The second mate

The ceremony began in the ballroom. Alpha Randolph shook hands with the other alphas as he welcomed them along with their pack members.

Standing beside him, Alpha Gunner stood tall and proud.

He was dressed in a silver white suit, wearing his hair all back.

The ballroom was filled with chattering and laughter as everybody mingled and clicked glasses.

The band played some jazz classics to set the mood.

“Everyone is here,” Alpha Randolph whispered to his son. “All that is left is Alpha Leonidas.”

“I pray that the bastard doesn't show his face around here,” Alpha Gunner growled. “I hate how he always ruins the mood.”

“Now be nice,” Alpha Randolph said. “For the sake of the new moon festival, bear with him until after the festival. He won't be staying long.”

Alpha Randolph hadn't yet finished his word when the atmosphere changed.

“He's here,” Alpha Randolph whispered. “I can smell him.”

Alpha Leonidas' footsteps echoed through the hallway as he arrived with his two escorts.

A hush silence travelled across the ballroom as soon as everybody watched him.

His dark aura sent chills down the spine of all who gazed upon him.

Alpha Gunner's eyes widened in surprise as he caught me standing behind Alpha Leonidas.

“That's Kylie,” Alpha Gunner pointed his finger at me. “What is she doing here with him?”

Alpha Leonidas gripped my hand, then with slow calculated steps, he walked towards Alpha Randolph and Gunner.

Everyone created a path for him to walk through.

Alpha Leonidas didn't stop. He dragged me along with him to Alpha Randolph.

“Alpha Leonidas,” Randolph greeted. “We were expecting you. Did that slave girl cause you any troubles on your way in?”

Alpha Leonidas gestured at me. “Why is she washing feet?”

“That's because she's a slave,” Alpha Randolph replied. “It's her duty to ensure the guest's feet are washed and dried.”

“I don't want her washing anyone's feet,” he said, still gripping my hand tighter. “From now on, she'll serve only me.”

Alpha Randolph was speechless and so was I.

Who does he think he is to make such demands?

Alpha Gunner stepped forward. He stretched out his hand and grabbed my other arm.

I stiffened when I saw the hate in his eyes. “Sorry to disappoint you, Leonidas, but she's mine.”

Tension rose in the hall as everyone watched the unfolding scenery.

Alpha Leonidas didn't let go of my arm, and neither did Alpha Gunner.

There I was, caught in between two Alphas. It felt as if they were about to split me in two.

Alpha Randolph stepped in as fast as he could. “Gentlemen, let's not cause a scene here. Kylie is a servant in my household. She belongs to the South Pack. She's a Gunner's personal slave.”

Alpha Leonidas bared his teeth as his eyes went through the scars of belt marks, whips, and claw marks all over my body.

“How much did you pay for her?” Alpha Leonidas asked. “I'll double the price and buy her off your hands.”

“Keep your cursed money, and I'll keep my slave,” Alpha Gunner barked. “Kylie is not for sale.”

Alpha Leonidas's face darkened. “I only made the first offer because I'm being nice. You don't have a choice to decide her fate.”

Alpha Gunner growled. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“How do I say this,” Alpha Leonidas raised his chin and announced in a voice so everyone could hear. “She's my mate.”

* * * *

In the Republic, slaves were commodities that could be bought and sold.

However, when a slave finds her mate, tradition demands she can be traded to her mate for a fair price if she isn't rejected.

These are rare occurrences because most slaves were rejected for being low status and weak.

Alpha Leonidas shocked everyone when he publicly admitted that I was his mate.

I couldn't speak. I wasn't sure if I was coming or going.

This was happening so fast.

Alpha Gunner glared at me. “Is this true?!”

I swallowed, afraid of his next reaction. “I-it's…. It's true,” I stammered.

Something dark appeared in Gunner's face.

Suddenly, he yanked me out of Alpha Leonidas's grip. “This doesn't change a thing. I'm not selling Kylie. Guards!”

Two strong guards came over. Alpha Gunner hurled me at them.

“Lock her away in the underground cell,” he ordered. “Do not let her out unless I give the order.”

“Yes, Alpha Gunner,” the guards began dragging me away.

Alpha Leonidas gave me a longing glance before he turned to Alpha Gunner.

His voice was calm and dark. “Don't think you can keep her away from me, Gunner. I'll have her.”

Alpha Gunner barked. “Over my dead body.”

* * * *

The hours went by with me locked up in the underground cell.

Rats scurried around my legs as I wrapped myself against the edge of the cell.

My hunger has disappeared. All I could think about was Alpha Leonidas.

Just then, the cell door opened. I glanced up and saw Alpha Gunner entering the cell.

He carried his belt in his hand. I've never seen him this furious in my life.

“You bitch,” he yelled, raising his whip in the air and bringing it down my body.

I shielded myself with my arms while I received countless lashes from him.

“You're supposed to be washing feet at the doorway,” Alpha Gunner shouted. “How dare you get mated to Leonidas?'

“It's not my fault,” I cried, tears falling from my eyes. “I never thought I'd run into a second mate. Please stop! You're hurting me.”

Alpha Gunner stopped the beating. He took his time to catch his breath.

“I will not let that cursed brute take you away from me,” Alpha Gunner said. “You'll stay locked up here without food or water. As long as Leonidas is still in this mansion, you won't have a thing to chew.”

I was horrified. The new moon festival would go on for three days.

Alpha Gunner was going to starve me for three days because my second mate found me?

“But if I don't eat in three days, I might die,” I exclaimed. “I didn't even get a bite last night.”

“That's your funeral,” Alpha Gunner replied, curtly. “I'd rather you die than be mated to Leonidas.”

He spoke those words without empathy. This made a lump swell in my throat.

“What is your problem?” I cried out in a voice I didn't recognize as my own. “You rejected me. You don't want me as your mate, and yet you still wouldn't let me go. Just kill me. Wouldn't that be better.”

Gunner moved up to me and grabbed me by my throat. He lifted me up, his eyes burning with anger and hatred.

“I'd rather die than see you with Alpha Leonidas,” he growled, his claws digging into my flesh. “You're mine, and until your last breath, you'll remain my slave.”