“What?” My mouth dropped open, as the building swirled around me, leaving me displaced.
Alpha King Kemper? Of all people? My mind was in disarray. I knew I was going to face something terrible, but this was insane.
A wave of cold struck me. How could the person I have hated for so long be the one to kidnap me? What did he want from me?
This meant he had also planned the whole destruction of my parents' pack. I felt a burning anger in me as my heart pounded loudly in my chest.
Where was my father in all of this? I recall him saying he wanted to leave town in a hurry a few days ago. The news of his pack being destroyed should have reached him by now.
“Stand up!” The huge man in front of me growled. I shuddered, cringing to curl myself up. But the man's arms immediately wrapped around mine and hurled me up, tossing me against the door.
“Ah!” I winced as my body slammed against the door.
“Finally, he is here. I wonder why he was so quick,” he eyes rounded up on me. “You might be special to him, who knows?” A smirk graced his cheeks.
I ignored the nonsense coming out of his mouth as he opened the door and we walked through the hallways. Fine, I would just comply with whatever they said, while waiting for my father to come and rescue me.
As we reached a room, he pushed me inside roughly causing me to land against the bed railing. Then, he left and closed the door without a word.
I slowly pushed myself up, turning around to gaze across the room. A lady stood in front of the dressing table, her mouth moving. I guessed that she was chewing gum.
"Here," she tossed a dress at me. The dress came flying at my face as I quickly caught it in the air.
“Put it on,” she said.
I hastily began shrugging myself into the blue fabric. When I was done, she walked up to me and led me to the dressing table. I dutifully obeyed and watched her apply makeup on my face and clasped a necklace around my neck.
I looked at my reflection in the mirror. She had done a good job of hiding my tears and brightening up my face.
Although I was young, I definitely knew they were prepping me up to go meet the king. A tear threatened to fall, but I held it back.
I was going to meet the ruthless king in New York City, the most feared and dangerous one who never cared about what people say about him, for they could not say it in his presence, knowing he would slaughter them.
I stepped out of the room, and the man from before gently grasped my hand. I allowed him to lead me as we walked together until we reached an office.
"Look at the pretty damsel, Alpha Kemper," he announced, gesturing toward me.
My heart sank immediately when I met his firm gaze. I couldn't help but avert my eyes from his intense stare, which was deep and dark and emotionless.
"You really do look pretty in person, Velicia," he spoke in a calm, almost friendly tone. I wondered how he knew me, and my name.
This meant he had known about me before destroying my pack for no apparent reason and keeping me alive for purposes known only to him.
I hated him so much that I desperately wished to plunge a knife into him and end his life right then and there. He had always succeeded in everything he had ever set out to do.
With a grin, he removed his hat from his head and placed it over his chest, taking a step closer to me.
He lowered his gaze against me and I couldn't help but dip my head. He firmly grasped my chin and tilted my face upwards. The force caused me to wince.
I could hear a low rumble from him as he studied me for a moment before nodding and turning to walk away.
"Take her to my car," he commanded. "She will be my new slave. She has the potential."
I gasped, shocked. A slave? How could I, an Alpha's daughter, become a slave? I blinked rapidly to hold back the tears brimming in my eyes.
I couldn't believe this was happening. I once owned multiple slaves in my pack, and now, I was becoming a slave?!
Resigned, I allowed myself to be ushered into the waiting car. As we drove off, he kept his eyes fixed on me through the rearview mirror, but neither of us spoke a word.
I couldn't wait for my father to come find me. I was sure he would, he wouldn't just watch all these happen without trying to save me.
I could remember him warning me about crossing lycans and Alpha King Kemper was the main topic of discussion.
I noticed his Adam's apple bob in his throat as he quickly averted his gaze when he caught me staring back at him.
When we approached his mansion, my eyes widened at the size of the estate. It was more like a five-star hotel than a simple home. The extravagant decorations outside screamed of immense wealth.
Well, I also heard lycans were stinking rich, so this was expected.
We stepped inside, where a maid immediately bowed her head and began removing Kemper's wristwatch and the shoes he wore.
He then handed his hat off to her as well.
"You are welcome, King," the maid said, raising her head. "Is there anything else you would like me to do?"
"Firstly, where are my sons?" he asked.
"Upstairs," she replied simply.
"Good." He nodded, then turned his gaze to me. "Take this lady and show her around, then escort her to her room. She is the new... puppet now." He smirked as he began to walk away.
What did he mean by that? I wondered, a chill running down my spine. "Puppet"?
I watched as the maid's smile faded, and she turned to face me directly.
She began speaking when she was sure he would be out of earshot.
“It's truly a pity that you've ended up here. I can only pray that the triplets won't have you thrown out of the mansion, or..." She paused, her eyes darkening. "Or killed, if they dislike you."
Her serious tone made it clear she was being completely sincere in her warning.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" I frowned, my curiosity piqued.
"The triplets are far worse than their father, Miss," she replied solemnly. "Stay on their good side, and hope they like you. So many maids have met their ends, simply because they irritated one of the triplets. And since you're an omega, your chances are even worse,” she explained.
“So, I am Tracy and….” We began walking towards the stairs and she told stories of maids who had been kicked out, with only the Luna's recruits remaining. She also mentioned that the Luna herself died of cancer, and it was around that time that Kemper’s cruel behavior began, or got worse.
"The household maintains nine maids. Four work in the kitchen while the others focus on rooms and the parlor. Anyone who reports late for work would clean the seven cars as punishment. Refusal means a merciless beating," Tracy further explained.
“What?” I was taken aback by her statement as I looked around the sprawling mansion. There was simply no way only five maids could handle all the cleaning without becoming exhausted.
I had never done this kind of work before. "Moon goddess, please help me," I found myself silently praying.
Part of me even wished to be kicked out of this "hellhole," if that was the only means of escape.
"This is your room," Tracy announced as we approached the door. "You cannot begin work immediately, but make sure you wake up early tomorrow. Otherwise..." She warned.
I nodded in understanding and she turned to take her leave.
Just as I was about to step inside, a figure caught my eye. Piercing blue eyes, glowing in the darkness, were fixed directly on me.
But weird enough, I felt attracted to it. I knew I had to go inside, but it felt like I was drawn into a trance, my focus entirely on the eyes.
Suddenly, a strong, alluring scent filled my nostrils. Where is that from? I scanned the place, searching for where the sound came from.
I couldn't help sniffing and trying to locate the source of the scent, my eyes closed in concentration.
I kept moving closer like there was a rope tied to me that guided me.
I stepped on something but chose to ignore it as I kept moving, driven by the irresistible scent.
Suddenly, a deep, husky voice stopped me in my tracks.
"Hey."
I whirled around to see a tall man, easily six feet tall, standing before me. I realized he was the one with the blue eyes, the one I mistakenly stepped on.
His ocean eyes had darkened, and his jaw was clenched, his hands buried in his pockets.
My heart sank as I realized this must be one of the triplets I had been warned about. What have I gotten myself into? Was I carried away by the enthralling scent that I carelessly stepped on his foot?
"I-I'm deeply sorry, please forgive me," I stammered, bowing my head in fear. I couldn't bring myself to meet those angry eyes.
Suddenly, the alluring scent grew even stronger, hitting my senses intensely. But just as I was about to lose myself in it again, I snapped out of my trance as I noticed the tall man moving closer to me.
My heart began to race like it was in a competition. What would this man do to me?
Then, I felt something stir deep within my mind. Realization struck me when I realized it was my wolf awakening. A smile spread across my face as I was overjoyed to finally feel her presence.
"Mate, we have found our mate!" she cried out excitedly. I quickly covered my mouth, slowly raising my head to look at the man before me.
Mate?
Is this some kind of sick joke? I was mated to a monster? I felt my wolf jumping with excitement.