MARKED BY THE KING

The atmosphere felt intense, almost overwhelming. His soft lips lingered on mine, moving gently yet insistently. The way he held my waist was intoxicating, as though he had waited a lifetime for this moment, knowing exactly where and how to touch me. My heart raced wildly, so fast I was sure he could hear it—after all, he was the Alpha, so how could he not? He didn’t spare my neck or cheeks, showering them with kisses that sent delightful shivers through me.

My hands trembled with pleasure, it felt like a rush through me. I cupped my both hands around him, but while I tried to free myself a little from the pleasurable moment, my hands mistakenly pulled the towel he tied round his waist. He was completely naked. He held my neck tightly, more like choking me, while kissing my face, he reaped my clothes and my undies off, tossing it on the floor beside his bed. I was completely naked Just like him. I could feel his dick dangling hard around my clitoris, the way he pulled me closer and closer to him, felt safe. He carried me up, my legs clunging to his waist, as he dropped me gently on the bed. He sucked my nipples so hard like he's life depended on it. My leg trembled, shaking like a four years old who's gotten herself in trouble.

“You’re so sweet,” he murmured, kissing my face. “I’ve never felt this hard before,” he added, his hands still caressing my skin.

My heart raced uncontrollably.

“I have done this before,” I whispered into his ear, my voice trembling. He lifted his head slightly, studying my face as though trying to tell if I was lying.

“I’m still a virgin,” I confessed, locking my eyes with his.

He froze for a moment, still hovering above me. Then he asked softly, “Do you want me to stop?” His voice was deep and intoxicating, sending a fresh wave of heat through my body.

I shook my head. “No,” I replied quietly.

“Are you sure?” he pressed. “Because once I go in, you’ll belong to me forever. No one else will be allowed to touch you. Do you still want this?” King Benjamin asked. His words pierced straight through me. I wondered what he meant by forever, but my thoughts were a blur. My body yearned for him, even as he continued to watch me closely. I couldn’t bring myself to meet his gaze anymore—I felt shy, exposed.

“I’m sure,” I said at last.

He resumed the foreplay, and my desire grew stronger, impossible to restrain. This was meant to be the intimacy Ethan and I shared on our wedding night. Instead, I was here—with the one man I was supposed to be taking revenge on.

After a few hours of making love, I noticed he released inside me. At the time, I didn’t see it as something to worry about—at least, not yet. I returned to my duties, but my mind refused to focus. My thoughts were consumed by King Benjamin—the way he touched me, the way his voice lingered in my head as he whispered how much he loved the sound of my moans. A small smile curved my lips without my realizing it.

That was when I noticed Madam Laura striding toward me.

“Where were you this morning?” she demanded. Her voice was sharp and condescending, sending a ripple of fear through the other maids.

“What do you mean, ma’am?” I asked, feigning ignorance.

Everyone froze, their attention fixed on the exchange between Madam Laura and me.

“I didn’t tell you to stop working!” she snapped at them. Then she turned back to me. “Come with me, Naya,” she ordered.

Unease settled in my stomach as I followed behind her, unsure of what punishment awaited me.

We walked for several minutes, winding through the vast palace corridors. The place was so enormous it felt endless. Eventually, we reached a secluded building—one reserved for older women who served as slaves. It was said these women could no longer shift, and so they were isolated to prevent their weakened aura from affecting the others.

“From now on, you will remain here with these women and carry out every chore assigned to you. Is that clear?” Madam Laura commanded.

Tears streamed down my face. Summoning what little courage I had left, I asked, “Why? What is my offense, ma’am?”

She looked at me with pure disgust, spat on the floor, and replied coldly, “Orders from the king.”

My head spun. What was she talking about? The world seemed to close in on me. King Benjamin did this? I asked myself, refusing to believe her words—not after everything he had whispered to me while making love. My vision blurred with tears as my knees gave way. I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably.

“Not everything is worth crying over,” one of the older women said gently, trying to console me. “And you shouldn’t believe everything that woman says.” She paused before adding, “Only those who haven’t shifted are brought here.”

I looked at her through my tears, my body trembling. I stayed there on the cold floor until midnight, regret weighing heavily on my heart. I cursed myself for allowing the king to take my virginity. Perhaps that was all he had wanted from me.

When evening came, I forced myself to stand and join the older women. I tried to push the pain aside, refusing—like the old woman had said—to fully believe Madam Laura. I buried myself in work, clinging to the hope that the king would appear, apologize, and explain everything. After all, he had called me sweet.

But days turned into weeks, weeks into months—and I never saw him again. Slowly, painfully, I accepted my fate. I finally believed Madam Laura.

One fateful afternoon, while I was sweeping the barn, King Benjamin arrived with his guards, seemingly inspecting the buildings. The moment I saw him, I turned my back at once. Anger surged through me, burning in every part of my body. I moved farther away, hoping he wouldn’t recognize me.

“Naya?” he called.

I pretended not to hear, scraping my rake harder against the floor to drown out his voice. Then I felt it—a presence behind me. I turned slowly and found the king standing just inches away. A shiver ran through me.

“Good day, my king,” I greeted reluctantly, hoping he wouldn’t sense my indifference.

“Good day?” he thundered.

His eyes burned with fury, like raging fire. Why is he angry? I wondered. If anyone should be angry, it should be me.

“After everything we shared, you ran away—”

“Ran away?” I cut in sharply.

“I sent my guards to search for you for three days,” he continued. “If you didn’t want what we shared, why didn’t you just say so—”

“You condemned me to this life,” I cried. “You ordered that I be sent here. I didn’t run away!”

“What?” King Benjamin gasped, his mouth falling open. “I swear on everything I have—I never gave that order.”

“It’s easy for you to deny it—”

“I am your king, I rule everyone here” he interrupted firmly. “The Alpha of the Moon Pack. I fear no one, and I have no reason to lie.”

I swallowed hard. “What happened that morning shouldn’t have happened, my king. I’m only a slave. I understand if you never wanted to see me again.”

I bowed my head, then turned and walked away, leaving him standing there in silence.