Chapter 6

Chapter 6

ZARA'S POV

“A word to my dearest,” Alpha Damon said as soon as he crouched before me, raising my chin up with a finger. “No one touches my bride and goes scot-free.”

I was crying uncontrollably, despite Alpha Damon yelling countless times for me to shut up. My father remained unmoving, Asher probably dead.

I caught a glimpse of Miriam and Luna at the other end of the field, bawling their eyes out. I kept screaming out to my father, and this time when Alpha Damon approached, it wasn't to warn me again.

He slapped me across the face. “I hate repeating myself, young girl.” He turned to his subordinates.

“These people have proven to be incompetent. Right under my nose, another man dares to touch my bride.”

My eyes widened in shock, wondering just how what had transpired a few days ago had gotten to the Blood Moon Pack that was four vast grasslands away.

I then remembered there were spies and Rogues constantly patrolling and switching between clan territories. Knowledge was traded in exchange for favor, so it was no surprise this had traveled that far.

Alpha Damon pointed at me, “Your father could have handed over the traitor to me himself, but no! He thinks of me as an incompetent leader. A gullible Alpha who was going to accept a bride defiled by his own son!” His voice thundered and echoed throughout the entire sparring ground; no one dared to make a sound while he spoke.

He grabbed me and dragged me away, and I began to plead, digging my hand in the dirt so I could crawl away from him. My eyes were plastered on my father's face, wondering what had happened to him.

“While I think of the best punishment that befits your clan and your Alpha, I shall have my bride accompany me back to my palace tonight. Feel free to put up a fight against my claws.”

He continued to drag me by my legs and hoisted me high, flinging me into the Limo. I felt a searing pain as I squeezed my eyes shut. I heard the doors to the car close shut, so did I hear the crunch of his boots on gravel as he walked away, probably to enter another car .

When I managed to open my eyes, I developed a full blown headache. I sat up straight in the car, using my hands to stable myself.

Even when Alpha Damon wasn't sitting with me, I could still feel his cold aura surrounding me. I shuddered in fear as I remembered how Asher remained hoisted up high, his limbs broken. I wept softly all the way to the Bloodmoon Pack.

Thankfully, I saw little of Alpha Damon when I was let out of the car. Occasionally, I was nudged by the knights, barking orders at me. I was too weak to retaliate. Too weak to raise my voice, so I obliged.

I was led into the castle, one that was obviously designed in a grand style, from the painstakingly wide exterior to the amount of intricate details splashed on the interiors. I let myself study the patterns on the walls, the little statues that stood at notable positions of the castle and the huge paintings along several hallways. If I was allowed a brick of charcoal and a piece of paper, I would be intrigued to imprint the designs I've seen so far onto them.

I was led past the hallways where a few more royals paraded and stood, overlooking the magnificent space below. We took long strides from floor to floor, taking turns and walking past guards, royals and maids alike.

“Over here,” a guard barked and took a swift turn to the right. The air was stale and ancient, and true to my observations, the hallway had cobwebs clinging to every nook and cranny. I held a sneeze as the guards opened the door to an abandoned room and pushed me inside. The door slammed shut on before I could turn back.

“Hey! Let me out of here, please!” I cried out, banging the door with my fists. I spent minutes knocking on the door till my knuckles were reddened and almost bruised. I collapsed onto the floor, crying. Worry coincided with anxiety, and I started pacing around nervously.

Just then, the doors to the dark room opened up again and I rushed towards it. I almost collided with the woman who appeared at the doorway.

“You better step back in,” she warned, her voice cold. “There's no use trying to get away; you'll be killed before you realize it.”

I backed off a bit so she could walk in. I noticed she was pulling a trolley behind her, and it was all sorts of cleaning materials.

“I don't want to spend a second longer on this shit hole, so you better pay attention to everything I'm about to say to you now.”

“Who are you?”

She smiled wryly, “Oh! I am Lady Rose, the head of maids that serves my Alpha. Trust me, asking for my name should be the least of your worries. Anyway, the Alpha has assigned this room to you …”

“What?! I can't stay here!” I protested, but I soon noticed a big scowl on Lady Rose’s face.

“You dare not talk when I'm still talking. I could have smacked you, but your skin will be tainted and not fit for my Alpha.”

I stared at her, stunned. “Is this how you treat the Alpha's betrothed?”

Lady Rose cackled, “Ask yourself if this is how an Alpha,” she gestured to the cobwebs in the empty room, “treats his soon-to-be Luna.”

I remained mute and she smiled satisfactorily.

“Well then, I am only present because I care for you. Well, at least up to a point where I don't want Alpha Damon crushing your windpipe tomorrow morning, so listen. You are to grow accustomed to fending for yourself. Alpha Damon periodically craves for his Luna to serve him, so if you don't know how to prepare a decent meal, I advise you to accompany me to the kitchen later tonight and learn how to make a decent meal.”

How in the world was I supposed to live with this?

With my father, even when he went as far as lashing me or locking me up in the dungeon, I never had to do anything on my own except for when Miriam wanted, I still had maids to serve me.

“Making a mistake with the Alpha is equivalent to the most gruesome of punishments. Sorry you have to be caught in his web, but this is a summary of how you're going to live the rest of your life.” She chuckled, “That is, if you don't die tomorrow.”

“I cook for no one, and I serve no one, okay?” I snapped, but she held up the finger I pointed at her and pressed hard on it. I yelled in pain as she drew in the trolley completely.

“Oh really? Well, let's see what happens if your room isn't well prepared by the next visit the Alpha will pay for your room.” She pushed me away and turned for the door.

“I'll be returning for the trolley in an hour. You can live up to your dictation; keep your head up high and do nothing.

Echoes of her laughter filled my ears as she shut the door.