Chapter 20

SARA 

The next few days felt like a dream, Yvonne didn't show her ugly face, even though she was very beautiful. Which I guess was what made her surprise that Alpha Tristan was not really paying any attention to her. However, on the third day after my last humiliation, a petite lady came to my cell. She was beautiful and looked adorable.

"I'm not sure we've had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Paige, please come with me." She sounded meek and compassionate, but I didn't know her and didn't want to follow her anywhere.

"I'm sorry Ms. Paige, I'm just seeing you for the first time and I'm scared. I don't want to turn up dead." I protested humbly.

"Awwn, you are so respectful. You even called me a Miss." She said with a genuine smile. "I can understand if you are scared, but I'll do you no harm. I'm supposed to take you to the main pack building." She revealed and my eyes widened.

"Why?" I asked, suddenly alarmed. I've faced one humiliation or the other everytime I've stepped out of my cell and I didn't want to face another.

"Oh," her expression dropped and her voice softened. "I'm sorry. I can understand if you are scared. Yvonne has directed that you be dressed up. I don't know why." She explained, answering my unasked question. I nodded and I followed her.  

"Please, make use of the bathroom. You stink." She revealed when we arrived at the staff quarters. " I'll be here when you return." I wanted to feel but but the truth was that I've not had a bath ever since I got here. I don't even know how Alpha Tristan tolerates me.

That was how I found myself dressed in a silk dress that felt like a lie against my skin. For the first time since my abduction, I wasn't wearing tattered rags or damp clothing; I was draped in a gown of midnight blue that clung to my curves, making me look like the noblewoman I had once been. 

"I think you look perfect, like the pack healer you once were. It's time to take you to Yvonne, I'm sure she'll be pleased." Paige giggled with excitement. She was impressed with my transformation from rags to elegance.

When we arrived at the reception hall, Yvonne sat on the couch that looked like a throne. The reception hall was a place when Alpha Tristan welcome visitors, the interior decoration was amazing.

"I almost couldn't recognize you." Yvonne gave me a genuine smile that shocked me when we arrived. Given our last encounter, it was not possible that she'd be this good towards me. "You look stunning and amazing. Didn't you tell her Paige?" 

"I did, she has a beautiful shape and curves that's hidden in the shabby clothes she's been wearing." Paige replied her but I got the feeling that they were not having the same conversation.

"Sure you did, but her attire is missing something." Yvonne gave me a mischievous smile. 

"Are you sure? She looks perfect to me.

"I'm sure. Come here slave." She ordered and produced a heavy, silver-plated collar, fixed it snugly against my throat. It was cold and biting, a symbol of my absolute domesticity. "This should make it obvious to everyone who you are and your position in the gathering of wolves. Today, I get to announce you to the world." 

Everything happened so fast, the next thing I knew, I found myself on my knees at the foot of the Alpha’s throne, my fingers aching as I gently massaged Yvonne’s feet. She leaned back, playing the role of the acting Alpha with a predatory grace. In Alpha Tristan’s absence, she was the law, and she was determined to make me her favorite spectacle.

When she was ready to attend to the many visitors in the waiting room, she gave the order and the doors to the Reception Hall swung open, admitting a stream of visitors. Each came bearing gifts—expensive tributes meant to curry favor with the woman holding the reins of the Twilight Zone.

It was one thing to be humiliated and degraded among the people of Twilight Zone but to show me to the world in the way and manner she wanted to was heartbreaking. I made a mental note to pretend that I was invincible and and hope that I'll get through this day whole. 

"Look at her, everyone," Yvonne said, her voice dripping with a sickly sweet pride as she gestured down at me. I didn't look up, focusing my gaze on the rhythmic motion of my hands against her skin. "This is my latest acquisition. A beautifully skilled slave, once high-born, now exactly where she belongs. Isn't she a lovely trophy?" There were chuckles from some females around but the men were silent.

A banker from the southern territories stepped forward, offering a chest of gold coins and a ledger. "A deal to reposition the fortune of the Twilight Zone, My Lady," he murmured, his eyes lingering on my collar with a mixture of curiosity and disgust.

Next came a businessman, a man with greedy eyes who wanted to build a five-star hotel on the edge of our forest, I'm sorry, Tristan's forest. He offered Yvonne a diamond-encrusted brooch, which she pinned to her chest with a smug smile.

Then entered a man without a chest, without a jewel, and without nothing. He was dressed in the travel-worn robes of an alchemist, his eyes sharp and calculating. The moment he stepped into the light, his gaze locked onto mine. He recognized me instantly. I felt a chill race down my spine that had nothing to do with the draft in the hall.

Yvonne must have noticed the little exchange between me and the new visitor because barked in a firm and strong voice. "You," her eyes narrowing. "You dare to show up in the Alpha’s court without a gift? Who do you think you are?"

The man smiled, a slow, arrogant curl of the lips. "I am Khalid, an alchemist of the Crescent Moon territory." He declared in a deep baritone voice, that sounded soothening to the ear. "And as for a gift... I bring something far more valuable than gold. I bring information. And in this age and time, information is key."

The room went silent. The name Crescent Moon acted like a physical blow. Yvonne stiffened, her feet jerking under my hands.

"Information is only valuable if it’s true," Yvonne countered. "What could an alchemist from Rune’s territory possibly have to tell me?"

"I have the details of a hunt," Khalid said, his voice dropping an octave. "But I do not give away my secrets for free. I want payment."

"You are one sick man." Yvonne chuckled mockingly. "You come into my court showing arrogance and get have the guts to demand for payment?" 

"I think you've captured it perfectly. The information I have could be the beginning of the end for both and your pack." He replied smugly. 

"I think you are delusional. This is serious business, if you have nothing better to say, get out." Yvonne matched his arrogance, aura for aura.

They went back and forth, Yvonne demanding the news and Khalid refusing to budge. He turned as if to leave, his boots clicking sharply on the floor. "Fine. If you value your gold more than your survival, keep it. But know that when the storm breaks, there will be grave repercussions for the Twilight Zone."

"Wait!" Yvonne shouted. She looked down at me, her face pale, then back at him. "Private chambers. Now."

The guards cleared the hall at Yvonne's command, but Yvonne kept me at her feet. We moved to the side parlor, where Khalid stood with his arms crossed, his gaze roaming over the luxury of the room. I remained on my knees, the collar feeling heavier by the second.

"What do you want?" Yvonne hissed. "Gold? Land?"

Khalid looked at Yvonne, his eyes traveling over her form with a leer that made my stomach turn. "I want a kiss," he said. 

"Yuck! You're such a pervert." Yvonne insulted him.

"Call it what you want but I want a kiss from a woman of rank." He clearly, he had pride, and his pride was sickening and disgusting.