CHAPTER TWÓ

❋𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘❋

Gripping onto the counter I shut my eyes tight, trying my best to blink away my haziness. My stomach and head ached badly.

I was being starved as my punishment, but this time it was the longest I had ever gone without food. 6 days ago I was seated in the cellar, tied down and bound by ropes and chains. I awaited the grim reaper to dish out my punishment. He was exactly like his name, he was huge, always wore a dark veil and had this leather whip in his hand. He was very muscular and in my eleven years of being here I had never seen his face, honestly I consider myself lucky.

He came in and removed my chains. "You have been pardoned from the physical torture" his gruff voice informed me as he pulled off the heavy metals. I hissed when I saw the burn marks on my ankles. Wolfsbane. I would be weak for the next 2 weeks because of them. Sugars

Wolfsbane like any other poison was illegal and banned from the reach of all packs. I was shocked when I found this pack had an endless supply. They must have smuggled them in despite the very clearly stated laws against owning or even selling such. It was no surprise that various packs got away with possession of wolfsbane or silver bullets. The king never went around for inventory, neither did he ever send any of his guards. I pushed myself to my feet, staggering to the entrance where I came face to face with Vivian. I swallowed harshly, averting my gaze from her jade cat eyes that glinted with amusement. "Don't for a second think you will not be punished" her ear pinching voice came, increasing my throbbing headache.

Just like her mother's.

"You are not going to get even a morsel of food. You will beg for crumbs and would not be given. Added to that you will do all the chores your fellow omegas are supposed to do and that too without any help. You will be put on cooking duty as well" she smiled wickedly, knowing fully well the smell of food would kill me. "Maybe after that you will learn your place" she spat, looking at me with eyes filled with hate, disgust and resentment. She walked away, her white blonde hair following her movements.

With much difficulty I steadied myself, inhaling deep breaths to keep my gaze concentrated. I could see the other omegas trying their best to help dish the other meals for me. I mouthed a soft 'thank you' to them before walking out to the dining hall where everyone was seated. I slowly strolled over to the Alpha and placed his dish before him, the smell of the delicious food making my stomach growl. I apologised for my posterior orchestra and excused myself to go pour the drinks in everyone's cups.

"I'm sure all of you have heard that tomorrow is the annual Mating ball and for the first time since it was made a tradition, the Alpha King is going to be gracing us with his presence" Alpha Nicholas informed , raising his jug to his lips and taking a swing of his drink.

The King, the Alpha King. Alpha King Darius Lockhart. His name was enough to send shivers down people's spines. His name echoed throughout the dynasty, he was ruthless, a beast. He was also a very private person and as a result a lot took his public absence to their advantage. His secrets remained hidden behind the shadows of his distance.

Some had never seen him in their life but the mere mention of his name was enough to leave a thick mist in its path. Some say they had seen him and never forgotten the encounter. He was said to be the most feared ruler of the mystical world, because he was impulsive and very short tempered. He had lived for hundreds of years and still never found his mate, as a result of this his wolf was angry and out of control.

A lot speculate that it was the moon Goddess' way of punishing him by giving him a very dangerous uncontrollable wolf and no mate. He was never destined to find true love or receive the unconditional love a mate could offer. Thinking back at the stories made me sad. Everyone deserves love, be it even the big, crude, scary Alpha King. The stories I heard as a young pup depicted him as a sharp clawed beast; his hands were so big they could rip people's limbs apart, his claws long and sharp to cut through people's throats in a single swipe, his voice so thunderous it had everyone fall to their knees. And his eyes, dark and stormy like an eternal abyss drawing you into their depths to drawn you. He was feared by everyone and anyone, even though a very large popularity had never laid eyes on him. He always stayed away from events, occasions, even ceremonies, even those that would demand his presence, he missed them all. It added to his eerie, mysterious aura. So why as he attending this Mating Ball?

"We are in charge of serving, so all the omegas will be transported tomorrow morning to get themselves ready. Everything has to go perfectly, one slip up and we are done" He finished, giving me a pointed look as if telling me to not mess things up. I gulped down hard feeling my hands begin to shake at the attention drawn to me

Sugars, breathe.

"I hear he is still unmated father," Vivian chimed in, chewing on a piece of steak. Gosh I couldn't stop staring at how good it looked.

"Yes, that's right," he confirmed. "Everyone above the age of 18 is expected to come and who knows you may find your mate Vee"

"My mate may be the King for all I know" she smiled, blushing slightly at the thought.

Why would Vivian think being the King's mate would be something to smile about or even expect? I doubt she'd heard the rumours surrounding him and his markings. "We have a lot to look forward to," Nicholas added, drawing everyone's dispersed attention back to him. "After this mating ball hopefully Hunter would have found his mate and would assume the position of Alpha"

I noticed Hunter's grip on his fork tighten, his eyes flickering to my shaken form. I diverted my gaze, going round to fill the Luna's glass. "I have already found my mate Alpha" Hunter's impatient tone came, making my eyes widen at the tone he used in front of everyone. The betas and their children included.

Hunter and his father didn't have the best of relationships. They weren't that different, they both loved power and were very corrupt and horrible rulers but surprisingly they never agreed on how to run the pack. Nicholas was more of a dictator and believed in being the strongest of all packs. He wanted this pack to be one that gave him glory and fame. At the end of it he was a partial ruler, he controlled the pack with fear. Everyone feared if they went against him he would lock them up or burn them with his endless supply of wolfsbane. No one, not even the Betas- Lucius and Finley, dared to stand up against the Alpha's cruel rule and now someone even worse was expected to assume position soon. This pack was doomed. The Silver Moon pack would not survive. Whereas Hunter hated this pack and never wanted to become Alpha, much to his father's displeasure.

"This girl is not your mate Hunter" the Alpha spoke irritably, banging his fist against the table in annoyance, his nose flaring with anger. His outburst made me flinch and I excused myself back to the kitchen.

After taking care of the dishes and cleaning up the whole house I retired to the basement-my room. I lay down on my mat, my muscles ache so badly. I felt worn out and weak to my core. My eyelids were heavy, sleep was fast approaching but I hadn't had my bath yet. I contemplated going to the stream to bathe or just sleeping, choosing the latter. I pulled myself up with a lot of effort, standing to my feet. I picked my towel and bar of non fragrant soap from the small cabinet beside my mat.

Grabbing extra clothes I slipped out of the basement and towards the stream, my body swaying with the cold breeze that blew through the air. Winter was coming, if the little frosts falling from the skies told me anything. I increased my paste, ducking when I saw anyone passing. I didn't need any of the guards watching me while I bathed. Only the thought had my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

I walked further into the forest, depositing my extra clothes and towel behind a tree. I stripped down, my teeth chattering when the cold hit my skin. I rushed to the stream, sighing when the warm water hit my tired limbs. I lathered my soap, using my wash sponge to scrub my aching body. Hastily I dipped my hair into the stream, a blissful sigh leaving my lips once the now cool water hit my hot throbbing skull. I both loved and hated the cold. I loved it because I absolutely adored the little snowflakes that danced in the air, creating beautiful glaciers. The snow was so gorgeous and its beauty ethereal, but I hated how easily I caught a cold during the winter. Quickly I washed out my hair and dried myself off.

Slipping into my hand knitted sweater, faded jeans and combat boots I padded along the forest to the stone path towards the pack grounds. I quickened my steps once the snow began falling quickly.

Arriving at my room I plopped down on my mat, pulled my hair into a side braid and kicked off my shoes. I buried myself under my tart and tried to fall asleep despite the amount of pain I was feeling. It would all be over soon, I tried to tell myself over and over again with each painful ache of my muscles. My eyes finally draped closed and I succumbed to the darkness.

I was awoken by the chilling feeling of someone in my room. I was in complete darkness, but even at that I could feel someone's presence with me. I shut my eyes tight, my heart thumped furiously in my chest and my breathing became laboured as fear creeped into me. A cold shiver ran up my spine when I felt a slow breath against my ear "I swear I will make you mine, Audrey" a familiar voice whispered into my ear making me squeeze my eyes even tighter. It was Hunter. I felt his cold fingers against my cheek, slowly caressing my skin.

Sugars

I willed myself not to scream or cry. If I kept still maybe he'd go away. I could feel him hovering over me. A few minutes turned into hours and he just remained there, watching me as I slept or at least he thought I was sleeping.

"My beautiful mate" he said, leaning down to inhale my scent, making me almost gag.

Oh goddess

I finally felt him rise, but he remained in my room. It was easy to tell he was still here, the room was very little and his tall form made the space feel even more suffocating. "When I become Alpha I will have you by my side". I heard his soft footsteps fade away and the creaking sound of my room door closing resonated through the room.

I stayed still, scared he was still in my room. After a few minutes of silence I let out a heavy breath, tears rolling down my cheeks. I sighed, sitting up almost hitting my head. I wiped at my tears, sniffling slightly. Just two more days, after the mating ball I would be free and I would leave everything behind and start fresh somewhere else.