The Lycan King's Keeper

Chapter 2

Scarlet

I traced my fingers along the scar on my belly, grimacing when I felt the ever present dull pain that refused to go. It had been eight months already, but the scar remained.

It ran from my below my breast, down my belly, and then curved right-ward, to my back, stopping just above my waistline.

I inhaled slightly, then turned my gaze towards the tiny window that was my only source of light and air.

Eight months.

Eight whole months since I had lost her.

Eight months since Zeke had betrayed me, and thrown me in here.

I had cried and screamed until I had lost my voice. Cried and screamed until I had finally accepted it was useless.

I could still remember that night. The night when my whole world had fallen apart.

I rembered it everyday for the past eight months.

The disappointed look on Cade’s face. The rage from Zeke as he rejected me and condemned me to the dungeons. The satisfied look on his new mate’s face as she escorted me to the dungeons.

I had lost it all.

But all I could think of was how I never got the chance to see her again.

I should have held her that night.

I should have gathered her tiny lifeless body that night and said goodbye, instead of running out to look for Zeke.

The rattling of the lock drew me out of my thoughts.

I sat up abruptly, briefly groaning in pain as my joints complained.

Who could it be? They never opened the door or let me out.

My heart thudded in my chest as the chains rattled, and then someone pushed the heavy brass doors open.

Cade walked in, looking just as closed-off as ever.

It had been eight months since I had seen him, and yet, he looked the same.

“The alpha has asked to see you.” he announced, running his eyes over me, as his nose scrunched slightly. “You will have to clean up. A maid will help you.”

I scoffed at the mention of Zeke’s name. “It’s been eight months, Cade. Couldn’t you at least ask how I’ve been, since you and your alpha locked me up in here?”

Despite how hard my heart was beating, I fought to look calm. Just as I had been doing.

One wrong move, and_ I quenched the thought.

“No joking around. You have ten minutes,” Cade simply said, then nodded his head as three pack hands entered with a tub of water, followed by two maids.

I stiffled a pained laugh as Cade walked out, clearly stopping just outside the door to give me enough privacy to get cleaned up and dressed.

I felt numb to it all as the maids quickly did my hair and donned a white dress over my head.

All I could think of was facing Zeke again.

Not because I still loved him, but because I hated him so much, I didn’t trust my calmness around him.

The walk to Zeke’s office was silent as Cade completely ignored me.

I didn’t even get the chance to prepare myself before the door was pushed open, and I was shoved into Zeke’s office.

I stiffled a gasp as I came face to face with the man that had so cruelly rejected and locked me up. I had thought I would lounge at him or something once I saw him again,but all I di was gape at him as the wounds I had spent the last months closing, opened again at the sight of him.

“Long time no see, Scarlet.” Zeke smirked, coming to stand before me, his eyes hard.

Before, I would have swooned in his presence, or even leaned closer to catch more of his scent, but having him this close, only intensified my pain.

I struggled to speak, but nothing came out, so I clamped my mouth shut and just stared at him.

Not much had changed.

The only thing different about him, was the fact that he had grown out his beard.

He looked as handsome as ever, but I knew behind those grey eyes of his, was a wicked soul.

A wicked soul that had not flinched or let me mourn my daughter before throwing me into the dungeon and abandoning me there.

“I don’t know what i expected, but you look like a train wreck.” he hissed, sliding his gaze over me, before walking away to stand behind his desk.

“What do you want Zeke? You rejected me. We do not share a bond anymore, yet you have kept me for this long and turtured me.” I heard myself say, my voice low.

I caught the moment the air tensed after my words.

“You have forgotten so soon, that I literally bought you from your father, Scarlet. I paid in full, and am still paying till this day as your stupid pack is hanging for it’s dear life on my own expense. So we do, share a bond.” his tone was harsh as he reminded me of his agreement with my father.

My jaws clenched.

Cruel bastard.

I siad nothing, choosing to be silent as Zeke smirked and continued.

“I had thought investing in you would be worthless, but as it turns out, you are useful after all.” he slid a paper towards me. “As of today, you will pay back all that you and your worthless father owes me. And you will be nice about it.”

I frowned my stomach turning darkly. “W_what do you mean?”

Somehow, even before he said the words he said next, I knew it was going to be bad.

But nothing would have prepared me for the exact words that came out of his mouth.

“I mean as of today, you have been bought by the Hemshine Lycan king, as his whore.”

He gave me a dirty look, while my heart sank to my stomach. “Why the Lycan king is interested in a worthless being like you is beyond me, but hell, he’s paying good cash!”