A new place to call home?

Fiona’s POV

I was in the back of the car for several hours until we reached a grand majestic building that closely resembled a castle. That was where Marcellus lived and it was miles away from home. I was fully in werewolf territory and a human.

We met some guards along the way and they all bowed their heads in his presence. My eyes kept dancing around the place in awe of it all.

“You must be tired but first, I'll introduce you to the others” Marcellus spoke before he continued walking. I rushed after him, struggling to keep up with his pace.

What others was he talking about?

As soon as we walked through the huge mahogany doors, I knew. There were about fifty other women all dressed in fine clothing. They definitely weren't maids unless he just happened to be so kind to his slaves. That was what I was going to be after all.

The women were all so beautiful that I felt insignificant in their presence.

“This is Fiona. I just got her and she'll be joining you ladies in court” His voice was loud enough for us all to hear as he introduced me.

“Fiona, these are my mistresses. And today you'll become one of them so from now onwards, you belong to me little one”

I was stuck between fear and shock. All these women were his mistresses? How many women did one man need? And if he'd bought me to join them… Oh my God. My mind was reeling with the information. It was worse than being a slave. He'd bought me to join his harem.

I wondered how long I would have before he'd barge into my room and take me by force. Perhaps I hadn't truly been rescued. I felt stupid for thinking Marcellus had just helped me out of the goodness of his heart.

All the women stared at me like I was an old dirty rag they'd found in the trash.

“She's human,” One of the women said coming out. She was probably the prettiest one there. Tall, slender yet still curvy. She had wavy ginger-coloured hair and the best set of hazel eyes which complemented her doe-like eyes perfectly.

“Yes,” Marcellus replied simply.

“I know, it wasn't a question. She's human. Why is she here?”

I was surprised that a mistress could speak to him that way but no one else seemed surprised. It means more than I'm seeing. Everything seems all too different from where I came from.

“Not now Lena” Marcellus's voice was firm as he ended the discussion. I was sure she would bring it up again, perhaps when they were alone together. Together in the privacy of his bedroom.

Lena eyed me down with looks of disgust. She was very open with her bitterness toward me and she does not even know a thing about me yet.

“Fiona, you'll have a room of your own, and Lena’s in charge. She'll show you around and fill you in on everything you need to know to live under my roof. The very first one is don't disobey me. Do you understand”

I nodded my head. Of course, I do. I don't need anyone reminding me that disobeying the alpha king was the last thing I should find interest in doing. If I want to be unbothered here, that is.

I feel it in my gut that this could be a place for a new identity. As a slave or not.

“I asked you a question and I expect a reply”

“Y-yes, I understand”

“Good.” Then he turned to Lena, “She's your responsibility now. Take her to her room and ensure she understands everything. If anything goes wrong, I will hold you responsible, Lena”

Lena rolled her eyes before she turned away and began walking towards the spiral staircase, expecting me to follow her.

“Come,” She said thinking I didn't get the memo. But I didn't move or rather, I couldn't. All at once I felt dizzy and nauseated. Black spots were forming in front of my eyes and my head felt like they'd been using it as a drum nonstop for twenty-four hours. I'd completely forgotten I was actually sick and all the fatigue was finally beginning to weigh down on me.

“Are you deaf?!” Lean asked angrily. My feet gave out from under me and I fell backward into Marcellus's strong grip, just before I passed out completely.

When I woke up, It was dark outside and I was lying in a bed in an unfamiliar room. The room was almost as big as my entire house had been. It was painted in different shades of white and gold. And it had a Victorian yet aesthetic feel to it. The entire house had probably been built more than a century ago.

I managed to sit up but when I tried to get up, I was hit with a wave of dizziness.

“Hello? Is anybody out there?!” I called out, hoping. I didn't want to give in to the feeling of abandonment that was slowly seeping into me.

The door was pushed open and Lena walked in, with a straight-plastered face.

“Oh, be quiet.” I immediately went still and shut my mouth. “They said you had a fever. You humans are so weak it's almost painful…” She pointed at the bedside stool which had a glass of water and a few packs of medicines. “Use those once a day for the next three days and you'll be fine”

“Umm, thank you” I tried to be polite.

“Oh no. Don't thank me. Don't even think you can try to warm your way up to me, I already hate your guts. I'm only doing this because of Marcellus. God knows why he brought you here”

She paused to look at me before she scowled. She was about to speak again when the door opened and Marcellus walked in. Lena turned around, bowing her head. I was starting to think it was something I was supposed to do too so I did. He walked past Lena but when he got close to me, he placed his hand on my chin lifting my head up.

“There's no need for that little one. How are you feeling?”

“I'm fine… thank you”

“Good. Lena, make sure you check in on her often. I've got business to attend to” He glanced at me again before leaving the room. Lena bowed her head again as he left and as soon as he shut the door, she turned to me with a furious expression.

“Now listen to me and listen to me well.” she grabbed my face in her hand, deliberately squeezing tightly to get a painful reaction out of me. “Enjoy your time here little one. You're not going to be here for much longer. You don't belong here and I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure Marcellus sends you back to the hell hole you crawled out of”