6. Yeah, Just A Lunatic

Rayna~

Lovely, absofuckinglutely lovely. My father’s stamp glared right at me as the document trembled in my hands.

Goddess, a fucking break please.

I avoided Reeves’ gaze and focused on Sven, who sat there like a smug devil on a throne, his scar cutting deeper into that already dangerous smile.

“Pretty decent, huh?” he drawled, like this was some sort of business deal instead of my entire life being sold off.

I ignored him, lips pressed into a thin line, but the silence only seemed to amuse him more. His mouth curved wider, slow and cruel, like he enjoyed the taste of my dread.

“Don’t sulk, little menace. You should be honored. Out of all the worthless wolves, I chose you.”

Honored? I wanted to laugh in his face. Instead, my nails dug crescents into the paper, the words Omega Slave blurring under my grip.

“Why’d I want to be your slave?” I asked, finally finding my voice.

The question seemed to please the lunatic in front of me. He flicked his fingers, dismissing Reeves before rising from his seat with the casual grace of a predator stretching its claws.

“Because this is my most generous offer yet. You should be dead by now, but my wolf has taken a liking to you.”

“Dead?”

“You witnessed me killing someone. I never leave witnesses.”

I could easily accept being his slave and stay alive, but I’d just be losing on both ends.

I angled my chin up, forcing strength into my voice. “I won’t be your slave. Go ahead. Kill me.”

His eyes gleamed, a wicked spark flashing like green fire. Instead of rage, a dark laugh tore from his chest, low and dangerous.

“Guts,” he murmured, circling me like a predator toying with prey. “Most beg, most even cry. But you?” He leaned in, close enough that his breath skimmed my ear, hot and deliberate. “You offer me your life like it’s worth nothing.”

My heart hammered so hard it rattled my ribs, but I didn’t flinch. My life had become nothing the very day Dario betrayed me and my father decided I wasn't worth anything.

He straightened, tilting his head as if studying some rare, exotic thing he wasn’t sure whether to keep or crush.

“Too bad, little menace. I won't give you what you want just yet, my wolf would tear us apart if I snapped the neck of his new toy.”

I hated that word “toy”, it felt degrading but somewhat exciting, and my body burned when he said it.

He leaned closer, those greens orbs of his glowing with unhindered amusement.

“You either accept it or I kill your family, starting with your father. After all, he did offer you to me. Wouldn't it be poetic to take his life for your sheer refusal?”

“You wouldn't dare!” I spar out, the paper crumbling under my trembling fingers.

He chuckled darkly at my silence. “That’s what I thought.”

“Goddess, what do you want from me, Alpha Sven?”

“I already told you,” he said smoothly, as if discussing the weather instead of my life. “I’ve been bored. And you seem like fun.”

For a split second, I missed Dario. Pathetic, really. Yes, he cheated on me, broke me—but at least he wouldn’t treat me this poorly.

I studied Sven, his demeanor was calm but I was fairly certain there was something more than just needing me by his side.

“I don’t believe that’s it,” I said flatly.

His brow arched. “What?”

“Several she-wolves at your disposal, and you chose me? A wolf-less divorcee?”

His jaw tightened—just enough to betray that I’d struck something raw.

“Fine,” he admitted, voice dropping lower, heavier. “I need a Luna for my council. And from what I’ve heard…” his green gaze glinted with sharp intent, “you were the brains behind your ex-husband.”

My stomach twisted. A Luna and a slave. A Luna until his fated mate walked through the doors.

I scoffed, bitter to the bone.

And like he read my thoughts, his expression darkened. “Don’t worry about my fated mate. She already rejected me.”

The venom in his voice made my chest clench, but I forced my face blank. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of pity.

“So,” I asked coldly, “a Luna and a slave. How exactly does that work?”

Sven’s smile sharpened, cruel enough to cut.

“Ah, yes. Quite simple, really. Luna in the eyes of everybody else… slave when we are alone.”

I laughed out loud, because this had to be some kind of sick joke.

“If you need maids, hire one or two.”

His smirk deepened, eyes flashing with that feral green fire. “Maids? No, princess. You’re going to be my sex slave.”

The crude words rolled off his tongue like they belonged there, like he was used to degrading and commanding.

And Goddess curse me, my thighs clenched at the thought of him using my body.

What the actual fuck?

“It wasn’t a rumor, you’re actually insane,” I spat, shoving the document back at him. “If you think I’d ever let you touch me—”

“Let?” He chuckled darkly, stepping closer, his shadow swallowing me whole. “You think you’ll have a choice?”

My pulse thundered, anger and heat twisting together until I could hardly tell them apart.

“You’ll never get me to willingly fuck you.”

“Oh, little menace…” He leaned down, close enough that his breath skated across my lips, hot and maddening. His voice dropped to a lethal purr.

“That’s exactly what’s going to make this fun. You’re going to beg me to fuck you, to claim every inch of your body.”

He straightened suddenly, a mask of calm snapping back over his features as though he hadn’t just promised to ruin me.

“Now, be a good girl and sign the papers. We’ll discuss your duties… later.”

I refused to move, my grip tightening on the arm of the chair to keep from trembling.

If he thought I’d bow that easily, he’d learn just how stubborn I could be.

“No.”

He smiled to himself, nodding like my defiance amused him. “Fine then. Follow me.”

“No.”

This time, the change was instant. His eyes darkened, a violent shadow sweeping through that sharp green until I swore I saw something feral move beneath the surface.

“Get up, Rayna.” His voice deepened, layered, distorted—like another voice spoke through him.

Vuk. His wolf.

I tried to fight. Goddess, I tried. My muscles locked, my nails digging into the chair’s arms so hard the wood groaned. My breath came ragged, my chest straining against an invisible grip. My legs burned with the effort to stay put.

But my body betrayed me. Inch by inch, traitor-limbed, I rose. My knees wobbled, spine stiff, like a puppet yanked upright by cruel strings.

My pulse thundered in protest as he seized my wrist and pulled me from the study.

The shift was jarring, gone was the dark, suffocating chamber that reeked authority.

The hall he led me into was the exact opposite—bright, sprawling, sunlight spilling through tall glass windows onto polished marble floors.

I blinked at the explosion of color—crimson and gold, chandeliers dripping with light.

It was beautiful like heaven.

Sickeningly beautiful.

And everywhere we passed, people bowed their heads low, eyes fixed to the ground, not a single soul daring to look at him—at us—until we were far enough away.

The grip on my wrist was firm.

I twisted, tugged, nails digging into his skin, but his hand didn’t budge.

“Where are you taking me?” I gritted, jaw tight.

His lips curved, dangerous amusement flickering across his face. “Now, that’d ruin the surprise.”