Chapter 4

My heart was beating so violently in my chest, my hands clenched tightly beside me, my palms clammy with sweat.

I told myself I was going to be strong, but my anxiety was getting the best of me.

You couldn't blame me. It felt like I was being taken for execution.

I followed quietly behind the mistress, eyes scanning the dark hallway like I expected something to jump out and attack or something.

The place was so damn quiet, it felt like even the walls were holding their breath—like even the air had suddenly stopped.

The sound of our footsteps echoed, making my heart beat even faster.

I was being led to the King's chamber, a place I might likely never return from. But I refuse to let that be my fate. I refuse to be one of the many women who won't make it out of his bed.

One way or the other I was going to make it out alive. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know what I was going to say or do for the King not to want to touch me.

But I had to figure out something. I couldn't die, I had a whole world ahead of me.

I had a lot of things to achieve and none of them would be possible if I die tonight.

I released a breath through my mouth to ease the anxiety curling deep inside me.

Rosella said he’d be too disgusted to touch me because of how ugly I looked. Of all the times I’ve been called ugly, this is the one time I hope it’s true. I hope the king looks at me and feels nothing but disgust—enough to send me away. And then maybe… maybe I’ll finally have a chance to escape this place.

I couldn't surrender to this fate. I couldn't surrender to death.

The mistress took another turn entering a different hallway and I followed.

There were several guards lined up, and I knew we were getting closer to the king’s room—closer to my fate.

The guards' faces were expressionless, looking so cold like they killed for fun and I bet they did.

We were still walking when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

A tall man with brown hair was walking towards us and if I thought the guards face looked cold his was another story entirely.

He looked like the only thing that made him smile was the beating of his enemy's heart in his hand.

But he was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen. He was muscular, with arms that look like he'd break your neck without breaking a sweat. The way he walked was majestic, like even the ground was scared of him.

He screamed power and authority.

The mistress stopped and I did the same.

Does this mean she doesn't continue from here? Does this mean they'll take me from here to the Alpha King?

He stopped in front of us and the mistress bowed. I didn't need anyone to tell me I had to do the same.

“Beta Lucien," she greeted,

Oh, he must be the King's second in command. The man who is also rumored to be just as cold and merciless as the King.

The man didn't respond, his eyes just narrowed to me as he studied me like he was looking for something.

I clenched my hands tightly to avoid them from shaking, because of the intensity of his gaze.

“She came with the new set of omegas, I was just bringing her to the king's room." The mistress explained,

“There will be no need for that,"

Did I hear him correctly? Does this mean I won't be taken to the King? I blinked in confusion and I couldn't help myself when I looked up at him and our eyes met briefly and I quickly looked down.

We were warned not to make eye contact and I just broke that rule.

Will he kill me now?

“What do you mean, Beta Lucien?” The mistress asked in confusion.

“The King has commanded that he doesn't want to see any other woman in his room…” he paused and I could feel his gaze cut through me. "Or he might kill her before his bed does.”

Without another word, the man turned and walked away.

There was silence for a moment and I just stood there waiting for the mistress's order.

“Well, I must say you're lucky. But well, the inevitable will still happen." She said like she has done this a thousand times.

“Come with me," she commanded and I followed her back the same way we came.

Does this mean that I wouldn't see the King tonight?

The realization of what just happened finally dawned on me.

I was supposed to see the king tonight but then he said he didn't want to see any other woman tonight.

This could be a sign. This could mean that I could find a way to escape.

I don't know when they'd take me to see him again but I survived tonight.

The mistress stopped in front of a door and pushed it open and then she looked at me.

“This is the quarters you'll be staying with the others. You'll be told what to do until the day the King decides he wants to see another woman, then you'll be called.”

I nodded and then she gave me a look I didn't quite understand before walking away.

I took a deep breath before stepping into the room.

There were several women, I recognized some from my pack and others I didn't but I knew they were from other packs.

The room was big, there were several bunk beds. A nice bed to sleep till you wait for your turn to die. I thought to myself.

I quietly walked to an empty bed in the lower bunker and climbed on it.

My eyes found a girl in the corner of the room who was visibly shaking because we all knew what we were brought here for.

To die or heal the King's curse.

I backed away from everyone as I brought the blanket to my chin.

I just had to wait for everyone to fall asleep.

I didn't survive tonight to wait to be a sacrifice tomorrow.

I had to escape and I had to do it—

Tonight.