HIS CAPTIVE, HIS MATE

CHAPTER4

"Are you okay, Lyra?""

I was astonished when I heard Zara's voice. Alpha Jack's daughter was attempting to shatter Zara's spirit by having her perform various jobs inside the Alpha's Residence. Last week, we were entrusted with cleaning a toilet that had been clogged for weeks, and it was dreadful!

"Y-yes!"I fumbled out my response. Regardless of how I felt at the time, I had to keep it hidden from Zara or else she would continue to blame herself for what had happened to me.

"You have been spacing a lot," she remarked.

"I am just thinking about ways to get out of here," I said, and she nodded.

"Let's talk about it tonight," she added before she excused herself since the Alpha's daughter begged her to.

It had been weeks since the incident, yet the horror clung to me like a shadow, following me wherever I went and appearing when I least expected it. Every time I thought about what had happened, my chest clenched and it became difficult to breathe.

Actually, I didn't want to remember how Alpha Jack had abused me, but the memories lingered like unhealed wounds. When I closed my eyes, I could still see his face and cruel smirk as he grabbed what was not his. The worst aspect was that I couldn't leave his presence. He was really there, and his presence scared the crap out of me.

My body froze whenever a man approached. My pulse would race, my hands would shake uncontrollably, and I felt like I was back in that tent. I simply wanted to leave the pack. I just wanted to flee, but I couldn't find the appropriate time. Zara and I were like VIP inmates, and they tracked our every move.

If only I wasn't so powerless to escape the awful prison, but I was only a maid. I was just another omega serving in the pack, and I had to work with guys all the time, no matter how uncomfortable I felt around them.

In the kitchen, cleaning the Alpha's quarters or even serving meals to the troops. They were everywhere, and I had no choice but to live with them because complaining was out of the question. Besides, no one cared how an omega felt, save Zara, who's a great buddy. She, like me, was demoted to Omega status and was doing her best to cope with her traumas and misfortune.

After scrubbing the floor, I went to the kitchen. There, I had to cope with Beta. He stood at the counter, waiting for his dinner. When I offered it to him, he reached out to accept it, but his fingers accidentally brushed mine, making me wince. He gave me a short glance, and fortunately, he did not make a huge issue about it.

Every touch and near moment reminded me of what I had been through, and even though no one knew, I carried it with me at all times. I tried to stay away from the men in the pack, but it wasn't always possible. Sometimes they leaned too close or brushed by me in the hallway, and I felt like I was going to break apart!

To be honest, I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep it. How long could I pretend that everything was fine when, deep down, I was so devastated! However, in the pack led by Alpha Jack, an omega who complained would face further problems and punishments.

So I kept quiet and tried not to come apart whenever a man went too close. But the truth was that I didn't know if I'd ever feel safe again. Not after what he did to me. Not after the trauma he had caused me.

But it appeared I couldn't ignore it indefinitely. The time I feared had arrived, and there was no way out. The Lycan King had arrived as a special guest to the pack, according to my understanding.

I didn't know much about him, but what I heard worried me. He was powerful, cruel, and unlike any other Alpha. Even Alpha Jack, who seemed to control the world, treated him with regard.

When the Lycan King arrived, everyone bowed, and I tried to blend in by keeping my head down. I tried not to make eye contact so he wouldn't see me, but fate was not kind to me.

"You!" Alpha Jack's voice pierced through the crowd, and his eyes tightened as they settled on me. “Make sure he is well-cared for."

My gut knotted as I got his command. I wanted to say no, run away, and do anything but confront the Lycan King. But saying no to Alpha Jack was not an option.

"Yes, Alpha," I muttered.

Before dinner, I had to help him with his bath. So I went into his chamber. It was a long ride from his realm, so he wanted to refresh himself before entering the dining hall for dinner. When I came, I gently tapped on the door, and my heart nearly stopped when I heard his deep voice.

The door was slightly ajar, as if he was expecting someone to take care of his requirements. I walked into the dimly lighted room, my hands trembling as I carried the fresh towels. He stood near the window, tall and broad, with an imposing aura. I didn't dare to look at him directly, but I could feel the raw force emanating from him.

"Are you coming to help me with my bath?" When he asked me, his voice was both silky and forceful.

"Yes, Your Majesty," I whispered.

I flinched involuntarily as he approached me. My body clenched as memories of Alpha Jack flooded back, and I could feel my chest constrict. Panic increased, and I felt as if I were back in that tent, powerless and terrified.

I attempted to control myself so as not to anger the Lycan King. I assured myself that I was not in danger, but my body did not listen. The pain was too deep, and being so near to him had brought back those memories. My hands shook as I placed the towels on his bed, and I couldn't stop myself from breathing faster. Unfortunately, he noticed.

“Are you terrified of me?” he asked.

I gulped hard and lied, "N-no, Your Majesty."

"Lying to me is not wise. I feel your fear, darling," he murmured.

When he spoke to me in a nice tone, I had no idea how to reply. I could not tell him the truth. I could not tell him about Alpha Jack's abuse. I couldn't tell him what had happened or why I was so terrified. So I remained silent, hoping that he would not push any more. Thankfully, he didn't. Instead, he moved back to give me space.

"You may go now," he said.

So I did not wait. I bowed quickly and exited the room as soon as I could without fleeing. Once I was out of sight, I slumped against the wall and gasped for oxygen. I'd barely made it through, but something about the Lycan King stood out. He didn't press or try to force anything. And, for the first time in a long time, I felt a little more secure.

I was on my way to do something else when the guard I knew as guarding the chamber occupied by the Lycan King abruptly blocked my path. My eyes opened in disbelief, but he quickly assured me that he had no plan.

"The king changed his mind. He needs your help now," he said, and I frowned.

"But he just let me leave!I replied, but he only shrugged his shoulders.

So I had no choice but to go back to the Lycan King's chamber. Just like before, the door was slightly ajar, and I noticed some of his guards nearby. No surprise he felt so secure!

When I finally entered his dimly lighted bedchamber, my heart raced, and as soon as my gaze fell on him, I squealed in terror. He was totally naked! I was ready to scream loudly, but he quickly covered my lips with his fingers.

"You are naked!" I gasped in surprise as he let go.

"Did you expect me to bathe in my clothes?" He inquired, raising an eyebrow as if my reaction pleased him.

"Y-yes," I said, and he chuckled quietly.

"That is unlikely to happen. Now, lead the way, darling," he said, and I swallowed hard, attempting to maintain my composure in front of the King.

He grinned and was plainly amused by my pain. Or perhaps he expected this type of reaction. But then I became much more uneasy when I felt his gaze on me. Why was he checking on me?

"How old are you, darling?"He inquired. "Eighteen? Fifteen?"

"Twenty," I responded.

"Has he abused you?" He inquired without hesitation.

"No," I lied, but I questioned whether he believed me.

The tub was already full of water, as if he had prepared it while I was out of the room. When he stepped into the bathtub, water spilled over the sides and onto the floor. Then, when he sat in the bathtub, the soothing light highlighted his muscular shoulders and broad chest.

The water swirled around him, revealing the hard lines of his physique. His skin was moist and glistening, making the muscles on his stomach and sides stand out, but what drew my eye were the scars on his back. His brown hair was moist and matted to his forehead, framing his attractive features. Then he turned around and briefly met my gaze.

"Am I handsome?" he inquired, and I was perplexed as to why he did so. "You've been studying my appearance since we got in here," he observed, which made me embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty," I said, but he only chuckled.

I didn't understand it, but something about him put me at peace. But, before wasting my time dissecting everything, I chatted with him.

"Stay still so that I can wash your hair," I told him, but he only chuckled, and his deep voice filled the bathroom.

What is wrong with him?

"Don't you think it's inappropriate to boss me around?""

"No, Your Majesty, you misunderstood me," I explained.

"Misunderstood?” He asked in a sarcastic tone.

I sighed, realizing it was foolish to fight with someone like the Lycan King. "Never mind," I said under my breath.

"Have you tried this before?"he asked.

"No, your majesty. This is my first time," I confessed.

"But this isn't your first time seeing a man's private part, right?"

I stopped shampooing his hair when he asked that uncomfortable question. I clenched my jaw, attempting to contain myself. But before I could reply, he spoke again.

"You don't have to tell me every detail, my love. I'm sorry you had to go through that," he muttered, as I bit my bottom lip while listening to him.

"It is almost time for dinner, Your Majesty. "We should hurry," I remarked, attempting to alter the topic of our talk.

Are you always like this?"

"Like, what?"I asked.

"Bossy and dominant," he responded, and this time I chuckled.

"You got it wrong, Your Majesty," I remarked, as he smirked.

"Well, it's not a big deal for me," he shrugged, but then gave me a serious look. "But I insist that you tell me your name."

I clenched my fists, not appreciating how he used his authority. I had no choice but to respond. "It's Lyra, Your Majesty."

"Lyra," he said, a slight smile on his lips. "Beautiful. Exactly like you. I'm Kaden Wolfhart from Emerald Valley. Nice to meet you.”

Heat raced up my neck at his words, but I refused to show him how his remark touched me. "Thank you," I whispered, since what else could I say?

He nodded briefly before asking again. "And what is your complete name?"

Aside from Zara and Alpha Damian, no one knew my last name. Nobody bothered to ask. Even though I despised the name my father had given me, it made me happy that someone wanted to get to know me better. Then I smiled.

"You're gorgeous when you smile, Lyra," he remarked, and I blinked in surprise since I had forgotten I wasn't alone.

"Anyway, you can leave now," he ordered abruptly.

"Why? "You're not done yet," I exclaimed in amazement.

"I can manage on my own," he said. "See you later."

I nodded, even though it wasn't going to happen. Because after assisting him with his wash, there was no way we would cross paths again. When he told me to leave, I departed right away, thanking him for his hospitality.

But, as I was about to exit the bathroom, I made the mistake of looking back. Our eyes connected, but I quickly averted my gaze. Why did I do that? My face burned with humiliation!

So I ran back to the servant's quarters to change my clothing because I had been wet while assisting the King with his bath. I was about to depart and help serve the guests when I noticed him outside my room. My eyes widened in surprise when I saw him in the back of Alpha's house!

“Your Majesty! What are you doing here?"

He looked at me closely, his gaze moving over my plain clothing. Despite the modesty of my clothes, I felt exposed under his stare. I waited for his response, but he took his time before answering my query.

"So, this is where you sleep at night," he murmured as he attempted to peer into the room.

I used my body to block his view, but the darn man pushed me aside and went inside. At that point, my patience snapped and I stared at him. Even though he was the Lycan King, he shouldn't have barged into my room without my consent! But, who am I kidding? He was powerful enough to achieve that, so I took a big breath and tried to think clearly about how to cope with him.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, your behavior is disturbing. Are you attracted to me as a woman?” I inquired bluntly, unconcerned about the repercussions.

He was taken aback by my candor and cleared his throat. ""Alarming? What do you mean?"

"You must think I'm desperate to be close with you, but I'm not," I informed him, and he chuckled angrily.

"Aren’t you?” He asked, narrowing his eyes at me as if daring me to question his assertion.