Chapter 3

ALINA

In the morning, the guards from the lycan king came before the sun was even completely up. My step mother had come to drag me out of the cell and then she pitied me by throwing some of my clothes in my bag and some cheap candy bars.

“Keep this with you and nibble on it on your way. You are going to need it because the journey is long.” She thrust the bag at me.

“Thank you, step mother.” At least I was not going to be starving on the way. I have not eaten for two days straight. My body felt like it was about to give up on me but I stayed strong.

My father did not even bother to say goodbye to me. I saw Alex and Beck on the couch making out while I was led outside, and my heart hurt when I saw it. I could not believe that this was my life. It was already bad before, but getting to this level was something I never thought was possible. My eyes filled with tears because I had not said goodbye to my mother or my pet stray cat that I found during one of my walks in the pack.

The guards outside looked scary and were clad in black and navy green uniforms. They led me into the car and then they closed the door. I watched as we zoomed off and I looked back at my pack knowing that this would be the last time I might be here. My life was about to get worse, but it was nothing I could not handle.

Hours later when the sun had gone down, the ride ended. The guards opened up the door for me and I was escorted into the palace.

“Is this your first time in the alpha’s palace?” The guard that was escorting me in had asked. I was confused for a moment until I realised that they called the lycan king the alpha here.

“Yes.” I replied curtly.

“Well, there are a bunch of rules you have to adhere to. Alpha Kai does not joke with his rules and regulations, especially to people of low rank like the omegas or junior members of his harem.” He explained.

“What are the rules and regulations?” If I was going to plan to run away some time, then I would be of good behaviour and not attract attention to myself so they would not be looking out for me any time. I knew the risks of running away here were going to be higher, but I did not want to spend the rest of my life as a sex slave.

“I would leave that to Jezebel to tell you all about it. She is the chief maid.” He said as reached the door. He opened the door for me, revealing the person that was behind me. I saw a tall woman, red haired with a wicked glint on her face. There were three girls in front of her, and one of them was sobbing.

The guard closed the door behind me, making me shiver. Was this the Jezebel he was talking about?

“And who are you?” She glared at me while she violently chewed on her gum.

“I am from the alpha’s pack. The werewolf alpha. I was brought here to be part of the harem.” I explained to her, trying hard to make myself sound steady but I failed at that. The little sweets my stepmother gave me were not enough to keep me energised. I was still very hungry.

“Oh,” her eyes swept over my body, and when they landed on my collarbones, she frowned. “Too slim. The alpha does not like his women to be so thin.”

“Okay.” I mouthed, not knowing how to reply to that statement.

“You are welcome to the pack. I am Jezebel, the coordinator of the harem,” she stood up to her feet, ignoring the crying girls who were now two. I wondered what they did to her, and I wondered if this was going to be the fate that I will be subjected to for the rest of my life. I simply could not stay back. I needed to run away. "You are going to stay in one of the chambers that you will share with one of the girls.” We left the room and I silently followed behind her, not before tossing a pitiful look to the girls as they called out to Jezebel.

“Your duties are to serve the alpha in every way he asks for. What is your name?” She asked.

“I am Alina Carter, Ma.” I replied.

‘Well, Alina Carter. You are just Alina here. You have been stripped of whoever you were before you came to join the harem because you are never going back to your pack,” she said. I almost whispered a ‘thank goodness’ but I nodded as we continued walking down. I adjusted the bag on my shoulder as we passed a long hallway that was filled with vintage art. “Tell me, are you a virgin?”

My eyes widened because I did not expect her to ask me that kind of question. I did not know the right way to answer it, because I did not know if she was going to punish me for not being one. When I remembered who and where I lost my virginity, I felt bile rise up my neck. But what if I lied to her and she made me go through a test? She was going to find out that I lied and punish me even more.

“No.” I replied curtly.

“Very good. You must have experience which is what we value the most here at the harem.”

I nearly cringed as we approached the chambers. There were so many doors that I thought of just how many women the alpha was sleeping with. If every room was for two people, then that would be possibly up to fifty women! That was absolutely crazy. The fact that a tradition like this was still upheld made me want to puke. When we got to the room, she opened the door and got in.

There, a tiny brunette lady was seated on her bunk bed with her nose buried in a book. When she saw us come in, her eyebrows scrunched into a frown.

“Good evening ma’am.” She greeted Jezebel.

“Good evening Katy. This is your new roommate. I trust that you will try to tell her all that the alpha needs because the alpha has given me positive reviews about you.” Jezebel winked.

“Of course, ma’am.”

“Good,” Jezebel turned back to look at me. “No wearing of your old clothes from your pack. You will be provided some by tomorrow. Also, no loitering around especially after lights out, and it doesn’t matter if you are on your death bed— the minute the alpha asks for you, you go to him immediately. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded.

She turned around and left the room, and then I headed to my new bed. I sighed when I saw the little bed that had a single bed sheet and duvet. It looked comfortable. At least it looked more comfortable than what I used to sleep on back in my pack. I turned to look at Katy and she had not raised her head even once to look at me.

“Hi.” I greeted her.

“Hello.” She replied, raising her eyes to look at me for a second before she looked back down at her book.

I sat down on my bed. My stomach violently growled, and I felt my limbs weaken. If I did not get food now, then I might get sick from it. I was so freaking hungry.

“Do you know if I can go out to get food now? Since the lights are not out yet.” I asked her.

“I do not know.” She replied coolly.

I opened my mouth in an attempt to speak but nothing came out of it. There was no reason to be that rude. Since she wouldn’t tell me, I decided that I had to take matters into my own hands. It was not lights out so I could manage to sneak to the kitchen and get something to eat. The only other option was to lie down and not sleep because of crippling hunger until morning came. I got up from my bed and headed outside.

I left the chambers where our rooms were and headed towards the stairs but right when I was about to descend, I smelt something very delicious and sweet in the air. I could not decipher whether it was food or not, but I needed to check. I followed the smell until I reached the room where it was, and I closed my eyes as I inhaled the scent. I could smell it forever. I went to peep into the room. But instead of food, I was met with something else.

“Harder!” Moaned the lady on the bed who was naked with her back arched. I peered further inside and I saw a man right behind her. Oh my God, they were having sex. Why did I smell something good then? I frowned as I turned around to leave but just then, I blurted something out that almost scared me.

“Mate!” I yelled, and I covered my mouth because of how loud it was. What the hell was happening? Was the man in the room my mate? Who the hell is he?

I heard them stop and seconds later, the lady’s voice came through, “Who is that?” She asked.

With my hand still clasped to my mouth, I turned to leave stealthily so they would not catch me. If they found me here, they would think I was snooping around and nothing would save me from the wrath of Jezebel if she found out that I had already broken one of her laws less than five minutes after she told me.

I was about to leave the hallway when I saw Jezebel standing by the door with her hands akimbo… and she looked very pissed.