Chapter 5

VANESSA POV

I wish I had paid better attention in school, so I knew more about the country we have been in for two days. What I do know is the place is gorgeous. Gorgeous, but cold. 

The cabin-like structure they have us crammed in is old. The cold air seems to have no problem creeping in. And the other girls here are not really into sharing blankets. 

Rosy and I have carved out a little corner as ours, though. It is near the fireplace, so hopefully, we can keep all of our toes. The two girls that we were purchased with got the only open bed. But I don't envy them. That puts them closer to the others. 

These girls are vicious. Their eyes have no spark, and they never smile. They look broken. Which I don't blame them. They live hard. There is no running water in our cabin or electricity. And they work from dawn to dusk. Yesterday one girl came back with a bloody nose and a ripped dress. The others hadn't even batted an eyelash. 

"Get up," the oldest looking and most scarred girl says as she kicks my shoe. 

I was already awake, but I guess she couldn't see that. 

"I'm up," I say loudly while shaking Rosy. 

She yawns and stretches, looking relaxed until she remembers where we are. 

"Morning, Rose," I whisper while shooting her a small smile. 

The other girls light candles as each of them begins to wake up. They all seem to have an internal alarm that goes off every morning. 

"Morning Ness, I guess that means we are working today," Rosy says, gesturing towards two outfits folded at our feet that I hadn't seen. 

"Must be," I say, picking up the garments. 

I keep the longer of the dresses for myself and pass Rosy the other. They aren't revealing in any way, and they are a nasty brown color, just like all the other girls. But they do have long sleeves. We also received fleece-like leggings.

"Which color," I say, showing Rosy the leggings. 

I try to make it seem like it's normal or even exciting to choose between the two pairs. But Rosy's face says it all; these leggings are ugly as sin. One pair is brown like our dresses, and the other is a nasty mossy green. 

"Brown," she finally says with an eye roll.

"Perfect, this green will go lovely with my eyes," I say in an overly dramatic voice and Rosy laughs. 

The girls around the room look at us with disgust and hatred, but we ignore them. We get dressed quickly. We fold our old dirty clothes and put them in our corner. 

"Hey," a stern voice says from behind us, and we turn. 

"Yes," I say, eyeing the hateful-looking blonde. 

"If I were you, I would keep the old clothes safe. Most girls turn old clothes into blankets. So don't lose those. You might need them," the girl says, offering genuine advice. 

"Umm. Thanks. Thanks for the tip," I say, and Rosy nods from beside me. 

"We all have ten minutes to brush and shower outside. I would suggest making sure you do. The pack hates to smell dirty humans," the girls say before walking away. 

I look at Rosy, and she shrugs. We are both wondering the same thing........Pack?

**********

The showers are freezing. If the tap had hot water when the first couple of girls used it, it definitely didn't when I got in. We shower in groups of three which is awkward, but the others act like it is a walk in the park. The soap we have is scentless, and it is the only thing for our whole body. 

One girl hands Rosy and I a strip of a rope after we are finished. Rosy immediately asks what it is for, and the girl doesn't say anything. Instead, she demonstrates what it is used for. She bends over and flips her wet hair, showering us with cold droplets. She then uses the tie to messily bun her hair before walking away. 

If I thought the showers were terrible, the toothpaste is a thousand times worse. I am used to minty refreshing paste flavors........not homemade chalk paste with gritty bits. But no matter how bad it tastes, I must admit my teeth have never felt cleaner. 

Finally, when we all are redressed and shivering, the oldest-looking girl begins to lead us towards a large wood and stone mansion. It is a beautiful building, as is everything surrounding it. The sun is just coming up, and let me tell you, the sight is breathtaking. When we had arrived, I hadn't had time to appreciate the landscape truly. But my gosh, I am now. 

We seem to be in a small traditional town that is seated against the ocean. We aren't on the coast, but the water comes to the town. On both sides of the small village, there are snow-covered mountains that are quite picturesque. The scene makes me wish I was here under different circumstances. 

Rosy clasping her hand in mine, making me snap back to attention. I need to focus; I have no idea what is in store for us. 

GUNNAR POV

Nothing but my mate has crossed my mind since the stupid auction. I can't work. I can't sleep. I can't eat. Something has to be done. I've ordered the pack males not to touch the human maids in any way. Kraven is pissed about that order, but I do not care. I've even given the new purchases two days to get adjusted before working. But today is the day that she will be working in the packhouse for the first time, and I plan to observe her. To learn if there are any redeeming qualities about her. So far, I have not changed my mind about the Luna competition. 

Even though I have been awake since before dawn, I wait until my usual time to go to breakfast. I do not need my pack getting even more suspicious. I have already changed so much in a short time that they know something is off. 

Finally, 8 am arrives, and I can leave my room. Even though I have seen my mate, it is like I haven't met her. I didn't smell her scent or touch her at the auction, and since that night, I haven't seen her. But today, I should finally be able to smell her. I should be able to see her up close. I might even touch her. 

*********

The dining hall is full of warriors when I arrive, and I slightly growl. I don't like the thought of my mate in front of my men. They are used to being able to use the human maids. Since all the warriors who live inside the packhouse are mateless, it is a dangerous place for my weak mate. 

I sit down at the head of the table, and my men either bow their heads or avoid my eyes altogether. Most are peeved about the new maid order, but none will challenge me. 

After five minutes, the humans begin to bring out the food, and my spine stiffens. My eyes lock onto the entryway, and I wait. I ignore the females as they place my usual breakfast on my plate. I can not wait to see her face up close. 

Finally, her taller frame makes its appearance, and I take a deep breath. I inhale as deeply as possible as my eyes watch her. She is approaching my seat first, probably having been told to do so. She smells like an orange creme popsicle, and for the first time in my life, I want to screw a human. Well, hybrid. I want to mount her right here and now. 

My mate is a beauty. Her hair is a healthy chestnut brown. She has it styled in half up half down hairdo, and the down part reaches her mid-back. Her eyes are a deep green with gold flecks. And her body is luscious and perfect even in the sack she is wearing. 

When she arrives at my chair, she blushes and looks down. I internally smile at her submissive behavior. At least she knows her place. 

"Would you care for some water," she asks, holding the pitcher up for me to see. 

Goosebumps cover my skin instantly upon hearing her clear voice. It isn't soft and small. It is even and nicely toned, not high-pitched in the slightest. 

"Yes," I say in a voice that I don't recognize. 

She nods and grabs my cup. She fills it and moves on as if I'm nothing. Shame and agitation fills me. Agitation that she didn't feel what I just felt and shame because I desperately need her too. 

When I finally take my eyes off her ass, I look at my men. Some are eye raping my mate like the horny dogs they are, and some are staring at me with confused expressions. I look down at my now full plate and begin to eat. I need to act as I have always acted; humans don't exist. 

Just when I am about halfway through with my plate, a scream rings through the hall. My eyes snap towards the sound, and my brows scrunch together. The small human that was sold with my mate is clutching her right breast, and her eyes are swimming with tears. But what has my interest is my mate. She is standing in front of the other female like a protective mother. 

Her arms are stretched wide, and she is slightly crouched. "Good form for guarding," I immediately think while analyzing her. One of my warriors stands up with a smirk on his face, and I can feel my body tense. 

"What are you going to do human," my warrior snarls as he stares her down. My body responds on instinct, and I stand. 

"Do not touch her," she says harshly with her eyes locked on his. 

My mate's green eyes are giving off the heat of a forest fire. And once again, a small flicker of pride makes its presence known in my chest. But the feeling is short-lived. I watch in horrifically slow motion as my warrior backhands my mate. 

Her head snaps to the side, and blood sprays the ground. I throw the table I was sitting at against the wall. I launch myself into the air, and my body automatically shifts into my midnight black wolf form. I am on him in less than a second. I tear his head off immediately before completely dismembering him. 

I have no idea how long my claws and teeth pull him apart, but his blood is cold when I am finished. I shift back slowly because my anger is making it hard to control my appendages. I stand tall and howl towards the ceiling. 

When I finally regain some of my sanity, I look to my right at my unconscious mate. Her friend is crying and holding her head, but that's not what concerns me. What worries me is the blood trickling from her nose and mouth as her head hangs limp in her friend's hands.

I quickly squat down close enough to hear her heartbeat. It is steady, thank goodness. I push the tiny female away from my mate and pick her up. Intense sparks of pleasure shoot through me the second I have her in my arms. I stand up and leave the hall. 

As soon as I know I am alone, I bury my face into her neck and inhale. I can not believe my pack member had the nerve to disobey my direct order. If he hadn't touched the small human, my mate wouldn't have felt the need to defend her friend. If he had obeyed my order, he wouldn't have ever backhanded my mate. I growl, reliving the image for a small second. 

Her scent is slowly bringing clarity to my mind, and I begin to process what just really took place. I killed a great fighter. I exposed that I care about the weak female in my arms. I treated her like she was above my people. A wave of regret almost makes me drop the beauty in my arms. 

What the hell did I just do?