Chapter 001

❀° ┄───────╮

Sylphiette

╰───────┄ °❀

“Hurry up, Sylph! Those men aren’t going to serve themselves!” The crude baritone of the rogue housekeeper blistered my ears for the umth time tonight.

With each moment that passed by, the weight of her crude treatment fell heavier on me. It was already past midnight. I was exhausted, sweaty and damn hungry. I was already starting to see double but Gulia didn’t give a damn.

All she wanted from me was to work, work and work so much that I passed out and I did sometimes.

Ever since my banishment—four years ago—from my pack, my life had slowly spiraled into a pit of hardship.

I was once a Luna. A respected figure and the fated mate to the Alpha of my pack. I was happy and loved and lived my life in so much bliss, it was almost a fairytale.

But everything came crashing down after that incident, that night and then I’d ended up here, at the crudest, barbarous rogue pack in the land, the Dark Crescent pack.

I’d worked to earn my keep in this rugged pack, working in a tavern as a waitress to make an earning with the owner who’d so mercifully given me a space to live in but I had to work to the bones to earn what little food I was given and maintain the roof over my head.

It was crude but I endured it not just for myself.

I had a growing boy and he needed every little piece of joy I could offer him. Making money was the only way I would be able to care for him. It was just the two of us and I loved Kian more than anything else in the world.

It was all bearable because I had my son.

And I had thought that if I just laid low, all would be even more bearable. That’s what I really thought, living in a pack of uncultured wolves.

But then my plans went over my head when Alpha Axel, the rogue King, laid his eyes on me.

The infamous Alpha had a deep-end reputation of fucking every female species that met his fancy and I had somehow, unfortunately fallen into his line of sight. Deigning me worthy to be used by him, he wanted to make me his mistress.

Rejecting his offer was a detriment to me, no one dared refuse the rogue king, but I had my dignity to hold onto.

My rejection had inevitably angered the Alpha nonetheless and I was dragged to face the consequences of my action—forced to slave out the rest of my days in the pack house, serving his people—I was worse off than a lowly omega. The dreg of the pack. Mistreated and it was unforgiving.

But I’d rather have that fate than let him have his way with me.

I’m pushed out of my thoughts when Gulia’s voice rang heavy in my ears.

“Quit spacing out!” She barked, clicking her tongue, “You’re such a drab girl, hurry the fuck up or it’d be you and wolves tonight.”

Gulia was fierce and it wasn’t because of the loss of her right eye or the nasty scar that ran along it till the hollow of her cheek. Nor was it the harshness of her voice.

Though they all attributed to it, she was just like that—her aura. Her aura gave off the wildness about her.

Everyone here had a wild look in their eyes, like they want to devour you with each passing moment.

She was equally just as tall and hunky as any male warrior I’ve seen in this pack and she had the looks and build for it. It felt off putting in a way.

She didn’t seem to really fit into the kitchen space.

I’ve always felt like she could and would snap my neck at any given moment and that glower she always has in her eyes could give anyone a heart attack but somehow, they’re always directed at me.

The other omegas in the kitchen don’t miss the opportunity to snicker at me, just like they’re doing now while pretending to do the dishes.

“Yes ma’am! I’m sorry.”

I heard her click her tongue again, “Don’t apologize, get to it!” She snapped, thrusting a large buffet tray into my arms and I barely caught it, almost spilling the contents in it.

Gulia shot me a death glare that had a shiver running down my spine. “Drop that and I’ll fucking end you, little girl.”

She spat venom at me. Little girl? I was twenty five not sixteen. Despite the insult, I swallowed and straightened.

“Sorry.” I muttered, wincing when a hard smack landed on my back. I hissed, gritting my teeth as pain shot through me like a lightning bolt.

“Well, get going then!”

I stepped out of the kitchen and into the hall where the chattering and music were going off.

Tonight, there was a celebration. The rouge king’s hunting party had finally returned after a few days away. Of course, I didn’t have the privilege of seeing what sort of creature they had hunted down but I heard it was a very large boar.

I don’t even understand why something such as that needed a celebration but I guess that’s what being royalty gets you.

I maneuvered my way through the rowdiness, serving food and taking orders for more drinks and more food—these people never seem to eat enough especially during occasions like this.

I approached a rowdy bunch at the corner when I felt eyes watching me. Turning, I catch the leering eyes of the rogue king on his throne. He held a gold goblet embedded with red ruby stones in his left hand.

I tried to ignore his piercing gaze and erring presence, it just felt like he’d get up from that throne of his and jump me.

I turned around to leave the group after I’d served another round of beer at their table but my step faltered when one of them pulled the hem of my dress, jerking me back.

A broad arm circled my waist, a sharp spank rooted me to the spot, and before I knew it, I was drawn up into someone’s lap.

Laughters erupted around the table and when I tried to get up, I’m held down tighter against a broad, muscular chest.

“Where do you think you’re going, pretty girl?” The voice slurred, but I recognized it instantly. It was Emery, one of the high ranked guards that headed out with the king on his hunting venture.

His hot breath reeked of alcohol, “You should stay and have a little fun with us.” His slurry voice dipped with dark mischief.

“Let me go, Emery, I’m quite busy.” I gritted out and tried to get off again but he wasn’t letting me off.

I glanced around the table, the others with him seem to be enjoying the spectacle, grinning like fools, their eyes hooded from their drinking indulgence and lust. They looked like they were waiting in line to take a turn to feast on me.

I shivered. Disgusted.

“Come now Sylphie, don’t be a prude,” he said and then latched his other arm against my thigh before driving his hand beneath my dress.

“You’ll enjoy it. I’ll make sure of it.”

“I said… Let. Me. Go!” I gathered my strength and twisted in his hold, smacking the empty tray I held against the side of his face.

He groaned, his grip loosening. I slipped free and ran off before he could regain his composure.

I heard him bellow, ‘bitch’ just as I mixed into the crowd and slipped out of the room.

But instead of running towards the kitchen, I headed into the maid’s quarters until I reached my room.

My racing heart slowly paced down when I entered my room and found Kian asleep on the floor. I’d left him on his own a few hours ago with his toys to keep him distracted.

Once he gets fixated on it, it’s hard to pull him off it until he’s tired or distracted by something else. I’m so lucky and blessed that he’s such a sweet child.

The day-long stress immediately went away the minute I knelt next to him. He stirred in my arms and I put him on the bed, tucking him in.

Leaning in, I pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead, lingering for a moment and breathing in his warm, soothing chocolate scent that never failed to bring a smile to my face.

My very reason for living. My three years old son was my peace of mind through thick and thin. I’d do anything to keep him safe and healthy.

“I love you, baby,” I whispered, placing another soft kiss on his cheek. He made a soft sound in his throat and I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, “You’re my everything. Mommy will always be here for you. I’ll do anything for you.”

I sighed and placed my forehead against his smaller one. But just as I was basking in the warmth he was exuding, I felt a prickling sensation run up my spine.

A presence behind me. I jerked up into a sitting posture and glanced around my small room until my gaze landed on the doorway.

It was dark out and the only source of light was the single lamp I’d lit and the subtle spray of moonlight from the window. There, the silhouette of a person—a man, hulking and broody—stood at my doorway.

At first I thought it was Emery, that he had tracked me down to finish what he started but the low growling sound cut me short of my thought.

“You wouldn’t have to suffer this way if you’d been respectful and accepted my offer, Sylphiette.”

His gravelly voice, even though slurred from overindulgence of drinking, sent trepidation rising off my body.

I gasped, shooting up to my feet instinctively at the knowledge of his dreadful presence.

“Alpha… Axel.” I breathed.