Chapter 9

Saraphina POV 

As soon as Xavier left, I rushed out of my bed, or I tried to. The moment I forced myself to move, my body arched everywhere, even in places I didn't know were possible. However, I managed to get out of bed and slowly walked over to the mirror; my legs were trembling uncontrollably, and it was a miracle I was able to move. I felt destroyed, but in a good way. 

As I reached the mirror, I stared at my reflection through it, my hand going to the place Xavier’s fangs had somehow pierced. My eyes grew wide when I touched the liquid there—blood. My already racing heart increased, thumping loudly within my ribcage. Had Xavier almost marked me or did he just try to kill me?

I knew the first option didn't make sense though. A man like Xavier would never mark a worthless girl like me. Not in this lifetime or the next. So did he try to kill me? It also didn't make sense too. I didn't know how to explain it, but there was this look I caught in Xavier's eyes—possession, like he was acknowledging the fact that I was his possession, that he owned me and wouldn't let me go. Thinking about it, that was the whole point of the sex. He was punishing me for daring to kill myself, for thinking I could end my life when he didn't give me the right to. But if Xavier didn't want to mark me or kill me, what did he try to do to me?

Knowing I would never get an answer to the question, I walked away from the mirror and over to the bed. I was about to go back to sleep but on second thought, I decided to have my bath first. My body felt sticky and clammy. Plus, my sheet was wet and all that. I knew I needed to get them changed, but I didn't know where to get new sheets and I was scared to call for the omegas. I didn't want them to bully me. 

I entered the bathroom and damn, I wasn't sure I would be able to get used to how big and beautiful it looked. Xavier's pack was so much bigger than my previous pack.

Knowing I couldn't stand for too long, I decided to use the bathtub. I made a warm bath then soaked myself in it. Heavens above, it felt so good and I loved how the warm water slightly burned my vulva. I closed my eyes, allowing myself to actually enjoy the moment. My thoughts went back to what had happened before I got here, but I quickly brushed that off. I didn't want to cry. I didn't want to miss my lover and my other half. But one thought stayed. Would I meet them again, and if I do, what would our lives look like? 

I was done in less than an hour and I stepped out of the tub and walked into my room. I was surprised to see that the sheets had been changed and that food had been brought to me. “I thought the omegas hated me?” I thought to myself as I walked over to the bed. I touched the sheet. It was soft. Normal. I had almost expected that it would start itching me or something, but nothing happened. 

I looked at the covered food and my stomach rumbled loudly. I had almost forgotten that I hadn't eaten yet. I took in a deep sigh, bracing myself for what was to come. Could they have brought in dead flies, rats, or even snakes? 

I could have just sent the plate back, but I was curious and too hungry not to have a look, hoping that I would have something to eat. With one eye closed and my breath held, I slowly removed the lid and to my shock, there was actual food. I smiled, my heart pumping with excitement. But the smile quickly faded as a certain thought crossed my mind. What if they had poisoned the food? 

I covered the food, deciding that it would be best not to eat. But I couldn't stop thinking about the food as I got dressed. It looked nice and it was one of my favorites. Meatball pasta. “But they wouldn't dare kill the Alpha's breeder right?” I thought, trying to flush off the thought of dying by poison. 

My stomach rumbled again, louder this time, like a heavy storm in the dark. I winced; it was starting to hurt. Plus, the scent was getting stronger. I couldn't hold it anymore, and in the end, I ate the food, all of it; there was nothing left by the time I was done. If I could ask for more, I would have but I didn't want to piss off the omegas. 

Almost immediately, I heard a knock and an omega stepped in. She narrowed her eyes at me, staring down at me with so much hatred. “Filthy thing.” She cursed as she carried the plate away from me. 

I sighed. But I didn't say a word to her. I guess I had to get used to all of these until I could bear a pup for the Alpha. I got into bed to sleep when I was sure my food had digested. I hadn't even closed my eyes when a knock came in. 

“Please come in,” I said, noticing that the person was hesitating to come in. Then, a handsome young man stepped in. 

“Hello, Saraphina. I am Drako, the Alpha's Beta. Please come with me.” His voice was grim, and his expression was unreadable. 

“Is there a problem?” I asked, my tone so low I almost didn't hear myself. I was already starting to panic. Why would the beta need me? 

“There's no problem. Please, come with me.” 

I hesitated but I rose from the bed and started to follow behind him. I was shocked when he took me outside to the garden, but I was more surprised to see all the omegas who had been mean to me earlier standing in a straight line. They were trembling with fear and it made me wonder what was going on. Had I gotten in trouble, too? 

However, to my greatest shock, I heard the Beta say. “Saraphina, the Alpha has ordered that you slap all of them in the face. Failure to do it correctly will lead to punishment.”

“What?!”