02- Mate

"Wake up, you bitch!"

I was awakened by cold water splashing on my unprepared body. I carefully sat up, wincing at the pain that zapped through me from my right leg up to my right shoulder.

I could barely move and upon glancing around, realised that I had slept on the floor. Apparently, I had passed out last night while Greg was beating me. It wasn't the first time he had hit me but there was something about last night's beating that had me shaking to my bones.

I managed to get to my feet, wincing at the pain I was in. Olene looked at me, simply relishing my situation so much.

"Get dressed, we're leaving now." She simply spat out, leaving at once.

I couldn't even ask anything, I was too bruised and my head was hurting. I just quietly slipped away, trudging down the staircase. I opened my door, catching sight of a daily moderate black gown sitting on the bed with a note that clearly said, "wear it."

I picked up the gown and headed to the bathroom to get changed, all the while angry at the moon-goddess for my misfortune. She couldn't even support me while I made my escape.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror and the tears I thought would fall, never did. I looked pale, my black hair was in a mess, I had dried blood-stains on my face and hair and I had bruises all over my face and a busted lip, along with a black eye. I wasn't exactly the fastest at healing.

Sighing, I decided to get it over with. If they wanted to sell me then they were more than welcome to. Pay my debts right? I was gladly going to do that.

***

The drive to the Crimson pack was excruciating and painful, along with tiresome. I had never traveled such a far distance in my life.

The car stopped in front of a big black gate and beside it was a bold sign that had 'Crimson pack' painted in capital letters.

Greg dragged me by my hand, ignoring my hiss of pain. He led me to the jaw-dropping environment that had flowers decorating the well trimmed grasses. Two wolf statue fountains faced themselves, sprouting clear blue waters.

An array of cars stood by a corner, two guards standing under the car park. They were dressed in black and had an intimidating aura and I immediately looked away, feeling Greg drag me forward, into the magnificent beige building that spread out, covering a huge amount of land. I figured it was the Pack-house, judging by the smaller buildings running behind it.

The front probably belonged to Maddox while the stretch of buildings belonged to his pack members and from the cluster of buildings, they were a lot.

"Behave yourself, you hear me." Greg whispered to me.

I looked away, despising the mere sight of him. Olene had made Timea apply make-up and concealer on me, to hide my bruises but I laughed anyways because judging by how slow my healing was, Maddox was still going to see them anyways.

We stood by the big door, stopped by two guards who stood in front of us, "name?"

"Gregory Shaw and with me is Lesia Shaw, my daughter. I was requested by the alpha to bring her today." Greg said.

The guards eyed us, saying nothing. I figured they were mindlinking the Alpha to confirm our story and after a few minutes of silence, they stepped aside and opened the door for us.

A middle-aged woman with her hair in a classy updo stood in front of us. Her face held a few wrinkles but she was still a beautiful woman and she was dressed in a long black gown, an apron around her waist, "Lesia Shaw?"

I nodded slowly and she turned to Greg, "the Alpha only asked for Lesia to be received. I'm afraid that sir, your journey with her ends here." Her voice was elegant and curt.

"But we had an arrangement." Greg whispered.

The woman arched a brow at him and we looked up when he heard footsteps. A young woman dressed in a shorter black gown with an apron around her waist and flats approached the woman, handing her a black suitcase. She whispered something to her before the woman nodded, dismissing her.

She turned to us, "Gregory? The king offers you this. However, you may only open it when you leave this place. Now, you may kindly excuse yourself." She pinned Greg with a stern look, watching him reluctantly take his leave.

The big black door was closed after him and I turned to the woman who gently smiled at me, "you may come with me, my child."

I obediently followed behind her, looking around the room that screamed class. The paintings that were scattered around oozed expensive and so were the funiture that decorated the fine space. The lilac painted walls were beautiful and I found my jaw dropping even more the more I followed behind her.

She led up a tall staircase, the maids around bowing in respect as she passed. She led down a magnificent hallway that had flowers vases siting on elegantly carved stools. More paintings lined the wall but this time they weren't abstract but of people.

"The kings and Lunas before us." The woman said as she noticed me staring at them.

I followed her, our footsteps echoing as we further walked, till we were in front of a small brown door. She fished out a key from her pocket and used it to open the door.

"Your room."

She stood by the door, gesturing me into the room. I was awe-struck. The room was beautiful and by far bigger than the one I had back home. It was simple yet rich in the eyes, with the lilac coated walls glistening under the bright rays of sunlight. The bed was properly made and there was a small wardrobe by the side. A door was found by the rare left and I figured it was the bathroom. An array of book sat on a shelf and a wooden table and chair sat at another corner.

"Master hears you like to read." The woman suddenly said and I was startled.

I looked away, wondering if I had made a fool of myself by the look she shot me. Indeed Lycans were different from other werewolves, they were taller with a more rich skin that was a perfect Ivory and their aging process was slower.

"I am the head maid and I'd be in charge of you. My name is Fay. You can call on me if you need anything. The master has ordered that you wait here. He is currently in a meeting but when he's done, he'd send for you. He'd like to make your acquaintance." She flashed me a polite smile before heading out of the room.

A small smile grew on my lips. I was finally free from the taunts that family tortured me with. I didn't have to deal with their nagging anymore. I didn't have to see any of them anymore. My fate with Maddox would not be easy but at least I was free from the people I gave my heart to and all they ever treated me like was trash.

"Good riddance, I say." Eudora spoke.

Indeed.

I gently approached the vanity, subtly glancing at the mirror. Timea did a good job hiding my injuries and as much as I wanted to take a shower and wash away the sweat that had accumulated and dried on my skin on my way here, I had to stop myself because if were to bathe now, the make-up would be washed away and Maddox would see the purple and dark red marks.

I inhaled sharply and walked towards the books hanging on the shelf. Eudora wasn't one to talk much but I could feel her presence. She was watching too though she was tired from trying to quicken our healing process but relieved that she would have a break from that toxic family.

I picked up a book, lightly tracing the ink that wrote it's title. I gently approached the bed, carefully sitting on it. It has been ages since I last saw a book. Quite frankly, Olene had confiscated every book I once owned, saying that there were other things that required my attention.

I chuckled sadly, sniffling as tears nearly dropped from my eyes. I never really comprehended fully, why they hated me. I carefully dabbed the tears away, afraid to smudge the concealer and was about flipping the cover page to skim through it when I sudden knock made me jerk and throw down the book.

I immediately picked it up, dropping it on my bed and smoothened the non-existent creases on my dress as I waited for the door to be opened.

A young Burnett entered the room, "Lesia? The Alpha would love to see you now."

I nodded, following behind her. She lead down the hallway and down the flight of stairs. I tried to calm my stressed nerves, wondering how my first encounter with Maddox would be.

I wondered if I smelled of sweat but upon sniffing myself, I smelled okay. The maid knocked on a bold door and gently opened it when a deep barritone asked her to come in.

I gulped, already overwhelmed by the tremendous aura that flowed out of the door. His voice was rich and powerful and hinted at a lack of tolerance to any disrespect. I was to meet him and I was already quavering?

I stepped into the room and seated on a throne was the most handsome man I had ever had the liberty of setting my eyes on. Shoulder length shiny black hair sat in tousled waves that held streak of silver in front. The tips of his hair were coloured silver and it was a beautiful sight.

His Forrest green eyes were squinted at me, observing my every move, peering into my soul, reading every expression of mine. He tapped his ring clad fingers on the armrest of his chair, dragging his eyes down my body.

His nose was pointed, leading down to thin pale pink lips. His chiseled jawline was sight to see and the dark aura that surrounded him as he sat their dragging a lazy gaze down my body again, I trembled. He tilted his head at me, signaling for the maid to leave. He both intimidating and domineering.

That was Maddox Slater, the legend himself, the king of brutality who was said to have perceived your thoughts before you even dared utter them. The man who's expressions betrayed not a thing he was thinking. He was rubix puzzle that many wanted to solve it cost majority them their lives. The perfection in human form.

But that wasn't the only thing about him. From the moment I set my eyes on him, I felt an electrifying sensation travel down my spine. His dark aura engulfed the partially lit room, a sweet scent of earth and sandalwood hovering in the air.

I wondered what cologne he used because he smelled divine. The self awareness I felt doubled and I found myself shyly bowing my head. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I could feel his scrutiny.

"Mate." Eudora suddenly said and I staggered back a little due to the weight of her words.

"What did you say?" I asked her.

I dared glance up to see him adjusting himself to sit straighter. He gently stood up from his seat, his eyes darkened as he climbed down his throne. His eyes held me captive, rendering me unable to move as he approached me.

"He's our mate." Eudora chanted happily.

"You highness." I softly greeted when he stood in front of me.

He seized my hands, looking at my palm before tilting his head at him. I heard him grit his teeth before he growled at me, making me stumble backwards. Where was such hostility coming from?

"Do you really think a weak scum like you can serve as my Luna?" His low menacing tone came.

My breathing quickened as my worst fears haunted me. I could see it in his eyes, the hatred that swarm in them. He was going to reject me. Everything about how he circling me like a cat circling a mouse said it.

He stood in front of me, leaning to my height to look me in the eyes. His hand ran through my hair and I drew back a little frightened of him.

"You don't deserve that title, little wolf. So here's the thing. I will reject you, but I'll still keep you. You'd make a fine mistress, after all… that was the reason why I bought you." He spoke.

His words were a heavy blow that sent me staggering backwards, gripping my heart. How could he say that to me? Why would he even say that to me? But then again, what was I thinking? He was a freaking monster and I was expecting the perfection of a man to just like me like a love-struck puppy?

He moved away from me immediately extending a claw to cut himself. He seized my hand and swiftly cut my palm before I could even understand what was going on. He dripped his blood on my cut and with cold, emotionless eyes glued on mine began, "I, Maddox Ares Slater, the Silver wolf Lycan king of Crimson pack, here by reject you, Lesia Nika Shaw as my mate and true Luna. I hereby sever my ties with you."

I felt a heavy blow in chest, the impact knocking me to my feet as he removed his hands from mine. He raised his injured palm at me and my eyes widened at how quickly the hand healed I'm front of me.

I blinked at him, writing in pain. Never have I heard of a rejection requiring an exchange of blood so what did he do to me? My body felt like it was being burned from the inside. It felt like my blood was on fire. I gripped onto my chest, clawing at it. I was in so much pain.

He lowered himself to my level, looking at my still bleeding palm and scoffed, muttering something about being useless. He raised my bleeding palm and his healed palm to my sight, "you see little wolf, that's the difference between the both of us."

He tossed my hand away, staring at me in disgust. The door soon banged open and two guards ran into the room.

"Alpha, we received your mindlink."

"Throw this piece of shit into a cell. She's stinking up my space." He said like I was nothing.

The guard bowed, picking up my whimpering and fighting form. I was screaming at them to let me go. I didn't deserve this. I was still in so much pain from what he had done to me. Why was I being taken to a cell?

"No, no, no! Let me go." I cried as I fought to break free. "I didn't do anything."