CHAPTER 3

After my encounter with Jonathan in the forest and the days to the party drew closer, each day felt like hell to me. Not because of the physical pain I felt, but because I was dreading the words he had said to me. He was capable of making it happen especially once the mating to the alpha's daughter is done and he becomes next in line to be alpha. But I couldn't give in to him. I was waiting for my mate. He'll be disappointed in me if I ever did something like that. And what's worse, Jonathan is my brother. It was wrong but he didn't see that. He couldn't see past his desire to get what he wanted no matter what.

The thought of the slave camp made me shudder. It was a place of horrendous activities. Female slaves were captured and sent there, made to serve the men repeatedly by choice or otherwise. None of the girls who were ever sent there made it out alive. I feared being a rogue but I feared going to the slave camp even more.

"Run away" a voice screamed in my head but I couldn't. I couldn't survive out there. I couldn't be anywhere else but here and I hated myself for it. I heard stomping behind me and I quickly went back to stirring the pot. I could sense a presence behind me but I didn't turn around. I heard the sound of doors opening and the person walked away.

I heard a sigh of relief, releasing the tension in my shoulders. I needed to get through this night without any mistakes.

'And your plan to run away?'

It was impossible. There were guards everywhere and I couldn't be gone for long because my absence would be noticed.

Loud laughter came from the living room but I kept stirring. The alpha's family and the other guests had arrived. I tried to drown out the sounds of celebration since I wouldn't be taking part in it. I was to spend the whole day in the kitchen cleaning and cooking until all the guests were fed, satisfied, and out of the house. It was difficult to zone them out.

I couldn't help but wonder what it felt like. I longed for a celebration. I wondered how it must be to discover your mate, the joy one would feel...but I would never experience that in my life. Nobody would want to be mated to me. And if by some chance someone does, it would never be celebrated. I would never be celebrated. I turned sharply at a noise by the door and saw Father standing there, a drink in his hand. He didn't say anything as he stood there but I got the feeling he was assessing me.

He was always drinking and when he started to act weird like this, I knew he had taken way too much.

"Do you need something, sir?" I asked and my voice snapped him out of whatever daze he was in. He quickly turned around and disappeared from my sight. Strange, I thought to myself. I went back to cooking until I couldn't bear to stand anymore. I slumped into the small stool, leaning against the wall... My eyes went to the drawings hidden by the cupboard. It was my spot for doodling whenever I took a moment to rest. My eyes traveled further to the markings I made on every birthday and a sad smile came to my face. Nobody remembered. I laughed bitterly, pressing my head deeper into the wall. I heard footsteps coming and I jumped to my feet, stirring the pot again. The clicking of heels stopped behind me and I moved away from the pot.

"What did you discuss with your father" she glared at me, hate and dislike shining in her orbs.

"Nothing"

"Nothing? He was here. I saw him"

"We didn't discuss anything. He left"

"If I find out you are talking to him, I'm going to make sure you are thrown out of this pack," she said.

"Understood my lady" I mumbled and she moved away, pacing in the kitchen. I was at unrest with her presence in the kitchen. Was she going to find a reason to hit me because my father was here? I didn't understand her obsession with that. Father ignored me...my entire existence. So what...

"I want you to take a drink to Alpha Thorne," my stepmother said suddenly and my knees almost gave out.

"What?" Alpha Thorne was here? And she wanted me to take drinks to me? My hands shook.

"Did I stutter? Take some drinks to his room and get back to cooking. And I'll know if you don't take them" she stormed off, her silent threat hanging in the air. I thought she was looking for a reason to hit me but she wanted me dead.

Everyone knew Alpha Thorne and his impossibly short temper. He was cold and ruthless, driven to an emotionless state after a traumatic event. We had no idea what it was. Tales of his brutality were used to threaten submission to children and she wanted me to take a drink to him? I looked at my current state. It was definitely grounds to annoy him. One time, I heard the story of how he had his servant beheaded for staring too long. Another time, one was whipped for breathing too loud. Such a cruel man, I would definitely be put to death. But it was a task I couldn't avoid. My legs moved and I grabbed a drink and a glass. I carried it upstairs, walking as slowly as possible and trying to delay the inevitable.

I arrived at the door and a sweet scent hit me making my knees weak. My grip tightened on the tray as I struggled to remain upright. I wondered what it could be.

I knocked and opened the door and the scent grew even stronger. My stomach fluttered. What could be...a shirtless man appeared in front of me and I gasped. Crafted by the goddess herself, the most handsome man ever stood in front of me. Black tossed hair, even darker eyes, and full lips riper than any fruit.

I felt dizzy, just standing in his presence and the tray almost fell out of my hands. It took me a moment but I realized where I was and who was before me.

"I..." I started and he took a long stride, hovering over me in the next second. His gaze lingered on my face, studying me like he could see something. His next words rocked my world.

"Mate" he growled in a husky voice.