Chapter Ten

Amelia

I lay on my bed, legs folded to my chest, as the morning light seeped through the curtains. I had hardly slept last night, tears staining my pillow, the remnants of what Hunter had done to me still haunting my thoughts. He had defiled me and left me here in pains. I couldn’t help but wish I could go back to my stepfather, as awful as he was. At least with him, my virtue had remained intact.

Despite having little choice in being here, I had hoped for something different. I was ready to start anew, to wipe the slate clean, and maybe, just maybe, find a way to regain my freedom. But barely a week in, and I was already being humiliated by the man who had purchased me. Was this the very reason he had bought me? The question nagged at me, tormenting my thoughts.

My mind wandered to the uncertain future that loomed before me. I dreaded the months and years to come, unable to fathom what horrors might befall me. I lay in my bed, lost in these grim thoughts, half asleep and half awake, when a thunderous knock shattered the fragile peace of my room.

“Amelia! You’ve been summoned by the alpha to the throne room! You have five minutes to get ready and present yourself to the alpha!” A soldier’s voice echoed from outside.

Fear surged through me, and I trembled at the thought of facing Hunter again. What could he possibly want this time? The situation was dire, and I briefly contemplated escape, but I knew the impossibility of it all. There was no way out, and I couldn’t evade this summons. With a deep breath, I mentally steeled myself, determined not to be broken by whatever was bound to happen next.

I dragged myself out of bed with a heavy heart, my thoughts still haunted by the events of the previous night. I knew I couldn’t avoid Hunter’s summons, even though I hadn’t quite come to terms with what had transpired. With a reluctant sigh, I dragged myself out of bed, my body aching in places I’d rather forget.

As I made my way towards the grand throne room, each step was a reminder of the pain I felt between my legs. I winced but pressed on, determined not to show any weakness. My only friend in this unfamiliar place, Hailey, caught up with me along the way, concern etched on her face.

“What’s wrong, Amelia?” Hailey asked, her voice filled with worry.

I hesitated, unable to find the words to explain. “I have to meet Alpha Hunter in the throne room,” I finally replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Hailey could sense that something was amiss, but she didn’t push further, respecting my need for privacy. Reluctantly, she let me continue on my way.

I carefully controlled my movements, not wanting to reveal my discomfort to Hailey. I couldn’t bear the thought of explaining what had happened the night before; the shame was too much to bear.

As I approached the towering doors of the throne room, a burly guard blocked my path. His strong hand grasped my shoulder, and he demanded, “What’s your name?”

“Uhm… I’m… I’m Amelia.” I stammered for a moment, my nerves getting the best of me.

The guard studied me carefully, his eyes moving from my face to my leg, and then shamelessly lingering on my breasts. His lips curled into a covetous smile, and he spoke in a deep, husky voice. “Wait here,” he ordered, before turning to open the massive doors.

From my place outside the throne room, I strained to hear snippets of the conversation inside. All I could make out were the words, “let her in.”

Moments later, the guard returned, his eyes still fixed on me. “Follow me,” he commanded.

I nodded and followed him through the imposing doors, which were then closed behind me.

Inside, the sight that greeted me was breathtaking. I had been in an alpha’s throne room before, back in my own pack where my stepfather ruled, but it was nothing compared to the splendor of Hunter’s kingdom. Despite my inner turmoil, a pang of longing for my family’s empire washed over me—a place I never thought I’d yearn to return to.

In the magnificent throne room, I stood before Hunter, my heart pounding with fear. I had been brought here, a mere pawn in this twisted game of power and privilege.

Hunter, his stern countenance illuminated by the flickering flames, spoke with chilling authority. “Amelia,” he began, his voice like cold steel, “you are now mine, a slave, and soon you will become my breeder.”

My eyes widened in disbelief, my mind racing to comprehend the shocking declaration. “Breeder?” I whispered to myself, the word heavy with ominous meaning. What did he mean by that? The thought sent shivers down my spine.

“I have claimed you, Amelia,” Hunter declared, his voice reverberating through the room, commanding my attention. His presence was both intimidating and alluring, like a predator preparing to pounce.

My breath hitched, my hands trembling at my sides. I knew I had no choice but to submit to the ancient tradition. To refuse an alpha meant risking the wrath of the pack, and I couldn’t bear the thought of that.

“What do you want from me?” I asked, struggling to understand.

Hunter’s lips curled into a predatory smile, revealing sharp canines. “I want an heir. A son who will carry my legacy, the future Alpha of my pack.”

“I understand,” I finally whispered, my voice barely audible. “But I… I don’t want to do that.” I tried to protest.

Hunter closed the distance between us, his eyes looking directly into mine uncomfortably, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You will do as you’re told, or you’ll suffer the consequences. You don’t have a say in it.”

Seeing that I had no other choice, I nodded, though my fear remained visible. I couldn’t escape my fate, and now I would have to endure the consummation of our union, a binding act that would ensure my submission to Hunter and secure my freedom.

As my thoughts spiraled, I cast my memory back to the day I had been sold at the auction house. Amongst the hushed whispers, one of the girls had warned us that we would be treated like livestock, forced into the role of breeders for the alphas and powerful figures who had gathered that day. It was a warning that now seemed to be unfolding before my eyes.

Hunter’s huge purchase price, which had initially mystified me, suddenly made sense. He had not merely acquired me as a servant; he intended to claim me as a vessel for his legacy.

My gaze shifted nervously to his wife, Lucia, desperately hoping for a glimmer of objection. But Lucia’s impassive expression offered no solace. It was as if she had been aware of Hunter’s intentions all along, her silence speaking volumes.

My heart sank, realization dawning upon me like a storm cloud. I had been thrust into a cruel world where my purpose was not only to serve the mighty alpha but to bear his offspring as well. The gravity of it all shattered my heart into a million pieces.

The throne room, once a place of marvel, now felt like a suffocating prison. My dreams of a different life, of freedom and happiness, crumbled before me. I had never imagined that Hunter, a man who had initially seemed different from the ruthless alphas, would hold such cruel intentions.

“You’re dismissed.” Hunter said and turned to return to his seat beside Lucia.

Slowly, I turned and walked away towards the door. Another guard stood there and when I came steps away, he opened the massive door again, and I walked out of the throne room, my heart shattered.

My trembling steps led me back to the modest room I call my own, though it felt more like a cage. I had reluctantly accepted Alpha Hunter’s claim, a declaration that bounded me to a fate I never imagined.

As I entered the room, I burst into a torrent of tears, betraying the strength I displayed in front of Hunter and his wife. I crumpled onto the edge of my bed, feeling utterly trapped and powerless. I never wanted this life, to be a vessel for the heartless alpha’s legacy.

In my silent sobs, I gazed out of my small window, where the full moon always shined brightly at night. It was not visible now because of the lights of the morning sun, but it was a symbol of hope in the darkness that now surrounds me. With a trembling voice, I whispered a prayer to the moon goodness, begging for strength and mercy. I pleaded for a way out of this cruel situation, one that feels like a lifetime of slavery.

With my prayer said, I held on to the fragile thread of hope, praying that the moon goodness will hear my plea and guide me towards a future where I can find freedom and happiness once more.