3: THE CHOSEN ONE

D E L I L A H

“She looks so small and fragile. He is no good for her. He would kill her.”

“I agree,” Another voice said. “He's a monster and she looks so innocent. I just hope she would be able to melt his cold heart.”

I woke up with a groan, hoping the voices would stop. And it did. I slowly opened my eyes to take in my surroundings. I was lying on a soft bed in a large, ornately decorated room. I sat up and looked around, taking in the luxurious furnishings and the opulent decorations. Everything was so foreign to me, so far removed from the simple life I had known in my small pack.

The door creaked open, it was a woman, a maid by the looks of her, carrying a tray of food.

The two other women in the room looked at me strangely before scrambling out of the room like someone was hot on their tails.

"Good morning, my lady," the maid said, setting the tray down on the bed. "I hope you slept well."

I blinked in confusion. Lady? Why was this woman calling me lady? And what was I even doing in this strange place?

Was this some sort of dream? If yes, then I would like to wake up from it because I was beyond confused right now.

"Um, excuse me," I cleared my throat, feeling a little overwhelmed. "Where am I?"

The maid smiled kindly at me. "You are in the Alpha's chambers, my lady. The Alpha brought you here after claiming you as his mate."

Mate? What was she talking about— Then it all clicked. The breeding ceremony. So it all wasn't a dream after all? I hadn't dreamt of Alpha Azriel being my mate. I hadn't dreamt of being the chosen breeder of the most ruthless Alpha in the world.

It was all a reality I wanted to so badly run away from.

My heart skipped a beat at the thought of Alpha Azriel. I remembered him now, his golden eyes, the way his touch had made me feel. No one had ever made me feel that way before. But the reality of my situation was starting to sink in, and it terrified me.

What does that mean?" I asked the maid, though I already knew what it meant. I just needed someone to prove me wrong. I didn't want this to be true. I refuse to believe this was my faith. "What happens now?" I asked again, wondering why she was silent.

The maid's expression softened as she said in a low tone, "You are to be the Alpha's breeder, my lady. It is your duty to bear his pups and ensure the continuation of his bloodline."

I felt sick to my stomach at the thought. I knew what being a breeder entails and I know it's something no one would ever wish for. Who would become a baby making machine for the rest of their lives? I had never wanted this life, had never even considered the possibility of being a breeder. But now I was trapped, at the mercy of a cold hearted Alpha.

I pushed the tray of food away, suddenly unable to stomach the thought of eating. "I want to see the Alpha," I said, my voice shaking a little. "I need to talk to him." No, I didn't. But I knew I had to.

The maid nodded, her expression sympathetic and I hated that look. I had became acquainted with the look of pity right from our small town back home. "Of course, my lady. I will inform the Alpha that you wish to speak with him." She said and left, leaving the tray of food in front of me.

My stomach growled in hunger at the sight of food, but I refused to give in to it. Eating their food might give them the impression that I was in on this because I wasn't and I would never be.

Not even up to five minutes later, the door opened and the air around the room seemed to change at the arrival of Alpha Azriel. The aura of power oozing off of him was so strong that I didn't know when my head instinctively bowed to him. Yes, he was that powerful.

I could hear his footstep walking closer to me and my heart raced the closer he got. I felt my palm start to sweat and my mouth go dry. Every ounce of confidence I had a few minutes ago had vanished into thin air and replaced with the feeling of submission.

How on earth did this man manage to have such an effect on me? I could feel his piercing eyes on me, burning holes through my head. I sudden felt small and vulnerable, like a mouse being watched by a cat. But in his case, it was a wolf. A dangerous wolf.

I took a deep breath trying to calm myself down, but it didn't help. This man had managed to make my lungs forget how to function.

“Look at me.” His voice sounded more closer now and I felt his breathe fan my neck. The hair at the back of my neck rose in awareness and my body pricked with goosebumps. “I said look at me, Delilah.” He didn't raise his voice, but his tone was stern and firm. It wasn't a request, it was an order.

And for the second time, my eyes collided with his. His golden orbs seemed to have darkened as he looked at me with a hardened expression on his face.

His right hand shot out and I immediately flinched, thinking he was going to hit me but he did the exact opposite. Azriel caressed my cheek with his large surprisingly warm palm. “I want you to always listen to my orders, Lilah. I don't enjoy repeating myself.” He said the words so calmly that one wouldn't have taken him seriously. But I knew he was dead serious.

“Understood?” He uttered softly, rubbing circles around the pad of my ear. I unconsciously leaned into his touch as my wolf purred inside of me.

I nervously nodded my head, afraid of what he might do if I told him to shove his orders up his ass. I was sure I would be six feet below before I would even be able to finish up that sentence.

He nodded his head and backed away from me as he folded his arms. My eyes immediately fell on his defined muscles and I felt a blush crawl up my cheeks as I realized he wasn't putting on any shirt. He was standing half naked in front of me.

It took a lot of willpower to not let my eyes move away from his face. I knew this was what he wanted. To distract me from exactly what I intended on doing, but I wasn't going to fall for it.

At this point, a lot was at stake. I had my grandmother to think of. She was probably worrying her mind off and probably on the verge of one of her attacks. I couldn't imagine her having them with no one there to help her.

“You sent for me,” He finally said in a deep and commanding tone after a few minutes of awkward silence.

Deciding not to beat around the bush any longer, I took a deep breath to steady myself abd went straight to the point. “I...I don't want to be your breeder,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I never asked for this, I never wanted this life." I added shakily.

Alpha Azriel's expression hardened almost instantly. "You are my mate, Delilah. You have a duty to fulfill, just as I have a duty to protect my pack and ensure its survival."

I felt a surge of anger in my bones. "What about my wishes? What about my life? I have more important things to do than to spread my legs wide open and milk your seeds! I have a life outside! I have someone who depends on me!" I didn't know where the sudden boldness came from but I was grateful for it.

His lips formed into a tight line as I watched him unconsciously ball his hands into fists. "I understand that this is a difficult situation for you, Delilah.” Azriel said in a steel voice. “But you must understand that the survival of our kind depends on the continuation of our bloodlines. I will not force you into anything now, but I ask that you at least consider the importance of your role. I'm willing to give you time to adjust to all of this, if only you would cooperate with me.” He said.

I felt tears of frustration prick at the corners of my eyes. Why did it seem like he was being nice to me all of a sudden? This wasn't the Azriel I had heard lots of horrific rumors about. “Why are you willing to give me time to adjust? I didn't need any time to adjust. I don't want to adjust to anything. Hell, I don't even want to be here! Just let me go, please. You can find another breeder. Someone more stronger than I am, someone who can produce strong pups for you. I'm not any of that.” I said, unable to control the tears from sliding down my cheeks.

For a moment, his eyes seemed to soften at the sight of my tears before they immediately hardened once again. “This isn't just about being my breeder anymore, Delilah. You are also my mate and I'll be damned to let another Alpha take what rightfully belongs to me. And I don't want any other woman, I want you.” He growled possessively.

He continued, “I have given you an option and I am willing to wait until you are ready. Do not make me regret making this decision.” He warned, his voice dripping with intent.

“I am never going to be ready for this. You claim to be my mate, yet you cannot save me from this situation. I will never be okay with this.” I spat as more tears rolled down my cheeks.

He looked at them for a moment, before looking away from me. He shoved his hands into his pocket and said, “You have no other choice. This is your destiny. You are the chosen one by the moon goddess and you will have to do that, which you were created for.” He said in a voice that lacked any traces of emotions.

“You're a monster.” I gritted out.

He only smirked in return as of my words didn't have any effects on him. It probably didn't. “Believe me love, I've been called worse.” My heart skipped a beat at the term of endearment.

Without another word, he walked towards the door. Just when I thought he was finally going to leave, he added. “—And if it's your grandmother you're so worried about, she's been properly cared for.” With that, he slammed the door shut behind him.

And for some reason, I believed him and my shoulders sagged in relief. This was the only good thing he had managed to say since I met him.