The Lycan King’s Fated Mate is a Slave

Rose“After all you’ve done, how am I supposed to understand you?” I shook my head.A few days ago, Rhiannon mentioned that the Alpha of the neighboring pack had brought home his fated mate. His Luna, despite the ache it must have caused, accepted it.I don’t know if I have that kind of strength. Perhaps we should wait until after the Ball to bring this up. But I need to know his heart and his intentions first.“Will you want to reject me because of this?”The crease on his forehead deepens. “How can you even ask me that, Rose? I will never reject you.”I hold onto the fact that he still loves me. He made a mistake because of the true mate bond, which is irresistible. I can forgive him. We can overcome this together.“Listen, Rose, you’re the best Luna this pack has ever had. Who am I to deny my wolves from receiving a blessing like you?” I let him hold my hands, lowering my head, because I don’t want him to see my smile. “This pack needs you. I need you.” He drops his voice to a crac

RoseI’m shivering in a corner of the dungeon.It’s always dark; its ice-cold air reeking of damp earth and rot. The dungeon guard patrols once every day, and when I hear his footsteps now, I rush to the bars. “Please!” I shout, throat parched, because meals are scarce here. Sometimes, I have to drink up the puddles in the ground to survive. “Tell the Alpha I need to see him. I have something important to tell him!”Jacob needs to know that I’m pregnant before it’s too late. I’m worried our baby will get hurt here.“Get back!” The guard barks. “Listen to me! It’s a matter that will decide the fate of our—” I shriek, falling on clay when he hits the bars, his claws narrowly missing my eyes. Roaches crawl up my arm, and I just swipe them off, already used to their presence. I settle back in the corner, crying silently. Jacob won’t come, but once he hears I’m also carrying his child, he will leave Zaneta. I’m certain of it.I trace the cracks on the wall, my frail, dirt-stained fing

RoseI glare at the Beta from where I am at the back of the line, fists clenched. Going deeper inside the Lycan King’s territory is far from my plan. Dread settles in the pit of my stomach. How do I escape this place now?They lead us through residential areas with homes and arenas used for the popular Luna games, but I’m not awed by anything because I know how fierce the competition amongst slaves is.Everyone wants to control and not be controlled.The air around me tightens, and my chest heaves. I just want to leave. “Show them the dressing room,” the Beta says once we arrive at the grand palace made of glass and gold. “I will choose the Lycan King’s slave on his behalf.”My heart skips a beat. I don’t know if that news should fill me with thrills. I’m certain the Beta saw me eavesdropping; that’s how I found myself on his radar. Now I have to do something about that. I can’t get stuck here. Rhi needs me.Flashes of how the Lycans came at her, even though she was innocent, mak

Rose“Violet eyes are rare in the Lycan King’s territory.”The Beta’s slave won’t stop gaping at me. I was brought to her from the wall.I try to look anywhere else, but it’s impossible to ignore someone studying you like a lab project. “Yes, yes, how did you know? I have magic powers, and I can see the future,” I deadpan, hands raised in surrender, and she looks like she may have a stroke.“Are you serious?!”“No, actually.”She places a hand over her heart, feigning hurt as she gasps. “You know, I think we are going to be really good friends.”A smile plays on my lips, but I immediately avert my narrowed gaze to the room. There has to be a way out of here. Earlier, at the west wall, a warrior caught me, and I had been about to lose my head when Beta Kai saved me again.This time, I didn’t return to the palace.He brought me to the slave house, where other assigned slaves live. It’s sort of a demotion, but I’ll take this any day over death. “I’m Tessa.” She extends her hand, and I

Rose Earlier.Beta Kai steps into Darius's room, and suddenly the space feels smaller. I hold my neck, trying to hide my shame.“What's wrong?” I ask, in a squeaky voice. “I was just about to leave—”“Rose, I have not been completely honest with you.”My heart skips a beat. I gulp and hold my breath for what he has to say.“Why... do you say so? You've been nothing but nice to me.”“The Lycan King is whom you owe gratitude. He heard about the bullying and ordered me to protect you. When my warrior caught you at the west wall, he also ordered me to save you.”My jaw drops. All this time, I thought Darius avoided me because he regretted choosing me as his slave.Other girls cleaned up nicely that day and I didn't. Maybe I had looked too shabby for his taste. I was so certain he wanted to get rid of me, but now, last night started to make sense.The Lycan King favored me.Was everything he said to me while we made love true, then?Do I make him lose control? Is that how much he desires