Chapter 1

Layla POV.

I found it hard to believe that I was still alive, considering what I had endured - the anguish that had taken a toll on me, both physically and emotionally. 

I looked up through my raven-black hair to glance briefly at my abuser, Jarod. As much as I wanted to hate him with every ounce of my being, I couldn’t bring myself to do it, and I wondered how cruel the moon goddess was to me.

I was still in denial of the fact that my abuser, the very person that killed my whole family, was my mate! Having discovered this fact on my 21st birthday, that was just months ago, I’d cried my eyes out, both in shame and anger.

I was taken as a slave after the attack on my family when I was just 17 years old. Jarod shattered my dreams, he cared not about all these. He forced his way with me as I cried and screamed for the help that never came. 

I was introduced to abuse at my young age, all I wanted was to end my pathetic life but I was caught every time by Jarod and I was punished severally for wanting to kill myself, Jarod would always tell me that I belonged to him alone.

I finally stopped trying to do that, since all my attempts seemed to fail and I would end up getting more punished. I decided to live my life just the way it was, and was held by one hope, maybe, just maybe I could change Jarod. Maybe he could learn to love me.

I was a little bit surprised he had not noticed that I was his mate, and I kept it from him. He was not interested in me, so how could he have noticed and smelled that I was his mate? All he wanted from me was sex, and he loved punishing me.

I was okay with everything, as long as he sought after only me for the sex, I simply can’t deny that I loved his touches and how I felt when he had his wicked ways with me.

Suddenly, as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over me, I was jolted back to the present, my body quivering in response to the oppressive silence that enveloped the room. It was so still, you could hear a pin drop on the chilly floor.

Jarod was sitting on his throne-like seat, facing me, he leaned forward towards me with his face set in his usual evil glare, well I kind of walked to my room with my two legs.

“What did you just say?” he asked me, it was evident he does not believe what I just requested for

I hugged myself tightly, shivering as the cold air sneaked in through the open windows, where the curtains were drawn back, I dared repeated what I asked for, my heart in my throat “I… beg for a change of clothes” I said, my voice betraying my little confidence, to when with acting bold, I was scared out of my wits, my one and only old dress was torn in many places, patches here and there, it could not even shield me from the cold, my cleavage were at display to hungry eyes, Jarod has forbidden me from wearing corset, as he always wanted me almost ready for him.

“And why would you want a new dress?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.

I had to tread carefully here if I wanted to escape any pending punishment “I… I, want to look good for you master” I said and bowed my head lower, my lips trembling, what met my statement was silent, a cold one, my heart skipped a beat when I heard his footsteps approaching me, fear and experience kept me rooted in my position, he stopped before me and bent down, my chin was lifted up roughly as his hand gripped my face.

I was forced to stare into his cold dark eyes, waiting for what he would do next, though I knew it would be a smack on the face or maybe a knock on my head just as he has always done, but I was wrong when his lips came down to mine, he roughly kissed me, but I did not open my mouth to him which made him angry, he bit down on my lower lips, pulled away and slapped me across the cheek. I hit the floor, pulling my lips in.

“You bitch, how dare you!” Jarod grabbed me by my hair, pulling me up on my knees, my hands went round his to lessen the pain he was causing “You belong to me, and I’ll do whatever I want with you, don’t you dare deny me or you will regret it” he paused “Do you understand me?” he asked livid.

“Y… yes!”

“Yes what?”

“Yes master” I said. He likes it when I call him master, it shows how much he has control over my life.

“Good” he stood up letting go of my hair and moved away from me as if I disgust him “Meet Freya, for another dress, she knows what I like” he told me all of a sudden.

I bowed my head, at least something good came out of this meeting, but I frowned when I thought of Freya, she would not just give me the dress like that, she would make me beg for it. 

Though Freya was my best friend, the only person who I can talk to, it was not like the whole pack treats me like dirt, no, I was still given my three course meal. I work around the pack, with pack members giving me sorry looks here and there because they were all aware of how Jarod, their Alpha, treats me. Some males in the pack would try to tease me but I always try to get away from them, they dared not take what belongs to Jarod.

I was able to finally leave when Jarod went back to his seat and ordered me to leave his sight. I hurried up to Freya's room, after knocking on the hard door I gently pushed it open and entered. I found Freya reading an old book on her bed, She glanced up as I stepped in and closed her book with a friendly smile. Gesturing for me to sit, I perched on the edge of her bed, and she examined my face, her eyes narrowing.

“What happened to your lips?” she asked.

“Nothing, I bit on it” I replied, weaving one of my many practiced lies. My ability to fabricate stories without flinching was one of my talents. She shrugged, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

“Why are you here?” 

"The Alpha instructed me to meet you for a dress," I informed her.

She frowned “He said so?” 

One might think the request annoys her but since she was my friend, I expected her to willingly provide me with a dress. After all, her wardrobe boasted an array of gowns suited for various occasions.

“Yes”

"You know I can't just give it to you like that; you'll owe me," she teased with a smirk.

I responded with a knowing look. "What do you need me to do?"

Freya pondered for a moment. "I have some dirty laundry that needs washing."

“I knew it,” I chuckled while I stood from the bed. I headed to the corner where she stored her soiled clothes and picked them up.

"That's why I love you, Layla!"

“You have a terrible way of showing it” I retorted playfully. "I'll be back for the dress. Find me by the riverside," I informed her before leaving her room. Despite my worn-out shoes, I made my way to the rear of the pack house, where the river flowed. Since not all rooms had running water for bathing, most pack members came to the river, where it was curved to wash themselves. The water in the bathing area was also sourced from this river.

I found a secluded spot by the river where I could do my laundry without attracting any unwanted attention. Afterward, I hung the clothes on a line to dry, washed my face and legs, and then made my way back to Freya's room.

Most people called me stupid for allowing Freya to take advantage of me like she does, but who am I to complain, when I entered her room again, she was already looking for a dress for me.

“I know what Jarod would like to see you wear, he also wants you in his room after here” Freya informed me

My heart sank at that, Freya passed me a red dress, I quickly changed into it and she helped me tie the knot at the back “Why does he want to see you?” Freya asked sounding annoyed

“You know why Freya” I said as I brushed my hair back with my hands

“What does he see in you?”

“What?” I looked up at her confused

"I mean, what does he see in you for him to treat you like this?"

“You are so beautiful…but what makes you dif…ferent, I mean how could he?” she continued, offering me a sad smile.

I merely shrugged, my shoulders bearing the weight of my confusion. "I have no idea. Maybe because I'm an outsider? Honestly, I don't know," I admitted, perplexed by the drama myself.

"You should get going," Freya suggested.

I nodded, thanked her and proceeded towards the lion's den. Before I could even knock, the door swung open, and I was forcefully pulled inside. My back collided with the closed door, and his mouth descended upon mine. 

I gasped in shock, which he took as an invitation to deepen the kiss. It was anything but gentle. His grip on my hair both pained and excited me. I groaned, a mixture of pleasure and pain, fully aware of the one rule I must never break when I was with him: never touch him. His other hand seized my wrists, pinning them above my head as his fervent kisses trailed from my mouth down to my neck.

My wolf seems to be dancing in my head, I suddenly felt a strange feeling and Jarod suddenly stopped, he pulled away from me, he looked furious and I wondered what was wrong.

“You knew!” he said

Just that two words, did he? Has he found out we were mate?, I stayed silent, better not to jump to conclusions now, doing that won’t end well.

“You knew we were mates?” he asked again, his voice was so controlled, and I knew I am doomed, I couldn't retreat or flee the room, as I was already pressed against the door. My legs quivered uncontrollably, threatening to buckle beneath me.

"Damn you!" he shouted directly into my face, grabbing a handful of my hair and yanking me away from the door to open it.

He dragged me out of the room, I cried, begging him to let me go but he did not. Tears streamed down my face as I cried, but my pleas fell on deaf ears.

Jarod dragged me to the big room where pack members had gathered for an impromptu meeting. The place had suddenly become crowded, and Jarod led me to the front, releasing me with a rough push. I held my throbbing head, tears stained my face.

“Listen everyone” Jarod's voice called for silence, and the room went silent, it looks like everyone stopped breathing.

Jarod looked down at me. "Stand up," he ordered, and I complied, my legs trembling uncontrollably. “I Jarod Threan Lucas Ludgate, reject you, Layla Niles as my mate” Jarod said before I could stop him, a sharp pain like an arrow pierced through my heart, filling my chest with sorrow, I collapsed on the floor in shock, my mate, Jarod just rejected me without a second thought. How could he!

The room was filled with murmurs, I hid my face behind my hair, but it did not last long as Jarod grabbed me again and dragged me off to his room like a petty rag, my poor heart breaking, he is nothing but a beast.