Chapter Three

ROWAN’S POV

I turned to see who was at the door and there she was, a woman standing in the doorway. Her long ginger hair flowed down her back, framing those striking blue eyes that popped against her pale skin and her full lips curved perfectly. She was absolutely beautiful.

For a split second, relief washed over me. There was another woman here, besides Maria? Maybe this nightmare wouldn't be so isolating.

I pulled Maria into one last hug, squeezing her tight. "I'll be okay," I whispered, even though I didn't believe that myself. "Just stay strong for me."

Maria nodded with tears streaming down her face. I stepped towards the woman and with a forced small smile on my face, I said, "Hi, I'm Rowan Brooks."

"I'm Sabrina," she simply replied with a flat tone as she turned on her heel and started walking down the hallway without waiting.

I hurried to catch up, the sound of my flat sandals a complete contrast to the click-clack of her seven inches heels on the floor. I couldn't help but glance at her again. "You have beautiful hair and beautiful eyes too. What... what I'm trying to say is, you're very beautiful." I said, trying to break the ice. When she didn't respond, I continued. "It's really nice to see another woman around here. I mean, besides Maria. This place feels... overwhelming. So maybe we could talk sometime? It'd be really nice, you know?"

Sabrina suddenly stopped dead and whipped around so fast that I nearly collided with her. Her blue eyes narrowed and I could see the disgust in them. "Can you shut the fuck up?"

My smile disappeared immediately. Then a sick smile appeared on her lips. "You want us to talk? Oh, honey, you're delusional as fuck. A filthy whore like you thinking she's worthy of a conversation with me. Is it because the Knox brothers gave you the honour of being their sex slave? Which you're not even worthy of, by the way. You, Rowan or whatever the hell your name is, are trash that the Alphas picked up from the gutter, and I'll make damn sure you would wish you had been killed back at that pack square. Every. Single. Day."

My heart dropped to my stomach, Sabrina's words were like a punch to my gut that left me breathless. I stared at her in complete shock and hurt. "What... why would you say that? I haven't done anything to you." I hated the way my voice  cracked.

She let out a sharp, mocking laugh that echoed off the walls. "You really think you haven't done anything? You're here. Standing in front of me. Breathing the same air, wearing that dress like you deserve it when you're nothing but a ugly filthy slut who betrayed her own pack. But don't worry, I'll remind you of your place soon." Then she grabbed my arm with her black acrylic nails digging in and yanked me forward. "For now, just move. The Alphas don't like waiting."

I stumbled after her, my chest feeling tight with a mix of shock and anger. Who the hell was she? And why did she hate me so much? My eyes burned with tears but I quickly blinked it back– I will not give Sabrina the satisfaction of seeing me break.

We reached a massive wooden door at the end of the hall, which was carved with intricate ancient motifs. Sabrina shoved the door open without knocking, revealing a large dining area lit by huge chandeliers. A long oak table took over most part of the room, it was filled with a variety of steaming food– roast meats, fresh breads, fruits and the aroma of it all made my stomach growl despite everything.

And there they were, seated at the head of the table; Alpha Julian and Alpha Marcus Knox. Julian, with his deep brown hair tousled just right and those piercing grey eyes, sat in a relaxed way back in his chair, he had the commanding presence of a king. Marcus on the other hand, with his beautiful baby blue eyes that seemed softer but no less intense, sat straighter and more prim and proper, watching us enter.

"Bring her over," Julian commanded. His gaze was locked on me, it was intense and unreadable that it made my pulse race in a way I hated.

Sabrina dragged me forward, "Here she is, Alphas. All cleaned up, just as you requested."

Julian's eyes flicked to her and I saw the brief exchange both of them had with their eyes before he said coldly, "You may leave, Sabrina."

She released me with a silent scoff and shot me one last death glare. "As you wish." The door slammed behind her, leaving me alone with them.

I stood there, frozen in that spot. My mind was reeling because I was genuinely confused. They wanted me to come to a dining room? Not a bedroom? Relief filled my chest, though mixed with confusion. I had braced myself for the worst, I had imagined them pouncing on me the second I walked in. But instead I was greeted with the aroma of delicious foods.

"Sit," Marcus said with his blue eyes scanning me like I was an object. He gestured to the chair between them with his head.

The scent of the food hit harder immediately I sank into the chair. There was juicy steak, buttery potatoes, and my mouth watering like crazy. But I was still skeptical and confused, why exactly were we here in the dining area? What were these Alphas planning this time? Why not just... get it over with?

Julian smirked and leaned forward to pour a glass of wine and slid it my way. "We want to feed you first." His grey eyes met mine, they were sparkling with amusement as if he could read my damn mind.

I blinked, taken aback a little. "How... how did you know what I was...?"

He chuckled, a deep, booming sound. "I know you're eager for our first night together, Rowan. But there's no way I'm fucking without eating first. A man's got priorities."

I blushed hard, heat flooding my face and neck. "I... I'm not eager! That's not... what I meant at all!" The words tumbled out of my mouth defensively but that only amused him more as his smirk deepened.

Did he forget that they dragged me here against my wish?

"Just eat, Rowan," Marcus urged and gestured to a servant to plate some food for me. I could see the ghostly smirk on his lips too. Were they having fun teasing me or what? Well, fuck them.

As soon as the servant handed the plate to me, I grabbed the fork and dived into the food with it. I shoveled in bites faster than I should but I couldn't help it. I couldn't slow down even if I wanted to.

Marcus was watching me with his brows furrowed. "When was the last time you had a meal?"

I swallowed the steak I was chewing before replying, "Two... two days ago." They didn't give me food after locking me up in the pack’s dungeon.

He leaned back and crossed his arms, his baby blue eyes darkening with something that seemed like anger. Or was it pity? "Damn, your sister really hated you."

The mention of Elowen slammed into me like a broken train, bringing back all the memories I had tried to push back to the back of my head. The anger and hurt suddenly boiled up and my grip on the fork tightened. "I... uhm... didn't betray my pack. I would never do that. Elowen, my sister, framed me, she set me up for treason. You have to believe me. I'm not a traitor."

Marcus didn't stop eating, he was so indifferent that I almost thought he didn't hear what I just said. While Julian was staring at me with a deadpan look, then he set his wine glass down with a deliberate thud and his grey eyes locked on mine.

He leaned in closer, his voice having a low growl beneath it that it sent shivers all over my body. "I don't give a fuck whether you betrayed your pack or not, Rowan. All that matters is that you bear us a child."