CINZIA's POV
TWO DAYS LATERTears welled up in my eyes as I gazed upon what used to be the palace of the Royal Wolf Tribe. It was all reduced to rubble.No Alpha, no Luna. Even I, the lone daughter of the Alpha and Luna, couldn't fathom what was happening, let alone control a crowd that had lost hope.It felt surreal, something I hadn't anticipated. I had cloaked myself in a fantasy world to shield myself from the harshness of reality until now.The world seemed cruel, snatching away my parents without a second thought. And now, I was already held captive. Perhaps, my fate mirrored theirs – to be slaughtered. I didn't know for certain, but that was how it felt as rough hands pushed me forward.I grunted, shaking off my captors."Are you alright, princess?"My handmaiden, Rhea, tried to come to my aid, but one of our captors restrained her, delivering a harsh slap to her cheeks. They even spat on her face, threatening her life if she dared approach me.I bit my lip, fighting back the tears that welled in my eyes. Despite my royal title and the impending responsibility of being the Alpha after my parents' passing, I was treated with contempt.Like a nobody.I wondered if anyone would come to my rescue. In the two days since my parents' demise, I felt like I was fading away. Most of the things they subjected me to were entirely foreign experiences.I had thought I'd remain an entitled princess forever, until now. I looked less like a privileged royal and more like someone plucked from the streets, despite the royal blood coursing through my veins."Into the van, now!"The guard who had struck my handmaiden ordered, pushing me inside alongside several other women from my pack.I recognized a few faces among the captives. As I locked eyes with them, there was a glimmer of pity in theirs.I responded by straightening my posture, lifting my head, and puffing out my chest, despite the circumstances. I wasn't particularly keen on receiving pity. Even if I were seeking sympathy, it wasn't from those who were sharing my plight.Despite the unjust treatment I had endured, I noticed I was being treated with more leniency than the other women. For now, at least, I hadn't been stripped like they had been. I still wore one of my finer dresses, carrying myself with a regal air.Yet, I bore bruises. Angry welts marred my pale skin from being roughly handled. My body ached and longed for some respite. Since the ordeal began, I had remained in chains. Only today had they granted me a reprieve, claiming we were being taken to a destination known only to the goddess.I didn't dwell too much on where we were headed, instead relishing in the slight freedom I was granted. Instead of being bound, I could move my body more freely."My princess, you look weary! Have they been unkind to you too? And have you had anything to eat through all of this? Your hair seems disheveled and...""That's not important, Rhea," I interjected, gently halting her hands reaching towards my hair. "Looking my best won't matter to our captors. Besides, it's not my immediate concern. We need to strategize our escape rather than dwell on trivial matters that can wait."Rhea gazed at me in amazement. She shook her head, a small smile gracing her lips despite our circumstances. She sniffled and wiped her eyes before meeting mine, teary-eyed."Why are you crying?! Did I say something wrong?" I grasped her hands, feeling their chill."No, not at all," Rhea assured me, shaking her head. "You seem remarkably mature and already carry yourself like your mother, even at such a young age.""Being mature at 18 isn't particularly early," I asserted. "Age doesn't determine maturity, and someone needs to address this. Instead of wallowing in gloom and despair, we must take meaningful action, or we'll face dire consequences."Rhea nodded, accepting the napkin I extended to her with a noisy blow of her nose.While Rhea commended my maturity, it wasn't a recent development. I had always been this way, though my parents still viewed me as their little girl. Despite being eighteen, I believed I possessed more wisdom than some of the elders appointed in the pack. But I refrained from pointing it out to my parents, knowing they'd likely dismiss it as childishness.My parents, my remarkable parents. They were the embodiment of selflessness, always striving to ensure others' comfort, even at their own expense. Now, they were gone, their selflessness rendered inconsequential.I winced and jolted, inadvertently striking the side of the van as it came to an abrupt stop.The Van's door swung open, revealing a rifle pointed in our direction, accompanied by orders to step out in an orderly manner.Each woman filed into a building that I presumed was a warehouse. It was expansive and modern, its exterior resembling the meeting place we frequented back home. I gazed at it with a sense of nostalgia washing over me.Yet, I couldn't help but wonder about the interior.While the exterior bore a certain familiarity, it emanated a coldness that tempered my expectations. The guards mirrored the sternness of the building."Halt!"We stopped, or perhaps it was just me, as I was the last to disembark from the Van.My brows furrowed as I fixed my gaze on the guard who had issued the command. He advanced towards me, rifle still trained on me."Follow me.""To where?" I blurted out before I could catch myself. The guard fixed his gaze on me, and for a brief moment, I feared he might pull the trigger, the gun aimed directly at my head."Another question might cause your reunion with your parents." He grunted, then ordered, "Follow me."Despite his callous reference to my parents' passing, which I deemed a low blow, I trailed after him with reluctance.CINZIA POVI was thirsty.It had been two days since our capture, and I hadn't had more than a sip of water. I supposed I should count myself fortunate, as the others hadn't even had that chance.As a server passed by, I swiftly snatched a glass, hoping for a reprieve. I downed its contents in a single gulp, only to wince. It wasn't water.My throat burned, and I gasped, scanning the expansive hall for something to ease the pain creeping toward my chest. I had never tasted a glass of wine in all my years, but the it had looked inviting and much more like water."Thank goodness," I mumbled, my fingers closing around a sealed plastic bottle of water resting on a nearby table tucked away in the corner.I released a sigh of relief as I drank, then tossed the empty bottle into a nearby dustbin, my gaze once again scanning the room.I couldn't fathom how long we – the other captives and I – had been confined to this hall but I sensed it was growing late.I remained ignorant of the reason beh
CINZIAA hundred million drachma?!Who would bid such an outrageous amount on me? I didn't know who had done so, but I was relieved when the hand gripping the strap of my gown released its hold.The room fell into silence until a microphone dropped close to where I stood. I could sense the astonishment in everyone present, a feeling I shared. Nonetheless, I was grateful to step off the stage.As soon as I entered the room, I met Rhea once more. I ran into her embrace and let out a sigh as my arms tightened around her."I'm so glad you're safe. I was worried about you," she said, her hand gently caressing my hair."I am safe," I affirmed."What happened?"My mouth opened, but no words came out as Jerome barged into the room."You're really lucky, aren't you?!" He yelled, his hand shooting out to grab a fistful of my hair. He wrapped it around his hand and yanked.I groaned, "What's your problem? Are you trying to pull my hair out?""I'd happily do that if I could," Jerome sneered, a wid
RAPHAEL POVA DAY LATER“Majestic Alpha, we managed to secure the princess,” Johnson, my loyal bodyguard and a Delta in my pack, reported.He bowed, his head lowering to his knee. I stepped out of the shadows, remaining concealed behind the curtains. I tapped my chin and nodded. “Very well, ensure she is received with courtesy.”“But there is an issue, Sire…” Johnson stammered. I noticed his knuckles, now white, against the tiled floor, his hands trembling.He was the most adept werewolf in The Blood Lust Pack, and encountering difficulties in his tasks was a rarity.“Speak,” I urged, raising my brows.“The princess insists she won't leave unless accompanied by her maid. Both were part of the same bid, and a dispute is brewing as they refuse to release the maid…”“She stated that?” I asked, a wry smile tugging at my lips.It was the first time I'd encountered such defiance in a vulnerable girl. It was an anomaly, and I must admit, it intrigued me. Most women I encountered begged to be
RAPHAEL POVA few hours later Delicia left, a shrill cry sounded making me wince."Let go of me!"Rubbing my temple, I squinted as the door to the throne hall swung open, revealing my prized possession. She was shoved inside, landing with a thud on the sapphire rug in the center of the room.I clenched my hands and shot a glare at Johnson and the other guards. Even in the dim light where I sat, I suspected they caught my reaction, given their trembling."Sorry, sire... We didn't mean to be rough..." Johnson bowed, and I waved off his apology. "This is the princess," he added before hurrying out of the room.As soon as he left, my gaze returned to the girl, and I sighed. Almost instantly, my throat tightened.That strange feeling resurfaced, the one she had stirred in me the first time at the auction house. My heart pounded, and I clenched my fist as a new fragrance, different from what I was accustomed to, filled my nostrils.I couldn't quite pinpoint it, but I suspected it was a blend
CINZIA POVTalking back seemed to earn me the harshest punishment I'd ever received.I didn't understand why I did it, but the slap I received felt uncalled for. Still, I couldn't bring myself to fight back, not that I hadn't wanted to. Any thought of retaliation was swiftly dismissed by the Hybrid King.This king, shrouded in mystery, had yet to reveal his face. It was infuriating. He'd left the bitch in charge of me, and she was making sure I experienced hell. And this was only my first day in the palace. Receiving punishment felt entirely unwarranted.I shuddered to think about what might happen on my second day, and the one after that."Put this on!" Delicia's voice cut through the air, even though I was standing right next to her. She seemed to prefer yelling. I grabbed the clothes she had knowingly tossed onto the floor and dusted them off.Raising them up, I couldn't help but grimace. It was a khaki shirt paired with a knee-length skirt in the same material. It looked dreadful,
RAPHAEL POV"Reserve the finest room for the princess, my newest acquisition, and let her stay there," I instructed Johnson, who nodded with a slight bow. "Very well, sire."I paced back towards the curtain, turning as I sensed Delicia's presence in the room. My hand instinctively went to my temple, massaging it. I wondered if she was here to unleash another outburst like earlier. I preferred not to lose my temper, which happened rarely. But Delicia had a way of disrupting my peace.As much as I relished the sight of her, I didn't appreciate her fiery temperament. She approached me, her voice laced with frustration. "You plan to set her free? I thought I was the only one you desired.""Delicia," I muttered, pouring a generous amount of champange into a flute glass."I thought I was enough!" She reiterated, this time with force. "Yet you keep bringing in more women. I've been patient, but this is too much!""Silence!" I thundered, exhaling through my nostrils, narrowing my eyes.Delicia
RAPHAEL POV"Cinzia..." I mumbled — such a precious name for a rare gem. Her name suited her perfectly.I wondered if her parents saw her as the moon goddess before giving her such a name. The name also struck a chord, and I tried to recall where I had heard it.The name of a distant Werewolf pack came to mind, but I wasn't certain if she was the one. I hadn't conducted a background check on her; it was only because Nikolai desired her that I bid on her in the first place.However, asking her about her story seemed awkward. I never inquired about someone's background because it felt irrelevant. The only thing I sought in a prize was possession and the warmth of their presence in my bed.I glanced towards the entrance as the door to the throne room swung open. Johnson strode towards me, halting a few feet away. He knelt on one knee, head bowed."She's settled in, sire. Is there anything else I should attend to?""Her maid should be with her. Also..."I trailed off, turning my gaze upwar
CINZIA POVWe were gathered in the throne hall.By "we," I meant everyone I saw there, including myself. I turned to my side, finding Rhea standing beside me. With a smile, she extended her hand towards me, and I returned the gesture, giving it a gentle squeeze."I heard you were transferred," She said. Raising my brows, I waited for her to explain. She shrugged and said, "Rumors spread faster than you can imagine."I giggled and nodded. I hadn't expected gossiping here. I thought that was exclusive to the Royal Wolf Tribe. Even as a lowly slave, as Delicia had referred to me, I still managed to make people talk.The hall was quiet, but I sensed a presence. I believed it was none other than the hybrid king. The curtains rustled, and I inhaled sharply, feeling a tingling sensation at the back of my neck.Frowning, I stared at my sweaty palms. Then, I turned to Rhea, who was beaming with a bright smile. She wasn't the only one. Everyone around me seemed to share her joy. It was as if I