~five~

Soraya's POV.

 

“Should I bathe you?"

 

I blinked at him. What? My heart skipped, heat rushing to my face. “What?” I whispered, my eyes widening. Did I hear him right?

 

His expression didn’t change, not even a flicker of humor or shame in his eyes. “I asked a simple question. You don’t want the maids to bathe you, so should I do it?”

 

I shook my head furiously. “No! How dare you say that to me? Why would you want to bathe me?”

 

“Why can’t I?” he countered instantly, his piercing gaze never leaving mine.

 

I felt my throat go dry. “What? You think I’m cheap, that I’ll let you see me naked just like that?” My words cracked.

 

Darius’s eyes narrowed. He turned briefly to the maids hovering at the corner. “Go outside. I’ll call you back when I’m ready.”

 

The girls bowed quickly and left, the door clicking shut behind them.

 

His gaze returned to me. “Really? You can’t let me see your nakedness? Aren’t you the one who works at a brothel?”

 

My breath hitched. His words stung deeper than I expected. “What does that even mean?” I spat, though my voice wavered.

 

“Shhh, you will comply with them." he said flatly. "You will bathe, you will get dressed, and then you will come downstairs and have dinner.”

 

I glared back at him. “I’m not having—”

 

“Shhh!” His sudden interruption cut me off again. “Don’t interrupt me.”

 

His voice dropped. “If you choose not to comply with them, I will bundle you, take you to the bathroom, and bathe you myself.”

 

My face burned hot with shame and fury, but I couldn’t bring myself to say another word.

 

And just like that, he turned and walked away.

 

Shortly after, the maids came back into the room. Their heads were bowed, as though they knew exactly what kind of man they served.

 

I glared at them, but kept my mouth shut. That man didn't look like he was joking at all.

 

The maids moved toward me, gently tugging the blanket from my body. I hissed under my breath but didn’t resist, watching them nervously.

 

They gestured toward the bathroom, and I followed, my heart pounding in my chest.

 

The moment we stepped inside, my eyes darted around the space. It was pristine, gleaming like something out of a dream. 

 

The white marble floors, the glistening showers, the wide bathtub, the golden faucets… it all looked heavenly. I could literally live in this bathroom.

 

One of the maids reached for my hand, guiding me forward.

 

I pulled back slightly, frowning. “Can’t I just… bathe myself?”

 

Both of them lowered their eyes. “We’re sorry, miss. The master instructed us to bathe you.” One of them said softly.

 

I rolled my eyes but said nothing more. My throat felt tight, but I didn’t want to test that arrogant man's patience again.

 

Slowly, I removed the blanket, my fingers trembling as I peeled away the layers of my clothes. 

 

I slipped into the bathtub, the water already warm, steam curling around me. The heat seeped into my skin, loosening muscles I hadn't even realized were tense.

 

One of the maids moved behind me, her fingers lightly grazing my scalp as she began washing my hair. The other ran a soft sponge across my skin, her touch surprisingly gentle.

 

And damn it… I hated to admit it but it felt good.

 

But I couldn’t let myself relax. They were werewolves, every last one of them were creatures with fangs, claws, and strength I couldn’t match.

 

Could I really feel safe here?

 

My chest tightened, and I sank lower into the water, my eyes darting to the shimmering faucet.

 

Why me? Why did this man just buy me like that?

 

I was just one simple, ordinary girl.

 

And yet… he’d spent two million dollars to get me.

 

I shivered despite the warm water.

 

The maid’s hands moved gently over my skin, the sponge gliding in warm circles. I stiffened at the touch, confused by the strange tenderness.

 

“All done,” one of the maids announced softly, stepping back.

 

The younger looking maid of the two, gave a nervous smile. “I… I don’t really know how to bathe someone in a bathtub. That’s all I can manage. I'm still new .”

 

I let out a quiet breath, gripping the edge of the tub before finally stepping out. The warm water clung to my skin as the maids wrapped me in a thick towel and guided me back into the bedroom.

 

“We've laid out a dress for you already. If you don't like it Miss, we can get a different one.” One of the maids said softly.

 

I paused, staring at the long, pink off-shoulder dress lying on the bed.

 

My mind spun wildly. I was supposed to be lying in that filthy brothel bed right now, being fucked against my will. 

 

But here I was instead, being treated like royalty by werewolves. Monsters. 

 

I froze, clutching the towel tighter against myself.

 

Wordlessly, I picked up the dress and changed into it. The silk felt so soft on my skin. I had never worn anything other than rags or second-hand fabrics before.

 

The maids guided me toward the dressing table. One of them ran a comb through my damp hair while the other blow-dried it, the warm air rushing across my scalp. 

 

I closed my eyes briefly, overwhelmed by how new all of it felt.

 

“How would you like to style your hair?” One of them asked.

 

I opened my eyes, meeting their reflection in the mirror. My lips pressed into a thin line. “Just leave it. Thank you.”

 

The maid nodded and set the brush down.

 

I studied my reflection for the first time, barely recognizing the girl in the mirror—the same orphan who was supposed to have been ruined by now. 

 

But here I was, dressed like something out of a dream, though the nightmare of reality still lingered at the back of my mind.

 

“Okay, dinner is ready,” one of the maids said softly. “They’re waiting for you at the table.”

 

I shook my head. “I’m not hungry,” I lied. It was a big lie. My stomach growled quietly. I was so hungry, I could have eaten an entire cow. But eating… with werewolves? No way.

 

The maid looked at me, her eyes gentle. “I know this is all new to you. But you don’t want to make the Alpha mad. Please… just go downstairs and have dinner.”

 

I hesitated. They seemed so timid, almost afraid. Would they get punished because of me? The thought puffed up in my chest.

 

“Fine.”

 

I rose, smoothing down the pink dress that still felt foreign on my skin. The maids guided me down the stairs. 

 

We passed huge walls, antiques and stairs.

 

Finally, we arrived at a huge dining hall. My eyes widened as they swept across the room—the sheer size, the ornate chandeliers, the polished floors.

 

My gaze fell on the people seated at the table.

 

There was a man I recognized, the one who had greeted Darius when he was carrying me here.

 

A lady who seemed to be in her late forties and two other people. They were both girls and seemed to be around my age.

 

My stomach twisted.

 

Then Darius’s gaze fell on me.

 

“Have a seat.” he said, looking at me.

 

I froze under his scrutiny. The room went quiet, all eyes were now on me.

 

The maids still standing behind me, gently nudged at me to go seat.

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I moved to pull out one the seats and sit down.

 

“Isn't this girl the whore Darius brought home? Why is she having dinner with us.” One of the girls spat, before I could even sit down.