RUINING A WELCOMING FEAST

Bettoni stared at the huge Commander. Her heart beat incessantly against her ribs. She tried to yank her wrist out of his massive grip.

"You have lost your mind," Bettoni hissed. "Let me go right now."

"Not a chance," Zachery chuckled. He easily pulled her against his hard chest, making her almost choke from his scent of expensive whiskey and fresh lust. "You called me a wild animal. Animals don't let their prey go."

"I'm a Gamma maid," Bettoni said firmly. "I scrub floors. I don't play stupid royal games with arrogant commanders."

Zachery leaned down, his hot breath fanning over her lips. "It isn't a game,  sweetheart. I need a wife. You need a way out of this filthy apron. I see the hate in those pretty brown eyes. You want to watch the palace crumble just as much as I do."

Bettoni stopped fighting for a fraction of a second. He was entirely right. She wanted to burn Ardon alive. She wanted to watch her cruel mother, Madam Williams, beg for mercy. She wanted her four older brothers to grovel at her feet for abandoning her. Only her sweet brother, Bimby, deserved her kindness. The rest deserved ashes.

But Zachery was incredibly dangerous. He was a heartless killer.

"I will not be your human shield against the Alpha," Bettoni said and narrowed her eyes at him. "And I certainly will not be your bed warmer."

Zachery threw his head back and let out a booming laugh. It shocked her just how carefree and powerfully he laughed. His large hand slid down from her wrist and wrapped tightly around her waist. He pulled her pelvis directly against his thick zipper. The hard bulge of his massive length pressed right into her stomach.

"We'll negotiate the bed warming later," Zachery whispered deeply, his eyes darkening with pure filth. "But for now you're coming with me."

He did not wait for her next insult. He dragged her out of the dark alley, his long military strides forcing Bettoni to practically run to keep up. They walked right through the servant corridors.

Sela stood by the pantry door. The young ginger haired maid, who had been her only companion since her public humiliation, dropped a tray of champagne glasses. The glass shattered loudly across the stone floor as Sela stared at Bettoni with terrified eyes.

"Keep walking and keep your mouth shut," Zachery ordered the trembling maid without even looking at her.

Bettoni mouthed a quick apology to her only friend. She knew Sela would panic. The whole pack knew what happened to girls who got too close to the royal bloodline. Bettoni carried the ninety-nine scars on her back to prove it.

They reached the huge doors of the grand hall. Two royal guards crossed their spears to block the entrance.

"Commander Zachery," the first guard stammered. "The Alpha requested you enter through the main pavilion with the noble ladies."

"Move," Zachery growled.

"Sir, the Gamma servant cannot enter the feast," the second guard said nervously. He looked at Bettoni with clear disgust.

Zachery did not say another word. He kicked the first guard square in the chest. The man flew backward and crashed into the heavy wooden doors. They burst open with a crack. 

The grand hall fell completely silent.

Hundreds of wealthy nobles stopped talking. The loud music halted instantly. Every single eye locked onto the doorway.

Bettoni felt her stomach drop to the floor. The hall dripped in solid gold and crystal chandeliers. Beautiful women in expensive gowns lined the staircase. She spotted Frostina sneering near the wine fountain. She saw Angelika glaring with hateful green eyes from the balcony.

But, worst of all, she saw the thrones.

Alpha Jaceon sat tall and unmoving on the center throne. His graying hair and deep frown lines made him look incredibly dangerous. Beside him stood Ardon.

The Alpha's only son. The sole heir to the throne. Zachery's own nephew and military prodigy. Ardon wore a perfectly ironed white suit. His handsome face drained of all color when he saw Bettoni.

Bettoni felt that familiar burning anger alight in her chest. Ardon ruined her life. He made her fall in love with his sweet words and then threw her to the executioner just to save his own reputation.

"Zachery," Alpha Jaceon barked. His voice boomed across the silent hall. "What is the meaning of this? Why are you dragging a filthy floor scrubber into my feast?"

Zachery walked confidently down the center aisle. He pulled Bettoni along with him. He did not stop until they stood directly at the bottom of the throne steps.

"You told me to pick a bride before the blood moon," Zachery said casually as he  crossed his bulky arms over his chest. "I picked one."

The hall burst into loud gasps and furious whispers.

Ardon stepped forward. His hands shook with visible panic. "Uncle Zachery, you can't be serious. That girl is a convicted criminal. She's a disgraced Gamma."

Zachery tilted his head, and gave Ardon a completely terrifying smile. "Watch your tone, boy. You're talking about your future aunt."

Frostina dropped her wine glass. It shattered violently. "This is an outrage! We travelled across the kingdom for this ceremony."

Angelika leaned over the balcony railing. "The Commander is clearly playing a sick joke."

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Zachery roared. The pure Alpha-like command in his voice forced half the room to drop to their knees. Bettoni trembled beside him but she refused to bow.

Jaceon stood up slowly. Anger radiated from the older Alpha. "I will not allow this embarrassment. Let go of that worthless girl right now, Zachery. You will choose a proper highborn woman from this room or I will strip you of your military title entirely."

Zachery turned to Bettoni. He completely ignored his furious brother. He reached out and grabbed the rough collar of her servant dress, then pulled her forcefully against his hard chest right in front of the entire royal court.

He leaned his mouth right against her ear. "They think you're nothing," he whispered hotly as his hand slid down low on her spine and pressed her against his raging erection. "Show them exactly how wrong they are."

Bettoni looked up at the thrones. She looked at Jaceon's disgust. She looked at Ardon's  terror. Her own mother stood trembling in the crowd far away.

This was her moment. This was the exact weapon she needed.

Bettoni turned her head and looked right into Zachery's burgundy eyes. "I accept your proposal, Commander."

Ardon announced in protest. "No! I forbid it! I'll pay ten thousand gold coins to the guard who drags her to the dungeons right now!"