Chapter 5: His Favorite Slave

This wasn't how it was supposed to go. I needed to be Luna and needed the power that came with being Alpha Kieran's wife.

"Come," the same harsh guard commanded, grabbing my arm roughly.

I wanted to protest, but the look in his eyes warned me against it.

As we walked through the corridors, I caught sight of my parents. My mother's face was pale with shock, while my father looked furious. Lyra stood beside them with a satisfactory smile.

"Your new home," the guard said as we got to the room I was supposed to stay in.

Three young women were inside, and they all looked up when I entered.

"Fresh meat," one of them said with a bitter laugh. "Welcome to paradise."

The guard left without another word, slamming the door behind him. I stood awkwardly in the doorway, not knowing what to say.

"Don't just stand there," another girl said. She was blonde. "Take the empty bed. That's yours now."

I moved toward the bed, setting down the small bag of belongings Celia had packed for me.

"I'm Marina," the second girl said. "That's Sophie," she nodded toward the blonde, "and our resident queen bee over there is Vivian."

"I'm Elena," I said quietly, sitting on my bed.

"We know who you are," Vivian said coolly. "The whole pack knows. You're the girl who tried to kill herself rather than marry the Alpha."

Heat flooded my cheeks. "It wasn't like that."

"Doesn't matter now," Sophie said. "You're here with us. Welcome to the club."

I looked around the room. "What exactly are we supposed to do? The Beta said I'd be a personal servant."

The three girls exchanged glances, and Marina let out a harsh laugh.

"Personal servant," she repeated. "Is that what they're calling it now?"

"What do you mean?"

Vivian closed her book and fixed me with a cold stare. "You don't know, do you?“

"Know what?"

"We're not servants, Elena," Sophie said bluntly. "We're his bed warmers. We exist to satisfy the Alpha's needs when he doesn't have a Luna."

My blood turned to ice. "What?"

"Every unmated female in the pack serves this purpose," Marina explained. "But we're the ones who live here, the ones he calls on most often. Lucky us."

I felt sick. This wasn't what I'd signed up for. I needed to be close to Alpha Kieran, but not like this. Not as some disposable plaything.

"I can't," I whispered. "I won't."

Vivian laughed. "You think you have a choice? You think any of us had a choice?"

"The Alpha takes what he wants," Sophie said quietly. "And right now, what he wants is to punish you for embarrassing him."

"How long?" I asked desperately. "How long do we have to..."

"Until he gets bored of you," Marina said. "Or until you die."

"Die?" My voice cracked.

"Haven't you heard the stories?" Vivian asked, "About his previous wives? All three of them died within a year of marriage. Some say it was the stress of trying to satisfy him."

"He's insatiable," Sophie added with a shudder. "Nothing is ever enough for him. He's rough."

"But surely he doesn't kill anyone," I said, hoping I was right.

"Not directly," Marina said. "But when you're called to his chambers three or four times a week, when you're expected to endure whatever he wants to do to you, it takes a toll."

"Why don't you just run away ?" I asked.

"And go where?" Sophie laughed bitterly. "We're marked as his. No other pack would take us. And if he caught us trying to escape..." She didn't finish the sentence.

Before I could respond, there was a sharp knock on the door. We all froze.

"Elena Ashford," a voice called. "The Alpha requests your presence."

My heart stopped. The other girls were staring at me in relief that it wasn't them being called.

"Now?" I asked weakly.

"Now," the voice confirmed.

I stood on shaking legs. This was happening too fast. I wasn't ready.

"First time is always the worst," Marina whispered as I passed her bed. "Just remember to breathe."

"And don't fight him," Sophie added. "It only makes it worse."

I walked down the hall on shaking legs.

"Enter," came Alpha Kieran's deep voice from inside.

The guard pushed me forward and closed the door behind me. I was alone with him now.

The room was huge, with a massive bed in the center.

Alpha Kieran stood by the window with his back to me. He wasn't wearing a shirt. His broad shoulders and muscled back were covered in scars. When he turned around, I couldn't look away.

"Come here," he said simply.

I took a few steps forward, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it.

"Closer."

I moved until I was standing right in front of him. He was so tall that I had to tilt my head back to meet his eyes.

Before I could process my thoughts, his hand was in my hair, pulling my head back. His mouth crashed down on mine, hard. I gasped against his lips.

I should have been afraid. I should have been disgusted.

But instead, heat flooded through my body. I felt my knees go weak.

He kissed me like he owned me. His other hand gripped my waist, pulling me against his bare chest. I could feel the heat of his skin through my thin dress.

When he finally pulled away, I was breathing hard. My lips felt swollen, and I could taste him on my tongue.

"Better," he said, his thumb brushing across my bottom lip. "You respond well to authority."

Heat flooded my cheeks. I hated that he was right. I hated that my body was betraying me like this.

"Turn around," he commanded.

I hesitated for a moment, and his eyes grew darker.

"I won't ask twice."

Slowly, I turned my back on him. I could feel him behind me. My whole body was tense, waiting.

His hands settled on my shoulders, and I shivered at the contact.

"You're different from the others," he said quietly, his breath warm against my ear. "They all cry and beg. But you... You're angry. I can smell it on you."

His hands moved down my arms, and I tried not to react to his touch.

"I like anger," he continued. "It's much more interesting than fear."

I felt his lips brush against my neck, and I couldn't stop the small sound that escaped my throat.

"Good," he murmured against my skin. "Very good."

He stepped back suddenly, and I almost stumbled without his support.

"You can go now," he said casually, like nothing had happened.

I turned to face him, confused. "Go?"

"Back to your room. I'm done with you for tonight."

I stared at him, not understanding. The other girls had made it sound like...

"Did you expect something else?" he asked, and I could hear the amusement in his voice.

I didn't answer, just headed for the door on unsteady legs.

"Elena," he called when my hand was on the door handle.

I looked back at him.

A slow smirk spread across his face, and it was the most terrifying thing I'd ever seen.

"You're my favorite slave now."