Chapter 2. Give me time master

The journey to the Lycan King’s home was filled with silence, and it was already getting worse by the second.

I sat in the back of the sleek black car, wedged between two of Asher’s men. Their presence was intimidating, their stone-cold faces offering no single ounce of comfort.

For my betrayal.

Who would care even? I was a nobody, and a nobody that would soon become a surrogate and then be dumped afterwards.

Through the tinted windows, I could barely make out the world passing by, the scenery growing darker and wilder the farther we drove.

It was as if we were leaving civilization behind and entering some forbidden, untouched land.

My heart pounded in my chest, each thump echoing louder in the silence. I clutched my bag tightly in my lap.

I didn’t dare ask questions.

My parents’ betrayal hung heavy on me. They had sold me—handed me over like I was nothing. Their own flesh and blood, treated like a money to settle their debts.

I swallowed hard, fighting the tears that threatened to fall again.

“Miss Woods,” Asher’s voice broke the silence, sharp and commanding.

“I suggest you prepare yourself. The King is not a patient man, nor is he forgiving of petty behaviours.”

I turned to glare at him, but the warning in his golden eyes made me quickly avert my gaze.

Prepare myself? For what exactly?

The thought of meeting the Lycan King made my stomach churn.

A man so powerful that even my father—who always thought himself untouchable—had bowed to his will.

What did he want with me?

Would it be the surrogacy that I read about, or the type he alphas I heard about usually do.

I didn’t want to know.

I tried to focus on anything else, but my mind kept drifting back to that box in the basement.

What was inside?

Why had my mother been so nervous, so protective of it?

It had my name on it, bold and unmistakable, as if it had been waiting for me all this time.

And yet, she wouldn’t let me near it.

The memory of her fearful expression sent a shiver down my spine.

Whatever was inside that box, it had to be important.

But now I will never know.

The car suddenly slowed, jolting me from my thoughts.

My eyes snapped to the window, and my breath caught in my throat.

We were approaching a massive gate, created with iron with the Lycan logo.

A large jaw, and his something I couldn't quite understand scribbled there.

Beyond the gate, a sprawling estate loomed, shrouded in mist and shadow.

The mansion at its center was both beautiful and terrifying, with statues of gargoyle perched at the top.

I felt a wave of dread wash over me as the gates creaked open, the sound was a warning.

Telling me not to continue, even my wolf was dormant, she had always been. I couldn't blame her.

As the car rolled forward, my hands tightened around my bag.

This was it.

There was no turning back now.

The car came to a stop in front of the mansion’s grand entrance. Asher’s men stepped out first, one of them opened my door.

I hesitated and refused to move, but…

“Get out,” Asher ordered, he seemed very angry, or perhaps impatient, not that I cared anyway.

Taking a shaky breath, I stepped out of the car and the first thing that touched me was the cold air.

“Follow me,” Asher said, his tone sharp as he strode toward the massive double doors.

I followed,trembling with every step.

As the door opene

A butler appeared, bowing deeply before gesturing for us to enter.

“This way,” he said, his voice soft but commanding.

I was led through grand hallways lined with portraits of men and women with piercing golden eyes. Their faces seemed to follow me, their expressions unreadable.

Finally, we arrived at a set of smaller doors at the end of the hallway. The butler opened them, revealing a lavish sitting room.

And there he was.

The Lycan King.

He sat in a high-backed chair, his posture relaxed but radiating authority. His gold hair framed a face that was both rugged and unnervingly handsome. His golden eyes locked onto mine.

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe.

“Miss Woods,” he said, his deep voice sending a chill down my spine. “Welcome to your new home.”

The words were spoken with a calmness that only heightened my fear.

This wasn’t a home.

This was a permanent prison.

_____

I sat inside the oddly comfortable and beautiful bedroom, with a large king-sized bed placed at the center.

The shelves were larger than anything I had owned, and there was a whole closet room—something I never had the opportunity to experience back at home.

Despite the luxury, I couldn’t shake the complicated feelings I had toward the Lycan King. I was grateful to him—he didn’t seem like a bad person—but the fact that he accepted me as payment for my father’s debt left a bitter taste in my mouth.

In truth, they were both at fault.

I sank into the sofa near the window, my gaze drifting to the wide expanse of grass below.

Asher had mentioned it was the garden, and it truly was stunning.

Apparently, the entire mansion was the perfect example of “don’t judge a book by its cover.”

A soft smile tugged at my lips as I admired the beautiful scene. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Asher speaking with the King near a pool.

They seemed deeply engrossed in their conversation. Curiosity bubbled up inside me—I’d never deny that I was a naturally curious person.

Even hearing just a single sentence of what they were saying would have satisfied me.

But alas, I was nothing here—not even a maid. Yet, I reminded myself to remain grateful.

Lost in thought, I hadn’t realized the Lycan King had shifted his gaze upward until I absentmindedly tried to read their lips.

The moment our eyes met, I froze.

I couldn’t move, couldn’t speak. His golden eyes held me in place, captivating me entirely.

Yes, I said it—I was captivated.

His eyes were like golden pearls, the kind I’d cherish forever if I could keep them as treasures.

The spell lasted for what felt like an eternity, though it was probably only a few seconds. Then, he smirked and turned his attention back to Asher.

“That was… strange,” I muttered to myself, shaking off the daze.

Turning away from the window, I tried to regain my composure. I couldn’t afford to let Asher catch me staring at his boss. He might think I was desperate—or worse, cheap.

Not that I cared what he thought. I just didn’t want anyone making baseless assumptions about me.

Distracting myself, I started rearranging the room to suit my preferences.

I pushed the bed to the wall, moved the sofa to the far end of the room near the door, and left the dressing table where it was. The study desk, however, I dragged to my bedside.

It was heavy, but being a werewolf meant I could handle it without much difficulty—well, except for the massive trunk by the door leading to the closet.

I wanted to move it inside to create more space, but it was far too heavy even for me.

Frustrated, I gave up and collapsed onto the bed, exhausted.

Peace didn’t last long.

A gentle knock sounded at the door. At first, I ignored it, thinking I’d imagined it. But then it came again—louder this time.

Sighing, I rose from the bed and marched to the door.

When I opened it, my gaze fell on the Lycan King, dressed in pajamas with a robe draped over them.

Confused, my brows furrowed. Before I could say anything, he grabbed my hand and stepped inside.

Closing the door behind him, he locked it, then led me to the bed.

His towering frame loomed over me as I sat there, unable to look away. There was an intensity in his gaze—a possessiveness I couldn’t quite place.

Technically, I was his, but the look in his eyes was… different.

I wanted to protest, to tell him to move, but I couldn’t. My body refused to respond.

When his hand brushed against my thigh, I shivered, instinctively pulling away and shifting further onto the bed.

That small act of defiance seemed to anger him.

“I came to you myself because I thought you were adjusting well,” he said, his voice low and firm. “Be a good girl and do as I say—or I’ll force you.”

Force me?

No way.

My mind raced for a response, but before I could speak, he closed the distance between us and pinned me to the bed.

His speed was overwhelming, his strength undeniable.

My skin grew hot as his hand slid up my thigh, lifting my dress. My heart raced wildly, pounding against my chest.

He leaned in, his lips hovering dangerously close. Was he going to kiss me—or bite me?

Panicking, I pressed my hands against his chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath his robe.

For a moment, I was distracted by how perfect he felt—like a god carved from stone. But I quickly snapped out of it.

“Your Highness,” I stammered, my voice trembling. “I… I know I’m yours now, and I have no choice in this.”

I paused, searching his face for any sign of mercy. To my surprise, his cold demeanor softened just slightly.

“Don’t call me that,” he said.

“Uhm… My King?”

“No.”

I bit my lip, trying to think of the right thing to say. Then, without thinking, I blurted out, “M… Master?”

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing briefly before a smirk spread across his lips.

“Go on,” he urged.

“Please, Master,” I begged, my voice barely above a whisper. “Give me time. I’m new here, and I barely know you. Please… just a little time.”

He studied me for a long moment, then sighed reluctantly.

“Fine,” he said, rising from the bed. He helped me to my feet and I followed like a lost puppy.

He crossed his arms, and almost immediately his entire aura changed to ruthless.

“I am Kelvin Lykos,” he declared, his voice firm and commanding. “Your new master. Understood?”

“Yes, sir.”