CHAPTER 14: SHE MEANS NOTHING TO MEVENUS:I watched Maxine leave the library, with long strides. The feeling of his lips on mine still burned on my lips, but the cold reality of who I was quickly doused any foolish warmth that tried to flicker in my chest.I wrapped my arms around myself and headed toward my room. The halls were quiet, only my gentle steps made a muffled sound.As I reached the staircase, I heard a soft sound that made me pause. It seemed to be footsteps, climbing up the stairs.I leaned over the railing and my heart slammed against my ribs.It was Maxine.And he wasn’t alone.Beside him was a beautiful woman. She was tall, elegant, with a cascade of perfect blonde curls falling down her back. She laughed at something he said, and her voice sounded so seductive.They were holding hands and looked perfect together.Something ugly twisted inside me.It must be jealousy.I gritted my teeth and yanked my gaze away. No, I reminded myself fiercely that I was nothing but a
CHAPTER 15: LET ME SEE WHAT YOU BOUGHT VENUS :How can I watch a movie when I don't even know how to operate the television? Watching a movie was one luxury I wasn't allowed to have in my uncle's place.I sighed and tried again. “Beta Conrad, please just for a few minutes? I won’t go far.”“You’ll be accompanied,” he said, signaling to a young male guard standing a few feet away. “Gavin will go with you.”Gavin was tall and stone-faced, but at least he didn’t look like the type who talked much. I could work with that.“Fine,” I muttered, forcing a smile.As we stepped out into the sunlight, I breathed in the fresh air, letting the breeze caress my skin. It was rare I had moments like this.“So… how long have you worked for the Alpha?” I asked Gavin, hoping to make conversation.He didn’t answer at first. Just kept walking like I hadn’t said anything. When I thought he’d ignore me completely, he muttered, “Since I turned eighteen.”I tilted my head. “And you like it?”“He gave me a p
CHAPTER 16: YOU WANT TO PLAY GAMES, VENUS?VENUS: I had anticipated that Gavin might tell his boss about the drugs I bought so I hid the contraceptive pills in my bra.He probably used the mind link he told me about to communicate with him.Sigh.Maxine's voice cracked like a whip in the hallway. "Let me see what you bought,” he repeated urgently.I swallowed hard, forcing a calm expression on my face even as my insides twisted like tangled wires. With careful hands, I pulled the paper bag open and handed him the box of painkillers. “Just this,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.His eyes scanned the label, and his brow furrowed slightly. “Painkillers?”“For my headache,” I replied smoothly, praying he wouldn’t hear the rapid drum of my heartbeat.He stared at me for a long moment, as if weighing the truth in my voice. “So why didn't you tell me you had a headache?” “You were busy, Alpha and I didn't want to disturb you.”Maxine locked eyes with me for a moment.Then,
CHAPTER 17: OLIVIA’S INSULTS VENUS:I ignored Olivia as she glared at me. She was the least of my problems. But at least her appearance has just saved my life.As soon as I was able to catch my breath, I headed up the stairs to my room.Olivia.She's the new girl that Maxine is flaunting around.Her blonde hair was immaculately brushed, cascading down her shoulders like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She wore a red dress that hugged her body in a way that screamed confidence and manipulation."I heard you questioning someone in anger" she said smoothly, stepping closer to Maxine. "So I decided to come down and check."She reached for Maxine like she owned him. “Is something wrong, Alpha?”Her arms went around his neck but before she could lock them in place, he pushed her away. She stumbled a bit and her eyes widened in embarrassment.I squeezed my forehead in confusion. Did he push her because I was there? Or because he was still angry?It didn’t even matter, Venus.
CHAPTER 18: TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES VENUS :I cried myself to sleep that night and didn’t leave my room for two whole days.Not because I couldn’t. But because I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to see anyone.I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. Each time I tried, I saw a scared little girl pretending to be strong.I cried. A lot. Not because I saw Maxine with Olivia or even because of Maxine’s cruel words. But because I let myself believe for one stupid second that maybe he cared. Who would blame me? He touched me in ways that made me feel special. Mira still brought me food. Fancy things. Healthy things. Fruits I didn’t even know existed and soups that tasted like they came from a royal kitchen.Mira always stayed to make sure I finished the food. That was the Alpha's order, she always said and he is never to be disobeyed. I had to eat. It was Maxine’s order. He wanted me to be strong. Not for love but for breeding.It has been two days and I was beginning to feel like a pr
CHAPTER 19: DON'T KEEP ME WAITING VENUS:His voice was low, deep, and commanding.“Take off your clothes.”I froze.I hadn’t expected him to say it so bluntly. And the look on his face terrified me. My hands trembled slightly, but I didn’t move. Not yet.He tilted his head, watching me with narrowed eyes. The smirk on his lips was gone and he looked like a predator about to tear into his prey. “All I need from you is obedience and you can't give it?”I swallowed hard and rose to my feet. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”He stared at me, taking in every inch of my body through the transparent lace that barely covered me. So this was the purpose of wearing this excuse of a dress? Just so the Alpha could stare through it and gaze at my body? He seemed to notice how my thighs quivered and the subtle shift in my breathing.“Then go on,” he said. “Don’t keep me waiting.”My fingers reached for the strap of the sheer lace dress Clara had forced me into. It barely covered anything, really—just a cruel
CHAPTER 19: THE BURNING SENSATION VENUS:I felt heat, raw and desperate in my sensitive parts. And I knew it was the wine. It tasted sweet but I felt strange as soon as it landed in my stomach. “I feel strange,” I muttered, glancing at Maxine, who sat opposite me, sipping his wine.“Relax. It hasn't started working yet.”“What?” I literally couldn't sit still.I was still wondering what was in it when my body started to betray me.The heat.was consuming, and It curled through my stomach like smoke and set every inch of me on fire. My thighs squeezed together involuntarily. My breath quickened.I looked up at Maxine, who sat across from me, and reached out to touch him. But the maddening smirk on his face made me annoyed, "What... what did you give me?" I asked, my voice shaking helplessly.He raised his eyebrows, leaning back like a king enjoying a private show. "Something to help you relax. Do you like how it feels?""I.. I.." I gasped and couldn't make a reasonable sentence.Maxi
CHAPTER 21: BURNING DOWN MY LEGACY MAXINE:As I raced to the car park, I could still feel Venus's heat clinging to my skin. Her scent didn't leave me either, as if to remind me that we had unfinished business. “Please touch me, Alpha,” she had begged—on her knees—burning with desire. And I had wanted her too. Damn it, I had wanted her. But the moment my beta's voice pierced through my mind link, my desire for Venus's body vanished."Alpha! The headquarters is on fire."My blood went cold. I’d gotten up from the bed, ignoring Venus's trembling fingers grasping at me. Her glazed eyes silently pleaded for me not to go but I had no choice. I heard her whimper when I left, but I couldn’t afford to look back.I silently drove to the company grounds very fast. The car sped through the darkened streets, and I could see the red glow in the distance growing brighter with every second. I saw the plume of black smoke rising in the air like a thick cloud and my heart sank. When I finally g
CHAPTER 23: TAKING THE CONTRACEPTIVE VENUS:“Are you going to die?” I couldn't help but ask. The way he talked about needing an heir urgently sounded like he wasn't sure he would make it to the next day.Maybe that Draven guy he talked about was more ruthless than Maxine.Maxine didn't respond to my question. He just got out of bed, put on his clothes and left. What a ruthless Alpha.I was still reeling from what he had done to me earlier. The tingling ache between my thighs refused to go away for more than an hour, even after I had soaked myself in warm water, hoping it would quench the fire Maxine had left behind.What kind of drink had he given me?The moment I swallowed that golden liquid, I knew something was wrong. My body betrayed me. My breathing turned shallow, my skin sensitive to the faintest breeze, and my thoughts clouded with desire for sex.I can't believe I had begged that monster to fuck me. I even went on my knees, begging the very man who terrified me most to touch
CHAPTER 22: MAXINE IS ATTACKED MAXINE:A hand gripped my shoulder and the voice that followed was unmistakable."You look like a piece of shit, Maxine," came that familiar, smug voice. "Trouble in paradise?”Draven. He was surrounded by his guards and he thought that gave him the right to mock me.I didn’t respond to his mockery. But my fist did.I punched his face so hard his lips split and his head snapped to the side. He stumbled back, and snarled. Blood ran down his lips, and his cheek turned red.His guards immediately sprang forward."Kill him," Draven spat. "Right here. Right now."I shifted before they did, but I was outnumbered. They didn't care that I was on home ground. They beat me, while I fought back like a true wolf.But their claws and blows rained down on me until I could barely see straight. Still, I didn’t beg. I didn’t even make a sound. My focus was on Draven. I had a knife concealed in my pocket. I aimed at his chest and threw the knife. But he was clever, to
CHAPTER 21: BURNING DOWN MY LEGACY MAXINE:As I raced to the car park, I could still feel Venus's heat clinging to my skin. Her scent didn't leave me either, as if to remind me that we had unfinished business. “Please touch me, Alpha,” she had begged—on her knees—burning with desire. And I had wanted her too. Damn it, I had wanted her. But the moment my beta's voice pierced through my mind link, my desire for Venus's body vanished."Alpha! The headquarters is on fire."My blood went cold. I’d gotten up from the bed, ignoring Venus's trembling fingers grasping at me. Her glazed eyes silently pleaded for me not to go but I had no choice. I heard her whimper when I left, but I couldn’t afford to look back.I silently drove to the company grounds very fast. The car sped through the darkened streets, and I could see the red glow in the distance growing brighter with every second. I saw the plume of black smoke rising in the air like a thick cloud and my heart sank. When I finally g
CHAPTER 19: THE BURNING SENSATION VENUS:I felt heat, raw and desperate in my sensitive parts. And I knew it was the wine. It tasted sweet but I felt strange as soon as it landed in my stomach. “I feel strange,” I muttered, glancing at Maxine, who sat opposite me, sipping his wine.“Relax. It hasn't started working yet.”“What?” I literally couldn't sit still.I was still wondering what was in it when my body started to betray me.The heat.was consuming, and It curled through my stomach like smoke and set every inch of me on fire. My thighs squeezed together involuntarily. My breath quickened.I looked up at Maxine, who sat across from me, and reached out to touch him. But the maddening smirk on his face made me annoyed, "What... what did you give me?" I asked, my voice shaking helplessly.He raised his eyebrows, leaning back like a king enjoying a private show. "Something to help you relax. Do you like how it feels?""I.. I.." I gasped and couldn't make a reasonable sentence.Maxi
CHAPTER 19: DON'T KEEP ME WAITING VENUS:His voice was low, deep, and commanding.“Take off your clothes.”I froze.I hadn’t expected him to say it so bluntly. And the look on his face terrified me. My hands trembled slightly, but I didn’t move. Not yet.He tilted his head, watching me with narrowed eyes. The smirk on his lips was gone and he looked like a predator about to tear into his prey. “All I need from you is obedience and you can't give it?”I swallowed hard and rose to my feet. “I’m sorry, Alpha.”He stared at me, taking in every inch of my body through the transparent lace that barely covered me. So this was the purpose of wearing this excuse of a dress? Just so the Alpha could stare through it and gaze at my body? He seemed to notice how my thighs quivered and the subtle shift in my breathing.“Then go on,” he said. “Don’t keep me waiting.”My fingers reached for the strap of the sheer lace dress Clara had forced me into. It barely covered anything, really—just a cruel
CHAPTER 18: TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES VENUS :I cried myself to sleep that night and didn’t leave my room for two whole days.Not because I couldn’t. But because I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to see anyone.I couldn’t even look at myself in the mirror. Each time I tried, I saw a scared little girl pretending to be strong.I cried. A lot. Not because I saw Maxine with Olivia or even because of Maxine’s cruel words. But because I let myself believe for one stupid second that maybe he cared. Who would blame me? He touched me in ways that made me feel special. Mira still brought me food. Fancy things. Healthy things. Fruits I didn’t even know existed and soups that tasted like they came from a royal kitchen.Mira always stayed to make sure I finished the food. That was the Alpha's order, she always said and he is never to be disobeyed. I had to eat. It was Maxine’s order. He wanted me to be strong. Not for love but for breeding.It has been two days and I was beginning to feel like a pr
CHAPTER 17: OLIVIA’S INSULTS VENUS:I ignored Olivia as she glared at me. She was the least of my problems. But at least her appearance has just saved my life.As soon as I was able to catch my breath, I headed up the stairs to my room.Olivia.She's the new girl that Maxine is flaunting around.Her blonde hair was immaculately brushed, cascading down her shoulders like she’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine. She wore a red dress that hugged her body in a way that screamed confidence and manipulation."I heard you questioning someone in anger" she said smoothly, stepping closer to Maxine. "So I decided to come down and check."She reached for Maxine like she owned him. “Is something wrong, Alpha?”Her arms went around his neck but before she could lock them in place, he pushed her away. She stumbled a bit and her eyes widened in embarrassment.I squeezed my forehead in confusion. Did he push her because I was there? Or because he was still angry?It didn’t even matter, Venus.
CHAPTER 16: YOU WANT TO PLAY GAMES, VENUS?VENUS: I had anticipated that Gavin might tell his boss about the drugs I bought so I hid the contraceptive pills in my bra.He probably used the mind link he told me about to communicate with him.Sigh.Maxine's voice cracked like a whip in the hallway. "Let me see what you bought,” he repeated urgently.I swallowed hard, forcing a calm expression on my face even as my insides twisted like tangled wires. With careful hands, I pulled the paper bag open and handed him the box of painkillers. “Just this,” I said, keeping my tone as neutral as possible.His eyes scanned the label, and his brow furrowed slightly. “Painkillers?”“For my headache,” I replied smoothly, praying he wouldn’t hear the rapid drum of my heartbeat.He stared at me for a long moment, as if weighing the truth in my voice. “So why didn't you tell me you had a headache?” “You were busy, Alpha and I didn't want to disturb you.”Maxine locked eyes with me for a moment.Then,
CHAPTER 15: LET ME SEE WHAT YOU BOUGHT VENUS :How can I watch a movie when I don't even know how to operate the television? Watching a movie was one luxury I wasn't allowed to have in my uncle's place.I sighed and tried again. “Beta Conrad, please just for a few minutes? I won’t go far.”“You’ll be accompanied,” he said, signaling to a young male guard standing a few feet away. “Gavin will go with you.”Gavin was tall and stone-faced, but at least he didn’t look like the type who talked much. I could work with that.“Fine,” I muttered, forcing a smile.As we stepped out into the sunlight, I breathed in the fresh air, letting the breeze caress my skin. It was rare I had moments like this.“So… how long have you worked for the Alpha?” I asked Gavin, hoping to make conversation.He didn’t answer at first. Just kept walking like I hadn’t said anything. When I thought he’d ignore me completely, he muttered, “Since I turned eighteen.”I tilted my head. “And you like it?”“He gave me a p