Chapter 3

Anna's POV

The landscape beyond my window looked vast. Vast and inviting.

I leaned beside the window of my room, staring out at the lush green fields that stretched into the horizon. Forests didn't surround this place the way they surrounded my home. I couldn't escape without Alpha Jasper's knowledge—I wouldn't even make it past the open fields before being dragged back.

I bet he liked that, the aggravating man. I bet people escaped from his mansion a lot. He definitely enjoyed taking my body that night, almost a week ago now.

I sighed, folding my arms as a gust of wind slipped through the window and gave me shivers. It had been two weeks since I'd arrived here. Two weeks since my father had shown up in the Alpha's dining room, and two weeks since I'd learned of his betrayal.

At that point, I wondered what my mother would do to him if she learned that he sold me off to the Alpha like I was a prized bull. I wondered the explanation he even gave her for my sudden and mysterious disappearance.

Suddenly, a creak at the door made me pivot around, a gasp on my lips. I saw a head with a helmet on peek through the gap in the door.

"Do you people not knock around here?" I snapped, hand pressed to my thundering chest.

"My apologies, my lady." The guard replied, widening the door and stepping inaide. "The Alpha asked for me to fetch you."

My eyebrows shot up—the Alpha hadn't asked for me in two weeks. "What for?"

"He said I should escort you to the court room."

I turned away from the guard and back to my window. "Go away. I am not interested."

There was a pause behind me, before the guard replied. "Ma'am, I do not think you understand the situation you're in right now. You have to come with us to the court room immediately!"

"Are you deaf?" I roared, turning to face them one more. "I told you I am not interested in going anywhere with you!"

Before I could face the window again, I heard footsteps approach me. And suddenly, the guard carried me from my spot by the window, threw me over his shoulder and walked towards the door.

I felt the world around me tilt as I was hoisted up, and anger and frustration bubbled within me. "Let me go!" I roared. "Free me this instant! Put me down!"

"No can do, Ma'am." The guard replied with a grunt as he pulled my door open. "The Alpha's orders were to carry you out if you proved stubborn."

All the way from my room, I struggled and squirmed, screaming for the guard to let me go. However, he did his job to the letter, as he didn't let me go until we got to the entrance of the throne room.

Once there, he gently placed me down. At this point, my rage knew no bounds.

"You bastard!" I screamed, then lifted my hand to strike the guard. But suddenly, a hand materialized from behind me and grabbed mine, stopping me.

I heard a disapproving tut-tut as I turned around to face Alpha Jasper. My jeart plummeted to my shoes as I gazed into his intense glacier eyes.

He seemed to realise the effect he was having on me, as he held my gaze still. My mouth fell open, and his cold smile twitched.

"You should think twice before doing that, sweetheart." He murmured.

"I was only—" I started, but he shut me up by letting go of my wrist.

"Well, we're going into a Council meeting." He continued, as though I had said nothing. "Be more coordinated than you are now. No more outbursts from you, Anna. And do not speak unless spoken to."

My lips parted in indignation, but quickly closed shut the moment I saw the dangerous look on his face. I knew not to play with this man, at this moment.

Alpha Jasper turned to the door, then paused and turned back to me. "Oh, and if you ever try to prove stubborn with me, just know that one of these guards and maids around here will pay for your insolence."

A chill settled over me as I heard his words. Unbidden, I remembered that guard he'd killed right in my presence, on my first day in his pack house.

"What do you intend to achieve with all of this?" I blurted out.

He stopped mid-stride, then looked over his shoulder at me, brow cocked, a slightly annoyed look on his face. "You're here for one reason and one reason alone, Anna, and that is to bear my heir. After this is achieved, you're free to go."

Reaching out to grab my wrist again with one hand, he yanked me forward and into the court room. 

The room was filled to the brim with middle-aged male wolves, who sat in a semi-circular fashion and were murmuring amongst themselves. The moment they sighted their Alpha, they all fell silent and stood to their feet.

"Sit." Alpha Jasper ordered, waving them dismissively. The men all sat down, and I felt the weight of dozens of eyes bearing down at me. I could almost read every thought that passed through their heads—I knew they were wondering who I was.

My skin flushed red with their intense stares, and I kept my eyes on the ground all through.

Alpha Jacob gripped my wrist even tighter, and I felt him lean down to me, whispering in my ear.

His breath tickled my neck as he did so. "I would advise you to raise your head high and carry yourself with pride, unless you want me to strip you naked and fuck you in their presence."

Words hung themselves in my throat, unable to come out, and my blush deepened. His words reminded me of the night we'd shared on his bed, a week ago. Quickly I raised my head and managed to look at the seated men without melting into a puddle of discomfort.

"Now!" Alpha Jasper turned to the seated Council. "Elders, permit me to introduce my new Luna to you all. This is the woman I have been mated to, the woman I share a bond stronger than any with.

The murmurs rose again, louder and heavier this time. I felt the weight of their glares even stronger than before.

One of the Elders rose to his feet and bowed to Alpha Jasper, then began, "Alpha, I am very sure this is a joke. We are all gathered here to discuss the state of security of the pack, not some woman! We all know here that you're not mated to anyone, much less that girl!"

I felt Alpha Jasper's grip on me tighten almost convulsively, before he let go of my wrist and faced the Elder. "When was the last time you fucked your wife, Elder Cain?"

The Elder blanched. "What?"

Alpha Jasper pointed a finger in his direction. "The very next time you interrupt me while I am talking is the very last time you'll have a cock!"

The entire room was throwm into a stunned silence. Alpha Jasper clapped once, then continued. "Now that all of that is over, this meeting is hereby brought to an end."

And without another word, he grabbed my wrist again and pulled me towards the door.