The Enslaved Luna

Chapter 3

Lily sat on her bed with a metal pick and screw she had found and tried to break her necklace, but to no avail. It wouldn't budge. She hated where she was, but she also could not stop thinking about her mate. She replayed what happened last night over and over until her she lost herself in thought.

"Do you want to be with our mate?" Jade asked her in her mind link.

Lily sighed. "I don't, but I can't stop thinking about him. How do you feel about his wolf?"

"I can feel him waiting for me, but I am okay if you can't accept your mate."

"But then you will lose yours."

"I know, but I will do what's best for you. That is my job."

Lily threw the tools to the floor in frustration. "Why did the Moon Goddess do this? Do I deserve a man like Omar?"

Jade was silent. "I don't know, Lily."

The door opened and in walked Inez, teary-eyed and red-faced. She threw herself at Lily's feet. "Thank you for freeing me."

Lily drew the girl up to her and embraced her. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Can I ask how many times he had relations with you?"

Inez wiped away tears. "Just three times, but I was a virgin. I didn't know that was going to happen. After the last time, he didn't ask for me for months and I was grateful."

Jealousy battled with her anger at the thought of her mate taking Inez, but she knew this moment was not about her. "You will be with me always. Omar said you can have the room next to mine and he promised he won't do anything to you anymore."

Inez grabbed her again. "Thank you, Luna! Most of the girls here have come to accept their fates, but I can't. I've heard stories..."

"Of what?" Lily asked.

Inez hesitated. "I've heard he tests the girls. Makes them do things to prove their loyalty to him. That's why Isabella is his favorite. She has completed every test."

"Can you tell me about the eunuchs?"

Inez nodded. "Of course. They are Omar's trusted men to tend to the women. They are allowed to go into their rooms, into the harem's sanctuary, and accompany them on trips if needed.

"Are they forced against their will to become eunuchs?"

Inez shrugged. "I don't know honestly. I can tell you that even though this place is not wonderful, it's better to be here than other places where people are starving to death and getting killed."

Lily looked at Inez's innocent face. "What did you want to do before the war?"

Inez looked down. "I wanted to be a nurse. I miss my computer. I miss books. I miss my freedom."

Lily touched her head. "Me, too. I hate Asaraj for taking us back to the stone ages. He gave a few select men power by taking away all of us women's power and the men were happy to do so."

Inez perked up. "Asaraj! He will be here tonight!"

Lily paled. "Why would he be here?"

"I'm sorry," Inez apologized, "I was to tell you right away, but we were talking about other things. Omar is throwing a fete for him. It's been planned for months now. He wanted me to tell you that you must accompany him as his Luna."

Lily crossed her arms. "And what if I don't?"

Inez didn't miss a beat. "I wouldn't do that if I were you. We will need to get ready in a few hours. In the meantime, did you want to feed the animals with me?

Lily agreed and they walked towards the back of the large property with all the servants and guards bowing as she passed. She felt at ease with the attention and it felt familiar in a way. She entered the horse stable and found beautiful Arabian horses awaiting her. An attendant gave her a pail of apples and the pair fed them like giddy schoolchildren. She could see why Inez liked to do this, as it afforded her an opportunity to escape the reality of where she was. At least she wasn't part of the harem anymore and she felt glad she could do that for her.

After walking the grounds and surveying the nearby tracts, Lily knew there would be no escaping this compound. She was stuck here and there was nothing she could do. Even if she could take off her collar, she would only be able to take on a few of the guards before they took her down.

"Don't even try," Jade said to her.

Lily smirked. "A girl can dream."

They returned to her room and a royal blue dress hung on her closet door. It had long sleeves with touches of gold at the end. It was actually quite modest compared to the other dresses in her closet and she didn't mind. When she put it on, it fit like a glove and showed off her ample bosom and tiny waist. Epaulets were attached to her shoulders that held a small cape made of delicate lace. This time, Inez let her long, white hair flow down as she painted on dark eyes and a pale lip.

Inez raked her fingers through her hair. "I love your hair. I've never seen this color before. Does your family also share this color?

Lily thought to lie, but instead told her the truth. "No, they don't. They all have black hair. I'm the only one who has this hair color."

Inez innocently asked, "Why is that?"

Lily sucked in a breath. "It's because I was born illegitimately. My father and step-mother were married and had two daughters before me. My father must've had an affair with my mother and she dropped me off at their doorstep with his ring that he had given her. I've never met my mother after that. My father took me in, but my step-mother always hated me. Every time she looked at me, she would be reminded of my father's indiscretion and she loathed everything about me . My two older sisters, Lotus and Peony, did not care for me, but my younger sister, Ambrosia, didn't mind that I looked different. After their mother died when I was 16, they started to treat me harsher and I knew I had to leave. "

"That must've been hard for you."

Lily shrugged. "There were worst tragedies in the world."

Inez placed her hands on her shoulders. "But this happened to YOU and you're allowed to grieve what happened to YOU."

The door opened then and Omar walked in. He gestured for Inez to leave and walked up to her. "My Luna, you look ravishing. My wolf wants to take you right here and now, but I have to wait for you."

Lily could smell his intoxicating scent and his body being so close to hers made her tremble. Jade howled in her mind and she fought all those feelings to stay in control. "Why are you holding a party for Asaraj?"

Omar smiled. "He helped me get to this position. I was a General in his army before this. He gave me this land and title and I owe it to him. There will be princes, tsars, and sultans at the fete, so you must be on your best behavior. I will be introduced with you and Isabella."

Lily grew angry. "Why Isabella? Am I not your Luna? Am I not enough?"

He chuckled as he pulled her in and smashed his lips against hers, then quickly pulled away, disorienting her as hotness coursed through her body and her skin tingled. "I like that you're jealous of her. It shows that you do care about me."

This made her more angry. "Why her? You can bring anyone else, but her."

He walked towards the door. "She has proven herself. You have yet to even accept your title as Luna."

***

Omar stood outside the door with Isabella in a glittery, red dress that showed off how voluptious she was while Lily stood on the other side. He leaned in and kissed Isabella on the cheek and turned towards Lily, but was rebuffed. He chuckled. "So fiery this one."

Isabella rolled her eyes. "She will learn her place, Alpha, just like all the other ones."

Omar reigned them in closer. "Now, ladies, tonight is an important one. Be on your best behavior and you might get a little shopping spree."

The doors opened and they walked into a lively room filled with yellow and red drapes and wall coverings, tables with gold glasses and plates, large leafy plants, and aromatic spices lingering in the air. Men from several countries were in attendance, smoking cigars, hookahs, and watching as belly dancers entertained them. Three lions were paraded through the room on chains and Lily wondered if they were the last of the lion shifters. A loud booming voice called out, "Introducing Alpha Omar Ayad, his Luna, and his first Mistress.

Everybody turned to look and Lily held her head high as Omar paraded them through the room. She felt like the lions that were in the room and hated the weight of the silver on her neck.

"Soon," her wolf said to her.

Asaraj approached them and he was dressed in dark grey military clothing. He was an older man with a white beard and nose that reminded Lily of Rasputin. This was the man responsible for so much suffering in the world. He extended his hand to Omar. "Alpha Ayad, you have gone out of your way to make me feel like a guest in your home."

Omar bowed slightly in reverence. "It's the least I can do. May I introduce you to my First Mistress Isabella and my Luna Lily."

Asaraj took Isabella's hand and kissed it as she smiled seductively at him. He took Lily's hands in his and kept it after kissing her. "You look like a Luna. A fine Luna. Omar, if you should ever tire of her, I could take her off your hands."

Lily could feel Omar tense up, but he replied, "If she ever wishes to leave me, you will be the first to know."

Omar took leave of them and Lily found herself with Isabella. Isabella grabbed a cup of wine from a waiter and took a huge gulp. "I don't even know why he brought you. I've been the one helping to curry favor for him for months now. You've done nothing but show up and be his mate."

"We could take her," Jade said in their mind link.

Lily ignored her. "I think I'll name my first sone after Asaraj, what do you think?"

This angered Isabella and she looked like she wanted to kill her, but simply walked away.

Lily laughed and walked through the crowd. A tall man with a kindly face approached and held out his hand. "May I have your first dance, Luna Ayad?"

Lily accepted his hand. "Why, yes. May I ask your name?"

The man walked her onto the dance floor, where other couples danced as well. "My name is Mattias. You are looking quite fetching tonight. All the men can't take their eyes off you."

Lily smiled. "Is that so? I rank right up there with belly dancers and lions?"

Mattias laughed as he swung her about. "You play the part of Luna well. It seems you've had years of formal training to be this elegant."

Lily grew concerned. "Why do you say that?"

Mattias shrugged. "I don't know. The way you hold yourself. The way you walk into a room as if you're not afraid of a single person here. The way I know you've been to court before."

"Who are you?" She whispered.

Mattias leaned in so she could feel his breath on her neck. "Your father, King Hu, sends his regards."

At that moment, everyone turned around as they heard Mattias roar ferociously. "She is mine!" He was at her side immediately and threw Mattias across the room, took her by the hand, and dragged her from the room, leaving a stunned Isabella to watch.

Omar shoved her into the closest room, which was a broom closet. "You are mine and only mine. I will kill any man that threatens to touch you. Do you understand?"

Lily nodded. "Yes."

Omar lifted her to sit on a low table and started attacking her lips, kissing her with urgency. She could barely breath as his lips covered hers. In that tiny room, it became incredibly hot and she moaned as she reached up to pull him closer. His hand found her entrance under her dress and she yelped in astonishment. He didn't bother with her underwear this time and moved it to the side to find her lips and tease her bud. He rubbed her into a frenzy as she experienced a pleasure she had never felt before with any man. She was delirious with pleasure. He placed one finger at her entrance and nudged it slightly. "I want to hear you say it. Say you want it."

Lily stopped and looked at him. "But they'll hear outside."

His eyes were dark and brooding as he leaned closer to her. "Good. I want them to hear. To know that you're mine. Say it."

"Yes!" Her wolf howled.

"Yes," she repeated, "yes, Alpha, enter me."

Swiftly, his finger was inside her and she let out a cry of pleasure. He entered another one and her wetness dripped down her thighs as ecstasy gripped her. He bent his finger and found her spot and thrusted until she shouted his name. Her mind was overcome with a headiness and she could think of nothing but the man in front of her and how skilled he was. His lips found her neck and she shuddered from his hot breath on her. His fingers went deeper and deeper and kept hitting her spot until she arched her back and screamed out his name, collapsing in his arms.

He fixed her dress and took his fingers that had been inside her and inserted them into his mouth. "You taste divine, little mate. When you can't wait anymore, let me know and I'll give you everything."