“You’ll be sent to the King tonight.” My father announced.
“You’re sending me to die.” I said quietly.
My sister laughed. “Finally. At least you’ll be useful.”
I looked at my mother. “I’m your daughter. No woman leaves the King’s bed alive. And yet you are offering me to him.”
“You've done nothing but disgrace us as a family.” She smiled coldly. “We’re doing what’s best for the family.”
“For the family,” I repeated. “Not for me.”
To think that this was my family. They never really loved me.
I didn't have a wolf and I wasn't as pretty as my sister.
My father stepped closer. “You’re an omega. No wolf. A disgrace to the Alpha family.”
“You should be grateful,” my sister added. “You get to die in the King’s bed.”
I swallowed the pain and said, “You’re all going to regret this.”
They burst out laughing.
“What are you going to do?” My sister mocked. “Come back from the grave?”
“Yes,” I said.
They stopped laughing.
“I won’t die,” I continued. “I will survive. And when I do I'll make you pay——”
My father slapped me.
“You will obey,” he snarled.
As guards dragged me toward the palace, another omega whispered, “No woman survives Alpha King Maximus.”
I lifted my chin. “Then I’ll be the first.”
The gates opened.
A guard asked, “Name?”
“Emilia,” I said.
He paused. “Alpha’s daughter?”
“Not anymore,” I answered.
Inside the palace, a woman in black said, “One of you will be summoned tonight.”
Her eyes locked on me.
“Take her first.” Her lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
I didn’t flinch. I smiled to myself.
They sent me here to die.
I came here to change my fate.
If I survived the King, I would never crawl back.
I would rise where they could see me.
And the first thing I would take—was everything they thought I’d never have.
Emilia's POV
I have always known that I was hated. I have always known that I was unloved. Unwanted.
But this—
This was something else entirely.
I stood there, hands clenched at my side as my father, mother, and sister looked at me like I was trash.
Like I was nothing. Like they weren't talking about my life like it meant nothing.
“You should be grateful to us." My father's voice said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
Grateful? I couldn't help but scoff as my eyes met his.
“Why? Why do you hate me so much?" I whispered, my chest squeezing in pain.
“Oh please, stop with the drama, take a look at yourself, would you love you if you were you?" My sister Rosella asked and my mother chuckled like it was funny.
“You're sending me to die and you're laughing about it?" I asked, my chest boiling in anger.
"We're giving you redemption from your pathetic life, you've done nothing but disgrace us as a family. We're only doing what's best for our family.” My mother finally said, looking at me with disdain.
She didn't need to say it directly but I knew I wasn't part of that family.
“What about me? What's best for me?" I asked and my father took a threatening step towards me.
“You ungrateful child, you should be happy we kept you alive, what gives you the right to think you can question us?!" My father boomed in anger and that made something in me snap.
“I am your daughter! I am your daughter, and you've done nothing but hate me for twenty two years, what have I ever done to you?!" I yelled in anger and I didn't see it coming when his hand landed on my face with a hard slap.
“How dare you?! How dare you raise your voice at me?!”
My eyes burned, my mouth wobbled but I refused to let the tears fall. I wasn't going to give them that satisfaction.
“Have you looked at yourself in the mirror? Do you know how disgusting and ugly you look?” He sneered and all I did was stand there and take his insult.
"And you had to come through my bloodline, do you know how embarrassing that is?! And as if that wasn't enough humiliation, you don't have a wolf!”
My heart squeezed. My eyes burned harder but I'd rather die than let the tears fall.
"Father, father,” my sister said in her overly sweet voice she used in fooling everyone.
"Don't let her upset you, she's not worth it," she said as she held his hand and he sighed looking at her like the moon and stars revolved around her.
A look he'd never give me. Ever.
“If only you were like your sister. Rosella is making us proud. She's not only beautiful, she's strong and talented, unlike you.” My father said as he turned from Rosella, the look of pride he earlier had for her vanishing to disgust immediately his eyes landed on me.
"You will be sent to the King's palace with the other omegas and there's nothing you're going to do about it.”
“You know what Emilia, you should be happy. You get to die in the King's bed. That's if he doesn't put an end to you on the spot because there's no way the Alpha king would want to lay a hand on a pathetic loser like you.”
“You all are going to regret this." I said as I clenched my hands tightly.
“What are you going to do? Crawl from the grave and haunt us?” Rosella asked and they all burst out laughing.
To think that this was my family. They never really loved me.
My father said I was a disgrace to his family. I didn't have a wolf and I wasn't as pretty as Rosella.
So as punishment, he made me an omega. Imagine the daughter of an alpha being demoted to an omega.
I became invisible. Treated like trash in my own pack. Called all manner of names.
‘Fat.’
‘Ugly pig.’
‘Pathetic loser.’
At some point I began to believe them.
“I won't die." I suddenly said out of nowhere and they stopped laughing and all turned to me.
“I will survive." I said with determination but my sister snickered.
“Oh please, haven't you heard? No woman leaves his bed alive.”
And yet they were offering me to him.
"But I will survive.” I said again, determination wrapping around my chest like a chain.
"You're delulu,” my sister said with a shake of her head.
“You all will regret what you've done to me. I'll make you pay. I promise."
"Stop with the drama and go pack whatever garbage you have, you're leaving tonight with the others.” My mother said, like it was the most natural thing to say.
Rosella smirked as she looked me dead in the eye.
“You'll die Emilia, you'll die."
Emilia's POV
The door slammed shut behind me, the final punctuation to my exile.
I stood there in the hallway, staring blankly at the cracked wooden floor beneath my feet. My cheek still throbbed from my father’s slap.
But that pain—it was nothing compared to what I felt in my chest.
Betrayal. Loneliness. Rage so sharp it threatened to carve me from the inside out.
I swallowed the scream caught in my throat and walked stiffly to the tiny, cold room at the back of the house. It used to be the storage room—until my mother decided it was fitting for the disgrace of the family. Me.
I pushed the creaky door open and stood in the doorway, looking around at the pathetic excuse of a room I’d been reduced to. A thin mattress on the floor. A broken dresser missing one leg. A cracked mirror.
They’d stolen everything from me. My dignity. My birthright. My future.
But they hadn’t stolen me.
Not yet.
I grabbed the small cloth bag I kept beside the mattress. It had a few belongings—some clothes, an old book with the corners worn and curled.
I tucked it all inside, ignoring the way my fingers trembled. The clock on the wall ticked with every second closer to nightfall.
Tonight, I would be sent to the Alpha King's palace. With the other omegas. Like cattle to slaughter.
They all said he was cursed. Touched by death itself. That his bed was a graveyard of broken women.
But what choice did I have?
My chest rose and fell with deep, shaky breaths as I stood in front of the cracked mirror. My reflection stared back at me, pale and ghostlike. My eyes were rimmed red from crying in silence too many nights. My lips were chapped, and the bruise blooming on my cheek stood out like a scarlet brand.
And still, somewhere deep in that reflection, I saw something else—something they didn’t.
Fire.
I wiped the blood from my palm and pressed my fingers to the glass.
"You’ll survive,” I whispered to myself. “You’ll survive this, even if it kills you.”
****
The ride to the palace was in a rusted black van that smelled like wet dogs and old metal. There were six of us in total, all dressed in the same plain gray dress that clung awkwardly to our bodies. We were sacrifices.
I recognized a few of them from other packs. Some were shaking in fear. Others were trying to mask it behind false bravado. Me? I stayed silent.
I stared out the window, watching the trees blur past, the darkening sky swallowing the sun in slow, greedy bites. The closer we got to the palace, the colder the air felt.
They said the Alpha King's palace was carved into the side of the Black Mountains. That no sunlight ever touched it. That no laughter ever echoed within its walls. That it was cursed… like the man who ruled it.
I didn't know what to expect. All I knew was I wasn’t going there to die.
I was going there to live.
By the time we arrived, the moon was high and full, hanging like a silent witness in the starless sky. The palace loomed in front of us—black stone and jagged towers, its walls crawling with ivy that looked more like veins than plants.
I stepped out of the van, my breath catching in my throat.
The rumors hadn’t done it justice.
It looked like a fortress built by death itself.
Guards stood by the massive iron gates, dressed in complete black. Their eyes scanned us with disinterest as the van driver handed over some papers. A list, no doubt.
We were lined up, inspected like animals at market. One of the guards came down the line, his nose wrinkling as he looked us over.
He stopped in front of me.
“Name,” he barked.
“Emilia,” I replied, voice steady.
He raised a brow at me. “Daughter of?”
My jaw tightened. “Alpha Gregor of the Red Moon Pack.”
That made him pause. “Alpha’s daughter?”
“Not anymore,” I muttered.
He looked me over again, and I saw the flicker of something in his eyes—pity? Curiosity? It was gone as fast as it came.
“Move,” he ordered, pointing toward the gate.
We were herded in like sheep.
Inside, the palace was eerily quiet. The stone walls were cold to the touch, the corridors long and narrow. The air smelled of old ashes and something metallic—blood, maybe.
A woman in a tight black dress with sharp eyes and an even sharper tone greeted us in the main hall.
“You will remain silent unless spoken to. You will not speak of the King unless commanded. You will not look him in the eye.”
She paced in front of us like a predator.
“If you are called upon, you will go. Without protest. Without hesitation. If you scream… no one will come.”
Another girl to my left whimpered.
The woman’s eyes snapped to her. “Do not test the King’s mercy. There is none.”
She turned to us fully. “You will now be taken to your quarters. One of you will be summoned tonight.”
It became silent as she paced, looking at each one of us like she was deciding who will be suitable for slaughter tonight.
Her eyes finally settled on me.
I didn’t flinch.
Her lips curved into something that wasn’t quite a smile.
“Take her first.”
Maximus's POV
They all knew the consequences, yet they kept coming. Some as a sacrifice, others willingly.
But whether as a sacrifice or willingly, they all met the same fate.
Death.
My bed is a death sentence. A place where no woman has ever been strong enough to survive.
This was my curse. My demon.
I am a monster. The most powerful and feared Alpha King to ever exist.
Mercy is a word that died in my world a long time ago. Buried beneath the screams of women who thought they could cure me.
I have lived with this curse for as long as I can remember.
I have tried to tame this beast—to deprive it. But nothing. No woman has been able to survive or break my curse.
I get sent dozens of women from Alphas who are looking for favors from me. Hoping my cure will come from their pack.
Some v, thinking purity might be the cure. But it only makes my beast want to feast more. Only make it hungry for their innocence.
I’ve begged the Moon Goddess to take this affliction from me.
I’ve howled into the night, torn through forests, slaughtered rogues with my bare hands—anything to calm the fire that burns in my blood each time I touch a woman.
But the beast is never satisfied.
Not with flesh.
Not with blood.
Not even with death.
My wolf.
Or… what’s left of him.
He’s not like other wolves. He doesn’t respond to logic or loyalty. He doesn’t protect me. He consumes.
And I let him.
Because if I don’t… he’ll turn on me too.
I stand in front of the window staring out at the full moon that seems to be mocking me.
The sound of my chamber doors opening brought me out of my thoughts but I didn't turn.
“Your Majesty," my Beta's voice reached my ears.
“What is it?" I asked, still not turning to him.
“We've prepared the women for tonight," he said and I couldn't help but scoff.
Another corpse to the list.
Why were they all so s. When will they realize that none of them can help me?
“Send them in,” I said as I slowly turned to him. "We both know how this will end.”
He didn't respond because he knew this was a truth neither of us could deny.
He bowed in respect before disappearing out the door and I stood there waiting. My clothes were already taken off and all I had was a towel wrapped around my waist.
Minutes later he returned with a woman. Short brown hair, trembling like she had been summoned into the lion's den. And maybe she had.
Without another word, my Beta Lucien walked out, the door shutting behind him, the sound echoing throughout the room like a final drumbeat before execution.
The woman kept her head down.
Her heart beating so fast. Her fear thick in the air.
It was pathetic.
I stepped into the light and the woman's head looked up but quickly looked down like she just made the biggest mistake of her life.
Without wasting a second, I let the towel drop. A gasp followed.
And then the inevitable happened. The pleading, the screaming.
“Please! Please! I don't want to die…I can't…please!” The woman screamed and the sound was getting on my nerves, making the beast inside me roar in anger as I clenched my hands tightly.
"You were offered to me.” I spat and the woman fell on her knees, eyes filled with tears, shoulders shaking and she begged for her life.
“Please…please…I really don't want to die!” she continued screaming, continued begging.
My claws came out, and I was seconds away from tearing her apart.
“Lucien! Come take her out of my sight!" I growled and immediately, the door burst open and Lucien rushed in dragging the woman with him as she continued to scream and beg.
Until the door shut again, her screams still echoing outside the door.
I snatched the towel from the floor, wrapping it around my waist, my chest rising and falling in uncontrollable anger, my beast clawing inside me to be let loose.
I rested my head against the wall breathing hard when I heard the sound of the door opening.
“Lucien, that's enough…”
"I can help you my King,” a soft voice reached my ears and I quickly turned to be met with a green-eye girl with blonde hair.
She had that confident look in her eyes. But I've seen that look one too many times and I remember how it ended.
“I heard the other sore loser screaming, I'm not like her," she whispered as she let the robe covering her body fall to the ground and I couldn't help it. It stirred something inside me at seeing her completely n.
My c immediately hardened, my beast roaring in hunger.
Her bs were just the right sizes, her stomach flat. Freshly shaved and the sight made my mouth water.
She took slow steps towards me, her body swaying seductively as she stopped in front of me and then her hands rubbed my chest as she whispered.
“Let me show you what having a real woman feels like,” she whispered as her hand came to the towel but my hand stopped her.
"You're not afraid of dying?” I asked, my voice cold as I stared into her eyes that were filled with confidence and bravery.
It was either she was s or suicidal.
“No. I'm not going to die, I'm the woman who's going to stop this," she whispered as she kissed my chest and a shudder ran through me.
“Let me," she whispered before finally tugging at my towel and it fell off.
My body was on fire and it felt like the blood in my body all rushed straight to my .
She continued kissing my chest, her hand snaking down my body until she cupped my c and then she froze as her eyes looked down.
“You're…you're so f big! How's that going to fit?!” She gasped as she quickly staggered back and before I could respond, her eyes rolled back and she passed out on the floor.
I growled, turning away from the woman because all I suddenly saw was red.
“Lucien!" My voice roared as the doors slammed open once again and Lucien rushed in.
“Your Majesty?”
"Let one more woman into my room again and she won't make it to my bed before she dies.”
Emilia's POV
My heart was beating so violently in my chest, my hands clenched tightly beside me, my palms clammy with sweat.
I told myself I was going to be strong, but my anxiety was getting the best of me.
You couldn't blame me. It felt like I was being taken for execution.
I followed quietly behind the mistress, eyes scanning the dark hallway like I expected something to jump out and attack or something.
The place was so quiet, it felt like even the walls were holding their breath—like even the air had suddenly stopped.
The sound of our footsteps echoed, making my heart beat even faster.
I was being led to the King's chamber, a place I might likely never return from. But I refuse to let that be my fate. I refuse to be one of the many women who won't make it out of his bed.
One way or the other I was going to make it out alive. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know what I was going to say or do for the King not to want to touch me.
But I had to figure out something. I couldn't die, I had a whole world ahead of me.
I had a lot of things to achieve and none of them would be possible if I die tonight.
I released a breath through my mouth to ease the anxiety curling deep inside me.
Rosella said he’d be too disgusted to touch me because of how ugly I looked. Of all the times I’ve been called ugly, this is the one time I hope it’s true. I hope the king looks at me and feels nothing but disgust—enough to send me away. And then maybe… maybe I’ll finally have a chance to escape this place.
I couldn't surrender to this fate. I couldn't surrender to death.
The mistress took another turn entering a different hallway and I followed.
There were several guards lined up, and I knew we were getting closer to the king’s room—closer to my fate.
The guards' faces were expressionless, looking so cold like they killed for fun and I bet they did.
We were still walking when I heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
A tall man with brown hair was walking towards us and if I thought the guards face looked cold his was another story entirely.
He looked like the only thing that made him smile was the beating of his enemy's heart in his hand.
But he was one of the most handsome men I'd ever seen. He was muscular, with arms that look like he'd break your neck without breaking a sweat. The way he walked was majestic, like even the ground was scared of him.
He screamed power and authority.
The mistress stopped and I did the same.
Does this mean she doesn't continue from here? Does this mean they'll take me from here to the Alpha King?
He stopped in front of us and the mistress bowed. I didn't need anyone to tell me I had to do the same.
“Beta Lucien," she greeted,
Oh, he must be the King's second in command. The man who is also rumored to be just as cold and merciless as the King.
The man didn't respond, his eyes just narrowed to me as he studied me like he was looking for something.
I clenched my hands tightly to avoid them from shaking, because of the intensity of his gaze.
“She came with the new set of omegas, I was just bringing her to the king's room." The mistress explained,
“There will be no need for that,"
Did I hear him correctly? Does this mean I won't be taken to the King? I blinked in confusion and I couldn't help myself when I looked up at him and our eyes met briefly and I quickly looked down.
We were warned not to make eye contact and I just broke that rule.
Will he kill me now?
“What do you mean, Beta Lucien?” The mistress asked in confusion.
“The King has commanded that he doesn't want to see any other woman in his room…” he paused and I could feel his gaze cut through me. "Or he might kill her before his bed does.”
Without another word, the man turned and walked away.
There was silence for a moment and I just stood there waiting for the mistress's order.
“Well, I must say you're lucky. But well, the inevitable will still happen." She said like she has done this a thousand times.
“Come with me," she commanded and I followed her back the same way we came.
Does this mean that I wouldn't see the King tonight?
The realization of what just happened finally dawned on me.
I was supposed to see the king tonight but then he said he didn't want to see any other woman tonight.
This could be a sign. This could mean that I could find a way to escape.
I don't know when they'd take me to see him again but I survived tonight.
The mistress stopped in front of a door and pushed it open and then she looked at me.
“This is the quarters you'll be staying with the others. You'll be told what to do until the day the King decides he wants to see another woman, then you'll be called.”
I nodded and then she gave me a look I didn't quite understand before walking away.
I took a deep breath before stepping into the room.
There were several women, I recognized some from my pack and others I didn't but I knew they were from other packs.
The room was big, there were several bunk beds. A nice bed to sleep till you wait for your turn to die. I thought to myself.
I quietly walked to an empty bed in the lower bunker and climbed on it.
My eyes found a girl in the corner of the room who was visibly shaking because we all knew what we were brought here for.
To die or heal the King's curse.
I backed away from everyone as I brought the blanket to my chin.
I just had to wait for everyone to fall asleep.
I didn't survive tonight to wait to be a sacrifice tomorrow.
I had to escape and I had to do it—
Tonight.
Emilia's POV
The room was silent.
Dead silent.
Even with the quiet sniffling of girls muffled by blankets, even with the scratchy rustle of limbs shifting restlessly on the bunks, the silence felt too loud. It rang in my ears like a warning bell, sharp and unrelenting.
I lay on my side, my back to the others, staring at the wall, eyes wide open. I wasn’t sure anyone had actually slept. Not really. How could they? We were all just waiting for the same fate—waiting to be called into the monster’s bed and never return.
But most of them had given up. You could see it in their sunken eyes, the way their shoulders drooped with defeat. They weren’t planning anything. They were just… waiting.
Not me.
My heart pounded so hard it hurt, but I wasn’t waiting for death. I was waiting for the right moment.
And when it came—when the room finally settled into a fragile stillness, the kind that came with bone-deep despair—I moved.
Slow. Careful. Silent.
I peeled the blanket off and slid my legs to the floor. The cold stone made me flinch, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t stop. Not now.
I crept across the room, past the girl in the corner still trembling in her sleep.
I didn’t look back.
My hand gripped the metal handle of the door. I exhaled through my nose and turned it slowly. The door creaked faintly, and I froze. Nothing moved. No one stirred.
I pushed it open just wide enough to slip out and shut it behind me.
And then I was in the hallway.
Alone.
The air was colder out here. Thicker. Like the palace itself was holding its breath, waiting to see what I’d do.
There was a guard standing beside the door, but he was snoring softly, head tilted back, arms crossed over his chest.
Thank the Goddess.
I took a step, then another, holding my breath with each one.
Don't make a sound. Don’t trip. Don’t die.
The hall stretched before me in eerie silence. Only the moonlight pouring in through the glass windows offered guidance, painting fractured colors across the cold stone floor.
I stayed in the shadows, pressing close to the wall, my feet moving soundlessly.
I didn’t know where I was going—only that the woods were somewhere beyond the palace walls, and I had to get there. That was the only plan I had.
Survive.
The hallway curved ahead, darker now. The moonlight didn’t reach here. The shadows were thicker, like they were alive, breathing.
And then I heard it.
A growl.
Low. Guttural. Ferocious. It rumbled through the hallway like a storm, vibrating through the walls, through my bones, straight into the core of me.
I froze.
Every instinct screamed at me to run. Hide. Go back. But something else—something I couldn’t explain—held me in place.
And then... I turned.
Like I wasn’t in control of my own legs.
I walked toward the sound.
Each step heavier than the last, like wading through molasses, like fate was trying to pull me back. But I kept moving.
The hallway twisted and turned until I found the door. Heavy. Iron. Cold.
The growls were louder now. Snarling. Like the creature behind the door was in agony.
Without thinking, I pressed the handle. It wasn’t locked.
It opened with a low creak.
And what I saw inside made my breath catch.
Chains.
Everywhere.
Attached to the walls, the floor, the ceiling—all connected to one beast.
But it wasn’t a regular wolf.
This... this was something else.
Twice the size of any wolf I’d ever seen. Muscles rippled beneath midnight-black fur. Long claws dug into the stone floor, scoring it with deep, angry marks. Its eyes glowed a blazing gold, wild and tortured.
And its teeth...
They were bared, dripping saliva, mouth parted in a furious snarl as it yanked on the chains, desperate to break free.
It was beautiful and horrifying.
It wasn’t an animal.
It was a monster.
And then... its eyes met mine.
The moment it saw me, it lost its mind. It roared, pulling at the chains with a violence that shook the room. I flinched back, fear surging through me.
It would kill me. It would tear me apart.
But I didn’t run.
I don’t know why.
My legs were stuck, my mind screaming, but my heart... my heart was breaking.
Because behind all that fury, all that rage, there was pain.
So much pain.
And before I knew it, I took a step forward.
“No,” I whispered to myself. “This is . You’ll die.”
But my feet didn’t listen.
Another step.
The beast growled louder, yanked again. One of the chains snapped partially out of the wall.
I should have screamed.
Instead, I walked closer.
Closer.
Until I stood right in front of him.
He growled, eyes narrowing on me, chest heaving with every tortured breath.
I slowly raised my hand.
He jrd back slightly, muscles taut, ready to strike.
“I won’t hurt you,” I whispered, voice trembling.
I didn’t know who I was talking to
I didn’t even know why I cared.
But something told me he wasn’t just a monster.
He was trapped. Just like me.
And when my fingers brushed his fur, he stilled.
Instantly.
No more growls.
Just heavy breathing.
Then, slowly, he lowered himself to the ground, massive head brushing against my palm. He whimpered—the sound soft and heartbreaking.
And then...
He wrapped his giant arms around me.
Yes. Arms.
I gasped.
He held me tightly, burying his head into my shoulder, letting out another soft whimper.
I was frozen.
Completely stunned.
My heart thundered.
He didn’t hurt me.
He didn’t bite or claw or maul.
He held me.
And I... I couldn’t bring myself to pull away.
Eventually, my body relaxed, just a little. I couldn’t sleep, but I stayed. Because the moment I tried to move, he growled again, low and warning. So I remained there, in the arms of a beast who should have killed me but didn’t.
I didn’t know what it meant.
But something about it felt important.
I didn’t realize I’d fallen asleep until I felt warmth against my back. A solid chest. Human arms.
I awake.
The beast was gone.
In its place, a man. His arm was around me, possessive and strong.
I panicked.
I scrambled away from him, heart in my throat, hands trembling.
He didn’t stir.
Still asleep.
I didn’t dare look at his face.
I couldn’t.
I needed to leave.
Now.
I bolted.
Ran from that room like my life depended on it, not daring to look back.
Because I had a feeling I’d just destroyed the only chance I had at freedom.
Maximus's POV
I blinked, slowly sitting up as the sound of the chains echoed throughout the empty room. I had to close my eyes for a second because of the blinding light.
My entire body was aching, it felt like I'd been run over by a train. It was nothing new, yet it didn't mean that I liked it.
Something happened last night. Someone was here. A woman. But why can't I remember what she looked like? I could still catch a faint whiff of her scent.
Vanilla and soft jasmine, warm and comforting. And something else, somebody I couldn't name.
My beast had listened to her. My beast had leaned into her touch. My beast calmed down. I closed my eyes trying to remember her face and all I saw was shadows.
Who was she?
Before I could push my brain harder, the door pushed open and my Beta walked in.
“Your Majesty,” he said with a bow,
"Someone was here last night. A woman.” I said and Lucien’s brows furrowed before looking around like there was something he was searching for.
"I don't see a body,” he said as he turned his attention back to me.
“Humor me," I said before slowly standing up, the chains rattling as they dragged against the stone floor. The weight of them was familiar now, but no less humiliating. My bare feet scraped across the cold ground, the metal cuffs biting into my skin.
Lucien was silent as he looked around one more time.
“Don't get me wrong my king, but we both know you sometimes see things. Are you sure this is not one of those times?" He asked and I narrowed my eyes on him.
“Right. So can you describe what she looked like?” He asked but my face remained unreadable.
"I don't remember what she looked like, but her scent…” my eyes went to the door.
Could I have imagined that woman in my state of agony? Could this be as a result of my constant war with my beast and suddenly I'm imagining there's relief for my pain—that there's redemption for my dying soul?
What if she had just been a fiction of my imagination? What if I was hallucinating?
Because it didn't make sense. Nobody comes close to me in that state and survives. They'd be torn to pieces. My beast is feral, merciless and only wants blood.
No. My mind must have been messing with me.
“What are you waiting for? Get these chains off me.”
“Yes, my king," Lucien said as he quickly started opening the locks until I was free and I flexed my hands and legs, rubbing my wrists and stretching my neck.
I was free of my chains but it felt like there was something else wrapped around me. A different type of chain wrapped around my heart.
Lucien handed me a red robe and I took it from him, wearing it.
Whatever twisted game my mind was trying to play with me, I wasn't ready for it.
But still. That scent. It wouldn't still be here if there hadn't been anyone.
“Find her." I suddenly said as I started making my way to the door.
“Find who?”
“The woman that was here last night. Find her. Whatever it takes." I said and he nodded as I made my way out the door with Lucien following behind me.
My head was filled with questions. Questions I didn't have answers to.
Who was that woman? And most importantly.
Why hadn't my beast killed her?
*****
My heart was pounding so loud in my chest like it was going to fall out. I still can't believe what I did.
I still don't know why I did it.
It was a miracle I had managed to sneak back into the quarters without anyone's notice. I don't know what would have become of me if the guard was awake or if someone else had seen me.
Oh goddess, I'm so . I threw away my escape opportunity with my own hand. By now I would have been far away. I didn't know where I would go but at least I would be away from this place where my fate would be decided in the King's bed.
I felt like dragging my hair but that wouldn't change the fact that what I did was suicidal.
I should have just minded my own business but I didn't, now look what it cost me. My freedom
That beast. Whatever it is. I have never seen anything like that.
But the moment I stepped into that room. I had been drawn to it. I felt the need to comfort it, risking my own life and freedom.
Goddess the pain in its eyes. It was like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
A shiver went down my spine at the memory. The way he growled, he looked feral, untameable but then he had leaned into my touch. Took me in his arms.
Who was he and why did they chain him up like that?
I should have looked at his face before running off but maybe it was better off that way. It's better I don't know the beast or man I spent the night in his arms.
What if nobody was supposed to go into that room, and I went there?
I shook my head as I drew the blanket to my chin.
Whoever that beast or man is shouldn't be my problem right now. I've already thrown away my first chance of escaping. What I should be thinking about right now is how to escape this place.
I have to make sure I'm never taken to the King's bed. Ever.
I turned to get comfortable, closing my eyes and hoping to get some sleep but then the door burst open and everyone jd awake, their eyes going to the door.
“Listen up ladies." The mistress' voice echoed through the room as she scanned every bed to make sure we were complete.
Then she continued. “Tonight. Every one of you will be presented to the king.” She stopped as her eyes scanned the room again, stopping on me briefly.
“And trust me ladies... misbehave tonight and you'll wish you never woke up.”
Maximus's POV
I could feel it, I was losing control again and it was only a matter of time before I completely lost it.
My hands were clenched so tightly as I made my way to the high priestess chamber. I knew it was a waste of time because she'd give me the same answer.
Lucien opened the door and I entered.
My eyes scanned the room and it was the usual, books that didn't have any solution to my problem lined the shelves, there was something burning in the corner that smelt like herbs.
The curtains were drawn close and only little light came through the window and on the table was a burning candle and the smoke coming from it smelt funny.
“Your Majesty," I snapped out of my thought when her voice reached my ears and my eyes finally landed on her.
"Soraya.” I said as I made my day further into the room, heading to the couch in the center of the room.
"Do you have a solution for me?" I asked, slowly sinking into the couch.
“Your Majesty…I…I…” she sighed, shaking her head.
My hands clenched even more.
"I've told you, the only way you can get better is if the goddess decides to give you a second chance mate and…”
"You don't see that happening.” I said, finishing the words she was too afraid to say out loud.
"No…that's not it, Your Majesty, what I'm saying is that it's taking longer than expected. And sometimes it never happened."
“Isn't that what I just said?"
“No my…" I raised a hand stopping her. I didn't want to hear what she had to say.
The room became quiet and filled with tension so thick it could be cut by a knife.
“So in the end you still don't have a solution for me? I'm just going to wait until the day my beast takes over and I run mad, is that it?" I asked as my cold eyes met her scared ones.
“We'll find a way." She whispered and that made something in me snap.
“For how long?! Huh? Until I lose it and tear the entire kingdom and then my people turn on me and kill me or until my beast consumes me completely?” I stood up from the couch, my chest rising and falling in anger.
The high priestess took a step back, her black eyes looking around in fear like she was looking for an escape.
“You don't get it, I've accepted my fate. But all I'm asking is for you to find something…something that would help me not kill any woman I touch. I know I'm going to die. But I f need a heir. Is that too hard to ask?!”
“I'm trying my King, you just have to give me time."
“I don't have time. Each day that passes I get worse and it gets out of control." I growled, the smell of blood thick in the air from how tight I was clenching my hands.
“You're the most powerful and oldest sorceress. All I'm asking is for a herb…anything that would be powerful enough to tame my beast even if it's for a day…screw that, even for an hour…I just need an heir, because over my dead body would I let the throne go to that family.”
"I understand my king, I'll work even harder, we'll find a way.”
I took a deep breath and turned away from her trying to get control of myself.
“Your Majesty,” Lucien called and I turned back to face them.
“What about the woman, the one you saw?" Lucien asked, his voice cautious.
"What woman?” The high priestess asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.
“There was a woman with me last night and my beast didn't kill her."
“What?!" She asked, her voice filled with disbelief.
“That's impossible,"
“I know. But it happened." I said,
“She could be the answer, where is she? Bring her to me." She said,
"Don't give me hope.” I said as I felt another tight grip in my heart. Another loss of my rationality—another score given to my beast.
“We’re still trying to find out who she is, we should have that information before the end of the day.” Lucien said and she nodded.
“Well, since there was no use coming here, I might as well get going." I said as I started making my way to the door but her voice stopped me.
“Your Majesty," I didn't turn,
"Just have a little faith. Just keep fighting, you're strong, you'll win this.” I didn't give her a response, I just walked out, with Lucien right behind me.
I didn't need advice or encouragement. I needed a solution.
A way out of my misery.
I walked through the hallway and Lucien fell in step beside me.
People made way for us, bowing in respect as we passed.
“I’ve arranged for the omegas that were just brought in to be introduced to you tonight. She might be one of them.” Lucien said and that had me stopping immediately.
“I’m just wondering, what if she's one of them, will you sleep with her?”
His question rang in my head like a bell. What if she's one of them? And what would happen if I touched her? Will she die like the others?
My beast had been calmed at the sight of her. What if it's calm enough for me to actually touch her without killing her?
“Let's find her first. What I'll do to her depends on how my beast reacts to seeing her again.”
For all I know that calm might have just been an illusion and when next he sees her.
He'll go for the kill.
Maximus's POV
“Your Majesty, we found something.” My office door opened and Lucien rushed in, tablet in hand.
"So last night…" he said, dropping the tablet in front of me.
“One of the omegas was seen wandering around the hall. She's quite smart, tried to not get her face seen but we were able to identify her.” My eyes went to the screen where a girl was trying as much as she could to blend with the shadows.
I looked back at Lucien as he continued. "But the problem is, she didn't run away, because I asked for them to check on her and she's still with the others. Why would she have been out if she wasn't trying to run away?”
“Maybe she realized she wouldn’t make it out and gave up.” I said as I leaned back in my chair.
"Or she was distracted by something.” At his words I took the tab again and looked at the woman's face trying to see if I could remember the woman from last night but I didn't. Nothing clicked.
“So you're saying she's the woman from last night?" I asked,
“She could be, but we're not certain because you told us not to put any cameras in the death zone and everyone knows that nobody is permitted to enter that hallway, so we're not sure she was the one who entered.”
“I need you to be certain.”
“I know, but the thing is that she was the only one found wandering around last night. Which means it could be her and also you said you know what she smells like right?” he said and I gave a simple nod.
“Great. That means you'd be able to identify her when she presents herself to you tonight.”
“Anything else?" I asked and he was silent for a while.
I know that look. The one where he was fighting between saving his head and just shutting up or speaking up. I knew he was about to give a very absurd suggestion I won't like.
"I'm not interested,” I said before he could even open his mouth to speak and he knew better than to argue with me.
"As you wish, Your Majesty.” he said and was about to take the tablet but I stopped him.
"Leave this here."
“Is there anything else you'd like me to do for you? Should I send her to your office?" He asked and I narrowed my eyes on him.
“No, I'll see her tonight. But…”
“But what?"
“Keep a close look on her."
“Yes my king," he said and without another word he bowed his head and walked out of the room.
I slowly picked the tab and continued watching the woman on the screen.
She was mostly covered by the darkness.
I dropped the tablet, facing it down and turned back to the work in front of me.
A dead man didn't have hope.
And I am a dead man.
******
All day we've been sitting in this room listening to the mistress talk to us about what and what not to do.
‘Do whatever the king tells you.’
‘Don’t look him in the eye.’
‘Don’t speak unless he tells you to.’
‘Don’t scream.’
‘Don’t fight.’
I don't know if all those warnings were supposed to prepare us or scare the out of us but I think it was doing the latter.
Because there was a girl at the corner who looked like she was seconds away from passing out.
I sighed as I shoved the food into my mouth. Yes, they gave us food, good food at that. Wouldn't want us dying on an empty stomach.
“How long is this going to continue?" One of the girls suddenly asked out of nowhere and everyone's attention turned to her.
“What are you talking about?" The girl in the bunker beside her asked.
"All this…" she said as she waved her hands around. “How many women are going to die in the King's bed, is nobody going to stop him?”
Someone broke into a laugh but there was nothing funny about the sound.
"Stop the king? Are you d? And besides, the king didn't force anyone to be here, who you should be mad at is your Alphas for giving you as sacrifices to him.” a brown hair girl in the bunker opposite mine said.
"I can't believe you're defending him.” The first girl said in disbelief.
"I'm not defending him, I'm just stating facts. And you won't be this mad if you turn out to be the one who cures him would you?” The brown hair girl said and the other girl kept quiet, her face turning to the wall.
The place began quiet and it seemed like everyone became lost in their own thoughts.
With each passing second it was drawing closer to the time we'd be summoned to meet the king.
I wouldn't have been here but thanks to me. I threw away that opportunity.
We heard the sound of approaching footsteps and we all immediately sat up as all eyes went to the door.
By now we were all familiar with that commanding sound of heels. It was no doubt the mistress.
My heart was pounding so loud in my chest as the footsteps got closer and then the door finally opened.
And there she was with a smile on her face like she was a bearer of good news.
“It's time, ladies."
Emilia's POV
They made us wear white, like that would make the situation any less terrifying.
We all wore similar sets, a silk short gown with a robe to cover. Yeah, make us look xy. Of course who doesn't like their food looking .
We all lined up outside a set of double doors and believe me when I tell you the number of hearts beating so loud was enough to start an orchestra.
I s in a breath, clenching my hands and trying to be as calm as possible on the outside but on the inside I was a shaking leaf.
“Remember what I told you girls, be on your best behavior," the mistress said and I fought the urge to roll my eyes.
Like s, we're not going to an audition, we're going to die.
She started walking slowly, looking at each one of us. She stopped in front of one of the girls, the most timid one and she flinched.
The mistress leaned in and whispered something to the girl. She nodded quickly, before straightening—or rather, trying to—because from the look on her face, whatever it is the mistress told her, if it was to calm her down, it didn't work.
The doors finally opened and it felt like my heart sank to my stomach.
A man stood at the door, face emotionless, eyes as sharp as a blade, as his eyes scanned every one of us.
I recognized him instantly as the man from last night. The King's beta.
One of the girls whimpered at the sight of him and I couldn't blame her, he was scary, but scary.
He stepped out of the room, closing the doors behind him. He didn't say a word, just started walking with his hands behind him, like a man inspecting the goods he was about to buy.
He stopped beside me and my heart might have leaped out of my mouth but I didn't notice because I was too scared to move.
“Look at me." His voice drifted through my ears but it might have just been the wind and my mind messing with me. I didn't move.
“Did you hear me? I said look at me." Oh , it was not the wind.
I quickly looked up, my eyes meeting his, my heart slamming against my chest.
"You'll go last." he said as he beckoned with his head for me to go to the back of the line and I didn't ask any questions.
I silently came out of where I was standing and walked to the back of the line.
I don't know why he asked me to go to the back, maybe because I was…fat, ugly. That's what they all say.
I could feel eyes on me and I turned to see that he was still looking at me and to my surprise I saw the corner of his lips move up to what might have been a smirk.
But then he turned to another girl and said;
“You, come with me.”
*******
I sat on my throne-like chair, legs spread, my hands resting on the armrests as the door opened and the first girl walked in.
Short brown hair, brown eyes that looked scared as . It was pathetic and I hated to repeat this circle.
I could smell her fear from here, it was so thick in the air that it was choking me.
She walked further into the room until she stopped a few feet away from me. I was mostly covered by shadows so she couldn't see my face but I could see her.
She was what some would call, cute.
“Your Majesty," she said with a bow, voice trembling.
"My name is Samantha…Samantha Wilson." I didn't respond, just watched her silently.
I thought she was going to turn and leave, because I didn't have any plan in touching any woman tonight. This was just Lucien's bright idea for me to find that woman.
Make them all introduce themselves to me until I find her.
She walked towards me, something close to bravery suddenly shining in her eyes and I leaned back in my chair, watching.
She stopped in front of me and then suddenly, she got on my lap, straddling me.
My c was already hard, and the weight of her on me made me hiss.
“Brave are we?" I said but she didn't respond, instead she started grinding on me but my hand immediately shot out, stopping her.
I knew what she was trying to do. If she's going to die, why not just die tonight.
“Get off me." I said calmly, and she blinked like she couldn't believe her ears but then she nodded as she slowly got off me.
“I have to see the others too.”
“I'm sorry, my king," she said with a bow before quickly rushing out of the room.
I took a deep breath as I adjusted my pants. My was painfully hard and the slightest movement of the fabric was making me uncomfortable.
Minutes later another girl entered and introduced herself.
She didn't have the scent I was looking for.
Another came. And another.
And another.
Telling me names I'll never remember.
Until the very last one or so I thought.
The door opened again and this time it was Lucien that walked in.
“My King, it's left with just one girl.”
"Send her in.” I said, and he nodded before walking out.
I leaned back in my chair as I waited and then I heard the sound of footsteps.
Seconds later, a scent so strong hit me even before the door opened.
Vanilla. Jasmine.
It was her.
I hadn't imagined her.
She was real.
Maximus's POV
The door opened and she stepped in and immediately I felt everything inside me come alive.
Her scent engulfed me like a vice I couldn't escape. It was too consuming.
My throat bobbed and my fists clenched as I adjusted myself on the chair.
She was the definition of sin. The type of woman that would make a man lose his mind, just like the way my beast was losing it and I was fighting so hard to keep him in check.
She had curves in all the right places, her were full, they looked like they'd feel so good in my hands.
She looked about five feet tall with long black hair that ran down to her waist.
“Your Majesty," she greeted with a bow and the sound of her voice almost undid something in me.
I couldn't help but imagine how it'd feel to hear her breathless with my name falling out of her lips like a prayer.
“My name is Emilia Gregor.” She said calmly, no sign of fear and even if there was, she hid it so well.
Emilia. I found myself wanting to remember that name, despite the number of women that had just introduced themselves to me.
“Raise your head," I commanded, my voice coming out thick with need.
Her head slowly lifted and I was greeted with beautiful hazel eyes. And for the first time in ages, my heart skipped a beat.
This is the woman who had calmed my beast. She is the same woman Lucien had shown me on the screen this morning.
For a moment I took my time drinking in the sight of her and she just stood there, chin high, hands by her sides.
Slowly, I stood up. I caught the slightest movement of her hands clenching but she quickly unclenched them like she was trying to look strong.
“Are you not scared that you'll die tonight?" I asked as I took a step towards her but not yet coming into the light.
“We'll all die one day," came her response and I hummed as I took another step towards her.
"Aren't you scared of me?”
"Should I be?” Her response caught me off guard and had me stopping in my tracks.
"You know what happen to women I , none of them live to tell the tale,"
“Scary much," she whispered underneath her breath but I heard her and my eyes narrowed.
She didn't sound like the other women trying to act brave…she sounded like I was a lion roaring all the time to remind people I'm a lion. She sounded like…
Was she mocking me? Me?
“The mistress said we were only introducing ourselves to you tonight and should return back to our quarters, if there's nothing else I can do for you, I'd like to take my leave, Your Majesty," she said as she bowed and was about to turn.
Not so fast.
I stepped out of the dark and took her hand as I turned her around and pulled her to me and she landed my chest.
She gasped as her eyes went round in shock, her eyes staring at my face like she couldn't believe what she was seeing. For a moment something flashed in her eyes like fear but it was gone before I could make out what it was.
“Your…Your Majesty…I…” she blinked as her tongue darted out to wet her lips and every rational thought flew out of my head and before I could stop myself, I pushed her against the nearest wall.
"You say you are not scared of me?” I asked as my arms caged her, my breathing coming out ragged.
“Am not," she whispered, looking up at me daringly.
“You should, especially when all I want to do right now is you."
And with that my lips crashed down on hers.
******
For a moment I couldn't believe what was happening. This wasn't the plan. The plan was to piss him off and make him disgusted with my guts enough to send me away and never want to see me again.
Not for him to shove his tongue down my throat and steal my first kiss.
And even worse, not for me to like it.
The king was by far the most handsome...
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