Chapter Two

KAZIA

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I stood in front of the burning furnace. My fears suddenly arise like troubled waves. Murad had instructed his guards to take me to the branding chambers where the supposed ritual for my branding as his pet was situated.

"Strip!" They ordered but I shook my head negatively, my tears falling rapidly like twin rivers. 

He gestured to the guards and they both grabbed me so that I couldn't run away. I kicked, flapped and struggled but all my efforts to get away from them proved abortive.

"Please let me go!" I cried out in despair. I didn't want to go through with it. I don't want to be here. The thought of having your flesh burned up in a bid to bear the initials of a man who wanted to claim you as his slave was just wrong on so many levels. 

"The Lycan king has requested and you have no other choice but to go through it." He reminded me and signaled the men to push me closer. 

I watched him with teary eyes as he pulled out the rod that had been placed in the fire. They tore my clothes and placed me on the table. Strapping me in so that I couldn't move.

I wailed loudly, calling out for help but none was forthcoming. An ear splitting scream tore through my lips when the hot metal came in contact with my skin.

He pulled it away and they proceeded to remove the strap that I was held in.

"It is done!" He announced "You are now branded as the Lycan King's slave."

The rest of his words fell on deaf ears as I sobbed loudly. My voice cracked and I felt my eyes hurting badly. I could barely move. My back had been brutalized earlier from excessive beatings and as if it wasn't enough, they had placed a permanent mark on my skin.

Just how long would I go through this? How long would I tolerate it? The more I thought about my sad wretched life, the more the tears couldn't stop falling. They have not only wounded me but they have gone ahead to ruin my spirits.

Unable to move, I just laid down still while they evacuated the room.

Seconds later, a group of women walked into the room. I didn't recognize them but from my blurry eyes, I could tell that they were maids because they were dressed In a maids attire that was sewn especially for the Omega's of the pack.

"Help her off the table." One of them spoke up, breaking the silence while the others helped me down the table. I winced In pain when I felt the wound sting.

I was too tired to speak so I just let them take me anywhere. It wasn't like I could argue with them at the very least. The Lycan King's words would still be carried out whether I refused or not so there was no point in arguing.

We arrived at a secluded room away from the main palace and they led me in. 

The room was neatly decorated with bright and warm colors. There was a bathtub at the center and on the other side was a desk that contained different refining products.

"Your eyes are red and puffy." The woman who I presumed was the head maid pointed out "We would have to take care of them otherwise the Lycan king would get upset."

"Take off her clothes!" She ordered and they undressed me. I remained still and my rags fell loosely to the ground leaving me stark naked in front of them.

"You are the Lycan King's new pet and he has asked us to clean you up because you will be spending the night in his chambers."

My eyes flew open at the new information. My jaw dropped to the ground as I stared at her wide-eyed. 

I opened my mouth to speak but I couldn't form words. Why on earth would I be spending the night in his chambers?

"Save whatever question you have because I cannot answer all of them." She shunned me even before I could say anything. "You are the king's consort and your place will always be on his bed to have him when he wants you and however he wants you."

They placed me in the tub and carefully washed my body clean. They were careful not to graze my wounds and proceeded to wash my hair as well.

They wrapped me in a towel and oiled my skin. They sprayed me in scented perfume and applied make up to my face. My damp hair was combed out and left to fall in a knotted mass. I stared at the mirror when they were done and was surprised to see a complete version of myself. I looked so different that I surprised myself.

They made sure to pamper and take good care of me which is a given because they were only doing this to prepare me for the Lycan king because I would end up on his bed. That's the sad story about branded pets and slaves. We are seen as toys and playthings to our masters whenever they feel bored. We were nothing but mere things to satisfy their sexual urges.

"You are ready." She stated and threw a fleece robe on my clothing which was nothing but a revealing leather skirt and lace bra.

"Leave now. He doesn't like it when he's kept waiting." She told me off the minute she finished my preparation.

Two maids guided me out of the room and led me towards the route that went up to his chambers. All through the walk there, my stomach was in knots. I had no idea what awaited me inside his chambers and even if I did, I knew for a fact that it wasn't going to be pleasant.

We arrived at his door and they both left me to my fate. I contemplated hesitantly before knocking.

"Come inside." Came his response. I pulled the door knob and made my way inside his bedroom. 

King Murad's chambers screamed nothing but wealth and class. I had never seen a more magnificent and sophisticated bedroom in my entire life. It was too big and I felt like a miniature statue at the center of its elegance.

"My pet is finally here." He grinned from ear to ear, discarding the scroll that I had caught him working on as he approached me with unhurried strides.

I clenched my fists beside me to keep myself from running away in fright. I had to remain strong, else he would kill me. 

"You look extremely ravishing, Kazia." He reached out to the rope of my collar and twirled it around his fingers, playing with it. "You look like a completely different woman. I can barely recognize you." His voice couldn't contain his excitement while I struggled so hard not to break down in front of him.

"All these years..." He tugged at my collar forcefully, almost straining my neck in a bid to get me closer to him "I had wanted nothing more than to have you for myself." He confessed "I have waited for you Kazia, day and night. I counted the days until I would get to see you straddled In my arms and finally, that day has come."

I remained silent, not uttering a single word. If I could stop myself from breathing at this point then I would because I was scared out of my mind.

He held my chin and pulled my face up to meet his "When I talk to you Kazia, I want you to answer. When I call you, I want you to reply. I detest being ignored. Do you understand?"

"Yes my lord." I replied almost immediately.

"No." He inched closer "I am no longer your lord Kazia. You are my slave now, my pet. You are my branded property. I own you now and so you must address me as your Master, do you understand?" He corrected coldly. His facial features had gone from smiling to stone cold in a matter of seconds.

"Yes Master!" I choked out a reply and his lips splitted up in a wide grin.

"Good girl. You learn quite fast and I am very impressed." He commented.

"Thank you Master." 

"I am tempted to touch you Kazia." His hands went to my bra and he immediately tugged it off as his eyes stared lustfully at my chest "I am tempted to do a whole lot of sinful things to you but then again, I am not as ruthless as they say. There is no way I would take you in this state. Don't you agree?" He questioned

"You are my master. I will do whatever pleases you." I blurted out but deep down I wanted him not to touch me. I prayed that the goddess would vindicate me just once.

He circled my bud with his thumb and a groan escaped his lips. "So succulent, so enthralling."

He tilted my head to the side and nibbled on my neck before taking my lips into his mouth. I fought the urge to push him away. He disgusted me. The mere sight of him repulsed me to the core.

When he broke the kiss, he watched me to see my reaction.

"Do I repulse you Kazia?" He asked suddenly.

My heart skipped a beat at the realization that he might have heard my thoughts. Murad was powerful and I have heard stories that he also possessed certain abilities. 

"Never. You can never repulse me master!"

He smirked, "Good. You will get used to being my woman. It's only a matter of time before I break you into the person I desire."

"It is settled." He said after a brief pause "I won't touch you today. Do you know why?"

"No master." I replied unable to look away because his hands still held onto my collar firmly.

"Tomorrow is the moon feast of the Alphas and I would like to introduce my newest pet to the six Lycans of seven borders during the ceremony." He licked my lips "So get ready because after tomorrow's ceremony, you will definitely end up on my bed as my newest consort." He grinned devilishly while I tried my utmost best to stop my heart from pounding loudly.