Anna was tired. The night had been hectic and her body was relaxed. She wanted to take a bath and go to bed, but she also wanted to get to know the house that Allister had left for her and she went out, stepping lightly so as not to attract the attention of anyone she might meet while exploring the house for herself. She went down the spiral staircase and into the living room at the entrance to the house. The house was silent. She looked at every detail, marveling at the luxury and richness of detail in every room downstairs. She also found the library and thought that this would be her favorite place. She reached the kitchen door and heard chatter and laughter inside. She opened the door and there were two cooks chatting animatedly, who didn't notice her coming in. Anna noticed that the cook who was working on the stove was older, and must have been about sixty years old, and the other, younger, was about thirty years old. “Can I get a glass of water?” Anna asked, giving away
The lamb arrived and she concentrated on preparing it for half an hour. The meat was pre-prepared and this made her job easier. Anna also decided to make natural passion fruit juice, a fruit she considered different, and which she had read had calming properties, and she talked about her mother's superstition about this fruit, and many other things that drew laughter from the cooks. One of the men in a black suit came over and wanted to know the layout of the tables and chairs, so Anna accompanied him to the golf course and helped him put all the tables next to each other, forming a huge table, put all the chairs next to each other, leaving only one at the head, for Adam, and lined the table with several identical tablecloths. Then she fetched the juice, glasses, plates and cutlery and put them on the table, and asked two of the men to help carry the pots to the table, and when everyone was gathered, Anna waited anxiously for Adam (one of the men went to call him and the othe
Ryan followed behind Anna carrying the glasses, and the jug of juice. “I was just in that line, but I decided on something else as soon as I...” They were stopped by men who took the pots from them, and just carried them inside. Anna and Ryan stood facing each other under the window of one of the seven rooms on the second floor. “Go on, Ryan.” Anna encouraged with a cold gaze. “I can give you a home, respect, money, children...” “You're not the only man who can give me those things.” “That's within your power, yes. It's just me! My brother is packing his bags to spend a season here. Adam's brother will be arriving soon. We're four men, the only ones you'll have contact with. If you don't have someone to protect you... It'll be...” Anna raised an eyebrow. “I'll be...” “You'll be sodomized by four men. It's tradition that the first time, as a baptism ritual, when a woman is to become a product, all the men in the family are present. Is that what you want? Because t
Adam's eyes flashed with anger. “What about my prize?” “She hasn't said she loves you, and you're not married either...” “I can call her here now, and get her to confess her love for me.” “I know. You must have blackmailed her...” “I don't pay for affection. I never have.” “Of course not. Has any woman ever dared to avoid your advances? They're afraid of you. They're afraid of what will happen if they don't do everything you want.” “Do you think women come to my bed out of fear?” Ryan thought. “Maybe not these women you're used to lying with. They're older than you, almost twice your age or more, and they're single and needy. They must find it exciting that a younger man is attracted to them, to their withered and wrinkled bodies, but their pleasure lies in their ego, which you inflame, and not in your performance in bed.” “I don't like girls. Everyone in the family knows that.” “Because you're complacent. You always want what's easiest and don't bother lookin
Adam stared at Genevieve. “Is that how you feel?” “I didn't feel that way before...” “That's not something you should sort out with me.” He said and looked suggestively at Ryan. Ryan stood up. “I'm tired. I have a long day tomorrow.” He said and left. Genevieve looked at Adam. “Your cousin is a coward... Is that how you see me?” “No.” “I'm never getting into bed with Ryan again.” Adam stood up and looked at her in doubt for a moment, but then made up his mind. “You should never have gone to bed with him.” He said and left. Genevieve tried to hold back her tears. Adam had always been a good lover, but he'd refused to go to bed with her after a night of drinking when she'd taken an interest in Ryan. They were so alike... But Adam had all the qualities of a more mature man. He had experience with his hands and tongue and knew how to bring out the sensuality and ardor in a woman, whereas Ryan was careless, lazy and didn't take pleasure in giving pleasure. He w
She seemed afraid, despite all her boldness, and he could feel the trembling in her hand. Anna pulled him back onto the bed and he let himself go. She stopped and looked at the bed and released him. He began to enjoy himself. He understood what she wanted, but he couldn't. Ryan might find out, and he suspected that this girl was like a drug. The longer he stayed around her, the more dependent he would become. He needed to get away, because he felt he wasn't the same man anymore. “You'd better not.” He said and saw her eyes get hurt. “I know. Sometimes I talk too much... But you weren't very flattering with your choices...” “No.” “I understand.” She said and walked over to the window and stood with her back to it. “You must decide for me. Tomorrow, you think you'll know...” Anna was interrupted by the surprise of Adam grabbing her violently, pushing her to the wall, and encircling her with both arms, she lowered her head towards him, started breathing fast, her eyes c
“They didn't mention what the offense was?” Anna asked, wondering if they were all Ryan's lovers, too. “I've heard little. But... Ryan was never a very sensitive young man. Perhaps his more skillful and kinder talk only hides his true personality, and he may even be worse than the Alpha. Even Genevieve, who usually condescends to him, was hurt.” “Do you think Ryan is bad?” “Maybe he is. But who cares...?” She said and looked at Anna with regretful eyes. “But... Maybe I'm wrong. I hope so, because very soon you'll find out...” “Have they ever given up on the women they choose to...” “I'm sorry, miss, but no. Once you've been chosen, there's no going back.” “Why are they so cruel? They're rich and Adam told me that they're part of a pack, which must be some club of rich, arrogant young men, where, of course, Adam is the leader, because I've heard you call him Alpha... They don't look like they need to subjugate women to... They can afford it!” The cook laughed. “M
Anna could no longer see anything. She felt as if a hand of ice was squeezing her heart inside her chest. Why had Greta been sentenced to death? She knew that only one person could answer that question, without fear of retaliation. Adam. She opened the kitchen door and ran up the stairs. She knew that Adam would rather see a three-day-old dead possum in his room than her right now, but she had to face him and save Greta. She was in the hall when Ryan saw her and came to meet her. “I really needed to talk to you. My cousin has only given me until midnight tonight for you to agree to be my wife...” “Not now, Ryan. I need to talk to Adam urgently.” He looked at her curiously. “You speak his name with alarming intimacy...” Anna looked at Adam's bedroom door, and her anxiety increased. “Can we talk later?” “Why not now? He's not here. He's gone out to... To sort out some business.” Anna felt her eyes water. “Take me to him, please?” “Have you gone mad? Even the m