My body didn't feel like my own. I just wanted to lie down for a moment and rest my head. Even if it was just for a little movement. My body needed rest. That much was evident in my sluggish movement and tired face.Anyone could tell but yet nobody would say a word because they didn't care about me. Born as the daughter of a mistress, my life had never been easy. Occasionally I wished I died along with my mother or that she had never crossed my father's path but it wouldn't change anything. I can't undo the mistake that brought me into this cruel world.Every day was hell for me and I longed for an escape but I was too much of a coward to try. I stopped the large bag of grains that I carried on my back. The dropping made a loud thud and I winced. That sound will definitely attract some unwanted attention.It was still very early in the morning and the time for them to wake up was still far. If I awoke Lady Bianca before the appropriate time, I would receive a whopping. I opened the ba
I managed to find some almost spoiled food and filled my stomach with it.Lady Bianca wouldn't notice it so I ate it because if she knew about it, she would rather discard it than let me eat it. Hell if she found out that I ate it, my back would be sore by tomorrow from a whipping.With some food in my stomach, I was able to function properly for the rest of the day without running into any trouble. I did my duties while managing to stay out of their line of sight.Night came and I did all I was supposed to. After dinner, I scrubbed the kitchen clean. I was supposed to retire to bed and have a good sleep but I wanted to go to the forest.It was the only place in the whole pack where I could be free where I could spend hours alone and forget the horror my life was. Where nothing mattered. Not any mother, father, or the rest of the pack who hated me. I made sure they were all asleep and I crept out of the house. I didn't want anyone to find out about that place because once they realize
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
ALPHA THORNE's POVThe night was slow and I was already having regrets about coming here. I didn't want to be here. The daughter of an alpha getting mated to a nameless boy wasn't reason enough to drag me out of the comfort of my pack but here I was, all because my uncle was a stubborn male who wouldn't leave me alone. Alliances he said but looking at these people I didn't need them and they wouldn't be of any help if I needed one.I was going to return to my pack. I wouldn't even spend the night like they had planned for me. It would be a miracle if I even lasted until the end of the night."Alpha Thorne" a high-pitched voice drew my attention and I turned slightly, coming face to face with the alpha, Mathew. His daughter is by his side with a trail of people standing next to her."I wanted you to meet my daughter," he said eagerly, pushing her forward. I didn't spare her a glance and kept my gaze on him. He looked like he was waiting for my approval or something. But when I said not
I couldn't believe what I just heard. He was my mate? How was that possible? The Alpha Thorne was my mate? It didn't sound right when I repeated it in my head."Who are you?" His voice was gruff and insistent, demanding for a response immediately."Ava" I answered immediately, submitting to the alpha command in his voice."Who are you and why are you here like this? Who are your parents" he grabbed my arms tightly and I jerked back instantly. He let me go but his focus stayed on me."My father is Jackson Coleman" I mumbled. I saw the shock in his eyes."Jackson? I didn't know he had a daughter" I wasn't surprised. How could he know? They didn't take me out like they took Jonathan. I was always introduced as a slave so even if he wanted to, he couldn't know me."Why are you like this? What are you doing here?" He asked again.I didn't know how to answer his questions. How do I tell him that I was the daughter of the mistress, so hated by her family that they treated me like the help? M
Alpha Thorne's words resounded in the room and then I heard a collective gasp ripple through the environment, followed by a murmur of astonishment and chaos. I felt a thousand eyes on me, their gazes burning into my skin, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from Alpha Thorne. His expression was unreadable, a storm of emotions wrecked through me as I stared at his emotionless eyes holding mine."No!"Jonathan's voice rang out, filled with outrage and disbelief. He pushed his way through the crowd, his face twisted in a snarl. He was vibrating with so much anger. "Ava is not going anywhere with you. She is our servant and you're not taking her anywhere"Alpha Thorne's gaze shifted to Jonathan, his eyes narrowing with a cold, calculating fury."You dare try to stop me?" he asked, his voice low and threatening. I never thought silence could be so loud."You must have a smart mouth. You dare challenge me" he took a step forward and the silence deepened.Jonathan's face turned red with rage,
I did not have enough time to pack anything. I followed Alpha Thorne without looking back.The journey back to his pack was quite a quiet and long one and he barely spoke a word to me. He just had his eyes out of the window while his feet gave soft taps to the floor. I sat at the edge of the seat, my fingers held onto the edge of my dress nervously, I cast glances at the alpha who sat directly opposite me, but his expression was unreadable. He had his eyes out of the window most of the time and he did not try to start a conversation. The anxiety I felt made me feel uncomfortable. I was occupied with my thoughts which kept me company. I began to feel he was not happy taking me along with him. Perhaps he was already regretting taking me with him. Maybe he now saw I was an embarrassment just like Bianca and Jonathan had said.The more I thought about it, the more I was certain that I was truly an embarrassment to everyone I had come in contact with. I hoped Alpha Thorne would be diffe
ALPHA THORNE's POVI woke up at the speed of light. It had been a long night for me. I was still wrapped in the embrace of sleep.The thick and soft furs of my duvet covered me, and as I stirred, I pushed it aside, exposing my body to the chilled air that graced my skin. I looked around and scanned the poorly lit chambers, the curtains covered every source of light coming in.I swung my legs over the edge of my bed, the cool touch of the stone floor beneath my bare feet tickled me and I sought my footwear at the other side of the bedI rose from the bed and with a control and deliberate movement I moved to the bathroom. I could hear sounds coming from outside the door but nobody came in. I took my time to wash up after which I cleaned up with a thick towel.I crossed over to my massive wardrobe in a corner of my chambers. In it were cleanly fitted garments. I took out a tunic of deep blue and a brown breach that suited it perfectly. I dressed up swiftly as I readied myself for the day