In Love With The Scared Alpha

Desire

LYRA'S POV

I pinched my cheek in disbelief—a lowly Omega becoming Alpha Queen, mated to two powerful brothers. Following the servants to my chamber, my thoughts returned to Tyris, preferring his handsome face to the brutal, masked King.

"Welcome to your bedroom, my queen," Thira, one of the servants, announced as she pushed a set of double doors open to reveal the most magnificent chambers I had ever seen. An audible gasp escaped my parted lips as I took in my new abode with wide eyes. For a moment, the rumour of the haunting wife escaped my mind as I gaped in awe. It was beyond my wildest dreams. The royal chamber before me perfectly fused modern luxury and timeless regality.

An opulent crystal chandelier bathed the luxurious space, exposing silk-draped splendour and illuminating an enormous bed that seemed to float on air—a stark contrast to my cramped basement at Uncle's house or Bruno's quarters. A private balcony beckoned beyond glass doors, promising solace in the days to come amid this twisted fate of being mated to a masked Alpha.

"My queen, it is time to take your bath and change into more befitting clothes. After which, you will be led to the King," Thira informed me with a huge smile. I wondered if that smile would remain on her face if I hadn't become Alpha queen.

"Of course, but why would I have to meet Rockan now? I bet he's still busy with other guests. Trust me, he has something better to do than waste time with me," I laughed nervously. Thira and the other maid exchanged puzzled looks.

"That is how it has always been done." The other maid moved to another set of double doors on the side, pushing them to reveal a large walk-in closet stocked to the brim with designer clothing. My jaw fell open again. I watched as she gracefully pulled out a cozy purple nightdress with a matching robe and laid it on the massive bed.

"This is beautiful," I whispered, fingering the piece of clothing.

"That and every other thing in there is yours," Thira smiled again. I began to think that either she was a genuine individual or just an ass-kisser. As she led me to the en-suite bathroom, I made a mental note not to trust her or any other person in this place easily. After all, they paid their allegiance to that masked monster.

The adjacent bathing chamber revealed a sunken marble tub large enough for four, with brass fixtures that gleamed like jewellery. A rainfall shower encased in seamless glass stood nearby, alongside twin vanities of polished stone.

"Is it to your liking, my queen?" Thira asked, watching my overwhelmed expression with a knowing smile.

I could only nod, suddenly aware that this magnificent space was now mine—yet another reminder of how drastically my life had changed in mere moments. Thira and the other female ran the bath, filling it with bottles of soap that smelled divine.

"Get in, Luna," Thira gestured to the pristine bathtub.

"What?" I gaped at them awkwardly, tightly hugging myself.

"It is time for you to have your bath now," she informed me as if I didn't already know, her smile tightening.

"Yes, I can see that. I am perfectly capable of doing it myself. Wait outside," I ordered, feeling self-conscious. The last thing I wanted was anybody seeing my scars—the evidence of the abuse I had endured through the years at Silver-moon. Thankfully, Thira and her colleague didn't push it.

"As you wish, Luna," they chorused and filed out of the room after giving me a bow. Left to myself, I hurriedly took a bath, mind fixed on Bruno, Freya, Rosa, and Austin, swearing vengeance when the time was right. As I stepped out, drying my body, I prayed for strength to endure my mating to the Masked Alpha until I could watch my enemies burn.

Thira led me to the marble vanity with illuminated mirrors, brushing my thick hair after blow-drying it. Rich perfumed cream was heavily applied to my skin, particularly my neck, chest, and legs, as if I were being prepared for slaughter.

"Tell me about the Alpha," I broke the awkward silence that came with two women fussing over me.

Thira cleared her throat. "What do you want to know?"

"What is he like?" I pressed, staring straight at them through the mirror, desperate to grab any last-minute info about the man I would spend the rest of my life with.

"He's an Alpha in every sense of the word," came the clipped reply from Thira.

"Of course, he has to live up to his name. But what are his dislikes? What does he detest?"

"Weaklings," the other female answered. "He goes feral from time to time, too," she rambled on.

"Feral?" My eyes widened in horror. I was as good as dead. "What do you mean by that?"

"Um... it is nothing to worry about, my Queen. He picked you, remember? So, he would do nothing to harm you. Mates find it hard to hurt each other," Thira butted in before her colleague could reply, using her elbow to nudge her side.

"What happened to his previous mate? I heard one of them haunts this mansion." I refused to back down in my quest to find out all I could before stepping into Rockan's room.

"Haunts?" Thira laughed. "You shouldn't believe such rumours, my lady. True, our Alpha has been mated in the past, but none of them were his destined mate. They were both chosen, and he happened to outlive one while the other eloped with another." She shrugged nonchalantly.

"That is interesting," I mused. "And Rockan did not bother looking for her?"

"Why would he? She fell in love with the other wolf and was miserable here anyway." Her tone became dismissive, signalling an end to the conversation. Then, she gave my lock of hair one final brush before nudging me to my feet. "It is time to meet the Alpha king," she waved her hand with a flourish.

"This way, Luna," the silenced maid spoke up, shyly gesturing to the door. Again, I was led through a labyrinth of corridors to the left wing of the mansion. The din of the ball floated to my ears from the grand hall, and I wondered if Rockan was already in his room. Upon getting to the doors of his chamber, my companions deserted me with promises to serve me again at the crack of dawn. Left alone, I considered escaping from a nearby window, but thought otherwise of the plan.

I might as well just do this and get it over with. It is too late to turn back now.

Taking a deep breath, I pushed the door open after knocking twice. Rockan's room was devoid of any warmth and lacked the bright lights that filled mine. His space was just as cold as he was, empty and desolate.

"Um... hello," I called out, placing one unsure foot after the other. "Alpha Rockan?" My voice had a shaky tilt to it. The sound of running water coming from what I assumed to be the bathroom hinted at his whereabouts. Deciding to wait for him, I sat at the edge of the bed, instantly noticing the ornate glass placed on the bedside table and its contents. This was his party glass, I thought, examining the different-looking liquor. Curiosity won; I sipped. It burned my throat, made my head spin, but I emptied the cup. If tonight was for mating, better to forget it tomorrow—forget the ugliness beneath his mask.

Minutes later, Rockan emerged, still masked but wet. Water cascaded down his sculpted chest, tracing defined ridges before disappearing into his low-slung towel. His magnificent body ignited something primal within me. My breath caught as I traced every curve of his muscle-bound physique with my eyes, my cool demeanour evaporating instantly.

Heat pooled in my belly, spreading until my fingertips tingled with the need to touch him. My lips parted, suddenly dry despite moisture gathering elsewhere. I envied water droplets clinging to his broad shoulders. My nightdress felt constraining, the silk creating unbearable friction against sensitized skin.

Despite my revulsion at what might lie beneath his mask, burning desire now clouded rational thought. My wolf stirred, responding to his raw presence in ways that shocked me—something I'd never felt with Bruno or anyone. My body recognized what my mind refused to acknowledge.

However, his golden eyes didn't mirror my desire. They narrowed dangerously upon seeing the empty glass.

"What have you done?" He snatched it away, glaring with rage and something like concern.

Perhaps tonight is the night I finally die.