CHAPTER 4

"NOOOOOO...." Tony, Arthur and Grace shouted in unison.

Mila turned and the arrow grazed her lightly on the arm and missed her. Tony, who was on the ground seconds ago was beside her, with his hands around her protectively. Arthur, who was almost running towards her had stopped dead on his feet when he saw Tony hug her.

Mila looked up, at the bow which had released the arrow, and it was in the hands of Chloe.

"Are you hurt?" Tony asked, tear-stricken.

"Act as if you hate me," Mila repeated as she pressed her wound. Fortunately, Grace had acted on time and made Mila turn. The graze on her arm was so shallow that there was no blood spilt. The people in the Collins clan didn't know how lucky they were. Had her blood been spilt here, they all would have been in her control instantly, all the men at least. 

"Tony?" Arthur enraged.

"She defeated me today, but only I can kill her in future," Tony growled as he explained his actions.

The alpha, who too was appalled by Tony's behavior, relaxed.

"Are you hurt?" Arthur asked Mila.

Mila shook her head. "Even though your 'mate' tried very hard, I am not that easy to kill," Mila laughed.

Arthur, who had not bothered to see who had shot the arrow, now looked around and saw Chloe. She was fuming with rage.

"Mila Grace is now part of this clan..." Arthur shouted. Chloe's eyes widened in horror. "NO ONE WILL HARM HER," he directed this point in Chloe's direction.

"Arthur," Chloe started but as Arthur rose his hand, she trembled. 

"NO ONE WILL HARM MILA GRACE, is it clear?" he raged on.

Slowly, one by one, everyone nodded.

"She has proven her worth, and if my father will permit, she will be part of my command," Arthur continued.

An audible moan escaped Chloe's lips but Arthur ignored her.

"We will talk about this," the alpha spoke.

"But she will not be harmed," Arthur did not request his father, he ordered him. For the first time, he ordered the alpha something.

The alpha looked taken aback, but nodded, "We will talk about it," he repeated.

"Have a bath and some food," Arthur spoke to Mila. 

"I want to be there when you discuss my fate," Mila spoke.

Arthur regarded her words, then nodded.

"The fight's over, dismiss," Arthur shouted and led Mila inside, while everyone around murmured and gossiped. After all, nobody could understand why the Alpha's son, their future ruler, was behaving so vividly, especially for a girl as filthy and disgusting as Mila.

**~**

"Is he taking us to his personal chambers?" Grace moaned in Mila's head.

"Oh, shut up Grace," Mila snickered, trembling herself.

"What was it?" Arthur demanded.

"Um... nothing, my lord," Mila spoke and bowed her head again. She was relieved that now at least she was not kept on a leash. Arthur walked a little ahead of her and she registered his appearance from behind.

He had short blonde hair, and broad shoulders, his arms were muscular and he was exceptionally fair. The nape of his neck, which was visible between his hair and shirt, was so appealing that just staring at it made her mouth water. He must have felt his gaze because he rubbed his hand on the back of his neck instinctively, as if it was prickling. 

Mila snickered at the thought.

"When did you last take a bath?" Arthur asked, without even looking at her.

"Why? Do I repulse you like I repulse everyone else?" Mila asked, laughter now vanishing and getting replaced by sadness.

At this he turned and their eyes met. 

"Actually," Arthur exhaled as he looked at her from top-to-toe, "You don't." A relief washed over Mila at these words. "You stink, yes," Arthur nodded, "But you don't repulse me."

"Hmmph!" Mila pouted.

"Doesn't this itch you?" Arthur pointed at her face and body.

Mila shrugged.  "This..." she too pointed at herself from top-to-toe, "is necessary evil."

"What evil?" Arthur was curious.

Mila shrugged but did not reply this time. 

"I think he is the one," Grace spoke in Mila's head. Mila just shook her head, unsure of what to reply to Grace.

"I am curious," he spoke as he started to walk backwards, "If your eyes are so beautiful, how does the rest of you look like."

Mila's pushed her hands on her neck and pressed her chest with her arms. 

"Only my mate can see the rest of me," she dictated.

"Your mate? You have a wolf?" Arthur demanded suddenly.

"I was raised by a wolf pack, I have picked on their terms," Mila clarified.

"Tell him about me," Grace whimpered in Mila's head but Mila took a calculative decision and decided to hide Grace at this time.

"I can see your face at least," Arthur spoke, feeling defeated.

"If your mate shot me with an arrow just because you looked into my eyes, I wonder what she will do when you will look at my face," Mila spoke horrified.

"Chloe is not --" Arthur paused.

"Not what?" Mila asked eagerly.

"Chloe is just possessive," Arthur clarified.

"Like all mates are," Mila shrugged. "Though most don't need to show their possessive side to the world!"

"It is different," Arthur sighed and opened doors for her. And together they entered a chamber, much smaller than the hearing room. 

A huge portrait of the Alpha was hanging on a wall, against which a desk and chair were placed. Another wall had smaller portraits of other men on the throne, opposite this wall was a big window, and on the wall opposite to the Alpha's portrait was a small portrait of the alpha, his luna and Arthur. 

"Your mother is very beautiful," Mila commented as she looked at the face of incredibly beautiful but haughty Luna. "I see you have inherited her looks," she chuckled.

"Yes, my mother is exquisite, my father dote on her like anything," Arthur laughed.

Before Mila could comment, the doors open and the alpha and five other men entered.

The alpha took the seat behind the desk and everyone else stood around.

"You want her under your command?" the alpha spoke without any delay.

"I do, my lord," Arthur nodded.

"Despite how she is," the alpha screwed up his face.

"I have no objections to how she is or looks. She defeated Tony, I cannot ask for a better comrade," Arthur continued.

"I--" the alpha started but Arthur added, "Father," he stressed and the alpha sighed. The switch was 'my lord' to 'father' was not missed by anyone around.

"Father, she is under my command from the moment she blocked Tony's attacks," Arthur stressed.

"Fine, if you won't have it any other way," the alpha waved his hand jerkily.

The men around looked uncomfortable.

"Will she sleep in our quarters?" one of the men spoke. 

Mila looked at them quizzically, so Arthur added, "No, she will not live with other members under my command. She will be the only female, she cannot house with forty other males."

Mila understood what he meant.

"Can I--" Mila started but everyone glared at her, so she shushed.

"Speak," the alpha ordered.

"Can I live near waters? A small hut and regular food would suffice," Mila spoke to Arthur.

"You want one of my men to serve you food in your hut?" the alpha roared.

"I will do it," Tony spoke quickly and every head turned towards him. Mila narrowed her eyes and shook her head, so he added, "If my lord will command."

"Father, she is now part of my command, servants will provide food to her. Mila, you will have a hut to yourself, and food, fresh clothes and whatever you need," Arthur added.

"Thank you, my lord," Mila bowed.

"Leave us then," the alpha ordered and everyone started to walk out of the room.

"Wait, Mila Grace," the alpha ordered. "Arthur, you go on."

"A servant will take you to your hut," Arthur spoke to Mila, and then with a tilt of his head, he left.

"What are your powers," the alpha demanded.

"I am a fighter," Mila spoke.

"I don't know why Arthur could not see it, but Tony didn't fight hard," the alpha spoke.

"Maybe he thought he didn't need to against a tiny girl," Mila smirked.

"Maybe," the alpha spoke as he walked up to her and stood too close. She was so short in his comparison that her eyes were levelled to his chest, which had a large scar. 

"He was mistaken then, wasn't he?" Mila took a step back.

"Maybe," the alpha took a step towards her. "Now tell me, Mila Grace," he spoke scraping the back of his rough hand against her cheeks. Mud fell off where he touched her. "Why are you so filthy? What are you hiding behind this mask of black mud?"

Mila touched her face and sighed in relief that despite his touch, the mud was still there, good thing she always put multiple layers for protection.

"I am not hiding anything, I just don't like men's eyes or skin on my body," Mila stepped back.

"What are your powers? Are you a weapon of some sort?" the alpha grabbed her hand and demanded.

Mila pushed him roughly this time and walked to the door.

"Answer me," the alpha demanded.

"I am not a weapon," Mila replied curtly. "I am THE WEAPON."

And as a deadly smile spread of the alpha's face, she walked out.

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