Alpha Princes Hidden Mate

7- Mate

It was cold and dark. 

It was always cold, dark and silent wherever they kept them. The only sound echoing inside the dingy dark place was the dripping water from the ceiling, occasional low whimpers, two pair of heavy feet moving around and sliding of rusted plates as two werewolves with faces marred with jagged scars strolled down the corridor sliding in the scrape of foods inside the small cells holding prisoners. 

No, not prisoners, they were slaves. 

When they reached the last cell, they could see a shaking figure huddled in the far away corner hiding her face with her knees. 

" Hey there princess, we brought the royal feast for you " cackled one of the rogues, the wicked werewolves thrown out of the pack, while sliding in the rusted plate. 

" Won't you look up and let us see that pretty face, princess, I promise we will give you a nice treat. " 

Their laughter echoed in the dungeon as little sobs could be heard all around.

She had endured this for the past year, she can do it for more, she hoped she could. After all this was all for her Sophy and Mimi. Their safety was all that mattered.

Mimi kept you safe for sixteen years, now it is your chance. So, buckle up.

She gathered all the courage left in her and lifted her face. She looked directly in their eyes without blinking, showing that her spirit was still intact. Though her little show only made them cackle even more.

It was after a few hours or maybe it was just a few minutes? Time was a foreign concept down there. The staircase door opened with a loud band and sounds of rattling chains could be heard by every girl down there. This sound was enough to make their heart beat in frenzy because they knew what it meant.

They knew it was time for them to be sold, sold to their new owner, their werewolf masters condemning their life to a greater hell than that inside these four cold walls.

" Rise and shine slaves " an overly cheery voice said which only made the fear in the girls' hearts to escalate. 

" Oh don't look so gloomy my dear, you are going to get your master today. Isn't that EXCITING " he squealed like an over excited teenage girl as he saw his most precious slave in the last cell, Slave O1.

" Get them shackled and bring them up "  the man said in a stern voice as his demeanor changed and marched out of the filthy dungeon.

Soon, slave O1 found herself being dragged upstairs hurdled like a shackled animal. She groaned and tried to shade her eyes from the onslaught of the sudden sunlight. It had been months she was out in light but the warmth that seeped in every part of her body was a welcomed change from the freezing undergrounds.

The slaves had been bathed and put in new clothes for the presentation. Well the clothes would be an exaggeration for the miniscule rags they were forced in. Though it was a relief that the rogues were in a hurry for the presentation to get free time to grope them. 

" MOVE, can't you walk fast b***h " barked one of the men while pushing a slave who was finding it difficult to walk on her weak bruised legs shackled. 

" Form a line here. The presentation will start soon "

She could hear the presenter or 'The Master' as they called him, addressing a cheery crowd. She felt disgusted and humiliated at the words used to describe her when the two werewolves took her on the stage, more like dragged her.

She could feel the leering gaze of those perverted wolves on her exposed skin. She couldn't help but shake a little at being presented and humiliated like this in front of all these men. After composing herself a little she felt a heated gaze on her skin slowly enveloping her in safe warmth just like a thick blanket her Mimi gave her for freezing winters. 

How can someone from these malicious wolves make me feel this safe? I need to find it for myself.

Slowly and with a lot of courage she lifted her head. Immediately she caught the gaze of the bluish grey eyes emitting a warmth making her feel safe. She knew that somehow she could be safe now, how she didn't know. Though she couldn't see the face of the man but deep inside she knew he would be handsome, he would not be like all the other werewolves present here, he would be just like her Mimi and Sophy.

Their staring was broken by the loud thundering voice of the presenter starting the auction for Slave O1.

" So here is our final product, one amongst all. We will start the bid from  $1,00,000 "

" 1,20,000 "

" 1,25,000 "

" 1,40,000 "

" Awesome. This is one of a kind chance. Anybody else. This is the last call if anybody wants to bid. So 1 Dollar Now, 2 Dollar Now, 3 Dollar now…. "

" 1,000,000 "

A hush fell over the entire place and Eros realized he was the reason, well his wolf was. When he was busy coming to terms with what was happening, his sneaky wolf took control and placed the bid. He could even feel the intense glare Andrew was throwing at him.

“ $1,000,000 for the number A10. What a deal. 1 Dollar Now, 2 Dollar Now, 3 Dollar now….and sold to the gentleman with keen eyes. With this we mark the end of today's auction. See some of you in the next session and others ENJOY YOUR PETS. ” presenter gleefully finished the auction.

Eros found his wolf growling and threatening to tear apart those low life wolves who were dragging his mate off the stage. Although he, himself, didn't like the way they were putting their hands on what was his.

Wait. What? She can't be his, she is a human for goddess’ sake.

Human or not, she is our mate and I don't share what's mine. Now be an Alpha and take their hands away from her. They are hurting her. DO IT OTHERWISE...

The threat was clear in his voice and Eros wasn't about to piss off his newly found wolf when he was unaware of his strength. 

" Unhand my property NOW " growled Eros with his Alpha command seeping in.

Andrew was cursing under his breath as he watched his Alpha totally hell bent on exposing them. The wolves manhandling slave O1 quickly bowed to Eros under his command and handed her over chains to Eros. Eros was trying not to show his disgust while walking out of that wretched area while taking his mate shackled and dragging her through her chains.

" What are you doing imbecile, she is our mate! Stop treating her like a leashed pet. " Eros' wolf growled in his mind

" It is for her own safety. We cannot let anyone know about what she is to us. Moon goddess, now I wish you remained quiet." Eros growled back.

" Whatever, we will talk about this later. First take our mate outside of here and cover her up. She is shaking like a leaf. "

His wolf's words registered in his brain and he looked behind him to see that she was indeed shaking. Shaking from what cold or fear? Though deep within Eros wanted it to be the first. Though he never wanted to find his mate but now that he had her so close, things might become different.

No, snap out of it Eros, it is not possible humans cannot be mated to werewolves. It is not possible, it is not natural.

After reaching a safe distance, Andrew couldn't wait anymore.

" Really Eros, really? We were there to get the truth only. "

"Andrew, not now "

" What do you mean not now. I think now is perfectly the right time to talk about what you did there" saying this Andrew pointed towards the direction they just came from. "

" Stop it Andrew "

But Andrew was in no mood to listen and continued his blabbering.

" And if I remember correctly, it was you who said that ANDREW, IT IS JUST AN IN AND OUT MISSION, DO NOT DO ANYTHING STUPID " Andrew tried to mimic Eros but it just came out as a high pitched voice.

" ANDREW, STOP IT " Eros growled at his beta but his further words were cut short when he heard a whimper behind him. 

Both him and Andrew turned towards the girl they had forgotten while dealing with each other. She was huddling and trying to pull at the chains that were tightly held in Eros' hand. Eros noticed that he was pulling the chains too roughly in his anger and it was hurting her. Immediately he threw the chains and took a step towards her in order to see the damage done.

Though he quickly came to a halt as he watched his mate cower away from him whimpering.

" You are frightening her Alpha " Andrew mind linked Eros.

Eros ignored his beta as continued to look at the frightened girl who couldn't be more than 5'2". Just then the sound of rustling came and beta and gamma supreme came crashing out from behind them. They were breathing heavily looking toward the whimpering little thing.

The sudden movement and the site of masked men were enough to frighten her. She dropped down on the ground hiding her face in her knees and covering her head with her hands. It seemed like she was trying to save herself from the hit she thought would be coming towards her.

Help mate! Help!

Beta Supreme took a step towards the cowering figure when Eros stopped him in his tracks. With a node Beta backed up. Eros took tentative steps towards the girl and started talking in whispers so as not to spook her more.

" Hey there, it is alright now, we are not gonna hurt you. Look, we all are here to help. Can you look up little one? "

She didn't know how he did it but he was able to calm her erratically beating heart. She could sense sincerity behind those words and she felt safe, just like when she was on that stage, exposed.

She slowly looked up from her cocoon to see the man crouching down in front of her. She was able to see each and every feature of that handsome man as his hood was down now. The moonlight was giving him an ethereal glow and those grey eyes held a certain warmth she wanted to envelope herself in.

Getting her attention, Eros quickly took off his cloak and slowly approached the weeping girl.

" I am just going to put this cloak on you. You must be feeling cold out here. Aren't you? "

She didn't say anything and just stared at him. It was for the first time in a year that someone was talking to her in such a way. Eros saw her blinking at him and could make out the questions in her eyes.

Poor girl! Don't know what she had been through at the hands of those wretched wolves. 

Eros could also feel his agitated wolf who was more than ready to go back there and tear apart each and every person responsible for this condition of his mate.

Eros slowly reached forward and put the cloak around her. She slowly lifted her arms waiting for the man whose name she now knew to be Eros and tightened the cloak around herself.

"Can you tell me your name, little one?" Eros asked in a soft tone which had his other companions look at him with open mouths. They cannot believe that Eros had it in him to be so soft.

" I.....uhmmm...s..sl...slave....O1.. "

They all took a ragged breath as they didn't like the way she referred to herself one bit. Andrew also found it confusing that his wolf was reacting so aggressively towards this situation and how protective he felt towards this petite broken girl.

" No. no that is not your name, little one. What is your real name? "

" So.. sorry. The Master said " a loud growl cut short her words and caused her to cry out in fear.

Eros' wolf did not like the words that tumbled out of her mouth. He did not like it one bit. Eros was breathing hard and trying to get himself under control which seemed to be an impossible task right now. Though one look at the frightened girl, her tear streaked face was enough to make his wolf sit back a bit whimpering a little.

" Sorry little one. I did not mean to scare you. It is just please don't call anyone your master. You are not below anyone. Yeah? "

She slowly nodded her head in affirmation.

" So how about we try again? What is your name, your birth name? "

" A..Arin " she breathed out in such a low voice that Eros would not be able to hear it if not for his enhanced wolf senses.

" Beautiful " He didn't mean it for anyone else to hear it but Andrew still did. He arched his eyebrows in surprise and eyed Eros suspiciously. 

What the hell is going on? This really confuses the hell out of me! Moon Goddess!

" Eros, I think we should move out of here fast. It is not safe to stay here for long " Beta supreme said coming forward while giving their surroundings a one over.

Eros sighed and turned towards Arin.

" Would you be able to walk, little one? "

" Y...yes...master, I mean sir, I " Arin said in a shaky voice not knowing how to address him anymore. 

Arin was a little terrified of what he would do to her for not addressing him properly. Though in her defense The Master had told all the slaves to address their new owners in the way they wanted, Eros did not specify.

Eros sighed at his struggle to address him properly. Though he did not like the way he called me, he was not going to reprimand her for something she was not at fault. She was just following the rules they would have been taught at the den and she was terrified enough as it was. He did not need to add more to it.

"You can call me Eros, little one"

Andrew knew he was going to faint any time now as this day couldn't get more bewildering. First buying a slave, then talking to the said girl like she was something precious that too in a SOFT manner and then allowing an Alpha, no not just any alpha, an Alpha Prince by his name! There was definitely something wrong with Eros.

" Okay " Arin again replied in a soft whisper.

Soon they were back in the cottage and retired in their respective rooms exhausted from all that happened that day. Eros took Arin to his room to watch over her, as demanded by his wolf who Eros now knew was called Amarok.

After entering his room Eros went to the cupboard and took some clothes out to give to Arin. When he turned around, he was shocked to see Arin kneeling on the floor beside the bed with her hands behind her back.

" What the hell are you doing? " Eros asked incredulously while taking long strides towards her and grabbed her arm to make her stand. 

Though as soon as he touched her skin, sparks travelled through his body making him stiff. By the gasp that tumbled from the plump kissable lips of Arin, he knew that she was also able to feel those sparks. Regardless of what his mind was telling him, he could no longer deny the signs that pointed out the obvious that this girl, this human girl, was definitely his mate.

" I...I was waiting for the command master...I mean Eros " she replied while lowering her eyes and trying to ignore the strange sparks she felt where Eros touched her arm.

" You....you just take those clothes over there, freshen up in the en-suite and come back to sleep. It is getting late. "

" Okay " she timidly took the clothes and went inside the bathroom.

It was going to be a long night, sighed Eros.

It was way past midnight and a figure was sitting inside a dark room rocking on a chair.

Two other figures stepped out of the shadows from behind him. Though the room was dark, their heightened senses were more than enough to make them visible to each other.

" Are you sure she is the one? "

" More than anything, all the signs are there. Moreover my wolf senses it. "

" Same for us brother. She is the one "

" For all of us "

"Yes"

"Than this complicates it to another level"

"What do you think we should do now? Should we seek out help?"

" No, that won't be good. "

"I agree. I don't know what we are going to do or how but what definitely know is that we cannot let anyone know about this. Not without enough knowledge. We cannot expose her at this time especially with the current circumstance."

"Right but I do know one person that could definitely help us with this. She would be a wonderful asset."

"I know who you are talking about. I was thinking the same. Now you both can go. We will talk later" 

The other two figures left the room but not before glancing at the little figure cocooned in the warm quilt sleeping somewhat peacefully on the bed looking like a sweet burrito.