Zarek didn’t say anything. He just let Astrid’s fingers keep moving slowly over his shoulders. The tension in his muscles had started to melt away, and even his wolf had gone quiet for the first time in days. It felt… nice and calming.She was good at this.Astrid didn’t speak either. She kept her head low, focusing on the way his muscles moved under her hands. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Maybe because he looked so tired. Or maybe it was something else she didn’t want to admit.“You’re good at this,” Zarek finally said, his voice low as he broke the silence.She blinked. “I… I used to do it for my father sometimes,” she muttered under her breath, wondering why she even thought of her wicked father now.That man didn't deserve to be in anyone's line of thought or memory.Zarek hummed quietly, then tilted his head back a little. “So tell me,” he said after a short pause, “why did you run away that day? The day Valerian caught you. You clearly told me you were willing to stay
_Astrid’s POV_“She belongs to us,” Zarek said calmly like it was no big deal.But it was a big deal. I felt like someone had slapped me. I was standing right there, but it was like I didn’t even exist. Like I was a bag or a piece of furniture they bought together and now had to share.I blinked and looked at them both. My mouth opened a little, but no sound came out. I didn’t even know what I wanted to say.They acted like I didn’t get a choice. Like I was just… theirs.Zarek turned to his brother and spoke again. “We’re meeting someone tomorrow night.”Zade raised a brow. “Who?”“The South Border Alpha.”Zade made a face. “He’s still alive?”“Of course, or did you kill him?" Then they went quiet for a second. I knew they were talking through that mind-link thing again. I had seen them look at each other for a minute, and I knew they weren't lovers. That was even disgusting to think about since they were brothers. So I could only guess they were talking through their mind link.Zade
_Zarek’s POV_Zade scooped Astrid into his arms like she weighed nothing, her blood staining the front of his shirt. Her head lolled and eyes swollen shut, mouth cracked open with pain. The sight stirred up my wolf, but I tried to keep my damn head in check.The crowd didn’t cheer. They just watched silently. The anger radiating off me was enough to silence them all.“She’s gonna be alright,” Zade muttered, more to himself than anyone. He turned to Shiski, the beta and the short man who ran this bloodpit. He was a rat-faced bastard with too much confidence. “We’ll be back, Skiski, we’re not done yet.”He rolled his eyes arrogantly and waved us off.Fucking asshole.Zade turned to look at me. “Let’s go.”I stared back at him, then at Astrid. “You take her. I’ll catch up.”He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t argue. “Fine. Don’t take long.”Then they disappeared, leaving behind blood, silence, and the sick stench of sweat. I walked toward the alley behind the fight room. The cold air slappe
_Astrid’s POV_The air was filled with the smell of sweat, smoke, and fear.I stood barefooted on the cold, marble stage, arms bound in front of me, my wrists raw from the rough rope that tied tyen together. A single spotlight bore down on me, blinding me, as faceless figures in the audience murmured, their voices low and expectant. The auction house reeked of wealth and sin, the kind of place where men bought flesh with the snap of their fingers, where lives were measured in gold and power rather than worth.The auctioneer, a man in an expensive suit, lifted his hand. "Lot 43," he announced, his voice spreading across the big room. "Twenty years old. Untouched. A rare find. We’ll start the bidding at twenty thousand!"A shiver ran down my spine, but I clenched my jaw, refusing to let them see me break. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat coming as a drum of my impending doom. I wanted to scream, to run, but there was nowhere to go. I was trapped.My father had already pulled me
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up to the sound of the heavy iron doors creaking open. My head was pounding, and my wrists were sore from the rope binding them.The place smelled of damp stone and something metallic—smell of blood. I had barely adjusted to my surroundings when a set of heavy boots echoed through the room, making my breath hitch.What now?"Get up," a rough voice commanded.I hesitated for only a moment before I was yanked to my feet. The auction was over, and now I belonged to someone—someone dangerous. My mind was still reeling from the shock of last night. Sold like an object to a man who watched me with those piercing eyes, unreadable yet filled with something dark.The man who bought me.I swallowed hard, trying to steel myself. I refused to crumble, no matter what was ahead.Two men stood in front of me now. One I recognized instantly—Zarek, the twin who had claimed me. His cold dark eyes bore into me, assessing me like I was nothing more than a mere possession. But the
_Astrid’s POV_I glanced at the door which had been closed shut before me, feeling perplexed. What now?I had blatantly rejected that dress just now and if that maid hated me to her bones, she would definitely tell a lie to the Alpha about me. I bit my lower lip and moved to take a seat on the squeaky bed, letting out a sigh of exhaustion.“Goddess, what’s going to happen to me now? Please protect me." I begged, palm cupped in an apologetic way. If only she would help me get out of this place, I would do anything she requested of me.Taking in the sight of the room, I felt mortified and somewhat comical, who would have thought that I would ever make it to a bedroom without leaking roofs?“The irony." I murmured and released a small smile. The house I lived in with my stepfather was owned by my mother. She had given it to him a few years before she died and requested that he pass on the house and trust fund she had left behind for me.Eventually, when it was time to give it up, he co
_Astrid’s POV_When I got dressed for the party, I made my way out of the room and straight downstairs towards the ballroom. The moment I stepped in, I wanted the earth to swallow me in an instant. The room came alive with the laughter, soft mucis and clinking of expensive glasses. The rich and powerful werewolf world filled every corner, and their presence was suffocating.I forced myself to stay calm as I moved forward, my head held high even though I could feel the stares of the dozens of people in the room.I was the only human here, it was normal to stare.Also, the dress was the worst part. Thin, barely covering anything, and way too tight. The red fabric clung to my skin painfully, the hem equally stopping at the upper thighs, making every step feel like a battle to stay decent. I found a corner to hide myself in, but before I could make my way towards the place, I caught sight of Zarek and Zade. They were both seated at a round table not so far from the stage as they shar
_Astrid’s POV_ The door shut behind Zade with a firm click after he placed me on my bed and left me alone. Alone, humiliated, and still feeling the lingering heat that refused to leave my body all because of the drink Zarek made me consume. I collapsed onto the cold floor, pressing my cheek against the wooden surface in hopes that it would cool my burning skin. It didn’t. My heart still pounded in my chest, my emotions swirling between frustration, humiliation, and something dangerously close to despair. I couldn’t stay here. Not for another hour. Not for another minute. I didn’t care if this Packhouse was filled with powerful werewolves who could probably sniff out a mosquito at twenty paces. I didn’t care if the person who “bought”—ugh, the word made me sick—was an Alpha who thought he owned me now. I wasn’t staying. I wasn’t going to be some pet they dragged around at their convenience. I pushed myself up and took in my room—a pathetic excuse for a guest chambe
_Zarek’s POV_Zade scooped Astrid into his arms like she weighed nothing, her blood staining the front of his shirt. Her head lolled and eyes swollen shut, mouth cracked open with pain. The sight stirred up my wolf, but I tried to keep my damn head in check.The crowd didn’t cheer. They just watched silently. The anger radiating off me was enough to silence them all.“She’s gonna be alright,” Zade muttered, more to himself than anyone. He turned to Shiski, the beta and the short man who ran this bloodpit. He was a rat-faced bastard with too much confidence. “We’ll be back, Skiski, we’re not done yet.”He rolled his eyes arrogantly and waved us off.Fucking asshole.Zade turned to look at me. “Let’s go.”I stared back at him, then at Astrid. “You take her. I’ll catch up.”He narrowed his eyes, but didn’t argue. “Fine. Don’t take long.”Then they disappeared, leaving behind blood, silence, and the sick stench of sweat. I walked toward the alley behind the fight room. The cold air slappe
_Astrid’s POV_“She belongs to us,” Zarek said calmly like it was no big deal.But it was a big deal. I felt like someone had slapped me. I was standing right there, but it was like I didn’t even exist. Like I was a bag or a piece of furniture they bought together and now had to share.I blinked and looked at them both. My mouth opened a little, but no sound came out. I didn’t even know what I wanted to say.They acted like I didn’t get a choice. Like I was just… theirs.Zarek turned to his brother and spoke again. “We’re meeting someone tomorrow night.”Zade raised a brow. “Who?”“The South Border Alpha.”Zade made a face. “He’s still alive?”“Of course, or did you kill him?" Then they went quiet for a second. I knew they were talking through that mind-link thing again. I had seen them look at each other for a minute, and I knew they weren't lovers. That was even disgusting to think about since they were brothers. So I could only guess they were talking through their mind link.Zade
Zarek didn’t say anything. He just let Astrid’s fingers keep moving slowly over his shoulders. The tension in his muscles had started to melt away, and even his wolf had gone quiet for the first time in days. It felt… nice and calming.She was good at this.Astrid didn’t speak either. She kept her head low, focusing on the way his muscles moved under her hands. She didn’t know why she was doing this. Maybe because he looked so tired. Or maybe it was something else she didn’t want to admit.“You’re good at this,” Zarek finally said, his voice low as he broke the silence.She blinked. “I… I used to do it for my father sometimes,” she muttered under her breath, wondering why she even thought of her wicked father now.That man didn't deserve to be in anyone's line of thought or memory.Zarek hummed quietly, then tilted his head back a little. “So tell me,” he said after a short pause, “why did you run away that day? The day Valerian caught you. You clearly told me you were willing to stay
Zarek slammed the car door shut the moment they arrived back at the pack house. His jaw was tight, and his brows were drawn together in a way that made him look even more dangerous than usual. Gideon stepped out behind him, not saying a word, but his expression wasn’t any better.They had just returned from the pack’s factory, where everything had gone to hell.A shipment that was supposed to leave tonight was missing, completely. The guards had been knocked out cold, and the warehouse had been ransacked. Whoever did it was good, too good. They didn’t leave any real trace, just a few broken crates and the pungent smell of fresh blood in the atmosphere.Zarek stormed into the mansion and headed straight to his office. He didn’t even greet anyone on the way in. Gideon followed close behind, still quiet.Once inside the office, Zarek collapsed into the chair behind his desk, running a hand through his hair. He was frustrated. No, more than that. He was pissed.“What the hell is going on?
Zarek didn’t move at first.His chest rose and fell slowly as he stared at Astrid, still lying against the edge of his office table, her lips slightly parted and her cheeks flushed. His hands were still resting on either side of her, caging her in like a man who didn’t want to let go. But then….Knock. Knock.The sound made both of them freeze. Astrid sat up straighter quickly and tried to pull her dress into place.Zarek exhaled sharply and stepped back from her. His face was unreadable again. Cold and serious, like nothing had just happened. Like he hadn’t just had his hands on her, or whispered things that made her entire body heat up.“Cover up,” he said in a low tone, not even looking at her. “And stay right there.”Astrid swallowed hard and nodded. She felt embarrassed all of a sudden, even though a part of her didn’t want him to walk away.She wasn’t even supposed to like it at all.Zarek turned and walked to the door. He didn’t open it all the way, just cracked it enough to pe
_Astrid’s POV_Alpha Zarek’s free hand slides up the collar of my maid’s outfit, subtly brushing his fingers against the skin of my breastbone as he sucked on my lower lips. I shuddered, my lips parting even more for him as I attempted and failed to subdue my reaction.If anyone had told me of a moment like this in the past, and that too with someone who has all power and control over me, I would never have believed them.Alpha Zarek of the Obsidian Fang Pack, the biggest werewolf pack in the city and wherever kissed me. This happened to be my first kiss, the one with Alpha Valerian wasn't even supposed to be considered anything but a kiss. Just the thought of it repulsed me to my bones.A growl left Zarek’s lips as he reached for my chest, his palm cupping one of my breasts in his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze and earning a loud cry of something I couldn't quite place my hands on. This was the first ever time I sounded this way, and it sent a shiver down my spine.What the hell w
Zade’s breath was uneven.His hand was still in Astrid’s hair, fingers tangled in the strands he’d pulled moments before. His lips had already ghosted her skin, inching dangerously close to her mouth, too close to her lips. She should’ve been terrified, should’ve recoiled like she always did when a man so much as brushed her arm.But she wasn’t. She didn’t even flinch. Her breath got caught in her throat and her heart thundered, but her body or brain didn’t scream at her to push him away and run. Not even when his nose touched hers or when his lips hovered over hers like a threat.She didn't even recognize the look in his eyes because she felt a sudden warmth spread across her chest as she sucked on her bare neck.And just as something unspeakable was about to happen….BANG!The door flew open, slamming against the wall so hard the echo rattled her spine.Astrid gasped in shock, eyes wide and body frozen in Zade’s grip.But Zade himself didn’t move. Hell, he didn’t even flinch.Like
_Astrid’s POV_I woke up with the taste of salt still on my lips.My eyes burned, lashes slogged together from the tears I hadn’t bothered to wipe away the previous day.My little room was quiet now, Oriana must’ve left sometime during the night. She always did, before Esme made her wicked rounds each day.I sat up slowly, feeling like every bone in my body had aged ten years overnight. My cheek still throbbed, very tender to the touch. The bruise was probably darker now.But there was no time to check.I had work to do.Even if my soul was crawling toward the edge.I needed to serve the Alphas, even though I hated seeing Zarek. Both of them. Three of them!Thankfully, Gideon wasn't always around for breakfast. I hated him because Oriana told me he was the one who suggested that Lady Cassia come to the pack and take care of the mess the Alphas made.And now I also have to see her today. With a heavy sigh, I went about my personal hygiene and when I was done, I got dressed.I dreaded
_Astrid’s POV_The silence that followed the slap was louder than the sound of the laughter had ever been.My cheek stung. Not just from the impact, but from the deep humiliation I was feeling.From the way Cassia looked at me like I was something she scraped off her shoe. From the way no one said a damn word.Not even Zade, nor Zarek.I didn’t cry, even though the tears was clouding my features. Not this time. I just stood there, gripping the silver tray until my fingers ached.“I’m so sorry, Lady Cassia,” I murmured, my voice hollow. This was the least I could do before everyone.“Oh, you will be,” she spat. “This is pure silk from Marathen. You just ruined it, you dumb bitch!” She raised her voice because she knew the twins wouldn't do anything to stop her.Her dress wasn’t even that soaked. Just a little splash. But to her, it was a reason to unleash everything she’d been holding back. This woman hated me for no reason.She stood up sharply from her seat and ordered in a harsh vo