Chapter 2

Unlike the others, my wounds didn't heal as quickly, a consequence of my lower rank in our Lycan society. The bruises throbbed with every step, my ribs were broken from the kicks I got from the pot-bellied men and his guards.

Eventually, I was transferred to another set of guards, who hit me until the tears stopped flowing. Seeing the emblems on their uniform, I knew they were the Lycan king Adrian Guards.

That was when I knew I was going to be tortured to death in his arms. Tears filled my eyes, but it didn't fall. The world outside the car window was a blur of green, but it brought me no comfort. All I could think about was the unknown fate that awaited me at Adrian's hands.

Lycan King Adrian was said to rule the Crest haven Society, where the poor, the rich and the middle class were all separated by fierce hierarchy. He was said to have taken so many as slaves, women as his sex slaves, but unfortunately they were tortured and died a week later. That was the life I was going to live. And it pained me that my dream of being an artist in the human world would forever be nothing but as far away as the stars.

When we finally arrived at his sprawling estate, the grandeur of it did nothing to lift my spirits. The towering castle stood as a symbol of his power, and the elaborate fountain in front of it seemed to mock my misery with its graceful splendour.

The guard, his grip unrelenting, dragged me out of the car and pushed me to the ground at the foot of the grand staircase. I landed with a painful thud, my knees scraping against the cold, unforgiving stone. I winced in pain but did not attempt to rise. What was the point? I was at the mercy of the man descending the stairs, and there was no escaping my fate.

As Adrian descended, my breath caught in my throat. He was a formidable figure, his presence commanding and powerful. His ebony hair cascaded in unruly waves, framing a face that was both striking and handsome. But none of that mattered to me at that moment. All I could feel was overwhelming fear.

His eyes, the colour of stormy gray, bore into mine, and I couldn't look away. It was as if he could see right through me, into the depths of my soul. The guards had left me trembling and dishevelled at his feet, a pitiful sight, and I couldn't find the strength to stand tall.

Adrian's lips curled into a knowing smile, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. He extended a hand towards me, a silent command for me to rise. My body moved on instinct, and I reluctantly took his hand, allowing him to pull me to my feet.

He towered over me, and I couldn't help but feel small and insignificant in his presence. But it wasn't just his physical dominance that unnerved me; it was the knowledge that I was now under his control, a mere pawn in his ruthless game of power and dominance.

The tears that had flowed freely on the journey here had dried up, replaced by a paralysing fear that left me mute and helpless.

I stood before Adrian, my heart pounding in my chest, my gaze fixed firmly on the ground. His voice, when it finally broke the silence, was like a commanding melody that sent shivers down my spine. "Your name is Selena, am I right?"

I nodded, unable to find my voice, my throat constricted by fear.

Adrian's fingers brushed my chin, forcing my face up to meet his piercing gaze. His touch was firm, unyielding. "Look at me when I am talking to you," he commanded, his voice like a velvet whip.

I met his stormy gray eyes, my own filled with fear.

"Good girl. I hope you would be this obedient with me?" I bit my lips as I nodded.

"I would like you to know that you are my pet," he said, his tone unwavering. "That's why you are here. As a pet. So you obey and listen to me. Understand?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I fought to keep them at bay. I couldn't afford to show weakness in front of him. With a shaky voice, I whispered, "Yes, I understand."

Adrian's grip on my chin loosened, and he released me, stepping back. His demeanour shifted, becoming more detached, as he turned his attention to the guard standing nearby. "Take her to her room," he instructed, his voice no longer holding the same commanding tone. "Tell the maids to prepare her for tonight."

My heart raced as I tried to make sense of his words. I had no idea what he meant by "prepare her for tonight," and the uncertainty left me feeling even more vulnerable. I watched as the guard approached, his expression Stoic and unreadable.

He gestured for me to follow him, and I did so without resistance. The walk to my new room felt like an eternity, the silence heavy and oppressive. I couldn't help but steal glances at the guard, but his features remained impassive, giving away nothing.

When we finally reached my room, he opened the door and motioned for me to enter. The room was luxurious, with rich, dark furnishings and heavy curtains that blocked out the moonlight. It was a stark contrast to the cold stone floors and creaky bed that I had in my own home.

The guard's voice cut through the silence, his words leaving me trembling with fear. "Strip," he ordered, his tone cold and unfeeling.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with a million thoughts and questions. Wasn't there a female to take care of me?

Or better still some privacy? But the stern look in his eyes left me with no choice. Slowly, I began to remove my clothes, I didn't have much of an asset, my boobs were not as full, my hips were rounded, my ass was average. I was just there, I fear the Lycan king would be disappointed, and I wonder what he would do when he sees I am not as sexy or beautiful as the other women he may have had.