2: Ironfang

I wanted to be a seamstress. I'd always admired how the corsets were magnificently crafted. I wanted to make something out of myself. Something to prove to my family and pack that I am not useless. But despite my efforts, they found me worthy of being a breeder for the cruel alpha king. Rumour says he is a beast. Unforgiving and ruthless. Alphas bow at his feet. His reputation Is widely known.

I just need to give him a son and I will be free. That is what my parents said.

I tried to sit comfortably on the bumpy carriage. My corset would soon squeeze the air out of me but it seemed it was still far. GRITHIM IRONFANG.

The carriage came to an abrupt stop, my head hitting the iron bars and I whimpered loudly.

" Take everything you can," I heard male voices. The carriage door flew open and I came face to face with naked males with hairy chests. Rogues. They were rogues.

" Isn't your beauty as cold as snow?" One of the rogues commented and instead of feeling flattered, I felt scared. These wood robbers are bloodthirsty. They are untamed and do what pleases them.

" Get out of the carriage." He orders and without blinking, I scurried forward, and just as I almost made it out, I stepped on my garment and fell face flat to the wet earth.

I groaned, dirt entering my mouth and I spat, strong hand gripped my arm, pulling me to my feet.

I spat again and glared at the rogue holding me but immediately softened my look before I regretted it. My yellow gown is now covered in black specks of dirt.

" Do you know who I am?" I couldn't help the words that left my mouth. I am a neat freak and I'm not the type that shows up somewhere like Grithim for the first time in dirt.

" The cruel alpha king breeder. I know you and when you meet Voidheart, tell him to kick a rock." He said, his tone mocking and I grit my teeth.

" Take the carriage and everything boys!" He calls to his gang and my lips parted in disbelief. Right under my eyes, I watched as they looted the carriage and everything we brought along away, disappearing into the woods.

I turned to the rider and he pointed his finger at a mountain. " Behind this mountain is Grithim. We need to start moving now before the sun sets." He says and I sigh. I stared at the mountain and without choice, I followed the lead of my footman. Harold.

Sweats dripped down my face as we climbed the mountain terrains.

" Perhaps we should pull our clothes and shift into our wolf form. It will be easier that way, Felyndra," he says and I grunt. I've thought of that but I am not a wolf. I am a fox and I can't show my true identity.

" You seemed to have forgotten that I am wolfless," I reminded him, not slightly offended and he apologized profusely.

The walls of Grithim were finally in sight and an hour later, a guide took us to the castle of the alpha king – Nightbane Voidheart.

As we passed by, onlookers especially servants stared at me, their faces wrinkled at how unkempt I looked. I could hear their muffled whispers but I paid deaf ears to them. It isn't my fault that I was robbed by rogues.

" Wait here. I will inform the king of your arrival," The woman said politely and I waved at her, telling her to stop.

" I would like to change from this .." I pointed at my dirty gown. " Into something cleaner," I completed and she shook her head at me.

" Until the king approves of you, you are not allowed any privileges," she answered and I quickly asked.

" What happens if the king doesn't approve of me?" I waited patiently for her answer, praying the king would disapprove of me and I would get my freedom back.

" You get to marry one of the widowed elders or become a servant of the royal house," My heart sank at her answer. None of the options were good. It truly seemed like Grithim was the end of me.

She disappeared behind the door and I remained standing, afraid of soiling the seats by sitting on them with my dirty gown.

After about an hour, my feet were starting to wobble and my strength wearing away. I needed food, a bath, and rest. But then the door opened, making me open my tired eyes.

I turned, and my breath hitched. Standing before me was the most ethereal man I had ever seen. Too beautiful to belong to this world and yet too dangerous to be divine. His long, obsidian hair cascaded over his broad shoulders, flowing like liquid silk with every step he took. Midnight eyes, deep and endless, held a quiet intensity that made my pulse thudder. His olive skin, kissed by a golden undertone, contrasted sharply against the rich black of his robe, embroidered with shimmering gold threads that caught the light like woven stardust.

He walked with the grace of a predator, each slow, measured step making the air grow heavier. Power radiated from him, unseen yet suffocating, pressing down on me like a hand at my throat. My legs trembled, and my body instinctively reacted to a force I couldn’t fight. My knees hit the floor with a sharp thud. A silent whimper slipped past my lips as my head tilted backward, my neck baring in submission.

He stood before me, towering over me as his earthly smell of leaves and citrus flooded my nose. I felt a shadow over me and a cold finger touched my chin, sending sparks and chills down my spine. Slowly, he tilted my face up to look at him and I saw it, a fox and a wolf cuddling in his eyes.

" Mate!" A voice screamed in my head. A voice I've never heard before.

His gaze scrutinized my face as if sucking the air out of my lungs. He leaned closer, his nose almost touching mine and I felt something wet between my thighs. A soft gasp left my mouth and his thumb caressed my bottom lip, making my body wriggle with an unknown sensation, sending heat up my body, my heart racing against my ribcage.

" What is your name?" His voice made my body vibrate and heat traveled up my face. I tried to say it but no words came out of my mouth.

" You let a rogue touch you?" He asked, striking fear in my heart, and my heart thuds. Have I offended him?

His hand suddenly gripped my chin tightly, parting my mouth so widely that it hurt.

" Did he kiss your lips? Did he plunge you?" He demands, his voice ranging and fear cocooned me.

" Did you do it in the dirt so you can avoid being my breeder?" He asked, his accusation cut through my heart like a blade.