CHAPTER FIVE

MADELINE'S POV

I was led to my room by the servant lady assigned to me by Alpha Konan. I sobbed all along the way and I wondered how my life would take its course from henceforth. When we got to the room, there were other servants waiting to help get things done. I looked at them through my tear filled yes, hoping someone would notice me, but they all went about their normal business, their behavior similar to a robot, as if I wasn't there, as if I never existed.

The new room was one thousand times better than the servant cubicle. It had everything I needed to make life comfortable. I was taken in for a hot bath with fresh scented flowers that had its own unique fragrance. My legs were shaved and my hair thoroughly washed and cared for. I was told to sit in front of the vanity mirror, the head servant lady telling me that she would be with me shortly.

Seeing my reflection in the mirror, I saw noticeable changes. My once lean cheek bones were becoming chubby, my nose looked bigger and my breasts were tender and fuller. I rested my hands gently on my stomach, now round with new life. And to my surprise, I felt the baby's pulse.

My make up was done, but it didn't hide the sadness in my eyes. I thought of Drey. What would he think when he finds out I'm pregnant? Guilt filled me, and I felt my life was slipping out of my hands, completely under alpha konan's control.

I had never worn such a beautiful dress in my entire life. It was an emerald green open back gown that went well with the color of my eyes, my hair was packed in a messy updo with some of the curls cascading down my face, with a deep red lipstick that brought color to my small oval face. I couldn't help but admire myself in front of the mirror. I never knew I was this beautiful. I was so caught up in my own beauty until the presence of Alpha Konan was announced.

A cool chill ran down my spine. Why was he here? I hadn't forgotten the cruel words he said to me earlier, and now he was back. My mind raced, trying to figure out why he would come see me here.

"Wow!!! The ugly duckling has transformed to a swan. Can you all see that?" he said mockingly.

The servants, heads bowed all replied with a positive nod.

"Leave us," he ordered and they obeyed.

"Dan, get me the herbal tonic," he added.

Dan entered the room and handed him the tonic.

"Drink," he ordered, holding out the cup to me. "This is good for the baby."

I hesitated for a moment, remembering the poison he gave me before. My wolf urged me to be smart and drink it, so I did. The tonic was bitter, but I gurgled it quickly. Afterward, I handed the cup back to him, but he threw it on the ground, shattering it into pieces.

The sound of the glass breaking was deafening. I flinched, staring at the sharp pieces scattered around me. Alpha Konan smiled with contempt.

"If you haven't figured it out yet , this broken plate shows your worth, your reflection. You are nothing but filth," he sneered. "This is a clue for you to understand your place. And remember, be your best and stick to the arranged contract," his voice seething with hostility.

I bit back the tears that threatened to rush from my eyes, but I was unable to control it. The tears came running like a river that over flooded its bank.

He stepped closer, and wiped the tears roughly smudging my make up. He closed the gap between us and ran his finger all through the s-curve of my spine igniting a rather pleasurable feeling within me as I bit back my sob. I shriveled under his touch and he went further down until he touched the hem of my panties and gritted his teeth, trying to hold back himself. Even in my dreary state, I could feel warm liquid gathering around my thighs. I wanted to pull away, but I couldn't. My body betrayed me. Why would it do this to me at a time like this?

A subtle knock on the door interrupted Alpha Konan since it was time for the pack meeting. He stopped and increased the space between us, the sexual tension still evident.

"While at the pack meeting, deviate from answering any questions thrown at you. I will answer all of them on your behalf. Do not say a word until I signal you to do so. Remember your place."

"Redo your make up and meet me outside the room in two minutes. I, Alpha Konan does not take delight when I am kept waiting."

I scrambled to the mirror and touched my make up already destroyed by my tears. I met Alpha Konan outside the room, back rested on the wall and arms folded across his chest, the dim light in the hall way radiating his manly features.

We walked down the hall way leading to the great hall and I followed closely behind him. He stopped abruptly in his tracks, making me bump into his rock sturdy back. "What are you doing behind me bitch? Play your role well. Mates are supposed to walk side by side with each other."

I stepped beside him and attached my small palms to his muscled biceps confidently. We approached the great hall and the huge doors opened up to meet well influential elders of the pack sitting around the hall waiting for the Alpha's order to commence the meeting.

Alpha Konan was greeted with a courtesy bow. Bemused, I darted my eyes across the room doing well to avoid eye contacts. Alpha Konan got to his seat and I took my seat beside him.

Murmurs filled the air. Everyone whispered. "Who is the girl with our alpha". Alpha Konan cleared his voice and stood up. "

"Before we begin, I want to introduce you to my mate and the mother of my child, the future alpha of this pack," he said, turning to me with a smile.

The room went quiet. Everyone gasped in surprise, their eyes filled with skepticism. I felt nervous and small, unsure of how to handle the attention.

This was a delicate position I had found myself in and escaping from it was far from the truth. Tension brewer and was high up in the air which made me cower in fear. Alpha Konan noticed and he took my hands in his own large hands and caressed it soothingly. In a way I regained confidence from his little rub action.

"Why wasn't she introduced during the mate selection ceremony," one irate elder asked. "If she wasn't introduced then that means she's fake and the baby might not be yours."

I could see Alpha Konan's expressions doing a shifting dance. It was a canvas of emotions, from clenched jaws to wrinkled brows and fiery red eyes. He squeezed the once caressed hands, almost crushing the bones underneath the skin.

"This is a blatant disregard for pack laws regarding mates," the elder continued, his voice filled with judgement. Our tradition are not supposed to be scoffed at."

The murmurs of agreement from the elders filled the room. Despite the arrogance from the elder, Alpha Konan kept mum. Alpha Konan smirked confidently and I knew from experience that Alpha Konan's signature smirk meant trouble and disaster.

"Silence!!!! he thundered. Who gave you all the notion that I would be confined by outdated traditions. Guards!!! take this elder who has no control of his mouth and whip him twenty times. For challenging my authority as the alpha in a pack meeting, whip him another twenty. For disrespecting my mate and unborn child, he won't be remitted his pay for the month. Make sure he sees hell.",Alpha Konan pronounced, his voice sultry with authority and dominance.

The guards dragged the elder out of the great hall in the most humiliating way and a tense silence enveloped the room.

"This should sound as a note of warning to anyone who challenges my authority in any form," Alpha Konan retorted with a chilling calmness. I am willing to forgive you all for threatening to revolt against me. My choices are mine alone and no one challenges me and goes unscathed." With that, alpha Konan placed his hands on my lower back and guided me out of the great hall leaving Dan to continue and conclude the meeting.