Chapter 5

What followed next was a blur of sensations as hands, lips and skin all tangled up in a web of lust, heat and need, leaving Zara consumed and lost in the moment of forbidden desire.

They made love to her, passionate love that left her head reeling in ecstasy. Theodore was smooth and gentle, almost like he was worshipping her body.

He buried himself deep within her, feeling every curve in her body and sending sweet sensations running to her brain. She ached with the pleasure pulling him closer and almost melting into him. 

Then Xander took over and he did not carry the tenderness of his brother but rather he took her with a raw passionate hunger that had her quaking with pleasure.

Every stroke, every thrust was sure and true, as he filled her completely. 

The atmosphere was consumed by their passion, their body heat overpowering the entire room. Zara was almost mad with pleasure by the time they came to a thrilling climax. 

The sky was only starting to lighten, the cool air of the early morning coming through the window as Zara lay tangled in the sheets, her body sore and her mind a chaotic mess of emotions. 

Theodore had retreated into his usual coldness, though his eyes lingered on her with a strange look on his face.

Xander, ever the playful one, seemed indifferent as if the encounter had been nothing more than a passing indulgence. 

But Zara knew better, her actions had forever changed things between them all. 

Then Theodore broke the silence in one word sentence, “Get out!"

By noon, the story was everywhere around the pack house. Zara, the rejected mate of the Alpha's youngest son, Jackson, had been seen exiting the room of his older twin brothers. 

A servant who'd stolen into the kitchen for a quick snack had seen her exiting Theodore’s room, their scent and the smell of sex all over her body. 

The maid had quickly gone back to the servant quarters and spread the news. 

The gossip caught like wildfire and everyone was aware. Just as quickly as it spread, it also got to the attention of the Alpha king who erupted into a blinding rage. 

A meeting was immediately called for all pack members of the pack house, and Zara was summoned to stand before his judgement. 

At the meeting, almost all the pack members were present, their eyes fixed on Zara and the three brothers. Theodore remained calm and composed despite the hint of anger in his eyes. Xander was without a worry or care about the whole situation, in fact the whole thing seemed to amuse him.

It was Jackson who's fury was evident, anger and jealousy burned in his eyes and he couldn't do anything about it. 

Zara kept her eyes on him, a look of wicked satisfaction on her face. 

This was the exact look she was going for when she thought up her revenge plan. 

Let him get a small taste of his own medicine and see how it hurts, Zara snarked internally. 

But this wasn't how she'd planned for Jackson to know. She hadn't even planned for the whole pack to know. 

Now, those that knew of her mother's promiscuous habit would look at her with the same eye. Like mother like daughter.

It was like what they'd always whispered was coming to pass. 

A slight shiver of bitterness swept through Zara at the thought. 

How she'd avoided being labeled with the same brush as her mother, but here she was. 

“Zara Quinn!” The Alpha King's voice boomed with barely concealed disgust.

“You have brought shame upon this pack and upon my family. Do you want to cause a war between our two kingdoms, because that's what your petty scheme could cost us! You've forgotten your place and stepped beyond your boundaries. Banishing you would be too merciful for your actions, so I have made my decision.” he paused and looked around the hall, everyone held their breath awaiting his judgement. 

“You shall be demoted to the position of a maid for one year, and you shall perform hard labour without assistance for the duration of that time. Not just that, you will be treated as a pariah. No one in the pack must be seen interacting with you except to give you an order. Any who dares to go contrary to my judgement will have me to contend with.” And with that he stormed out of the hall.

A hush descended upon the entire hall as Zara stood frozen. 

For a judgment it wasn't so harsh. It was better than being killed or banished for what she'd done. 

The Alpha Twins weren't punished as they already explained to everyone that she'd been the one to come on to them.

Which was true, but it wasn't like they couldn't have said no. 

As she was being led out of the hall, she caught Jackson's eyes again. He wasn't so smug and was still definitely pained by the whole scenario. Satisfaction thrummed through Zara again. 

Later that evening as Zara was on her way to the Head maid to receive her duties, Jackson confronted her

“You bitch! You fucking whore…. How dare you do this to me, I'll end you!” Zara refused to give him a response, as she stared up at him blocking her way. 

Jackson was still ranting at her when Xander stepped in. “Would you leave her the bloody hell alone, runt, ” he said mockingly, a mischievous grin still on his face.

“Zara hasn't really done anything wrong you know, and from what I've heard you betrayed her first,” he added, laughing.

How had he heard about that, because Zara definitely didn't tell him. 

Was her mother telling stories again? Because her mother loved talking about her conquest whenever she took even a sip of alcohol. 

Zara could only feel sorry for Beta David. 

The good man certainly didn't deserve her mother, but he was blinded by new love and refused to see all her mother's glaring red signs. 

Jackson gritted his teeth in fury at his words “Stay out of this Xander, it's between Zara and I.” 

“I believe I heard father call her a maid didn't he?” Xander replied casually, “that means she belongs to everyone now and you'd better start getting used to it.” He added, his tone having a possessive tinge to it. 

As Zara watched the exchange unfolding before her, she could help but feel like her life was now completely shattered beyond belief. 

Maids weren't allowed the privilege given to the nobles. And one of such privileges was access to the dance studio and dance trainings. 

Dance was Zara's life, and that was what this punishment was stealing from her; her dream. 

Her way to leave under her mother, make it big, and fend for herself. 

The dream she'd had before she found herself mated to Jackson, and began preparing to be a mate worthy of him. 

One year. Just one year and things would go back to how they used to be. Or close to. 

One year and she'd be free to pursue her dream again. She just had to survive that one miserable year. 

Zara watched Xander smirk at Jackson, a strange look in his eyes as he threw a glance at her, and she could only wonder how bad it could all be, not knowing this was just the beginning.