Chapter 6

Lyric Adams pov

Giving me a once-over, Rita huffed.

“After you eat, let's go to the bathroom and fix your hair. If you show up to the Alpha looking like a drowned rat, my back will be hamburger,” she mumbled in annoyance.

I watched her set the tray down and grab her bowl. She tilted the bowl back, draining the broth before chewing on the added baguette.

Doing the same thing, I informed her that I was finished and followed her inside the bathroom, past the bathing pool, into an area with a toilet, cabinet, and mirror.

“The pool is a hot spring if you were wondering and the water within cycles itself,” Rita commented as she searched the standing closet.

After getting what she needed, she started brushing and blow-drying my hair.

Closing my eyes, the memory of my mother doing the same for me when I was younger came to my mind. Feeling anxious about my family's well-being, I opened my eyes.

“How can I check on my family to find out if they're all right?”

The blow dryer stopped suddenly, and Rita asked me what I had said.

Shaking my head, I told her that I just wondered how I could get in touch with my family, and she yanked my head back viciously.

“You don't have family anymore,” she growled at me while holding my head backward. Looking up at her narrowed eyes, I swallowed uncomfortably. The moment she loosened her grip, I shrank back from her and stammered out an apology.

Rita composed herself and then continued to brush my hair as if she didn't just freak out on me.

She finished soon after and told me to return to my area.

Not saying a word, I kept my head lowered as I stepped cautiously past her to go to my sparse bedroom.

Sitting once again on the cot, I waited for the guard, Ramsey, to return for me.

As the hours dragged on, my nerves were on edge. I cringed at every footfall I heard up above me.

Furrowing my brow, I went over everything, which wasn't much about mating.

It was supposed to be a beautiful joining between mates. Mates of our kind were only able to reproduce, so a lot of males would sleep around. My brother Jaxon did, but not my sister or me. We were told our innocence was highly prized, and our mates would be honored by that.

“Whoopee, honored for nothing, I'm marked for death,” I mumbled sourly as I paced the small room.

Without any windows to see the time I stood and wrung my hands.

Hearing the heavy steps coming down the stairs, my heart dropped when my fake name was called out.

“Mira! The Alpha is requesting you,” Ramsey growled.

Petrified in fear, my feet rooted to the floor as I saw the guard coming closer.

Stopping inches from me, he huffed and said sternly, “Either walk on the feet the Goddess has given you, or I will carry you like I did before.”

Swallowing uncomfortably, I growled that I would use my feet.

Gesturing for me to walk before him he explained that he would direct me on which way I was to go.

Being a lesser rank, I complied as I shuffled. I took the steps and started my ascent.

Reaching the main floor, I glanced around at the huge kitchen.

“Turn right,” Ramsey ordered.

Seeing it was a fully stocked pantry, I spied the servant stairs.

“Head up the staircase,” he said roughly.

“Does Alpha hide his sex slaves?” I questioned him.

“No, I am taking you this way so you're not interrogated by his favorite females. Their rooms are on the way to his, and I don't want to deal with them,” he asserted.

Finding that endearing oddly, I thanked him as I continued up the narrow steps.

Reaching the second floor, I paused, my nerves causing shivers up my spine since we were standing in the middle of a wide hallway.

Pointing towards the double doors at the very end of the hall, Ramsey growled, “Alpha's suite is through the double doors, so continue going that direction.

Swallowing the lump of unease, I started down the hall and heard an argument coming from one of the closed rooms. Ramsey grabbed my upper arm and dragged me quickly the remainder of the way.

Without knocking, he opened the door and yanked me within.

My eyes widened at the extravagant sitting area and the huge bed surrounded by full windows that had an amazing view of the mountains. The sun had set, and the rich reds and purples were painted in the sky.

The beauty of Alpenglow almost took my fear away.

At least it had until I heard a chain being dragged across the floor.

“Turn around,” Ramsey ordered, and after I did, he clasped the chain to my cuffs.

“Sit on the bed and Alpha will arrive shortly, when he gets finished with you I will take you back to your area below,” He explained as I looked at my hands and chewed on my bottom lip.

I watched the huge man leave me alone and exhaled deeply as I pulled the heavy chain further to the windows to seek solace in the stunning view.

Soon, the darkness began to creep through the bedroom suite, so I sat on the side of the huge bed facing the door as I waited for Camden to come.

Sitting in the dark was unnerving, but I sat up, hearing a woman's screeching and Camden's deep voice telling her to stop her childish tantrum.

One of the doors opened suddenly, and I shrank back, but narrowed my eyes at seeing Camden still arguing with a blonde-haired woman.

“But I love you, Camden, and I am your number one,” she whined.

“I have no love for you. You're just a hole to entertain my dick, now kindly fuck off,” he asserted.

The Alpha, done with her antics, shoved her back with his hand on her face and slammed the door closed.

The awful floral smell wafted to my nose and I began to sneeze.

With my cover blown in the shadows, Camden's bright golden yellow eyes fell on me.

“Oh you're here already,” he growled sourly.

He strode purposely toward me, and I scented the floral scent that was awful, but underneath it, a rustic scent of cedar hung tinge with alcohol which confused me.

“Stand Mira! I must inspect what my money has purchased,” he demanded with a sneer.

“My name is Lyric, Alpha,” I mumbled softly and watched his eyes narrow further.

“Like song words?!”

Nodding my head slowly I stood up on my shaky legs while he hovered over me.

Grasping my neck with his huge hand, I watched me closely and could smell the alcohol on his breath.

Sniffing me his eyes narrowed to slits before he shoved me back onto the bed.

“You smell different than my others,” he rushed out.

I remained tight-lipped as I heard him removing his clothes.

The door suddenly opened and the screeching started from who I presume was Jasmine. She ran into the room, and I looked at her, snarling at me with hate gleaming in her eyes.

“I'm going to kill you harlot!”

“The fuck you are! I paid three million for her, LEAVE ME or be sent to the packhouse,” Camden roared.

My fear rose as Luna also stood at the door shaking her head.

“Come sister, he will be finished soon and will return for you,” Stella asserted.

Begrudgingly, Jasmine stormed out of the room, and Camden grunted sourly as he stalked back to me on his bed.