CHAPTER FIVE

MADELINE'S POV

I was escorted to my room by the servant lady assigned to me by Alpha Konan. I sobbed all along the way and I contemplated how my life would take its course from henceforth. I got to the room and I was met with other servants who were all ready to assist in the preparation. With teary eyes and gloomy face, I took a look at them, hoping I would be noticed. They all went about their normal business, all behaving similar to a robot, as if I wasn't there, as if I never existed.

The new room was one thousand times better than the servant cubicle I resided in until now. It had all the necessary amenities to make life easy and comfortable. I was taken in for a hot bath which had fresh scented flowers to add its own unique fragrance. I had my legs shaved and my hair thoroughly washed. I was instructed to sit in front of the vanity mirror by the head servant lady in the room that she would be with me shortly.

Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I could see noticeable changes on my face. My once lean cheek bones were becoming chubby, my nose becoming bigger and my breasts becoming tender and fuller. I instinctively put my hands around my flat stomach to see if I could feel anything, and I did feel the pulse of the baby.

My make up was done, but you could tell from my eyes that I was gloomy and unhappy. I thought of Drey. How was he going to feel when he hears of my sudden pregnancy? I was filled and overwhelmed with guilt. There was nothing left to my non existent life and Alpha Konan was in full control of it.

I had never worn a dress so beautiful as this in my entire life. It was an emerald green open back gown that went well with the color of my eyes, my hair was packed in a messy updo with some of the curls cascading down my face, with a deep red lipstick that brought color to my small oval face. I couldn't help but admire myself in front of the mirror. I never knew I was this beautiful. I was so immersed in my own beauty until the presence of Alpha Konan was announced.

A cool chill ran down my spine. Why was he here to see me? I had still not gotten over his words of torture he pronounced to me earlier and he is here again. My head tried to process different reasons as to why he would come find me in the lady's quarters.

"Wow!!!, the ugly duckling have been successfully transformed to a swan. Can you all see that", he questioned the servants mockingly.

The servants, heads bowed all replied with a positive nod. Leave us, Alpha Konan instructed them all.

"Dan, get me the herbal tonic".

Dan entered the room and handed him the tonic.

"Drink!!!, he instructed, handing the china ware containing the tonic to me."This herbal tonic is paramount to the health of the child", he said. I was reluctant at first to take it, because I was reminded of the poison he gave me before. My wolf beckoned to me that it wasn't time to play the stubborn card and it was better I obeyed before complaining. I took the drink from him and gurgled down the bitter sweet tonic. I handed the plates back to him, but he crashed them right in front of me making me recoil in shock.

The shattering sound of the china ware echoed in the room. I took a look at the ground around me and pieces of the sharpnel was scattered everywhere around me. I took a look at him and all I could see was a scornful smile. If you haven't noticed, no one is ready to share anything with a piece of filth like you. This shattered plate is a reflection of what you worth. It is a clue for you to understand your place. And remember, be your best and stick to the arranged contract, his voice seething with hostility. I bit back the tears that threatened to rush from my eyes, but I was unable to control it. The tears came running like a river that over flooded its bank.

He stepped in closer to me and wiped the tears roughly smudging my make up in the process. He pulled me closer to him covering the little space between us and ran his finger all through the s-curve of my spine igniting a rather pleasurable feeling within me and I bit back my sob. I shriveled under his touch and he went further down until he touched the hem of my panties and gritted his teeth as if he was trying to hold back himself. Still in the state of agony, I could feel warm liquid gathering around my thighs. Why would my body betray me at a time like this?

A subtle knock on the door stopped Alpha Konan from proceeding and he was signalled it was time for the pack meeting. He stopped and increased the space between us, the sexual tension still evident.

"While in the pack meeting, deviate from answering any questions thrown at you. I will answer all of them on your behalf. Do not say a word until I signal you to do so. Remember your place.

"Redo your make up and meet me outside the room in two minutes. I, Alpha Konan does not take delight when he is kept waiting. I scrambled to the mirror and touched my make up destroyed by my tears and I met Alpha Konan outside the room, back rested on the wall and arms folded across his chest, the dim light in the hall way radiating his manly features.

We walked down the hall way leading to the great hall and I followed closely behind him. He stopped abruptly in his tracks, making me collide into his rock sturdy back. "What are you doing behind me bitch? Play your role well", he bellowed. Mates are supposed to walk side by side with each other. I stepped beside him and attached my small palms to his muscled biceps confidently. We approached the great hall and the huge doors opened up to meet well influential elders of the pack sitting around the hall waiting for the Alpha's order to commence the meeting.

Alpha Konan was greeted with a courtesy bow with a Welcome Alpha Konan resonating round the room in unison. Bemused, I darted my eyes across the room doing well to avoid eye contacts. Alpha Konan got to his seat and I got to seat beside him. Murmurs filled the air as everyone asked, "who is the girl with our alpha". Alpha Konan cleared his voice. "Esteemed elders, before the start of the meeting, I want to announce to you my mate and the carrier of my unborn child, the future Alpha of this pack", he turned to me smiling.

Everyone gasped in surprise and eyes widened among the pack elders. Everyone looked at me with skepticism. This was a delicate position I had found myself in and escaping from it was far from the truth. Tension stirred and was high up in the air which made me unknowingly and timidly cower in fear. Alpha Konan took my hands in his own large hands and caressed me soothingly. And in a way I regained confidence from his little rub action.

"Why wasn't she introduced during the mate selection ceremony", an irate elder asked. "If she wasn't introduced then that means she's fake and the baby may not be yours". I could see Alpha Konan's expressions doing a shifting dance. It was a canvas of emotions, from clenched jaws to wrinkled brows and eyes ablaze. He also squeezed the once caressed hands, almost crushing the bones underneath the skin.

"This is a blatant disregard for pack laws regarding mates. Our tradition are not supposed to be scoffed at", the irate elder continued with his face etched with scorn. The answer yes, yes from the elders occupied the air in the room. Despite the arrogance emanating from the irate elder's mouth, Alpha Konan kept mum. Alpha Konan smirked confidently and I knew from experience that Alpha Konan's signature smirk meant trouble and disaster.

"Silence!!!! he thundered. Who gave you all the notion that I would be confined by outdated traditions. Guards!!! take this infidel elder who has no control of his mouth and whip him twenty times, for challenging my authority as the alpha in a pack meeting, whip him another twenty, for lack of respect to my mate and unborn child, he won't be remitted his pay for the month. To hell with him guards", Alpha Konan pronounced, his voice sultry with authority and dominance.

The guards dragged the elder out of the great hall in the most humiliating way and a tense silence enveloped the room. It was evident he had just instilled fear in them. "This should sound as a note of warning to anyone who challenges my authority in any form", Alpha Konan retorted with a chilling calmness. I am willing to forgive you all for threatening to revolt against me. My choices are mine alone and no one challenges me and goes unscathed". Alpha Konan placed his hands on my lower back and guided me out of the great hall leaving Dan to continue and conclude the meeting.