WHO DID THIS TO YOU?

CHAPTER 3: WHO DID THIS TO YOU?

MAXINE:

I was in my office trying to sign a few documents. The air was thick and that didn't help my mood. I paced behind my desk, feeling restless for no reason.

My Beta stood in one corner of the room waiting for instructions.

"Beta Conrad," I growled, my voice impatient, "when will she be here?"

He is my second-in-command, and whenever my piercing golden eyes locked onto his, he knew something was troubling my mind..

Conrad was always composed and he's the only person who can stand up to me.

He had his hands clasped behind his back. "Alpha Maxine, we received word that the transaction has been finalized. The humans have been paid handsomely, but the girl hasn’t arrived yet."

I wasn't happy about that report. "Damn it, Conrad. I don’t have all day. I want her here before nightfall. I won’t waste another second on this."

Conrad hesitated. "There have been... complications."

I narrowed my eyes. "Complications?"

"The girl’s physical condition..." He cleared his throat. "It’s far worse than we anticipated. The humans barely kept her alive. If we transport her as she is, she may not survive the journey."

I growled in anger. I hate dealing with weaklings, and humans...why are they always not trustworthy? I paid you handsomely yet you can't keep my order in good condition? What kind of a freak does that? I ran a hand through my hair, as I tried to keep my anger in check.

"That’s it. I’m going by myself."

"Alpha, I don’t think…"

"I didn’t ask for your opinion, Conrad." My voice was a low snarl. "I’ll see for myself what condition she’s in. If they’ve cheated me, they’ll regret it."

Conrad nodded, knowing better than to argue further. "I’ll have the car prepared."

Fifteen minutes later, we were driving through the dense forest that separated my land from the human territory. The thought of relying on a human to bear my heir gnawed at my pride, but the Moon Goddess had failed me. No mate. No destined Luna. I would not beg for a sign that would never come.

If I could not have a fated bond, at least I could have a child, an heir—one who would carry my legacy, and that was all that mattered.

We arrived at the place an hour later. The building was bigger than I had expected. My Beta and a few other guards followed me to their doorstep. Before we could knock, a woman opened the door.

"Alpha Maxine, you're here yourself? We weren’t expecting you," she said, her voice thick with forced sweetness.

"Clearly," I said, my tone dripping with disdain. "Where is she?"

The woman glanced around nervously before she stepped aside, motioning for me to enter. I pushed past her, and moved into the living room. My guards and I remained standing and ignored her pleasantries.

Raymond came out. “Alpha Maxine, it's an honour to have you here,” he said as he offered me a handshake but I ignored him.

“Get the girl out here already,” I barked.

He pointed to a corner and then I saw her.

A frail figure lay curled up in the corner of the room, her bony frame barely covered by tattered rags. Her long, tangled hair obscured most of her face, but even from a distance, I could see the bruises marring her pale skin. My stomach twisted at the sight of her ribs poking through her skin, her wrists raw from what looked like bindings.

This was beyond cruelty. This was inhuman.

“Who did this to her?” My wolf stirred, a dangerous growl vibrating in my chest. "What the hell have you done to her?"

Raymond didn't flinch. "She’s wild and stubborn and I just had to tame her. It's for good, Alpha Maxine.”

I turned on him so fast he stumbled back. I gripped his neck and lifted him off the ground, choking life out of him. "You bastard. You think this is acceptable? You think I paid for a half-dead body?"

Raymond tried to break free but it was impossible. And by the time I dropped him, he was coughing and rubbing his neck.

I told my guards to whip him up. He was begging and pleading for mercy by the time they started.

I ignored him and moved toward the girl and crouched beside her. "Hey!" I said, my voice uncharacteristically soft. She didn’t stir. I reached out, lifting her chin with a single finger. “Who did this to you?”

She opened her eyes briefly then shut it again. But I saw pain in those deep blue eyes.

It was as if those blue eyes pleaded for mercy.

I held her chin tighter as I looked away, forcing myself to remember why I was here. I had no use for pity. She has a purpose to fulfill.

“What's her name?”

“Venus!” the woman responded in fear as her husband trashed about in pain.

I told my guards to stop.

"We’re leaving," I said, standing to my full height. "Now. And she’s coming with me," I growled. "And if I ever hear that you did this to another, I’ll burn this place to the ground."

Raymond trembled, nodding frantically.

Conrad stepped forward, and lifted Venus effortlessly into his arms. She didn’t even have the strength to protest. As we walked out, I felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation claw at my chest.

I don't know what it was but it felt like a bond.

I shoved the emotions aside. It didn’t matter. She was mine now, and she would serve her purpose.