Chapter3
1279 Words
Alpha Kaden’s POV.
“C’mon. A tenth bride?” Ethan scoffed beside me. “You really outdoing yourself, you know.”
“Shut up,” I said flatly.
He smirked. “I'm just saying—”
“Both of you,” I cut in, my voice dropping. “Say one more word and I'll regret bringing you.”
Silence. Good. He never learns. Alex muttered inside me. The car rolled to a stop in front of the Darksun packhouse. Before the driver could open the door, I raised a hand.
“Wait.”
The car went still. I leaned forward slightly, my gaze locking on both men.
“Listen carefully,” I said. “She is not like the others.”
Ethan's smirk twitched. “Don't look at her. Don't speak to her.” I continued. “And if you touch her—”
My voice dropped lower. “I will remove your hands myself.”
That wiped the amusement off his face.
“Understood?” I added. He raised his hands in mock surrender. “Relax.”
“I'm not joking.”
A beat of silence passed. Then I stepped out.
+
The pack house looked exactly how I expected. Modest. Controlled. Forgettable.
I knocked once—
Then pushed the door open without waiting. Logan stumbled back from the force of it. I ignored him. My gaze found her instantly. Corner of the room.
Small still. Watching. “Are you ready?* I asked.
“If you want to—” Logan started.
“I wasn't talking to you.”
He shut up. Good. Amelia stepped forward slowly, clutching a small bag. Too small. She nodded.
“That's everything?” I asked.
“That's all she owns,” alpha thomas said from behind him. I looked at the bag, then at her and him.
“She's in her twenties,” I said, “and this is all she has?”
“What more does she need?” Logan sneered.
Something dark stirred in my chest. ‘Let me break him,’ my wolf, Alex growled inside me.
Not yet.
+
‘He doesn't know how to stay out of business that isn't his.”
The voice cut in from the stars. I looked up. A woman descended slowly, silver hair, sharp eyes, arrogance dripping from every step. So this was the new Luna.
Amelia's body went rigid. Fear.
Noted.
“Take her,” the woman said dismissively. “She's more useful as a slave than a daughter.”
My gaze hardened. “You dont speak about her like that anymore.”
Silence fell instantly.
“She is not your slave.” I continued. “And if you can't control your mate, Alpha Thomas, I will.”
Her lips parted in shock. “Disobedience?” She snapped. “That girl—”
“Enough.”
The word cut through the room like a blade. Even she fell quiet. Very good.
I motioned to Ethan. He stepped forward, handing me the contract. I shoved it into Thomas’ chest.
“Read.”
“I already agreed—”
“Read.” I repeated. He didn't. Of course.
He signed it without a glance and tossed it back. i***t.
“Done,” he said, “Take her.”
I didn't move. Not yet.
I turned to Amelia instead, “You're coming with me.” I said. “Now.”
She hesistated. “Stay here.” I added quietly, “Or you can come with me.”
It looked like I was giving her a choice but I wasn't, the deal had already been made, but it was nice to act like people had a choice in these things.
Her eyes flickered between the door and the room.
“...I’ll come.” She whispered.
Smart choice. I held out my hand but she didn't take it. Instead, she steadied herself and walked ahead. Still afraid, still expecting pain. That would change.
+
Inside the office, I watched her closely. Every movement. Every flinch.
“Sit.” I told her.
“She doesn't sit.” The Luna interrupted. I turned slowly. “Sitting.” I said, “is not a privilege.z
She recoiled.
“And if you interrupt me againx” I added, “You won't be speaking for a while, I assure you.”
That shut her up for good.
“Sign it.” I said to Thomas for the other parts of the contract. He already had, which told me everything I needed to know about the kind of Alpha he was.
Weak. A pushover, careless and unworthy of ruling.
“Good.” I said, rising to my feet, “We're done here then.”
I turned to Amelia and extended my hand again. “Come.”
This time, she took it. Barely, her fingers were cold and her lips quivered.
Outside, she stopped, frozen.
“Amelia.” I said. No response. She was staring at nothing. Processing like she was breaking what just happened into bits. I stepped forward.
“It's over.” I said quietly. “You're leaving.”
Her lips parted slightly. “...okay.”
She took one step— and collapsed. I caught her before she hit the floor. She was too light. Far too light for the women I took for myself.
Anger flared in my chest. ‘They starved her,’ Alex snarled.
I carried her to the car without a word.
+
Inside, I settled her on my lap. Rafael glanced at me through the mirror, a grin forming.
“Don't.” I said.
He looked away immediately. I adjusted her slightly, my head brushing through her hair. It felt soft, fragile. She still had life in her.
Her breathing steadied minutes later. For a moment, she relaxed, then suddenly, she jerked awake.
Panic. She scrambled away from me like I was her worst nightmare, pressing herself into the corner of the car. I didn't stop her.
Didn't force her either, not yet at least.
The drive back home was quiet, I let Ethan and Rafael talk. My attention stayed on her. Always watching, learning.
When we arrived, I stepped out first and turned to her.
“Come.”
She looked at my hand, then ignored it. “I can walk,” she said softly.
Also noted.
She stepped out and froze again. This time, staring at the mansion. Good.
I wanted her to see the difference, to understand that with me she would have a better life.
“This is your home now,” I said. She didn't respond. Inside, I walked through the halls.
“The Omegas.here train,” u said, “Everyone does. Rank doesn't matter when it comes to survival.”
She had no reaction. I pointed to the board in the kitchen. “If you need anything, write it down there.”
Still nothing. She was overwhelmed, I decided. It was hard not to be after all she had been through.
We entered the room. She placed her small bag down. That was all she had, I frowned. Unacceptable
“What do you need?” I asked.
“Nothing.”
Lie. Every woman needs something. They always did, but I didn't argue.
I simply started writing. She needed clothes, shoes and essentials. Everything.
She would have all she needed, whether she asked or not.
I glanced up at her, still too thin. Too fragile to be my bride immediately, without thinking, I stepped forward and placed my hands on her waist.
My thumbs met at her stomach. My fingers touched her spine. Too easy, too little distance. She was barely holding herself together.
My jaw tightened. “How are you still standing?”
- Writer
