Chapter 3: Little prey

One moment, her life was perfect: a loving father, a respected pack, a devoted sister, and a mate who cherished her. But in the blink of an eye, everything shattered.

The man she loved betrayed her, rejected her, and ordered her death. Fate twisted, and she was sold, branded a traitor. Now, her life was no longer her own.

Arianna nervously fidgeted with her dress. The carriage was silent, thick with tension, as they head to an unknown destination. She could feel the guard's gaze on her, making her skin prickle with unease.

Time dragged as the man asked the guards questions, none of which made sense to her. Her eyelids grew heavy, but fear kept her awake. Eventually, exhaustion won, and she drifted into sleep.

The carriage stopped abruptly, jolting her awake. Realizing she had doze off, she inwardly scolded herself.

"Are you hungry?" The man's voice pulled her attention. His expression was unreadable.

"No," Arianna lied, but her stomach growled, betraying her. Their eyes met, and she knew he saw through her lie.

The man glanced at his watch. "Stop at the nearest inn," he instructed the driver. The car halted, and the guard stepped out to get food. He returned with a plastic bag and handed it to her.

Arianna stared in confusion.

"Eat. You'll need it," the man said. Hesitant, she took the bag, unsure whether to feel grateful or wary. What were they planning? Feed her, then kill her? No they wouldn't have feed her if that was the case.

As the car moved again, Arianna couldn't help but ask, "What are you going to do with me?" Her voice trembled despite her attempt to sound calm.

"You'll find out soon."

She looked down at the sandwich, her stomach growling again. If she needed her strength, she might as well eat. If there was any chance to escape, she'd need her energy.

Just as she finished eating, the guard beside her swiftly covered her nose and mouth with a cloth. Arianna struggled, but the strange scent overwhelmed her, and darkness consumed her.

**********

Arianna awoke to the scent of lavender and chamomile. Warm water enveloped her, soothing her tense muscles. Fingers gently massaged her scalp, and she let out a soft moan of comfort. Where was she?

Her vision cleared, revealing a lavish bathtub. Maids surrounded her, one checking the water temperature, another scrubbing her arm, and a third washing her hair. Their faces were expressionless.

Memories flooded back, and confusion set in. Where was the man who bought her? Had the betrayal and recent cruel experiences, all been a nightmare?

"What is this place?" she asked one of the maids, but received no response. "I asked you a question!" Her voice was sharp.

The maid glanced at her briefly before continuing her task.

Frustrated, Arianna yanked her arm away. "I demand an answer!"

To her surprise, the maid pulked her arm sharply, and retorted, "You're a slave like us. Just because we're bathing you doesn't mean you can talk down to us. This isn't your domain, princess. You're in the Lunaris Citadel, not your small pack-the one you betrayed."

'Lunaris Citadel?'

Arianna's heart raced. The Lunaris Citadel-the seat of the Lycan King, ruler of all packs. How had she ended up here?

"Brigid, enough," the head maid, Selene, scolded, but Arianna barely registered it. Her mind raced as she processed her situation.

The Lycan King-ruthless, powerful, and feared by all. His word was law, and who had met him, mentioned he was like a devil-- his eyes could burn, and he was blessed with insane power. And now, she was in his domain.

Fear twisted in her gut. Why was she here?

The maids finished bathing her and dressed her in a revealing white transparent gown that barely reached her thighs and clung to her curves. She felt exposed.

"Why am I wearing this?" she asked Selene, her voice trembling.

Selene met her gaze in the mirror, a flicker of pity in her eyes. "You are to offer yourself to the king tonight. A word of advice, little one-do not run from him."

Offer herself to the king? Her heart sank to her feet. "W..what do you mean?"

Before Selene could respond, the door swung open and a guard clad in armor, stepped in. His face weathered and menacing aura demanding attention.

"The king is waiting," his thick voice pierced through the air, his eyes settling on Arianna. "Follow me."

Arianna's legs trembled as she followed the guard down the dimly lit hallway. The air grew heavier with each step, an icy chill emanating from the room at the end. She didn't need to be told-she knew the Lycan King was in there.

She was about to meet the most dangerous man in the werewolf world.

"Get in," the guard's word sounded like a harsh command, punching her guts. Forcing her feet to move, she pushed the large imposing door open, and stepped into the dark chamber. The door cracked shut behind her, its thud echoed through the room like a death knell.

The air was thick, oppressive, his presence unmistakable. The king was in his rut. She could smell the sharp, intense scent-- Rich, earthly, and laced with a hint of wildness.

Arianna froze, her eyes glued to the floor. She knew he was watching her, making it hard for her to breath.

'I can do this. I can survive this,' she tried to reassure herself, slowly looking up, but her courage crumbled the moment she met his gaze-those golden-red eyes that pierced through the darkness straight to her soul.

Panic surged through her, tensing every nerve in her body. Ignoring the maid's warning, Arianna spun around, reaching for the door in desperation.

"Let me out!" she cried, but the low growl behind her made her freeze. She felt the heat radiating from him, a clear sign of how close he was. His towering large frame loomed over her, her back pressing against his solid chest. His hot breath brushed against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine-yet igniting something deep within her.

In a husky voice dripping with menace, he whispered, "Where do you think you're going, little prey?"