THE TRIBUTE

SERAPHINA’S POV

The pain I felt was unimaginable. I'd always known that coming to the blood moon ceremony was a bad idea, but I never for once in my wildest imagination thought that Alpha Caelum would be my fated mate and he would reject me a second time and toss me to the side like I was nothing.

To be honest, it was way worse.

Everything I tried to avoid coming to this ceremony refused to work.

I tried to fall sick, but it didn't work. I made sure I ruined my outfit for the ceremony but I was given another one. I made other plans but they were all cancelled. And now that I came to the event, the humiliation stung more than the rejection.

I refused to remain on the ground for longer than necessary. Immediately I could gather the strength, I dragged myself up, staggering lightly.

My world had just turned upside down. My life was over and I had nothing more to leave for. The man I had loved silently for years rejected me. He didn't even care that i was in pain so why would i give him the satisfaction of watching me break.

I made up my mind to nurse my pain quietly. My heart was broken but my life wasn't over. I was going to rise up and reclaim my life despite everything I had gone through.

I turned to leave, but the guards stopped me.

“We're not done here.” Caelum's cold voice tore through the room. “There is something else.”

The crowd stilled.

“We are Ironblood, and Ironblood pay their debts,” he declared.

The crowd shouted, “YES!”

He nodded his head in satisfaction. “The people of Ironblood have owed a war debt to the lycan kingdom, and today, the lycan king had requested his payment or there would be war!”

Murmurs started to rise up from the crowd.

“But don't fret, I would never allow that to happen.”

“YES!” They roared.

“I have chosen our tribute.” He continued, and the whole pack held his breath for the vital announcement. “SERAPHINA VALE!”

I gasped.

What? Me. Why me?

I was still in pain but he went ahead to choose me as the tribute. To pay for the debt of our whole pack.

The guards grabbed me by my two hands and led me out of the kingdom.

I walked, followed them willingly and never turned to look back. There was no need looking back at the pack who had sold me off to the lycan king.

I braced myself for what I would face in the lycan kingdom, not knowing what my fate would be.

***

I had heard stories and rumors about the Lycan Kingdom but nothing could really prepare me for what the Lycan kingdom really was.

It was built from black stone and silver glass, surrounded by a forest so old that the trees had no names in any modern language. Even my wolf almost shrunk herself because the aura surrounding the kingdom was ancient and powerful.

I was led like a lamb to the slaughter of the Lycan king, King Vaelarion Duskmore throne room. Guards flanked me on both sides, trying to prevent me from escaping. But I had nowhere else to go.

I couldn't return back to my pack who didn't care for me, and even if I ran, I would surely get lost in this giant kingdom and be returned to the lycan king only to face a worst fate.

So I kept my head bowed low, raising it slightly when they forced me to stop and acknowledge their king.

Even when sitting on his magnificent throne, he looked very tail. His dark colored hair was covered with a golden crown and when our eyes met, his silver eyes didn't look cold and commanding like Caelum. But it wasn't soft and weak either. There was something different about his eyes, like he could see more than he let on.

Everything about this place was totally different from Ironblood. It's king, it's land, it's territory. It was frightening and terrifying at the same time, and when king Vaelarion spoke, it wasn't like I expected him to. He wasn't proud and arrogant like Caelum was. He was different.

He looked at me once, and spoke quietly. “Leave us.”

Everyone left and it was just me and him alone in the magnificent throne room.

“Who are you? Speak.”

I shuddered.

“My… My name is Seraphina Vale. I am a nobody. Daughter of no one, just an omega servant.” I replied, feeling the weight of his aura pressing down on me.

He nodded twice. “And do you know why you're here?”

I shook my head violently. I really had no idea, I was told nothing. The only information I got about this place, apart from the bedtime stories we were told as kids, were the pitiful glances from pack members and how they shook their heads as I was being led out. For all I know, I could be sent here to do which wouldn't be a surprise, considering that no one really cared if I died or lived.

He spoke carefully, as if reading my thoughts. “You are here to serve me. Now, you are mine and you would do whatever I ask you to, whenever I ask for it, is that clear?”

I nodded my head. “Yes my Lord.”

He shook his head. “You will address me as your majesty”

“Yes your majesty." I bowed lower but even as I bowed, I refused to be intimidated by this Lycan king. I swore to just love my life without fearing anybody.

I didn't care if he killed me or not but I would stop pretending. I'll stop being quiet. I had nothing left to lose.

I dared to raise my head and I could see him looking me over trying to make up his mind about me.

He flicked his fingers, “You can leave.”

I turned and the doors opened widely behind me. The servants walked in and led me out of the throne room, and as I walked out, his council room began to fill, to discuss my fate.

***

The next time that the doors to my room opened for reasons other than food was three nights after.

The elderly lady, who looked like the head of the servants, spoke first. “The king has commanded that you should be washed thoroughly, and fed properly.”

My heart ran faster. “Okay…”

The maid she came with took off everything that I was wearing and led me to a giant bath tub.

They scrubbed every inch of me, not allowing me to lift a finger. They washed my hair, my legs, my skin, and after they were done, they dried my body thoroughly and brought out my clothes.

A tiny night dress that barely hid nothing and exposed a lot of skin. A robe was given to me for the cold and I was led to the dinning where my meal was already served.

The scent of several dishes filled the air, making me salivate even before the food was opened. I dug in hungrily, going without meals for days.

After one hour, the giant doors opened once again and the woman showed up.

“It is time.” She said, her voice soft but firm.