Chapter 5

SERENA’S POV

The door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone in the silence. Tears welled up in my eyes, I felt utterly powerless, trapped in a cage.

I couldn’t let Derek break me. I would survive. And when I turned twenty, when I unlocked the secrets of the box, I would find a way to my freedom. A way to avenge my parents and escape the clutches of this monstrous man.

It was a long shot, a desperate hope, but it was all I had. Until then, I would play the part of the meek servant, bide my time, and wait for my chance.

I straightened the simple dress one last time, forcing myself to take a deep breath. Tears had left their mark on my cheeks, but I quickly wiped them away.

Stepping out of the room, I made my way towards the conference room. My heart pounded as I walked only because I wanted to meet King Ardan with utmost composure.

As I entered, my gaze met Ardan. He stood by the window with his back to me. He turned upon hearing the door open, wearing an indifferent look on his face. "Ready?" he asked curtly.

I nodded silently, unsure of what else to say. There was no warmth in his eyes, no ounce protectiveness he had displayed earlier.

“Good," he said curtly. "The banquet starts soon. And I'll be taking you home with me after that."

My heart skipped. "Taking me home with you?" I stammered. "But... why?"

“That's not a question you need to ask," he stated. "You should know by now that my decisions are not to be questioned."

He paused. "Besides," he continued, "you did quite well rejecting Derek in front of everyone. You were almost eager to, weren’t you?"

I opened my mouth to speak, to plead my case, but before I could utter a word, the door opened. It was Cora.

“The banquet is about to start, Your Majesty," she said, before glancing at me spitefully.

Ardan gave a curt nod, completely ignoring my attempt to speak. He turned and headed towards the door. “Lead the way, then," he commanded.

There was nothing left for me to do but follow. What had I gotten myself into? Ardan's offer of protection was confusing, to say the least.

Was it genuine concern, or was there something else at play? What did Ardan have planned out for me?

At the banquet, all I could think about was the uncertainty of my future. I moved through the banquet like a ghost and when it was finally time to leave, fright gripped me.

Ardan offered no explanation, no reassurance, as he ushered me out of the hall and into a waiting car.

He gestured for me to enter. Then, I climbed into the backseat. Ardan slid in afterwards and slammed the door shut. The car was as silent as a graveyard. I stole a glance at Ardan through the mirror in front, and all I could see was the disgust he had for me in his eyes.

Even without Derek's earlier warning ringing in my ears, I knew that exposing Derek's brutality might not earn me any favors, instead it might increase the disgust Ardan already has for me.

I gulped hard. It seemed the safest course of action was silence.

We sped throughout the night for hours. Finally, the car slowed down and he stopped the car at a grand entrance. We were here; The Lycan King’s Pack House.

Ardan got down from the car and stood beside it. He offered no assistance as I emerged out of the car. We walked together, in silence. As we walked, groups of wolves couldn’t help but stare. Their widening at the sight.

“Alpha Ardan," a young man stepped forward.

“Thorne, this is Serena," Ardan replied curtly. "She will be staying here with is."

The man, who I assumed was Ardan's beta by the deference in his posture, raised an eyebrow. "Here, at the pack house, Alpha?”

"Apologies, Alpha," he stammered, "but rumors have been swirling… is she… is she your mate?"

"Absolutely not," he said with disdain. "She's nothing more than a slave I acquired. Find her a modest room – she'll continue serving here."

Thorne was disappointed, but he quickly masked it with a respectful nod. "As you command, Alpha." He turned towards me. "Follow me, Serena. I'll show you to your quarters."

I was assigned a modest, furnished room. My duties were minimal, mostly helping with small tasks in the kitchen and tending to the gardens.

One night, during a full moon, I heard noises outside. Unable to ignore the unsettling feeling, I crept out of bed, drawn towards the source of the noise.

I tiptoed down the quiet hallways. As I neared the large doors leading to the exterior courtyard, I heard a low growl.

I began to panic, I wanted to turn back, but curiosity pushed me forward. As I strained to hear the source of the sound, it came again, closer this time, accompanied by the padding of powerful paws.

I spun around, looking for a weapon, anything to defend myself. But outside was empty. Just as I began to breathe hard and accept my fate, a massive wolf stood over me.

I was paralyzed with fear. I had never experienced anything like this under Derek’s cruelty. I was rooted to the spot, I cried and begged for mercy but the wolf didn’t listen and there was no one to hear me, no one to save me.

The wolf began to rip my clothes off me until I was completely naked. Then, the most absurd thing happened.

“Open your legs,” the wolf commanded me.

I had to comply, for the sake of my life. I opened my legs until he could see every corner. I was scared, panting as he took in the sight of my vagina.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any more shocking, the wolf shifted. It was…. Ardan?