne in the middle.

“I am sure you all know where this is and what is about to happen next,” the old stern woman announced, her chin raised in the air as she stared at us like insects beneath her shoes.

“In case you are not aware, I'd state the reason you are here. Your job is to attend to the king in bed.”

I flinched at the harsh words thrown at us, but she wasn't done.

“If you feel like you cannot go with that, then we would be free to let you go.” She paused, squinting her eyes.

“Permanently!”

Fear gripped us all, eliciting a few whimpers from us.

“Everything you do will be monitored, and if you make a mistake, there will be punishments,” she said, causing me to stiffen. “Am I clear?”

“Yes, ma'am!” we chorused.

She could blab all she wanted. But that wasn't why I was here.

After talking to us, she walked to stand silently in the corner of the room.

I looked around, my heart thumping as I thought of my sister.

Was this what she had to face when she was alive?

Oh dear Moon Goddess, had my sister been killed because she refused?

I gripped the hem of my gown as I thought of all the horrible ordeals my little sister must have endured.

I must avenge her.

No matter what it takes.

“Here comes His Royal Highness, the King!” the old lady shouted, breaking me out from my line of thoughts. “All bow for King Kendell Swat, the Fourth!”

Bending my back in a bow along with everyone, I clutched the metal I had picked tightly, fearing I'd drop it due to my nerves.

Footsteps rang in the hall as the king approached, my wolf suddenly whimpering along with my sudden racing heart.

I frowned, eyes flashing as my wolf surfaced, and a certain sweet scent wafted through my nostrils.

I whipped my head up, not caring for the harsh reprimand that would follow, searching for what had decided to make my wolf go frenzy.

And I saw him—the most handsome man I had ever seen in my life.

His silver hair was hanging down on his shoulder, his tall form towering even over his guards.

He was dressed in a regal coat that was adorned with gold and diamonds, as he stood proudly beside the throne, his aura radiating with sheer dominance.

His eyes glowed as he sniffed the air, golden orbs locking with mine.

I felt my eyes flash, and he released a growl in sync with my wolf.

“Mate!”