Chapter 1

Calista's POV

This was the first time I had ever stepped foot inside the corridors of the palace. Massive stone walls loomed over me, guarded by heavily armed werewolves. Each soldier wore a distinct sigil pinned to the right side of their chest—a glaring symbol of their absolute loyalty and duty to the throne.

The books I’d sneaked glances at in our pack’s old archives were right about how magnificent this place was. By its sheer size alone, it screamed power. I used to think those texts were just exaggerated propaganda meant to make the palace look like a flawless paradise, but seeing it with my own eyes stripped away all my doubts.

The Kingsguard, still holding my arm with a firm but careful grip, stopped abruptly. He handed me over to a woman with a serious, unsmiling face.

“Mellisandrei will take care of you, dress you, and prepare you for the Night of Choosing,” the Kingsguard explained, exchanging a brief, knowing look with her. “You will be handled with gentleness before we hand you over to your new owner.”

“Are you a whore as well?” I asked quietly as we walked down the silent, echoing corridor.

Every single corner and archway had a guard stationed near it, keeping every inch of the palace under watch. I had heard rumors back home that rebels were spreading like wildfire lately, putting the throne on high alert for the threat of war. The heavy security made perfect sense now.

Mellisandrei glanced at me, her expression flat.

“Almost all the women here serve the same purpose, unless you were born with royal blood. Only then are you treated with high respect and matched to a noble prince.”

I nodded slowly, trying to process it. “Who owned you, then? What is it like?” I stopped walking when she snapped her head toward me, her eyes cutting like glass. “I’m sorry,” I hurried to add, shrinking back slightly. “I’m just curious. I’ve never been with a man before. I am completely unaware of how it works, how much it hurts, or how to correctly pleasure someone. I’m just afraid I’ll do it wrong and disappoint my owner.”

Mellisandrei didn’t answer right away. She kept her focus fixed on the hallway ahead until we reached a pair of heavy doors marked Red Reach.

“You don’t need to know how it’s done beforehand,” she finally said, her voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “Powerful men prefer virgins. They like innocence and unawareness because it feeds their pride. They love ruining a woman's dignity. But remember this, once you are used, they will throw you out of their chambers like dirt they never want to see again. When you lose your virginity, you lose your value. You become a common whore, that any werewolf—whether a low-ranked Omega, a Beta, or the common guards—can use you anytime they please.”

A cold wave of fear washed over me at her words. For a split second, I wondered if I had made a terrible mistake by coming here willingly.

But as the image of my father’s sneering face flashed in my mind, I forced the panic down. Even if I was meant to be used, it was still better than enduring my father’s brutal fists and watching my stepsister live happily with Leo—the man I loved.

The bruises and physical pain from my family would eventually fade from my skin. But the emotional betrayal was a scar no ointment could ever heal.

Shaking my head, I swallowed the lump in my throat and made a silent vow to myself.

I will survive this palace. I will build my own strength here. And one day, I will go back. Everyone who hurt me will feel twice the pain they inflicted on me.

I finally understood the cruel reality of my situation. The only reason I was receiving this treatment was because of my virginity. Once my owner used me up, the Alpha King would terminate my contract, and I would be thrown to the wolves at the bottom of the food chain.

Inside the Red Reach, Mellisandrei guided me toward a large, steaming bathtub filled entirely with thick, warm milk.

“Remove your clothes and submerge yourself,” she commanded. “It will soften your skin and soothe your body.”

I stared at the tub in disbelief. I had never seen anything like this in my entire life. In the Omega area, milk was an expensive luxury, almost as precious as gold that my life wouldn't have been enough to buy a single bucket of it.

Stepping into the liquid, I let out a soft breath. The warmth immediately began to ease the dull aches and bruises littering my skin. “Can you tell me what actually happens during the Night of Choosing?” I murmured, leaning back.

Mellisandrei waited with a plush white towel the moment I stood up from the bath.

“High-ranking officials will come to inspect the new whores,” she answered quietly, as if she had repeated these exact words to a hundred terrified girls before me. “You are lucky if the Alpha Prince chooses you. If he doesn’t, you will fall into the hands of the remaining lords.”

She noticed the tight frown on my face and continued.

“Some say Prince Alex treats his women well in bed. He doesn’t just satisfy himself and leave; he ensures his partner feels pleasure, too. But the other high officials? They are known for being lazy and selfish. They expect you to do all the work, ride them until they finish, and then it's over.”

From the casual way Mellisandrei spoke, it was obvious she had a wealth of experience. I briefly wondered how many men had been through her quarters, but I kept my mouth shut, not wanting to insult her.

She helped me into a stunning, floor-length maiden gown. The neckline cut gracefully across my collarbones, revealing just enough of my cleavage, while deep side slits offered brief glimpses of my long legs as I walked.

Mellisandrei stayed close by my side as she led me into the castle aisle—a grand hall used for smaller court events.

I was lined up alongside a dozen other women wearing the exact same gown. They were all breathtakingly beautiful, and the absolute confidence radiating from them made it clear they had been rigorously trained for this night. I felt completely out of my depth.

When the heavy doors opened and the officials began to arrive, the girls next to me immediately bowed their heads. I quickly mimicked their movements, keeping a polite, rehearsed smile plastered on my face.

In total, five lords and two Alphas entered the hall.

Some were young and fit, while others were extraordinarily old. I couldn't help but feel a pang of disgust wondering how those frail, elderly men behaved behind closed doors with girls my age.

Suddenly, the entire room went dead silent. Alpha Prince Alex had entered the castle aisle. Every single person in the room, including the older lords and Alphas, bowed deeply in respect.

The Prince stood tall and imposing, wearing a midnight-blue doublet woven with intricate silver thread. A heavy cloak of pristine white fur cascaded from his broad shoulders, secured at his throat by a massive sapphire brooch shaped like a roaring wolf and moon. Gold embroidery traced his sleeves, demanding authority.

He walked down the line, inspecting each woman. I was the very last one.

When his sharp eyes finally locked onto me, a sudden, primal roar echoed deep within my core. It was an intense, overwhelming sensation.

Without asking for permission, the Prince reached out and traced his index finger down the center of my chest, sliding beneath the fabric of my gown. He stepped closer, his shadow completely enveloping me.

“You have a beautiful body,” he murmured, his gaze dropping as his fingers pinched my sensitive skin tightly. “Moan for me,” he commanded, his voice a low growl.

A soft, breathless moan escaped my lips, matching the firm pressure of his fingers against my chest.

Satisfied, he pulled his hand away and turned to face the gathering of lords and Alphas.

“This one is mine,” Prince Alex announced, his powerful voice echoing off the four corners of the stone hall. “She is no longer available for your beds, my lords. Her body belongs exclusively to me to torment—as does her beautiful mouth.”

“Understood, my Prince,” one of the older officials replied with a smile. “I must say, the girl is incredibly fortunate to be chosen by you. A lovely prize for a lovely prince.”

Alex smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “She is both lucky and unlucky. Lucky because she will lose her innocence to royal blood. Unlucky because I have absolutely no intention of being gentle with her. I might just devour every single inch of her until she screams her heart out.”

A chorus of dry laughter filled the room at the Prince’s dark humor.

When Alex turned his gaze back to me, the smirk remained on his lips. “Come to my private chambers at midnight. I’ll be waiting.”