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Katherine's POV

The moon hung in the sky, cascading its illuminating lights on the white stone assembled along the walkway leading from the slave quarters to the Alpha's quarters. One stone smaller than the next, revealing a sign of superiority. With each step I took, I felt a heavy burden drop from my chest to my stomach. My heart beat against its cage, sending an influx of horror through my nerves. 

I felt as though something bitter was being forced down my throat but I couldn't throw up because my lips had been sealed shut. I grabbed the hem of my faded gown and fixed my gaze on the foot of the guard right in front of me, leading the way to the Alpha's quarters. 

I have a secret! 

My breath hitched as soon as he stopped walking and I knew we were exactly at the spot where I dreaded the most. I didn't need to look up to know where I was. It was the place I hated most but didn't have a choice to stay away from. I feel like a fool, an idiot for not fighting each time I'm called on. For not running each time I'm pursued. What's the essence of running when death knocks on the door of my soul if I tried to run? 

I have a secret. 

The door was flung open and a thick, veiny voice resonated from inside. "Come in," 

I shivered in fear of what's to come as the guard gestured for me to go in. I nodded, holding back the shameful tears that were about to drop from my eyes. 

I took the first step, took a deep breath too and begged the moon goddess to let this moment go past so fast it would only last a minute. 

As I walked into the room, his face came into my line of vision and the door locked behind me. There was no need to run or think about running. 

"Hello Katherine," 

I held the hem of my dress, on both sides this time and lifted it over my head. He grinned like a creep and asked me to get onto the bed and hold on to the railings like the bitch that I was. 

I have a secret! Every night, I warm the bed of my most hated enemy. The alpha of my pack and the one who rejected me, broke me and sold my soul to the devil. 

Five months ago, I was sold to his pack along with fifteen other girls from different packs across the region. Most of the girls were kidnapped from their homes, throwing their families into despair but some of us were sold by our original packs to serve the great Alpha Jackson. 

I, particularly, was an orphan who worked as a slave in my old pack and was sold to this pack as a tributary when the chance came for my old Alpha to lick Jackson's ass.

Before arriving at his pack, I'd heard about Jackson and his men. They were notoriously known for their brutality and wickedness especially towards those that were weaker than them. Just above that pyramid was the Lycan King, the one known as the direct descendents of the moon goddess. Rumour has it the two were best friends but no one cares about that. To me, they were all demons released from hell and given a title on earth so they could torment lives. 

On getting to the pack, we were arranged into a group of two and given some sultry, revealing dresses to wear before throwing us into the harem. 

By night, we were brought out to be introduced to the Alpha and his entourage of sex starving men. No one cared to know us by our names rather by the size of our bodies and stamina in bed. 

The leader of the harem held me by the hand and walked me towards the center of the hall. The closer we got, the more enticing and captivating the mysterious scent I'd caught all day became. I didn't dare look up as it was forbidden for a sex slave to look at the King. 

There was a surge of emotions through me and I almost bursted into tears as my wolf howled in the head, wanting to be near its mate as soon as possible. 

'How could I possibly meet my mate in this situation?' 

The leader's tight hold on my arm suddenly lapsed and I was forced to look up for a minute, to know where I was. I was too engrossed in my thoughts of meeting my mate that I lost consciousness of my surroundings for a minute. 

My eyes met with that of the man at the head of the table and I stopped breathing. He was handsome, his eyes were deep ombre, challenging a part of me that I didn't know existed. All of a sudden, I noticed the deep frown on his face and I began hearing murmuring. 

He stood up from his seat and walked up to me. He grabbed hold of my face, holding so tight I was scared he would crack my jaw. He lifted my face so I could look up at him. 

"Alpha Jackson…" someone called from behind me. My eyes went wide in recognition. He was Alpha Jackson, my mate was Alpha Jackson. 

"What is your name?" Even though it was a whisper, I could still hear him loud and clear. The same way I could hear my heartbeat. 

I wanted to talk but his hold on my jaw prevented me. I grabbed his hand, trying to pry his hold off him but instead he held on tighter. 

"I asked you a question, slave," 

"Kat–Katherine," I managed to answer. 

"Your last name and your pack?"

I raised an eyebrow, worried about why he needed to know my last name and my pack. 

He wasn't even supposed to ask me for my name. We were told earlier they didn't need such information from us. 

"Durbey. I'm from the Ocean Waves pack," 

He smirked. 

He released my jaw and took quick steps away from me as if I was an abomination.

Several eyes were on me, including his and I felt as though I was a trophy meat on display. I wanted to run and hide. I preferred the harsh treatment I got from my old pack to this. At least, no one stared at me as if they would be happy to shoot an arrow at me.

"I, Jackson Ville reject you Katherine Durbey of the Ocean waves pack," 

A loud, sharp noise rang out in my head. I quickly covered my ears, trying to stop the noise but I soon realized it was coming from me. 

My chest tightened and the air around me ceased. I could feel a bead of sweat pooling at my forehead. Before I could lose balance, he grabbed my chin again. 

With a hard glare on his face, he demanded, "Accept the rejection," 

I shook my head. Why would I do such a thing? It could kill me.

"No? Accept the rejection or I stand back and watch my men take turn on you," 

Shock overshadowed me but was soon replaced by agony and pain. 

Tears rolled down my eyes as I took a deep breath. All I wanted was just to breathe. 

Forcefully, I replied. 

"I accept the rejection,"