Esme's POV
As I walked towards the Great Hall with a tray of appetizers, all I could think about was what the Alpha had told me three days ago.
He had said that on my 18th birthday, which happens to be today, I would become the Pack's whore.
Could that possibly be the reason for his inviting the other Alphas? Could this banquet just be an excuse for one big gangbang with me at the receiving end?
No! It can't, the Alpha wouldn't be so cruel.
Tears gather at my eyes at the thought, the Alpha hates me so much that anything is possible.
"Don't think so negatively Esme, everything will be fine." Solar tried to comfort me but I wasn't buying it.
This is starting to seem like too much of a coincidence.
I was made to wear a flimsy and see through dress, short and barely able to hide anything, specially for this occasion. All my scars are on full display, including my still freshly wounded back.
It's been three days but it hasn't started healing yet, it must be infected.
That's definitely the least of my problems as I'm about to walk into one big trap, in which I'll have to face the devil himself. I just hope I survive this.
Walking as slowly as possible doesn't help as I eventually arrive at the Great Hall and all eyes fall on me. I can see the Alpha grinning wickedly at me while Kyra shifts uncomfortably in her seat, a worried look on her face.
I keep my eyes glued to the floor but from the corner of my eyes, I search for Alpha Ethan in the room. Someone as infamous as him would definitely not be hard to spot.
As soon as my eyes fall on him, the Alpha's voice startles me.
"What are you waiting for slave? Come here and serve our esteemed guest immediately." He barked at me and I gulped, moving towards Alpha Ethan without daring to take a glance at him.
I walked towards him, my heart racing rapidly, my stomach twisting in knots and every nerve ending buzzing.
What is this feeling? How can I be so afraid of someone I've never even met?
I finally got to the table he was seated at and tried to serve him some appetizers but he stopped me with a raise of the hand.
"Pour me some wine." His magnetic voice sounded and I felt myself at a loss for words.
I quickly snapped out of it and grabbed a glass, filling it up with some wine. I was about to hand it to him when he suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping my action midway.
As soon as his skin touched mine, I felt mini electric shocks wash through me, my lower belly tingling with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The area where his skin met mine was growing hotter and I could feel my breath getting heavier.
These unexplainable reactions forced me to look up at him for the first time and as soon as our eyes met, I heard the words that sealed my fate.
"Mate." Solar cooed.
"What?!" I mumbled back to her, unable to believe what I was hearing.
"Mate!" She repeated firmly, confirming my fears.
No! No! This must be some kind of sick joke. I've been tortured my whole life for crimes I never committed and as if that wasn't enough, goddess Selene decided to mate me to the devil. Haven't I suffered enough? I'm pretty sure I've atoned enough for whatever sin I committed in my past life. This can't be true, please let this be a bad dream.
Despite my tumultuous thoughts, I couldn't seem to take my eyes off him. I studied his features in a daze. He was tall, very tall. I would level up to his chest at best.
He was larger than life, with well defined features. I had heard he was ugly and difficult to look at and that's why he was still unmated but looking at him right now, that's probably the biggest lie I've ever heard.
He's the definition of beauty, except for a long scar which ran across his left cheek but even with that, he was still better looking than all the men in my pack.
He exuded dominance and regality, the type that made people feel small in his presence.
His cold and stoic blue eyes stared into my brown ones, unwavering. I couldn't tell what he was thinking but I could tell that he was trying to read me like a book, his gaze penetrating into my soul.
He suddenly let go of my hand and due to my enchanted state, I couldn't keep a hold of the glass.
My hand shook and the glass fell and shattered, some of the contents spilling on his clothes.
I recoiled in horror, knowing that this mistake would probably be the end of me.
I suddenly felt a sharp pain in my head as my Alpha grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling on it with all his might.
I screamed in agony, begging for him to let go.
"You clumsy little bitch, what the hell are you good for?! I should have killed you earlier, at least then you wouldn't have made such a foolish mistake." He barked at me and pushed me to the floor, delivering a swift kick to my side.
I screamed out, the pain nearly blinding me. Tears poured down my cheeks as I tried to nurse my bruised side.
The Alpha quickly grabbed my hair again, pulling me up by it. My head buzzed with a headache and I was starting to see stars.
I prepared myself for another brutal blow when his voice suddenly rang through the hall.
"Stop!"
Everyone quickly turned their attention to Alpha Ethan who had been silent the entire time. I had almost forgotten he was in the room. What had I expected from those cold eyes anyway? Did I really expect him to save me because he's my mate? He's someone who kills just for the fun of it and he's no different from my Alpha, probably even worse.
He's definitely going to reject me right about now.
"I apologise, where are my manners? You're the one she offended so you probably want to punish her on your own." My Alpha said and my body went limp with fear.
No, please no.
Alpha Ethan said nothing. Everyone in the room watched quietly as he walked towards where the Alpha of my pack stood, still holding me by the hair.
He raised his hand and I flinched, closing my eyes in anticipation for a hit but I felt no pain.
Rather, the grip on my hair was released and I heard a sickening crack which was quickly followed by a heavy thud.
My eyes flew open to see my Alpha on the floor, clasping his right hand which seemed to be broken.
What the hell is going on here?
Alpha Ethan turned to me and I cowered, slowly moving backwards in panic, realizing I might be next.
I don't know how it happened but I tripped on something, causing me to fall backwards, my butt hitting the ground hard.
Alpha Ethan stood in front of me, intimidating. He slowly grabbed my hand and raised me up. I stared at him pleadingly but he never changed from his cold expression neither did he say a word to me.
He simply just dragged me to the center of the room, all eyes focusing on us.
Here it comes, the much anticipated rejection and only Selene knows what he'll do to me after that.
"Listen up, each and every one of you. This girl here is my mate and if anyone hurts as much as a hair on her head, I'll cut that person to pieces. Your Alpha is a coward for being so brutal to a helpless girl, fully aware that she's unable to fight back.
He's lucky I'm in a good mood so I only broke his hand." He said and suddenly turned to my Alpha who was still cradling his broken hand, seemingly in pain.
"For what you just did, you don't deserve any of your limbs but I didn't come here to fight. You're not worth my time." He said and the whole room remained silent, everyone probably in shock, I included.
This is starting to seem more like a dream than reality.
He suddenly turned to me and I gulped, quickly moving my eyes to the floor.
He grabbed my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his.
"You're my mate and that means you're my responsibility, I'm sorry you had to go through so much because I couldn't find you sooner. I won't let anyone hurt you again." He said and I blinked repeatedly, unable to believe my ears.
This whole situation is so surreal that I can't even figure out how I'm supposed to be feeling.
"How could you do this? I treated you with respect and hosted a banquet in your honor and you repay me in this manner? By wounding both me and my pride, you've certainly made a terrible decision." My Alpha threatened.
"You seem to be the one obsessed with making bad decisions, like how you're talking to me right now. Don't infuriate me or I might finish the job." Alpha Ethan fired back and turned to me once more.
"I'm taking you out of this hellhole. You won't have to worry about anything from now on." He assured me and I just nodded, gobsmacked.
Before I could process anything, he suddenly lifted me into his arms, carrying me bridal style.
He walked towards the exit of the Great Hall and the angry face of my Alpha was the last thing I saw.
Esme's POVIt's been three days since I came here but the Alpha has never even spoken to me once.Forget about speaking, I've not even seen him. I certainly didn't enjoy my life as a slave in my own Pack but I still feel like it's unfair that Alpha Ethan claimed me as his mate and brought me to his Pack but doesn't give me the time of day.I feel like a wife who's husband is absent and despite all the luxuries I've been provided, many of which I've never experienced before and so I'm grateful for, I can't seem to take my mind off my mate.For the past three days, I've been fed so well, pampered beyond measure and dressed in the best clothes, a healer even comes daily to heal my wounds. It's almost like a dream, one I fear will end soon.I was told by Ms. Rachel, the lady in charge of the palace duties, not to leave my room until I was sent for. She seems nice and has only been kind to me but I can't help the feeling that she's hiding something, everyone is.Each maid I try to ask abou
Esme's POVThe carriage had been riding for only three minutes but it felt like forever. I don't know why but I feel a strange connection to this Pack, I'm not happy about leaving despite everything I've been given."Solar, why do I feel this way?" I couldn't help asking."It's the bond Esme, we were bound to him the moment he accepted us, a mating ceremony would have made it official but still, we're connected to our mate whether we're with him or not." She explained and I sighed. "I don't like this feeling. He should have at least rejected us properly." I intoned angrily."The pain of rejection is ten times worse than this." She stated."But it's the same, isn't it? He doesn't want us with him, he even gave us permission to have another mate. He rejected us without words." I concluded."His wolf wants us, I can feel it but he's resisting. He's suppressing the desire of his wolf for some reason. It'll be difficult for me to mate with someone else as long as our bond with him still e
Esme's POV"He may seem like a selfish, egotistical and ruthless bastard but he's actually a broken wolf calling for help, hiding behind the shadow of a tough exterior. He needs you Esme, he needs his mate. You're very special and I believe that not only will you break the curse, you'll bring back the caring Ethan that I once knew, the one who could buy people's hearts with just his smile." Rachel pleaded."I understand everything you've said and I truly feel for Ethan, he was badly wronged and I hope that he can find redemption but you're wrong about me.There's nothing special about me. I'm just a weak little wolf struggling to survive in this harsh world. I would never be able to do what you're asking, especially since he doesn't want to see me." I resisted."If you could just__""I'm telling you that I can't help you because I need to heal as well. My life has been just as tragic as his. I've been imprisoned and tortured for the past twelve years, I'm broken both physically and em
Esme's POV I returned to my room with a troubled heart, wondering if I had made the right choice by agreeing to his condition. It seems harsh but I've already resolved to do this so instead of constantly worrying, I have to give it my all. But how exactly do I get a heartless person like Ethan to fall in love with me? I have no experience with love whatsoever, I've never even had a crush or witnessed any romance given my previous circumstances. I don't know the first thing about love so how do I do this? I don't think I'm good with seduction either, not that Ethan would fall for something as easy as that. The thought of having to go to bed with him in order to bear his child makes me go red with shyness. If I hope to have any luck with this, I need all the help I can get. "We should ask Rachel, she'll have more experience with handling the Alpha. Besides, she's sure to know his likes and dislikes." Solar suggested. "You're right, I have nothing to worry about as long as Rachel
Esme's POVAs soon as I arrived at the door of the Alpha's room, I took a deep breath before knocking on it. Probably thinking that it would be Rachel, he told me to come in.I went into the room and closed the door behind me but as soon as I turned around to face him, I was welcomed by a frown."What are you doing here?" He asked without mincing words.I summoned up the courage to speak."Rachel said she wasn't feeling too well so I decided to save her some stress by bringing your food." I concocted.He glared at me for some time before looking away, silently giving his consent for me to continue.I carefully moved towards him and placed the food on the table, managing to keep my hands from shaking while I served him."Keep it together Esme, you can do this." Solar kept cheering me on.I finished serving his food and moved to the side, wanting to watch him eat."What are you still doing here?" He asked without looking at me."I…. I'd like to watch you eat." I answered."Why is that?"
Esme's POV I watched him quietly as he moved towards the shrubs and began taking off his clothes. I didn't think of this at all and flustered by the scene, I unconsciously moved backwards, the sound of the grass giving away my position. I froze in place, scared to the bone. When I didn't hear any more sounds, I took a look and saw that he wasn't present anymore. Damn it! I can't believe I wasted this golden opportunity. I quickly look around and don't see any sign of him. I guess I'll have to go back then, so much for the element of surprise. I began moving but paused when a large arm swiftly wrapped around my body and sharp claws were tactfully positioned at my neck, missing my skin by just a few inches. One wrong move from me and the claws would surely slice my neck open, I struggled not to shiver. When the fear finally died down, I soon realized who my attacker was. I would never be able to forget this scent. "It's just me, Esme. Please retract your claws, I could get hurt.
Esme's POV Peaceful. Ethereal. So this is what death feels like. After falling off the cliff and into the river, I had sunk deep into dangerous waters. I shifted back to my human form somewhere in between, Solar was injured and needed to recharge. I just kept drifting away from the surface, little by little, the surface seeming too far to reach. "Esme! Esme!" I heard someone call my name. It was a faint sound, one I couldn't recognize but there was a distinct sound of sorrow to it. It felt……familiar. If there's only one thing I do regret in life, it's the fact that I never got to see the stars with my mate, I've always wanted to see the stars. I used to go stargazing with my parents when I was little, and though it seemed impossible after being imprisoned for so many years, I always wished to lie on the grass, holding hands with my mate as we watched the stars together. But goddess Selene is perfect, only she knows why it had to end this way. At least I got to meet my mate, ev
Ethan's POV I held her in my arms as I rushed into the Palace. As soon as I arrived at Esme's room, the doctor was already there and she greeted me. "Alpha please place her on the bed." She instructed and I did that. "You'll have to please leave so I can take care of her." She requested and I nodded. I left the room and closed the door behind me. Rachel instantly accosted me. "What happened? Why is Esme in that condition?" She questioned, her face full of worry. I explained everything to her as briefly as possible. "I can't help but feel like it's my fault. I was there with her, I let her leave with me so I should have protected her, it's my duty as her Alpha but I couldn't do that. I failed her." I said and punched the wall angrily. "Don't be so hard on yourself, none of this is your fault. It was a tough situation, it couldn't be helped. I'm sure that Esme will be fine, I'll pray for her and goddess Selene will protect her. Everything will be alright." Rachel tried to con