CHAPTER 3 - CHAMBER OF LOVE

"Wait, what!?" I and Meemaw ejaculated in shock. Was it just shock or even trepidation? I looked into Kristen's eyes, it was expressionless has if he had said nothing. Could it be possible that we misheard what he said? Because if that was what he said, there should be some kind of remorse or even maybe joy on his face, but there was absolutely nothing to figure out.

"Oh.. I... I... w... was... just wondering. I think I didn't hear what you said." I said, stammering, waiting for him to say something back but he wasn't. "Can you please speak up? What did you say?"

He cleared his throats, his eyes briefly flitted to the ground before locking onto mine once more. "Well, the alpha king has made a decision," he said his tone so grave. "You are to be the one to bear his heir."

My heart skipped a beat as my mind struggled to process the information. Shocked and angered, I took a step back shaking my head. "No," she said firmly, her voice trembling with disbelief. "I won't do it. I won't be a breeder for someone who destroyed our pack just within a twinkle of an eye."

Kristen's face hardened, his brows furrowing in frustration. "Melina it's not up to you," he said harshly and this time, I could see the irritation in his eyes.

"The alpha king's word is law. And according to the council, you were chosen because you possess strong bloodlines that will ensure the strength of our pack. It is your duty and your chance to clean up the mess your uncle had made."

Was this people really taking advantage of my helplessness? How could they do this to me? Tears welled up in my eyes as a mix of anger fear and betrayal coursed through my veins. "I have no duty to someone who sees me as nothing more than a vessel." I spat out. "I refuse to be treated like a breeding machine."

"Exactly!" Meemaw chipped in. "Who do you think she is?"

Kristen stepped forward his imposing figure casting a shadow over me. "Melina you don't understand. This is a great honor. You will be protecting our pack's future and also restoring the name of your pack."

My fists clenched at my sides, my anger fueling my words. I tried to suppress that anger that was surging hard through me but it wasn't working. And I had to unleash.

"Protecting the pack's future doesn't mean sacrificing my autonomy." I shot back. "I am more than just a womb Mister. I deserve a choice in this matter. Go tell whoever the hell your alpha king is - Tell him to go fuck himself, I am not going to be his breeder."

Kristen face darkened with frustration, his usual calm demeanor giving way to raw emotion. Before it disappeared, I could see a little smirk curving his lips before drawling out his words. "You have no choice!" he snarled, his voice filled with a dangerous edge. "If you refuse the alpha king you will be seen as a threat. And guess what will happen."

He wanted me to say something, but I didn't. Then he turned to leave, "Just make sure you get ready, the alpha will be waiting for you. Cleo, prepare her to taste."

"What will happen if I refuse the alpha king?" I barked before he could cross the threshold. He paused and brought in back, his leg, turning his head slowly.

"It's very simple, you will be killed."

What!? My eyes goggled up. My breath hitched as Kristen's words echoed in my ears. Fear gripped my heart wrapping its icy tendrils around me. I wanted to say something but my tongue had slept. My hands trembled as I grasped onto the reality of my situation — I was really trapped forced to submit to a life not of my choosing.

Tears streamed down my face as defiance turned into resignation. "I won't do it willingly," I whispered, my voice barely audible above the rustling curtains.

Kristen's expression softened slightly, his voice filled with reluctant understanding. "I wish it didn't have to be this way Melina," he said to me quietly and I could see in his eyes for the first time, he had pity for me. "But sometimes our duty comes at a great cost and we just have to fulfill it."

He said and walked out of the room, leaving me standing. I turned around and saw my Meemaw, standing her eyes red from tears. I hurried to her and wrapped my arms around her.

"Meemaw..." I cried onto her chest. "They are going to kill me."

"No, no way my dear..." She told me, her voice cracking as she patted my back comfortingly. "Nothing will happen to you my dear."

"Something will happen to me Meemaw. You heard it. They are going to kill me if I don't succumb to their wills. What should I do Meemaw? Please help me. They are going to make me suffer because I am an orphan." I said, crying as hard as I could.

"Just calm down my dear, everything will be fine. We need to accept that we won't always make the right decisions, that we'll screw up royally sometimes - understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it's part of success." She said, still rubbing my back and stroking my hair back and forth.

"Maybe we should run away Meemaw. There should be a way out of here - I can't do this." I said, going to check out the window to see if the guards are still there, but Meemaw pulled me pack.

"Baby, I know you don't want to do this and if it's possible, I could take the position of a breeder just to free you but there is no way out here. You just have to do it, it's only going to happen once and you won't have to go there again."

"But what will happen if I get pregnant? What will happen to me? Will I give birth and become the king's wife?" I asked but I knew the answer was no. The king wanted a breeder because he didn't need a queen and what would become of me if I become the mother of the heir? My son would be taken away from me forever?

"There is one thing you need to understand Melina," Meemaw said and sat me back down on the bed. She wiped the tears on my face and kissed my cheek before proceeding. "The king isn't cold-hearted, he might be interested in you as soon as he sets his eyes on you and he will make you his queen. You don't have to panic, I have the feeling that everything will be fine." She told me and stood up. She headed to the recently filled closet.

"Let's start getting you prepared. You need to look your best before the king, those dresses they brought are useless." I wanted to see the enthusiasm in Meemaw's face but I realized she was only doing it for my happiness.

As the sun disappeared behind the horizon my heart grew heavy with the weight of my sacrifice. I knew I had to pave this treacherous path alone but deep down I couldn't help but wonder if there was some flicker of hope still burning within the darkness that lay ahead. The fact that I was going to meet his highness for the first time still remained the same.

The maids escorted me through the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing against the stone walls. I could feel the weight of their gazes, their curious eyes glancing back at me. I was nervous, but I couldn't let them see. This was my duty as the king's breeder, as much as I despised the title.

As we arrived at the chamber, I couldn't help but feel a chill run down my spine. The room was shrouded in darkness, the only source of light coming from the moon seeping through gaps in the heavy curtains. It was an eerie scene, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something ominous awaited.

The maids left me alone, closing the heavy oak door behind them, leaving me to await the king's arrival. My heart pounded in my chest, anticipation mingled with fear. If the king was really not cold-hearted as Meemaw said, he wouldn't force me tonight but I doubted it. He wouldn't make me his breeder if he hadn't make up his mind.

Minutes turned into an eternity, each second creeping by. Every creak, every whisper of wind, stirred my apprehension further. And then, like a predator stalking its prey, he arrived.

The room filled with his presence, overpowering the darkness. I could sense him, though I couldn't see him. His scent swirled in the air, invading my senses, intoxicating me. His aura was indeed intimidating but his built feature was incomparable. Yes, my brain could sense that he was as attractive as Meemaw said, but my mind protested because I believed that an attractive man wouldn't force you to have sex with him.

He moved closer, his steps deliberate, and I could feel the heat radiating off his body. Panic consumed me, a feeling I could no longer hide. I took a step back, feeling the cold touch of the wall against my trembling fingertips.

"Please, My Lord," I whispered, my voice filled with a mix of fear and desperation. "You are not going to rape me, are you? Because I won't let you succeed." I didn't know if I said that out loud or it was only said in my mind but I awaited a response.

His presence loomed over me, and I could sense his internal struggle. He hesitated, torn between his own desires and my vulnerable state. I couldn't see his face, but I could sense the turmoil in his voice as he responded, "I have no intentions of raping you."

He reached me and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. I tried to pull away from his grip, but he held me firmly, bringing his lips closer to mine.

"Please, no," I begged. "Don't do this to me."

He chuckled wickedly, "Why not? You are here for my pleasure, nothing more." He said, placing his lips on mine while he held my very tightly and he began to suck.

I attempted to gather my courage, to fight back against this seemingly unavoidable fate. With all the strength I could muster, I kicked, thrashed, and fought against him. It was a feeble attempt, but I refused to let him have control over me.

In that moment, the room exploded with light. The sudden brightness blinded me momentarily, and when my vision finally returned, I found myself face to face with the king. My breath caught in my throat as my eyes locked with his. They were like orbs of liquid silver, reflecting the flame of a thousand dying stars.

I had never seen eyes like his before, such a rare and captivating color. It made me question everything I thought I knew about this man. The tales of his cruelty and unyielding dominance suddenly seemed trivial in comparison to the enigma I now saw before me.

"You..." He pointed his finger at me, looking at me as if he just saw a ghost. "You are a tribid too?"

'TOO'? What does that suppose to mean? Oh wait, he also had silver hair like mine, what did that mean? Before I could gather my thoughts, he backed away from me, his anger palpable in the air. The room felt charged, the atmosphere heavy with his frustration. I wondered what had incited such fury within him. Wasn't he expecting me to fight back?

As he turned to leave, he cast a lingering gaze over me. "I am not a rapist." He whispered and I could feel his piercing stare burn into my soul, his mind grappling with a myriad of thoughts. Despite the anger that filled his eyes, I sensed a flicker of curiosity, a desire to know more.

And just like that, he vanished from the chamber, closing the door behind him, leaving me alone with my thoughts and questions. The encounter had rattled me, shaken my resolve. I couldn't help but wonder what would come next...