Chapter 5:

WARNING: triggering content ahead, you can continue after the asterisk.

Sorrel’s POV

“Alpha,” I bowed, turning to him as he walked to the bed. I watched him stare at it and my spine prickled from unease.

“Strip,” he ordered. “Get on the bed and open your legs.”

Fear took the form of heat and rushed down my spine.

My heart thudded and I tried to play it cool. “I know the Council asked us to produce an heir, but we don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to.”

Please don’t want to, I let out a silent prayer at the back of my mind.

He didn’t say anything though and my heartbeat only increased, hammering so hard it could be heard from a thousand meters away.

Abigeal’s warning sliced through brutally and my knees trembled. I gripped the head of the chair for support.

Alpha Nathaniel whirled and faced me. He was a soul-sucking demon, angry veins, green in color glowed in his head and I stared at it in horror.

*This is a matter of life and death, Sorrel and if you die no one will remember you*

I quickly looked away then I heard him speak.

“You do not question my direct orders, Sorrel.”

The words were uttered with such precision and intensity that made my insides turn to a puddle.

“Natha—“

I’ve barely gotten the words out when my vision blurred and pain exploded by the side of my face, straight to my ear and brain.

“Get on the bed,” he growled. “I will not repeat myself.”

My heart sank and I dropped to the floor without a second thought.

“Please,” I mumbled, lips, body, everything in me trembling. “Please don’t do this—not like this. It’s my first time.”

I confessed, hoping it would save me as I rubbed my palms together even as my chest hurt.

My sob died in my throat when I was suddenly yanked from the ground by the hair. I took another hit, blood spilled in my mouth, but I barely comprehended what was happening as my body landed on the bed.

“You think you have a right or a say in this?”

“Please…”

He slammed me hard against the bed, my insides burst with pain and then with another hit, I stayed still.

I believed I was still mumbling my pleas when I heard the unmistakable shred of my dress. Cold air hit my hot skin.

He aligned himself at my entrance. I could still hear my voice, my wolf fighting against him, but something ominous, unseen, pressed me down to the bed. Held me in place.

I couldn’t move. Couldn’t shake.

Panic set in and breathing became difficult.

“P…leas..eee.”

I felt the sharp pain as he pushed into me brutally. He didn’t slow for me to accommodate him, he just kept going. Relentlessly.

No words left me as I gave up pleading and fighting. I lay still and stared at the ceiling as he thrust angrily into me. The bed squeaked, my eyes burned and he loomed over me.

I didn’t know what the time was. But I felt the invisible force holding me down let go and he came down from me. The door slammed shut as he left.

****

Tears rolled down the corners of my eyes. Silent sobs left me.

After what felt like an hour I willed my body to turn as I stumbled down the bed.

Pain, peppery and hot seared within my thighs. I didn’t look down. Didn’t dare to look down.

Bending on all four, I crawled to the bathroom. Slowly, I lifted myself into the golden bathtub and immersed myself in the cold water. No time to ring the servants to get hot water ready.

I didn’t want anyone to see me like this. At my fucking lowest.

Taking the sponge I scrubbed my body till my skin was physically red. I needed to get him off my body, every stain, every dirt.

I stood up with shaky legs and dried my body. Walking to my bed I saw the blood stain and my steps faltered.

In one swift motion, I yanked the sheets from the bed. I took it to the bathroom and scrubbed the blood stains out with my hands.

As I moved, a burn of pain shot through my body, tears fell, but I didn’t stop till it was clean and so was I.

I rang for the servants then.

“How may we help you, your highness?”

“I need new sheets.”

Their eyes darted to the empty bed. They nodded and left to get the new and clean ones. Standing in my thick night robes, I shook, cold from the icy bath.

They returned and dressed the bed, then I directed them where the dirty one is and they took it and left except one.

She was the one who found me when I found Alpha Nathaniel with the guard.

“Are you okay, ma’am?”

My eyes snapped to her. “Why?”

She looked back at the door and then to me. “You look pale and sick.”

“What is your name?” I asked her.

“Poppy.”

I nodded. “I’m fine, Poppy, just had a little nightmare.”

She smiled. “Those are common in the pack house.”

I hummed and turned to retire to bed.

“But a warm tea can make it better.” I turned and locked eyes with her so she added.

“Lady Abigeal asked me to bring tea up for you.”

My eyes widened. “Abigeal, where is she?”

“She’s….busy.” The girl replied in deep thought. I wondered if she had seen Nathaniel and Abigeal as well.

I plastered a broad smile for her. “Bring me the tea Poppy, I would be grateful.”

She left to fetch me the tea. I held the chair for support. When she arrived with the tea, I thanked her and she left.

Just as I lifted it to my mouth I smelled the scent of what used to be my favorite tea, chamomile and I almost puked.

I was never going to see that tea in the same light again.

My eyelids got heavy, my thighs still throbbing, but when I stood up to approach the bed, I had flashbacks of being pinned there helplessly.

I took a step back, fear ricocheting through me. My fingers wrapped around the pillow. I dropped it on the floor and lay down there.

Sleep didn’t come till late in the morning and when it did, just finally when it came, a knock woke me.

“Luna Sorrel, open up, the oracle is here.”

An immeasurable amount of heat zapped through my body at the speed of lightning.