Chapter 8: Slave

***Mia

Greta entered the room and began opening the curtains. Sunlight flooded onto my face, forcing my eyes to squint. My eyes were still puffy from the previous night.

“Good morning, darling,” Greta called as she busied herself with removing the dinner tray. She brought in fresh fruit and toast for breakfast. The wonderful aroma of fresh coffee and cream filled my senses. I stretched my arms and rose to fetch the cup.

“The King wants you ready. He’ll be up momentarily,” I heard her say. I shuddered at those words; my shoulders hunched over, tense and frigid.

Today, I assumed, would be worse than yesterday. I remembered his words from last night when he pulled the silver cuffs. A chill crept down my spine. Maybe he would only “do things” in the privacy of my room, I told myself. But I knew that was a lie. He would have me anywhere he pleased.

I walked to the bathroom and decided to clean myself up. When I came back out, Greta was gone but a blue gown with gold sequins was lying on my bed. I took a deep breath and began getting dressed. The gown was stunning; thin straps that met high at the back with an open back, plunging incredibly low to my bottom. The front draped along my breasts, exposing my cleavage.

The King had chosen this dress. I purposely left my long hair down to cover my bare back. Dealing with the Alpha was risky business and I knew I was walking a fine line. I’d follow his rules to keep myself alive, but I wouldn’t encourage him in any way. However, I couldn’t outright defy him either. He could easily snap my neck with one motion. I felt a fraction of his strength yesterday as he squeezed my throat.  Effortlessly.

The lock clicked and I held my chin up, ready to face him. But instead, it was a face I’d never seen before.

“I’m Beta Braxton. I’ll be taking you to The King’s office,” a tall slender man said, matter of fact. There was no emotion on his eyes. He had a strong build with a mature face. Wrinkles were already imbedded into his forehead above his dark brows. He did not look directly at me. Maybe the King had instructed his men to leave me alone. Well, that was a relief. I frowned as he pulled out the two small cuffs and placed them snuggly around my wrists. They were cold against my skin and I winced when I heard them fasten.

Slave ... I reminded myself.

“Take note of the castle. We may need to know our way around if we get a chance out,” Lily alerted.

As we left the room, I noticed several rooms before heading to a staircase. I glanced behind and it looked like there was another exit on the opposite end of the hall.

Voices filled the main corridor as we made our way to the next floor. Men and women turned their heads to look at me; their conversations hushed. I ducked my head down and tried to make myself smaller.

Did they know who I was? Did everyone in the pack know my purpose here? Heat filled my cheeks and felt my hands go clammy. The Beta led us down more hallways until we reached a room to the far end with wide double doors.

The room was enormous with high vaulted ceilings. The entrance to the office was lined with bronze statues of wolves. Swords and weaponry covered the walls. The clicking sound of my stilettos hit the floor with each step, announcing my arrival. His Beta closed the doors behind me as I walked in. A nagging feeling of dread fell over me.

The Alpha King sat behind his desk, head crouched over paperwork and ledgers. It was only the two of us. The thought of being alone with this man was unnerving. My stomach lurched, doing somersaults the longer I waited for him to acknowledge me.

“I’m here, sir,” I said, impatiently, nipping at my bottom lip. My fingers began fidgeting with the hem of my dress.

Without looking up, he said, “My King. Address me correctly.”

I scoffed.

“You’re not my King. You have taken me from everything I’ve ever known. You’re a monster!” My small voice was thick with venom.  The room enveloped me... this man terrified me but I didn’t care. He was a bully and I wasn’t letting him intimidate me.

He set the papers down and rose from his desk, eyes darkening. I didn’t remember him this big last night; his build seemed to grow larger the closer he came. Even in heels, his shadow dominated me. My head sat below his chin, and I had to peer up to meet his cold dead eyes. But I refused to back down.

“Little dove, you have no idea what things I’ve done... in this very room. Monster? Do you want me to show you a monster?” And with a growl, he ripped his clothes off and his wolf began to emerge. His body was already massive, but the Lycan beast emerging was three times bigger. Its arms and legs swelled like a roaring tide and it swallowed the space with its enormous body. Black mangled hair shot from its skin and its mouth extended angrily, growling as its canines protruded.

I jumped back with a scream. It slowly walked around, encircling me in its snare. I cringed and held my breath as it began sniffing at my feet. Starting up my calves, it nudged its nose up my dress, snarling. Claws suddenly slashed violently up my dress, ripping the pieces up my left thigh. I cried out as I felt its talons pierce the flesh. It began moving up my side towards my neck, salivating. Its tongue licked my open neck and I hurried to cover it; afraid the beast would mark me.

A loud growl bellowed from the monster and the Alpha shifted back into form.