Three

Naomi

It has been two years since I became the king’s slave. There are no words to describe how those years have been.

There was no more bullying from everyone, but what I experienced was worse. I became invisible. Everyone avoided me. I became lower than dirt, not worthy of contact. The maids who I worked with laughed in my face when they saw me and mocked me with the words I uttered that very day.

The Alpha King Seth has been nothing but cold and ruthless. I barely existed to him. I only saw him when I brought his breakfast in the morning and when I gave him his dinner.

He barely looked at me, and when I refused to do what he asked, he showed his superiority by locking me up in the cell.

But I have been good. My mother’s health was getting better thanks to his treatments. The only reason I did as he told me.

I still had the burning hatred for him, and with the contempt in his eyes, I knew he hated my guts too.

The only one who showed me a bit of respect was Connor, the beta.

But that wasn’t enough to ease the hatred I had for my life.

I left the room given to my mother and me and headed to do my day job when I was summoned by Seth.

I swallowed. He never summoned me unless I did something wrong. I moved my feet to his room and I waited until he allowed me in.

He leaned against the edge of his table, wearing a pair of sweatpants. His muscles rippled beneath his skin, a testament to his strength. He looked calm, and one would be fooled if not for the icy blue eyes of his.

Cold, feral, deadly.

I straightened under his stare.

"Naomi," he said, his voice like cold steel. I met his gaze, "Yes, Alpha?"

Alpha King Seth's piercing gaze bore into me, and I couldn't help but shiver under the weight of his presence. Being around him unnerved me, knowing he could end my life when he owned me.

Alpha King Seth's voice was as sharp as ever as he spoke, "Naomi, you've been a rather obedient slave lately, haven't you?"

I nodded, not daring to break eye contact with him. "Yes, Alpha. I've done everything you asked."

He seemed to consider my response for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Good. That's exactly how it should be."

The tension in the room was choking as I stood there, waiting for his next command.

Finally, he spoke again, folding his arms around his chest, "I have a job for you, Naomi."

My heart raced as he mentioned a job. It was unusual for him to assign me any tasks beyond my daily chores. I couldn't help but wonder what he had in mind.

"What kind of job, Alpha?" I asked cautiously, still maintaining my submissive posture.

He chuckled, "My, this isn't the Naomi I first met. You've finally learnt your place."

I pursed my lips, but said nothing. I gave up fighting a long time ago. This was my life now.

Seth's lips curved slightly, "Too bad. I kind of liked Feisty Naomi. Well," he dropped the smirk and gave me a pointed look.

"I need room five cleaned. I have a guest coming. You will cater to all her needs while she's here. I don't want to hear a single complaint, Naomi."

I nodded once.

I felt his gaze at the side of my face and I cleared my throat, "Is that all, Alpha?"

He kept his eyes trained on me then eventually he answered.

"That's all. You may leave."

I turned and left, and it wasn't until then I was able to breathe again.

Room five was located on the floor below Seth's room. It was one of the biggest rooms, making me wonder who the guest was.

The room didn't need much cleaning, and the guest arrived by the time I was done.

The lady stepped into the palace, and her aura of power hit me. She was of alpha blood, and she was beautiful with silky blonde hair. She had pearly skin, and her eyes were brown and filled with confidence.

She sauntered in, and the minute she laid her eyes on Seth, she ran into his arms.

My throat constricted. I prepared the room for Seth's mistress, and I was supposed to cater to her needs?

"Seth! I've missed you so much."

Seth pulled away, his face not betraying his emotions like always, "Brittany."

Brittany talked on and on, and Seth listened, while I felt like part of the furniture.

Seth has a woman. That news didn't sit well with me at all. He never accepted the rejection, which meant I was still his mate.

But this Alpha female, Brittany, seemed to be what the Alpha preferred. Tall, beautiful, and fake.

Every part of her screamed pretense. My wolf growled. I hated the thought of not being enough, ans being discarded like trash.

"You," Brittany snapped in my face.

I blinked back, wondering why the mannequin was all in my face.

"Is she deaf? Hey, you, slave. I'm talking to you." She tapped my head, and then I realised she was indeed talking to me.

"Yes, ma'am?" I answered calmly.

She pointed out of the door, "Go get my things from the car. And hurry. Nothing must happen to my stuff." She warned and then her charming smile returned to her face as she turned to Seth.

"Come on, Seth," she hooked her hand around his, and my jaw tightened.

"Show me to my room." Then she pulled him away, leaving me to drag her massive luggage up the floors.

She was here to stay, and for a long time. Dread filled my gut. Maybe she was going to become Luna.

My teeth ground against each other as I imagined what that snake must be doing with Seth right now.

When I finally lugged all of her bags into her room, she dismissed me with a dismissive wave of her hand. "That's all for now, slave. Make yourself scarce."

I glanced at Seth, and he raised an eyebrow at my stare. Brittany placed her lips to his and kissed him, while I watched. While he watched me.

I backed out of the room but hit a vase which fell and broke.

Brittany jumped away from Seth, and her face reddened as she took in the ruin.

"You broke the vase!"

Brittany's voice was filled with outrage, and her eyes bore into me with anger. Seth's expression remained indifferent, but I could sense a growing tension in the room.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," I stammered, trying to pick up the pieces, but I felt a hand grip my hair, and before I could register what was going on, a slap landed on my face.

The sharp sting of Brittany's slap echoed in the room, and I stumbled backward, clutching my cheek. Seth's icy gaze remained fixed on me, his indifference as chilling as ever.

"Brittany, that's enough," Seth finally spoke, his voice calm but firm. She reluctantly released her grip on my hair, but her anger still smouldered in her eyes.

"But Seth, she broke it! She should be punished. Is this how you treat your slaves? With so much levity? No wonder this one is rotten! Let me teach her how to behave." Brittany protested, her fingers twitching as if she wanted to slap me again.

Seth's fingers drummed thoughtfully on the edge of a nearby table. "You're right. She should be punished."

My heart sank as I realised I was alone in this. I pleaded with Seth using my eyes, but he pulled Brittany to him.

"Do whatever you want with her."

Seth's words hung in the air, his indifference filling my eyes with tears. He really doesn't care about me. I knew this, but it hurt like it was a new discovery.

Brittany's lips curled into a malicious smile as she looked me up and down. "You see, I have no tolerance for incompetence."

Fear clogged my throat as my mind spun with different images of what she probably has in store for me.

"Take her to the dungeon," Brittany ordered with a cruel glint in her eyes. "Teach her a lesson she won't forget."

I gasped, remembering the last time I got thrown into the cell. I couldn't survive another night there.

"Please, ma'am, Alpha..." They completely ignored me, Brittany snaking her hand around Seth and placing her lips on his.

It was final, Seth is with Brittany. The hatred I usually had for him boiling in my chest mocked me for ever thinking he hasn't rejected me for a reason.

Now I know the reason, he wanted me to feel everything.

Every pain of the rejection, and it hurt more than anything in the world.

Brittany was here to stay, and I felt the next days would be worse than the last two years combined.