CHAPTER 5

Alister and I walked into the extravagant hall which was decorated with diamond and crystal stones. Two crystal chandeliers with twenty-four candles each hung down from the rooftop, radiating the entire hall beautifully. There were also many tables and chairs arranged in a circular pattern, leaving enough space at the center of the hall. 

As soon as, the people noticed Alister and I, they immediately became mum and stare warily at us, making sure to avoid eye contact.

Did they fear Alister this much? I pondered, suddenly, feeling a bit discouraged about my escape. If merely walking into the hall could steer up such a reaction from people, then he must just be as dangerous and ruthless as the rumor says or even more.

Alister led me straight to the dance fall, looking as though he couldn't wait to get over with the ball. He gently wrapped his hand around my waist, pulling me closer to him as the music began to play. 

He moved with so much grace and elegance while staring right into my eyes with so much intensity that it felt as though he was staring at the deepest part of my soul, trying to see my deepest secret.

The feeling was overwhelming, that I tried to look away, however, he quickly grabbed my chin preventing me from doing so. 

"Stay still, this is only for formality," he whispered, before letting go of my chin.

Once, the music was over Alister pulled me away from the hall, toward a corridor leading to another part of the building. Unlike the hall where the ball was been held, this part of the building was made with white bricks. 

We passed through, many closed doors until we arrived at one, which seemed bigger than the rest of the doors.

Without knocking, Alister pushed the door open and sauntered into the room majestically like he owned the place, while I slowly trailed after him, taking a quick glance around the room, which looked somewhat like a library.

"You finally got what you've always wanted," he spoke sternly to the elderly men sitting in the room. They were about five of them and they sat on a long table with books and files piled up.

They seem to be some sort of council or so, I had no idea. 

"I'm glad you finally did what was right, your Highness, a human concubine was the best option. However, what would be more satisfying is for you to have pubs," one of the men spoke. He looked like the oldest among them with full grey hair, long white beards, and a mustache. And he held a long cane as he stared at Alister teasingly. 

Unlike the people at the ball, these men didn't look scared of Alister or so it seems.

"Pubs huh!" A throaty chuckle escaped Alister's lip before he removed his mask and turn to me. His lip was curved into a sexy and mischievous smirk as he slowly walked to my side. "Miss Spooky, they want us to make babies, what do you think?"

I immediately choked on my spit after hearing what he said. "Babies!" I subconsciously yelled with wide eyes.

"Yes, babies..." He emphasized the babies as he whispered seductively. His dark and domineering aura was now replaced by a slightly calm one.

So that was what they meant by pubs? I thought they were talking about something else. Now I understand why he wanted a concubine in the absence of a mate. It was to give him heirs.

My hands subconsciously rolled into a ball as I thought of this, and now more than ever, my urge to escape intensified.

Thankfully, Alister took his gaze back to the council, before saying "Light, wait outside. I want to discuss something important, make sure you don't move an inch," His voice was stern, commanding, and filled with warning.

I nodded and quickly made my way out of the room, glancing sideways to see if there was anyone else in the hallway. Luckily, it was empty, so I waited a little while to see if Alister would come out and when he didn't, I took that as an opportunity and hastily left the hallway.

I ran all the way back to the hall where the ball was being held, occasionally glancing back to see if Alister was behind me, and when he wasn't, I let out a sigh of relief before walking toward the exit.

Unlike when Alister and I came, the exit was filled with bulky security guards and for some reason, Alister's last words kept replaying in my head. 

"Make sure you don't move an inch."

I could even picture the look on his face as he spoke.

Did I make a mistake? I pondered as I glance back again. Would I even be able to escape? Would these guards let me?

I quickly changed direction and asked a waiter for the restroom, before dashing in the direction he pointed.

Once I was inside the restroom, the first thing I looked for was a window, thankfully I saw one right above the sink. And without caring if there was anyone else present, I put one of my feet on the sink and pushed the window open before sticking my body through it. 

Luckily, the window led right outside the building and it wasn't that high, so I jumped out and let out a sigh of relief.

I did it! I escaped. I smiled happily as I looked around, however, my happiness was short-lived because the next minute, I felt something hard smack my head, and I passed out.

Once I opened my eyes again, I found myself lying on a cold floor in a room that looked like a cell. Not just that, but my hands and legs were tightly bounded with a thick rope, and I found it almost impossible to move.

Great, just great. Here I was thinking that I could escape smoothly. 

My heart skipped a bit as I thought of the possibility that Alister might have found me while I was trying to escape, and is now punishing me. Could it be him? If not him, then who?

I was still lost in thought when the door to the cell opened revealing a bulky man in black attire. He had a scar on his face and looked similar to one of Alister's guards.

"Finally, you're awake," His voice was husky as he spoke, walking toward me. "Alister sure has a great taste," He licked his lips as his dark- lustful eyes roamed over my body.

"Who are you?" I asked calmly, putting on a bold font, even though deep down, my heart was pounding in fear.

A deep throaty chuckle escaped his lips, before he crouched down to my size, bringing his finger to my face.

"That's not important, what you should be asking is, if you would make it out alive. It all depends on your Alpha king."

"What do you mean?" I hastily questioned, but he ignored me, dragging me out of the cell to another room.

Inside that room, there were two men about the same size as the one who dragged me out of the cell, and they also looked scary like he does.

"The girl is awake," the man who dragged me out of the cell spoke as he pointed at me.

"Good, it's time to call Alister. We should let him know that we've got his precious little concubine," one of the other men said, bringing out his phone. He dialed a number and the next minute, a familiar voice echoed.

"What is it?"

Although I couldn't see his face, the sound of his deep husky voice sent shivers down my spine, even the men shivered slightly before regaining their composure.

"Calm down Alister, right now you are in no position to speak to me in that tone of voice because we have something that belongs to you," the man's lips curved into a smirk as he spoke. 

So it wasn't Alister who captured me, then who are these men? My fear increased rapidly as I stared at them. And for some unknown reason, I would have preferred if Alister was the one. 

"Tell me," Alister retorted.

"I'm glad you're interested. I have your little concubine here. I'm sure you wouldn't want the press to know that she got kidnapped or your relationship with the humans could be jeopardized."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because she's right here. I'll put her on the phone."

The man put the phone close to me while ordering in a threatening manner "Speak."

I bit my lips, feeling embarrassed as I glanced at the phone, my heart pounding furiously. After all, I was the one who ran away when I was told to stay put.

"Speak," the man yelled, smacking my back and I shrieked in pain, before altering.

"Alister!"

The man immediately took the phone away from me before turning in the opposite direction.

 "You believe me now."

"Why should I? I only heard a woman's voice. For all, I know it could be someone else," Alister spoke as though he was bored and was running out of patience. "Give me concrete proof, I want a picture."

The man sighed and immediately took a photo of me, before sending it to Alister. 

"This is her... now listen to me. If you don't do as I say, her body would be hanging in the streets first thing tomorrow morning."

"Oh really," Alister sounded amused. "You can do whatever you want with her, I don't care."

With that, he hung up the phone, leaving me and the men completely stunned. 

Wait, did he just say they could do whatever they wanted? Oh God, am I going to die?

Sweat trickled down my forehead as I stare at the men who seemed to be in a trance, probably because they were still shocked after hearing Alister's reply.

"Morris, are you sure you got the right person?" The man who spoke with Alister asked after some minutes.

"Yes, I did. I made sure I secretly followed Alister. And she was the woman by his side. They even danced together and I also saw her enter the council room with him and then after she came out alone, so I followed her."

They sighed in dejection and glanced at me, wearing a look as though they just lost everything in life. On the other hand, I put my best puppy dog eyes, praying and hoping that they would spare me. Nonetheless, they looked at each other and one of them said. "What did you expect from such a heartless beast like Alister? We were fools to think he would come for a mere human. However, our efforts can't be wasted, so I say we should take turns having fun with her, and after that, we sell her to the slave traders."

"You're right. But you still have to publish the news of Alister's concubine getting kidnapped, make sure you post the pictures of her."

The men then move to me with lustful smiles on their faces as they took off their clothes.

My heart was pounding as though it was about to break out of its cage, and all I felt at that moment was fear and regret. I should have listened to Alister.

In one swift move, one of them tore my dress, while another loosed the rope on my legs, trying to pull it open, at the same time, the other one grabbed my hair while licking my face.

I wanted to scream but couldn't find my voice, I also couldn't struggle because I was feeling very weak. However, just as I gave up and left myself to my fate, the men's bodies were instantly plunged off me, followed by their painful screams. 

"No one touches what is mine," a ragging voice echoed, and then there were sounds of cracking bones.

With my last strength, I glance in their direction, and my heart hung in my mouth the moment I caught sight of a black wolf. He looked nothing like the normal wolf I usually see on TV and in newspapers.

Rather, he was different, the scariest creature I had ever set eyes on. He was very big and looked like a raging demon that just escaped the burning fires of hell. His aura was dark and intense, however, a part of me still believed that it was beautiful and for some reason, I felt safe.

As if feeling my gaze on him, he turned toward me and locked eyes with me. His abnormal yet alluring eyes which were the same as Alister's held so much rage. And as he tore the men to many pieces, his eyes never left mine.

"I'm going to punish you for defying me," He voiced out to me before I fell into slumber.