CHAPTER 5

Aria's POV

I jolted up from sleep. My eyes widened in horror, while my chest rose and fell. What sort of dream was that? Damon was chasing me. He had a gun. 

I ran a hand through my hair. What should I believe now? I don't know Damon well enough. Yes, he bought me. That was bad enough. But wanting to kill me? Then why did he get me from Victor? Doesn't he want an heir again? 

Why don't we go to our mate?  My wolf whined. I rolled my eyes. The last thing I wanted was to be slapped with rejection. Alpha Kings rarely make their breeders their mates. I could never do that to myself. I love myself enough to keep this truth to myself even if I have to take it to my grave.

A knock on the door made me jump. 

“Ms. Aria, are you awake?” I sat still as I tried to recall the voice. “ Can I come in?” The voice came again. That was when it clicked. Elena. 

I coughed, clearing my throat. “ Come in” I yelled, hand combing my hair. The door to my chambers opened and it wasn't just Elena there.  

“Good morning Ms. Aria” she smiled as she moved aside to let people I recognized be maids. They came bearing clothes, shoes, bags, jewelry, and a full big tray of food. My stomach grumbled.

All my life I had never seen food in such a display. 

Elena smiled. “ We are ready whenever you are”

I raised an eyebrow. “ For what?” 

She turned around to the maids who had indifferent faces. Felt like they had been trained to be like that. “ This will be your morning routine Ms. Aria”

My eyes widened. This was for royalty. Was this what being the alpha King’s breeder got? My wolf jumped up in glee. Telling me our mate was treating us well. But I was quick to shove her aside.

“Tell me about fattening up the cow for slaughter” I muttered. 

“You said?” Elena began walking towards me. I shook my head with a smile. 

“No no, it's nothing” I slipped out of the covers and wore my slippers. 

“Elena…” I stared at everything. I walked over to the maids, the food tray to be exact, and grabbed a plate of eggs and waffles, strawberries, and a cup. I searched for the coffee. “ Elena, where's the coffee?” 

The maid in front of me gasped. I swear I heard that though she tried to keep a straight face.

“Ms. Aria, the doctor said you are banned from taking Coffee”

I scratched my head. “ Because..” I turned to face. 

Elena cleared her throat and wouldn't meet my eyes.  I knew it immediately. My face fell like a pack of cards. I was a breeder. Here comes the restrictions. I glanced at the array of clothes and food. I was indeed being fattened up for slaughter. 

I plastered on a smile. “ I'll take just this” I lifted the plate. “ And I'm fine with those clothes in the closet” 

Elena sent them away. As I ate my breakfast quietly, I watched Elena pick out something for me to wear. 

“Isn't that too ceremonial?” I asked, eyeing the white gown with a spoon going into my mouth. 

Elena smiled. “Not at all Ms. Aria I—” I raise my hand in her face. 

“Please call me Aria” 

She chuckled. “ Okay.” She moved from the dress to the bed and took out some shoes.  She turned around. “ Do you want the black it white shoes?”

I sighed standing. “ Since when did my opinion matter” 

She swallowed. “ You have to look good, Aria” she said. Coming to me. “ The alpha king likes white and it would be in your best interest to dress to please him”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “ I forgot all these were for me”  pointing at the mess of clothes in the closet. “ He bought me anyway, he literally owns me” I felt a pang in my chest and I recalled the mating.

“Don’t say it like that. The alpha king is a nice man.  He will take care of you” Elena grabbed my hand. “ See If you don't dress well, how do you think the alpha king would breed you?”

“ Yeah I forgot” I looked away. “breeding” I said more to myself.  I glanced over at the bathroom. I don't want to get ready and let him breed me and get this over with. 

“Alright let's start”

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“Aarghh!!!” I clasped a hand over my mouth, stifling my cries. Getting ready took all day, I couldn't believe it. 

“I'm almost through Aria” Elena continued tightening. 

“If I knew this dress was a corset, I would like to remain. Naked”

Elena chuckled. “ I guess it would be easier that way”

My heart skipped a beat. The breeding. Consummation.  Whatever it's called. I couldn't get myself to stop thinking about it. I glanced over at the wall clock. It was 10pm. 

“What time did you say the alpha would come meet me?” I grabbed a comb. 

“10: 30” Elena replied. My heart began to race. Oh my gosh, I was not ready.  What should I do? How do I act? I have never done this before.  I kept brushing aggressively.

“Do you—”  the door opened without a knock. Damon stood there, earlier than Elena's words, holding a single crystal glass of deep red wine in one hand and the bottle in the other. His grey eyes swept over me, lingering on the tight corset and coming to rest on my face. Something flickered in his eyes. Something softer. Almost apologetic.

“Alpha I —” Elena began. 

“Leave us” he ordered. 

I stood still and was glued to the spot. My heart pounded so hard I thought he would hear. 

 He lifted the wine“I thought this might… help,” he said, voice low, setting the wine on the nightstand. He didn’t step closer. Not yet. “Make it easier.”

Easier. The word tasted bitter, even unspoken. I set the brush down, fingers trembling. “Nothing about this is easy,” I muttered.

He exhaled, “Then tell me what would be.”

I didn’t answer right away. Instead, I moved to the bed, sitting on the edge, robe parting just enough to bare one thigh. He followed, sitting beside me—close, but not touching. His scent rolled off him, wrapping around my wolf until she whined inside my chest. She yearned to be closer but I dared not. 

“ Tell me something true,” he murmured, echoing last night. “One more.”

I swallowed. “All I want is a mate who marks me and loves me”

His jaw tightened. “My mother said any woman who carries my mark will suffer and…love is stupid”

Silence stretched, it was getting uncomfortable.  Damon took steps closer closing the gap between us. He stared at me and I couldn't look at him. My heart hammered. 

Then his hand rose, slow, careful. He cupped my cheek. Thumb brushed my lower lip. My breath hitched. He leaned in, and the first real kiss landed like a storm breaking. Soft at first, then fierce. My fingers tangled in his hair; he slid to my waist, pulling me flush against him. Heat surged. My robe slipped further. His mouth trailed to my throat, teeth grazing, not biting. 

“You are mine” he groaned. 

The words should have terrified me. Instead, they ignited something reckless. I arched into him, nails raking his shoulders as his hands explored—down my sides, under silk, finding bare skin. My wolf howled for more, for the claim, for everything.

I opened my mouth to confess, mate, true mate, but the words died when—

A frantic pounding shattered the moment. I jumped apart. 

“Your highness—” Marcus’s voice, urgent, through the door. “Northern border, rogues. They’re chanting her name. Aria’s name.”

Damon froze, every muscle locking. His eyes met mine. It was dark, furious, protective.