Chapter Six: The Seduction.

Alpha Zane sat lost in thought in his dimly lit chambers, the flickering candles casting long shadows on the walls. The scroll, delivered by one of his guards, was clutched tightly in his hand, his knuckles white.

How did I reject Maya and choose her sister? he wondered. Maya is weak but hardworking. Zara, on the other hand, is sassy and also the strongest woman in the pack, he murmured.

He tried replaying the events leading up to his choice, but the images seemed foggy.

He opened the scroll with shaky hands for the umpteenth time. The parchment crackled as he unrolled it, the sound echoing through the silent chambers. The moment his eyes landed on the content, his heart burned. “The omega you rejected is coming with me,” it declared boldly in Alpha Kane’s writing.

“Who the hell does he think he is?” Zane growled. First, he postponed the contract, and now this! He felt his neck veins pulsing. His whole body vibrated with fury. “I don't care if he is the supreme Alpha, I will make him understand why I’m called Zane.” His face hardened with resolve.

* * * *

Meanwhile, at the Betas’ Mansion, Zara stood before her mirror, fully dressed, admiring how the fabric hugged her body in all the right places. She was about to visit Zane and persuade him to fix the date for her to become Luna.

I just hope he agrees to whatever I say, Zara thought inwardly. The witch told me he would do whatever I say if I succeed in lying with him, but I’m still doubtful.

She twirled, nodded in satisfaction. “No man can resist this beauty,” she said, hyping herself up, and then walked out. She found no one downstairs.

Where the hell is everyone? she wondered.

“Maya!” she called. The image of Maya’s eyes flashing gold crossed her mind. This is not a hallucination. I need to visit the witch soon and get more answers, she concluded. With one last look around the cozy sitting room, she strode out of the house, her chin held high.

She arrived at the Palace, where the guards and maids bowed their heads in greeting. “Welcome, Luna,” they chorused, and a huge smile graced her lips. This newfound title and respect sent butterflies fluttering in her stomach. She acknowledged their greetings cheerfully.

“Is the Alpha in?” she asked. The maid hesitated before answering, and Zara landed a slap on the maid’s cheeks, making her eyes widen in terror. The maid held her burning cheeks, her head down. “I’m sorry, Luna,” she said, her voice trembling.

“Next time, if I ask you a question, give me a reply immediately, do you understand?” Zara asked, her voice, once cheerful, now filled with malice.

“Yes, Luna,” the maid answered tearfully.

“What is going on here?” A deep voice sounded from the entrance.

“Oh, it’s nothing, Alpha. I just disciplined someone,” Zara said.

“Alright, come with me,” he said, leading the way to the chambers.

They arrived at the chamber, and Zara was awed by the sight before her. The walls were decorated with tile and marble, with a touch of gold. The king-size mattress made her head spin with imagination. The grandeur was top-notch, and she applauded herself mentally for snatching the Alpha.

“What would you like to take?” he asked.

“Nothing, Alpha, I’m fine,” Zara replied, expecting him to persuade her, but he only nodded.

“What brings you here?” he asked after some minutes of silence.

“Nothing, Alpha, I just want us to talk about the pack acceptance ceremony,” she said, playing with her fingertips.

“Yes, Zara, I already said it’s in a month, and also…”

He was about to say something else when Zara leaned in, planting a soft kiss on his lips. At first, the Alpha stiffened, his instincts screaming at him to push her away, but the warmth of her lips conquered his resistance. Against his better judgment, his body betrayed him; he took over the kiss, their lips moving in sync. He slid his hand under Zara’s dress, and a moan escaped her lips, making him hard. Zara could feel his arousal, and she smiled.

It's working, she thought inwardly. Just one s*x with him, and I will have him wrapped around my fingers.

The kiss grew more intense, and clothes began flying in all directions, and the rest was history.

A few moments later, Zara and the Alpha lay entangled on the bed. Zara’s hand roamed his chest, drawing imaginary lines.

“Alpha, can you please fix the ceremony in two weeks?” Zara asked, pouting.

“Consider it done, My Luna,” he answered, and her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

“I will assign the guards to spread the message around,” he added, and Zara smiled.

****

Meanwhile, Maya had been working non-stop since morning. As the weakest member of the pack, she spent all day scrubbing and washing for the pack members without any pay.

“Hey, Maya, quick, scrub that toilet, then go fetch water for the pack house.” A voice said, more like a mockery than a request.

Just a matter of time before I'm out of this pack for good, Maya consoled herself.

She finished scrubbing, wiped her hands on a tattered towel, picked up a bucket, and headed to the pack house to complete her task. She ignored the scornful stares from the pack members she met on the way. “See how pathetic she looks,” one member was bold enough to say, right in front of her. She gave the woman a long, hard stare but decided to ignore the remark.

She finished fetching the water and dragged her feet home, careful to avoid contact with the pack members.

On arriving home, what she heard made her stomach churn. Her parents were in a heated argument, and she was the topic.

“I won’t let my daughter marry an old man!” her mother said.

“She’s useless, so she has to marry him. He promised to bring a bag of gold in return,” her father retorted.

“So, my daughter is now a commodity? You lie, Atheus, you lie!”

Unable to bear it any longer, she pushed the door open, and the house fell into a hush.

“Erm, welcome, my daughter,” her mother stammered, while her father stormed off without sparing her a glance.