CHAPTER 5

The journey spanned about three days, and I slept most of it away.

For some reason, as hard as his body looked, it was really comfortable and despite his grunts and mutters of complaints, he kept me steady so that I didn't fall.

At some point I feared we were going off the edge of the planet or something as every time I opened my eyes, it was just another view of forests, plain landscapes, or deep snow that the wolves struggled to run through.

I barely saw them anyway, my new master was ahead of everyone and thundered through everything aggressively.

It was in the snow that I realised why he'd insisted on my having his coat.

I would have frozen to death in my father's coat.

When I saw the spread of brick houses that spanned as far as my eyes could see, I thought we were stopping by a large market, one of the ones the Beta and Delta families usually went to trade for the Pack and came back with high tales.

But as we got closer, I saw an inscription across a haphazardly constructed gate that did almost nothing to keep anyone out.

Iron Claw Pack.

Several human skulls hung by the side, sending shivers down my spine but I focused on the gate, nowhere else to avoid a scream escaping my throat.

Before it could click in my head, a loud noise erupted from the middle of the Pack and along with the noise came people rushing towards the entrance, all yelling and cheering Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!

I was stunned.

The broody, rude and beastly male suddenly began smiling, waving at his people and slowing down to touch the cheeks of babies.

What the actual hell?

Everyone acted like there was a little bunny in front of their Alpha, sending me weird smiles that only lasted half a second before shifting back to him.

No hostilities, just mild interest.

Maybe he'd said something to them in the mind link and being the beast that he is, they all obeyed.

I could see it, underneath all that excitement, they feared him too. Just like knowing a sword could cut you in half but you are happy to be in possession of it and not be at the sharp end of it.

The Pack was beautiful, large and nothing like the Greyhound Pack.

Their buildings were taller, they had more than two Pack houses as we had, I counted four before the horse cornered to the left of a paved street and I saw a duplex that I assumed belonged to the Alpha due to the three heads of beasts that were mounted in front of it.

He led the horse to a pen around back and jumped down and then used one hand to drop me on the ground.

“Gertrude!” His voice boomed while he walked out.

I raced after his very long strides, anger, fear and tiredness warring in my chest.

“Alpha, you're welcome!” An older woman ran out of the house, an Apron tied around her and flour dust on her hands.

“Take this woman to my room.”

“Your room?” I asked before I could stop myself.

He turned around, looking at me as though saying ‘Are you really asking me such a stupid question?’

“How do you plan on doing your job from another room, woman?”

“My.. my job?”

He folded his hand across his chest and levelled me with a furrowed eyebrow.

“Yes. Or have you forgotten why you're here? I don't remember telling your father I needed a new Pack member. He threw you at me for a job. One which requires you to be in my room, so get going.”

“But… but do we have to start… tonight?”

He sighed and walked away, irritated.

I followed him, my steps shaky from fear.

“This way child,” the lady called for me.

That redirected my steps towards the door with the small bundle I'd travelled with.

The Beast went out, and we went inside.

***

After being washed clean, yes, she insisted on bathing me herself despite my protests, I was wrapped in a sheer nightdress that made me feel… sexy.

I hated that.

Hated that I was being prepared like an object for the palatable consumption of someone so beastly and horrendous.

He might be beautiful and manly in a way that made zero sense considering how much death he caused, but I couldn't see past the fact that he agreed to this.

That tonight he'll take my virginity no matter how much I cry and put his beastly seed inside me and I'll be nothing more than a container for his child to feed from.

Was I cursed to live in hate?

Hated for being born, hating the first being that will come from me?

Gertrude as she insisted on being called guided me to the bed and began giving me unwanted advice.

“He hasn't taken a woman to bed in five years so it won't take too much for you to get pregnant so don't worry too much. Relax your mind and body so it'll be painless for you. I've put some herbs in the tea that'll help –”

“I really want to sleep now before he comes, is that okay with you?” I cut her off with a fake smile plastered on my face.

If I hear one more word telling me what to do to prepare to be forcefully mounted like a broodmare, I'll commit murder.

“Alright then. I'll see you in the morning.”

I wasn't completely lying, I was so tired from all the riding and the long journey.

Despite the fact that I slept most of the time away, I still felt weak, my wolf hadn't even done more than turn around to keep sleeping so I wanted to sleep.

If he wanted a child so badly, he would wake me up.

So I curled up on the inside of the large bed, close to the wall and slept off.

***

“Wake up child,” Gertrude's voice woke me up, “you need to take herbs this morning to make sure the child stays.”

She was by the door, peering in.

“What child?” I asked, scrubbing my eyes.

“He didn't…”

That's when I realised it.

The beast slept here, his scent coated the sheets, but he didn't wake me up.

Hmm.. maybe there was a hint of humanity in him afterall.