Chapter Nine

Ava

We were. lead into what seemed like a banquet hall, with people dressed in various styles filling it up to the rafters. It was dark outside as far as I could see, but the room was decorated with lights that flickered and buzzed from the inside out. The king was seated on his throne and his guests began to cheer him when we walked in.

I wanted to be somewhere else, anywhere else. I didn't even mind being under Aunt Portia’s roof and receiving punishment, anywhere but here.

When the king rose up, the cheering died down to whispers of awe and respect. He looked at us for a moment and then said in a voice like thunder, “I decided to throw this feast to celebrate the Alpha of the neighboring pack, Alpha Dean, who recently won a battle against the crystal pack. Before we go on with the feast, I'd like him to pick any slave girl of his choice” The King motioned to the blonde haired man who moved forward, looking at each girl as if we were commodities.

When he stopped in front of me, something caught my attention. I don't know if it was his green eyes but it made my skin crawl with discomfort and it made me want to hide and never come out.Maybe it was the scar than ran generously from the left side of his cheek down to his neck or the creepy smile on his face when he said “Who are you?” He mumbled nonchalantly before walking past me and coming back to stand in front of me.

“I want this one, my dear friend,” Alpha Dean said to the king. He was pointing at me and my heart skipped.

The king looked at me for a while, his face held no expression at all and I felt uncomfortable under the intense stare. Suddenly, he let out a snort of laughter. It sounded like a bellow of laughter from a demon. I looked away.

When I looked up to the king again, the man whom I now knew as Beta was whispering something into his ear.

The King cleared his throat “You can't have her. Pick another one”

“Maybe we will fight for her, the strongest man wins. Me and one of your guards” The green-eyed man spoke.

The Beta still whispered something to the king. The atmosphere felt tense after a while. The king said, “Challenge accepted.”

This Alpha man had a cocky smile that irritated me.

I could feel a lot of eyes on me when a guard was chosen. I could hear the whispers.

In the next few minutes, the men wrestled. My heart kept fluttering weirdly. I wanted the guard to win. I didn't want to follow the blonde-haired Alpha. But as I continued to watch, I saw the guard being thrown to the hard ground. The Alpha smirked while some men on the other side cheered loudly and shouted things in a strange at the top of their lungs.

I couldn't explain how the guard got thrown, both fighters were shocked as well.

The room fell silent, all eyes fell on the king.

“You will have her” He announced but his voice sounded strained. His judgment broke my heart and I lowered my head, feeling the rush of tears.

After the feast, I was tied and taken to a different room, just as instructed by the King. I struggled against the ropes binding my wrists but to no avail. Suddenly I felt the presence of my wolf. I hadn't felt her since my last ordeal when I felt the mate bond with the ruthless Lycan King.

With her strength, I was able to cut myself free in less than ten seconds. I got off the bed, searching for the nearest exit.

“Going somewhere?” I heard Alpha Dean’s voice from behind me.

“No, I was just looking around” I lied and I knew he could tell that I was lying.

He reached for me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing my neck softly.

“No, let me go!” I fought back.

“Don't be a fool” I knew he meant business and I would be damned if he hurt me, so I began struggling to get free. Alpha Dean laughed as he pulled me closer.

“Look at that pretty face. No one could resist me. I love it better when they are feisty just like you”

I spat on his face and he slapped me hard across the cheek. I stumbled and hit the wall, when he tried to pull me up, I kicked him right in the balls.

He collapsed to the ground wailing in pain. Just at that very moment, the door slammed open.

Standing there was the King and his Beta. I froze as they stared at the groaning man in front of them and back to me.

I fell to my knees immediately. “Please, Sirs I didn't mean to… he tried to… please don't kill me” I pleaded. A tear escaped my eye but I blinked it away quickly, not wanting to embarrass myself anymore.

“Don't listen to the bitch” The groaning man was on his feet now , anger trickling down his face.

I whimpered pitifully, shaking my head violently “No, please! I’ll do whatever you ask”

“Shut it!” The King raised his hand in a threatening gesture towards me. “Go ahead and have her” He told the Alpha.

When the Alpha bent to grab me, the King struck him with lightning speed before he could and his body fell to the floor.

For a moment, I was speechless. I turned to look at the King who was looking at the Alpha's figure with contempt.

“Take the girl away, Silas, hide her” He ordered the beta in his deep voice.

My stomach sank.

“What will he do when he wakes up, your majesty?” Beta Silas asked as he lifted me up easily. I was too stunned to struggle or say anything. I simply allowed him.

“Leave that to me.”