CHAPTER 6: HE MADE MY PULSE RACE
VENUS:
I swallowed hard, clutching the sheets as he walked toward the door.
"Excuse me sir!" My voice was barely above a whisper, but he clearly heard me.
He paused and slowly turned back, his dark eyes locking on to mine like twin blades. His eyes gazed at me with fury and I wondered what l had done to make him look at me that way.
"What is it now?" He sounded impatient and irritated, as though I were a thorn in his flesh.
I bit my lower lip, which trembled uncontrollably. "I..I just wanted to know... what exactly is my role here in the pack?"
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he stared at me for a long, uncomfortable moment. Then his lips curled into something between a smirk and a snarl.
"You’ll know when it’s time. Until then, stay quiet, stay obedient, and don't try to run away," he said with an edge that made me tremble.
I lowered my eyes, but that didn’t stop my voice from quivering as I said, "But—"
He cut me off, taking a sudden step toward me. I instinctively scooted backward on the bed.
"Listen carefully, Pet," he said, his voice a dangerous purr. "If you want your life to be easy, then you’ll learn how to be submissive. That’s your only choice.”
Pet? Did he just call me Pet?
My heart raced as he took long strides toward me. He stood so close now, making me feel so intimidated. Then, suddenly, he sat beside me on the edge of the bed and moved closer.
I stiffened.
"You smell intoxicating," he murmured, lowering his head toward my neck.
My pulse raced.
Then he reached out and gathered my hair which fell all over my shoulders into one bunch.
I shivered when his hand grazed against my shoulder. I felt weak, as if a single touch from him had weakened my bones.
"P-please... don’t come too close," I whispered, but the words sounded like an invitation.
He ignored me, his nose brushing against the sensitive skin of my neck. The heat of his breath sent shivers all over my spine.
I felt strange. I felt heat build up in my body and I wondered what was wrong with me.
His fingers brushed a strand of hair from my face and then, slowly, traced a line down my arm. My body was acting strange and he seemed to know as he continued messing with me.
He lowered his lips to my earlobe and grazed it with his tongue. My skin tingled and I wanted to run my hand through his hair but I held them firmly by my sides.
“You need to put on some flesh,” he whispered as he traced his fingers along my collarbone. I shivered when he touched me, and my chest rose and fell with rapid breaths.
His eyes darkened with something that looked like satisfaction.
"Interesting," he whispered, “you can feel my touch. I don't even have to wait any longer.”
He wrapped my hair into a bum and stared at my face. “You are beautiful. If you obey me and serve me without hesitation, I will take care of you. Eat and sleep well. You have just three days to get yourself ready.”
And then, just like that, he stood up and left without another word, the door clicking shut behind him.
I was left in silence, shaking. I had felt nothing but hunger and pain since I was ten years old and this kind of sensation I felt just now was totally strange.
A few minutes after the Alpha left, the door opened again. A young woman with a kind, round face entered carrying a tray of food.
"Good evening," she said with a gentle smile. "I’m Mira. I brought your dinner."
I nodded, but didn’t move.
"The Alpha wants you to eat everything," she continued as she placed the tray on the table beside the bed. "He says you need to add some flesh."
I stared at the tray. A bowl of thick soup, bread, a piece of roasted chicken, and a glass of juice. It smelled delicious, but I still felt worried about her statement..
"Why does he care?" I asked.
Mira’s eyes looked into mine for a moment. Then she shook her head. “I don't know.”
I frowned. "What if I don't have an appetite to eat?"
She sighed. "Then we—the kitchen staff—will be punished. Severely. He doesn't tolerate disobedience."
I blinked at her, horrified. "But that’s not fair. It isn't even your fault."
"Life in this mansion isn’t about fairness, Venus," Mira said, her voice suddenly firm. "It’s about survival. For all of us. So eat. Please. Don’t make things harder."
I picked up the spoon with a trembling hand. Why is he like this? So ruthless?
Mira hesitated then said, "Alpha Maxine never found his mate. The Moon Goddess hasn’t favored him, and it’s made his Wolf a bit restless. And angry."
I took a spoonful of soup and nodded. It tasted great. My life here, though not certain, was a huge difference from what it used to be in my uncle's house.
"But he could have just married anyone" I stated.
Mira nodded. "Yes. But that’s not the same. A mate is different. The mate bond is considered sacred. His pride’s been wounded."
I put the spoon down, and looked her directly in the eyes. "So what exactly am I to him?"
Mira looked away, her jaw tightening.
"You’ll find out soon enough," she whispered. "Just... try not to make him angry. And eat. I’ll come back in an hour."
I ate to my fill but the plates weren't empty. I didn't want to get the kitchen staff in trouble but if I tried to eat a little more I would throw up.
The irony of life.
In my former home, I had nothing to eat but here I was with more food than my stomach can take. And I am required to finish eating the entire meal whether I felt like it or not.
I fell back on my bed and promised myself that I will finish the food after I have rested for a while.
I didn't want to get the kitchen staff in trouble.
But then I dozed off only to be awakened by the sound of gunshots.