5. Chelsea

Chelsea

"Love, are you sure you weren't hallucinating?"

My pulse leaped when I heard his voice close to me. One of his large hands slapped against the headrest of the bed while he gradually lowered himself, bringing us eye to eye.

Fucking gorgeous! He was so fucking gorgeous, it was so disgusting.

God... when did he come this close?

"I–I am telling the truth.” I replied and instinctively tried to distance my face from his when he watched me with a dangerous intensity.

"And, where's the bottle? Did you swallow it down as well?" he asked very calmly.

I was exhausted from what I witnessed the day before. The death of the one that I had loved… and it was all because of this alpha in front of me. I had the nerve to kill him but instead I was being his obedient girl. That makes me sick.

"Inside the car." I said.

"As in, your hallucinated car? Or the real one?"

I was disgusted by his question. It was really stupid. He was trying to make me the liar on such a stupid matter. But I wasn't lying. Why would I? And why was he even pretending that he didn't give me the bottle?

Just what past issues had this man gone through to make him like this? I wondered as I met his gaze. "The real one. I wasn't hallucinating. The bottle..."

"That I will, of course, try to find but after that, if I can't, you will pay for the minutes I lose." Alastair abruptly interrupted me making me cringe against the headrest that was shaking from his tight grip when he continued, "Fair deal, huh?" His voice gave me chilly.

I was not wrong. But what if... he fails to find it? What if he lies? He can throw it away and continue pretending that he never saw it.

Paying for his minutes didn't scare me. But the possible meaning behind it did. I didn't have money, or any treasure to offer but a body. He won't ask for it, right? Yeah, Chelsea. Of course, he wants it. Otherwise, why would he bring you here?

I tried to respond but my attempt at elucidation proved fruitless, as he released his hold on the headrest and turned his attention to the maids, who appeared to be mere automatons.

"Take her to my room." he commanded.

The hair on the back of my neck rose. "No." I almost shouted. "No. Not your room. I–I won't sleep with you. I haven't lost the deal yet."

Shit! He looked confused. He didn't even say that. Why the hell did I assume such a thing?

"Are you sure about that?" He asked, raising a brow.

Even though I was embarrassed as fuck, I managed to nod. "I can stay here."

"Trust me you don't want to stay here or in any other room. My mother might shoot you."

Of course. I was forbidden in this palace and I heard, she was violent enough to shoot anyone. But what Alastair meant was I would be safe in his room, around him when he was the biggest threat to my life.

"D–Don't you have quarters? Like for slaves? Just take me there. I will be fine."

A corner of his lips quirked up for a moment before it vanished again. "Ladies, do as she pleases. Escort her to the slave quarter."

Okay... I screwed up. But it was for good. Slave quarter would be way better than sharing his room. I didn't expect more than that, anyway.

The maids nodded, trying hard to hide their troubled expressions. Dr. Kai, however, wasn't intrigued. Given the stethoscope in his hand, I guessed this man was a doctor even before he told me. But the relationship between him and the prince confused me. They probably didn't like each other, it might be extending to detest as well but not entirely.

Kai folded his arms and cast a contemptuous gaze at Alastair. "You send her there so that eventually, she is sent back to you. Shitty move, man. Why must you act like trash?"

I was aware of this. And it still sounded like a better choice than sharing a room.

"Shut your mouth. Or how about this? I’ll shut it for you by kicking those teeth down your throat?”

If it ain't the calmest threat I ever heard, then I didn't know what it was! Yet, Kai wasn't bothered. He enjoyed it. "Yeah. Yeah. I know you would. But you have better things to do. See you later."

"See you soon." Alastair seemed to say that to me before he strode out of the room. He finally left, leaving behind a tangible sense of tranquilly that enveloped me. I felt at ease. Breathing the same air with a dangerous creature like him was nothing but turmoil and it was not my aim to experience it.

Noting his departure, Kai switched all of his attention back onto me. "May I know who you are, Pale lady?"

"I am Chelsea Cadeel, an Omega from the blue moon pack." I answered stiffly. He appeared to be less menacing than Alastair, at the very least. His appearance was pleasing to the eye. The warmth emanating from his hazel eyes was discernible.

Cutting through my thoughts, Kai gave me a thoughtful look. "That's clear enough. I mean... what's your relationship with Alpha Alastair?"

A flat, sad chuckle left my lips before replying, "I am just his captive." He would use me and then throw me away anytime he pleased. Ridiculously, I had become someone's plaything once again.

Kai inclined his head ever so slightly, his disbelief discernible. He questioned doubtfully, "Are you sure about that?"

It was probably because a captive would never be allowed to ride the prince's car. Whereas earlier I was about to enter the prince's room and the prince, himself, wanted me there. Well, I would be lying if I said it didn't confuse me.

“Ah, you should ask him. He brought me here.” I succeeded in composing a response.

He observed me for a brief moment before giving a nod. "I will be cheering for you," With a broad smile, he extended his hand towards me. "Call me anytime. I will be there when my assistance is required."

As the evening progressed, I was escorted by the maids to the slave quarters, crossing the breezeways that linked the quarters to the palace. It was a two-story colonial house, built behind the main palace. As I stepped into the living area, I paused to survey my surroundings. In the corner of the room sat an aged couch, its cushions worn from years of use. Adjacent to it stood a modest coffee table, adorned with only a handful of necessary items. A heater hummed softly in the background, providing warmth to the cosy space. It was oddly old. The stone walls exuded a certain garishness, as did the gaudy titles and furnishings that embellished the entire area.

On the floor, there were dining and training spaces for the enslaved women. As I gazed up, I observed the second floor. It contained numerous cabins that were enclosed by indoor banisters overlooking the first floor. They had a backyard closed by a glass door too. It was such a relief to spot an enormous showering facility with a pool there.

"Who is this?"

I tilted to the side from where the voice arrived. There stood a woman in her ivory gown, bringing composure and contempt to her aroma.

"Ms. Beth," the maid spoke with a lowered head, "his Highness has brought her here.

A fleeting expression of astonishment flitted across her countenance. She blinked. "Alpha brought her here?"

As the maid nodded, she scanned me from head to toe and her expression went desolate. "Who are you?"

"My name is Chelsea Cadeel."

Sarcasm filled Ms. Beth's gaze before she responded, "Little girl, your name will never matter here, only your position will."

I stood there, poised and expectant, awaiting the maid's reply. Silence was her only response, not a single word evading her lips. Exhaling softly, I resolved to break the silence and articulate my thoughts. "Well… I believe I am just a captive."

Not the alpha's mate. Not yet.

The lady bestowed a brief nod. "I am the butler and manager of this palace. My name is Beth. You can call me Ms. Beth. Now tell me, Chelsea, how can I help you?"

Uncertainty clouded my mind as I struggled to determine the appropriate words to emit. The prince had only ordered the maids to bring me to the slave quarters because I wished to. I had no clue of what these people were planning, well, other than making my life a real mess.

"His Highness wanted her to be here." the maid said.

Ms. Beth seemed to be confused by the whole situation for a few seconds until she noticed the troubled expression on the maid's face. "Noted. I will take care of it."

Right then, gasps reached my eardrums. I became aware of the women who sat across the stairs watching me. No, actually, judging me. Almost all of the eyes were enviously studying me. Some of the women were whispering and laughing together, while others just gaped.

"Why do I hear all of this chatter? Go back to your rooms!" With a sharp and commanding voice, Ms. Beth bellowed, causing them to hastily scurry back into their respective chambers. "Miss Chelsea, do come along," she beckoned. In an instant, Ms. Beth commenced her gait, her strides so brisk that I struggled to match her pace.

She guided me toward the backyard as she said, "Those girls are here waiting for the prince's call… to retain a position. They aim to be one of his wives or maybe a mistress."

Once I heard the slaves come here willingly. I never believed that but hearing what Ms. Beth had said, I doubted no more. But again... the women I saw a while ago were extremely beautiful.

"Those women—"

"Won't obtain that position." Ms. Beth deftly interrupted my words and directed me toward a cozy seating area close to the shimmering pool. "Alpha Alastair never calls for any of them after the first time. Opinions are divided on the matter, with some considering it a fetish while others believe that he is not interested to build romantic relationships with women."

That jerk definitely had some issues. Even though men don't go through heat cycles, they smell female heat and it incites them. As per Ms. Beth's account, he never makes a second call to a woman. It was really disturbing.

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked Ms. Beth.

The woman nonchalantly lifted her shoulders. "Perhaps, the alpha wanted you to know." she said with a smile.

I didn't response. My mind was a puzzled mess. Why would he want me to know these?

"Alright. Let's go, Chelsea."

Ms. Beth's sudden voice now startled me. "Are you already sending me back to him?" I almost sounded like a scared baby.

This time, she smiled. "I can't. In an hour, he will be flying to another continent to represent the Walas Kingdom." My body relaxed. "I am taking you to your room." added Ms. Beth.

"G-got it." I stammered.