Slave to the Ruthless Lycan King

THE RULES

AUDREY

I opened my eyes, taking in the surroundings. The room was dark and damp. Pain surged through every limb of mine. I groaned and tried to sit up, only to fall back, gruff expletives escaping my mouth. The floor was so damp and cold, and I placed my cheek on it to ease the burn I felt on my face. Burns from the scratches on my face. I closed my eyes again, grimacing at the pain, tears ran down the corners of my eyes.

After wallowing in self-pity, I carefully sat up and tried standing on my feet, but I could only try because I fell back on my ass and yelped in pain. I think my blood has seized from the fetters around my ankle. Will I be able to walk again? I sat there, drew my knees to my chin, and circled my arms around my knees, large loops of tears dropping from my eyes. I can't tell how long I have been here or what day it was. I have been more unconscious than I was conscious. My food was meager, and I was only taken to the river once in a blue moon. I couldn't tell day from night since it was always dark in my prison. This was not the fairy princess life that always starred in my dreams.

My head snapped to the south side of the dark, dank room as a clanging sound came from there. There was a kind of gate, and someone was opening it. I scooted back, bearing my body's agony until my back rested on the wall; I watched and waited. Rays of light sipped into the room, and that was when I noticed the stairs descending into the room. I had not seen it before, or was it newly installed there? Two girls descended the stairs, and I prayed for the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

They were here to drag me to the river. With all the wounds on my body, bathing was hell. They would take me to the river and push me into the water as if I was an abomination, and they would stand there watching me as I scrubbed my skin. I was considered beautiful in my village, but I don't think that term was applicable here. I was dirty, and no matter how much I scrubbed my skin, I was still unkempt. They were bigger and taller than me.

The two girls stood in front of me with their arms folded across their chests, disgusted scowls on their faces.

"You look awful," the one with jet-black hair said.

"Get up. It's time to start your punishment."

"Pu... punishment?" I asked in a whisper.

The other girl with fawn hair grabbed the chain fastened on my hands, dragging me up with it. I whimpered as pain shot through me again. I didn't need to forcefully move my body so I won't stir the anguish, but they didn't care. They dragged me with them, the chains around my feet making noise as they moved across the floor. Soon, we were outside, and it felt like I was walking down the hall of shame. The members of the tribe— both young and old gathered as we made our way to wherever they were taking me. They watched me with hatred, and I saw the lips of some of them twitch up in snares. If given a chance, these people will stone me to death. I don't think they even need the stones, they would rip me apart if they could.

My mind and senses were more awake today. I had never noticed many things before when I was dragged out of my little prison, not even the color of the hair of the girls that usually take me away. We finally left the scrutinizing eyes of the tribespeople and went into a large hut. I saw a large middle-aged woman seated on an armchair. I know her; she was the one they call Chiefess. She always instructed I should be bathed, and she always urged the girls to be careful with me.

Some girls were in the room when I arrived, about twenty of them. They all looked at me with scorn and moved away as I approached. Their stares scared me but not more than the glare of the young lady sitting beside the Chiefess. She was glaring daggers at me. I would have been dead from her stares if eyes could shoot arrows. She was the one who ordered that I should be taken to the river and not to bathe with them.

"Remove the chains from her," the Chiefess instructed. The girls that brought me out of the darkroom moved forward and uncuffed me.

My ankles and wrist hurt as they removed the chains because the chains had beaten into my skin. I tried my best not to yelp, but tears pooled in my eyes. I heard sneers from the girls and blinked back my tears. When the chains were off me, I struggled to keep my balance without leaning on the strength of the girls. They left me alone. The girls began to murmur among themselves.

"Silence!" the Chiefess boomed. Everywhere went ice silent. Her eyes scanned across the room. I don't know what she was searching for, but I quickly directed my eyes to my chafed feet. "The mating season is upon us," she began. "You all know how it goes except for the human female, Audrey." All eyes turned to me. My gaze married the floor immediately, and I clutched my hands demurely in front of me. "You all know who she is, but that is not what we have come to review now."

"I am sorry, but why is the weak human joining us?" the lady seated beside the Chiefess asked.

"Because she is a single woman in this tribe." said the Chiefess. "As you all know, we lost our dearest, Luna."

I heard sniffles and looked up to see most girls weeping and wiping their tears. Was that how they loved their Luna? She must be a very kind she-wolf. Even the Chiefess dabbed her eyes with a bit of cloth. I felt terrible for them. She must have meant a lot to them. If they were this devastated, how much more the man called Alpha, who was her mate? I didn't want to feel like I deserved their treatment, but I understood their predicament and reactions.

"Enough now," The Chiefess said, waving her hand. "The exciting thing about it is that Alpha King is back in the market." The girls giggled and shook each other excitedly. I marveled at the sudden switch. A few moments ago, they were weeping, now, they are happy and giggling, except for the lady seated beside the Chiefess. She was still sullen and still glaring at me. I quickly took my eyes to the Chiefess.

"I know you are excited to mate with the single werewolves, but you still need to be reminded of the rules, especially Audrey." Sneers and scoffs followed her last word. "The young single werewolves are not your mates and not your friends. They will give you much pleasure and fear if you break any of these rules. War is looming, and all the vibrant werewolves are going for that war, and they need to de-stress after the day, and it's also mating season. This particular season is important because the King, Alpha Xavi, wants an heir to succeed him. Now, he is the only one allowed to spread his seed into you."

I was getting confused. What was she talking about? The werewolves could mate with anyone that isn't their mate? They have been doing this for a long time now. My eyes swept across the room at the girls. Were they not virgins? Virginity for humans was a top priority. A lady is supposed to keep her virginity until she is married. To us, our husbands own our virginity. But here, you give your virginity to anyone and can still find a mate who could be with you forever. It was ridiculous and calming at the same time.

In the human world, once a girl loses her purity, she is seen as condemned and seen as a loose girl. Her parents were embarrassed, and no household would accept her being with their son without hassle. I wasn't looking to lose my purity to a man I didn't love, but I liked the werewolves' rules.

"The werewolves won't harm you, but you all know how aggressive they get and how angry and dominant they are, so do not trigger them. Don't grow attached to a werewolf you are not mated to because it won't end well. When he finds his mate, what are you going to do? You might start acting stupidly and causing trouble. Don't struggle with any other female for any werewolf's attention. They won't give it to you if they are not your mate, and if you misbehave, you will be punished severely. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Chiefess!" the girls chorused.

"Now, just because The Lycan King wants an heir, you shouldn't do hideous things to get his attention, don't get attached to him either. He will plant his seed in you, don't think he has feelings for you. However, he won't plant his seed in every one of you that f*cks him. If he feels you are suitable enough for him, he will plant his seed in you, and if you are lucky enough to get pregnant, that only makes you his mistress and not his Luna, so don't get ahead of yourself. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Chiefess."

"Don't expect any special treatment from the werewolves. With you, all they are is lustful. You should never maintain eye contact with wolves in higher ranks than you. Do not go where you are not invited to—except for Audrey."

My head snapped up at the same time as the heads of the other girls snapped toward me. Their hateful stares brought goosebumps to my body. Why was I the only one allowed to trespass?"

"Because she is the all-around slave. Anyone can use her to carry out any duty they want," the Chiefess answered my question. I cringed at the thought of doing a whole lot of work. I was the chief's daughter back at home, and most of the work was done by the servants. "That is why you shouldn't get attached to any werewolf. Lastly, you are not entitled to f*ck any werewolf you don't want to f*ck. They won't force themselves on you, not even The Alpha King. If you don't want to f*ck with anyone, say so and let them walk away. But—" She raised her forefinger. "The manner and tone you reject a werewolf's advance towards you matters. If you reply rudely, it might trigger the werewolf, and he might snap. You know what it means when they snap, don't you?"

"Yes, we know," the girls chorused.

I didn't know, but I couldn't say. I will avoid being rude to anyone at all and hope the mating season passes soon. But fear rippled through me when I remembered the promise the man called Alpha made to my people and me. It was more like a threat than a promise.

I will f*ck her so hard that you will hear her screams from here.

I shuddered at the thought and as his face flashed in my mind's eyes. That day, he was red with fury and had implanted that fear into me. I didn't want to get on his wrong side or the bad side of any of the beasts. If my father and his soldiers hadn't killed their Luna, I would have agreed with those books I read back home that they were brutal beasts.

"Audrey!" the voice dragged me out of my thoughts. My eyes snapped towards the Chiefess. The other girls were leaving the place, sneering at me as they walked past. "You are not to look me in the eyes."

"I'm sorry," I said quickly and bowed my head.

"Talia would take you around to show you every work you have to do and where you will be staying with the other slaves."

I looked at the girl standing by the entrance. But something else caught my eye. The young man that was passing the hut. He looked precisely like Malik. My Malik.