I managed to find some almost spoiled food and filled my stomach with it.
Lady Bianca wouldn't notice it so I ate it because if she knew about it, she would rather discard it than let me eat it. Hell if she found out that I ate it, my back would be sore by tomorrow from a whipping.
With some food in my stomach, I was able to function properly for the rest of the day without running into any trouble. I did my duties while managing to stay out of their line of sight.
Night came and I did all I was supposed to. After dinner, I scrubbed the kitchen clean. I was supposed to retire to bed and have a good sleep but I wanted to go to the forest.
It was the only place in the whole pack where I could be free where I could spend hours alone and forget the horror my life was. Where nothing mattered. Not any mother, father, or the rest of the pack who hated me. I made sure they were all asleep and I crept out of the house. I didn't want anyone to find out about that place because once they realized how happy I could be there, they would take it away from me. I felt my body come alive as I arrived at the river hidden in the heart of the woods. Nobody ventured out this far so I could enjoy it in peace. I stripped out of my clothes and climbed into the water, soaking myself and just enjoying it.
The moon shone brightly, illuminating the water and giving it a soft glow. I washed my body and then just swam in the water, wishing I could stay forever.
My moment of quietness was interrupted when I heard a loud creak. My body tensed and I looked around. I'd never heard any sound in these parts before. I wanted to go back to enjoying the water but I couldn't. Not when someone else was here with me. Someone in the shadows.
I felt all the hair on my body rise since I was hyper-aware of my surroundings. I made a slow movement to the bank. I heard another sound, closer this time, and then Jonathan appeared from the woods. He had a wide smile on his face as he stared at me.
Creeps ran down my spine at the look on his face. I looked at my clothes, taking my eyes off him for a brief second. I wanted to grab it but half of my body would become visible to him and I didn't want that. It was very subtle but I noticed a change in Jonathan's behavior towards me. I found him staring at my body for way too long and giving weird smiles when he thought nobody was looking.
"Don't you feel cold in the water" he drew closer.
"Stay back. Don't come any closer"
"You can't tell me what to do. But because I'm feeling generous tonight, I'll give you two options. Come to me or I'll come to you" None. I chose none but I didn't say it out loud. I looked at my clothes one more time. Maybe I should risk flashing him if that is the only way to get out of here.
"You're thinking too hard sister. It's a simple thing" he said, taking a step further.
"I'll come out. But can you please turn around?" From the look on his face, he wasn't pleased but he turned around anyway.
'It's now or never Ava' I said to myself. I was surprised by the speed at which I moved, grabbing my clothes in a flash and taking off in the other direction before he could notice. I pulled the large shirt over my head as I ran. I could hear him rushing behind me but I didn't stop. I ran faster, with all the strength my lithe body possessed but it wasn't enough. I was thrown on the floor by a large weight. I instantly rolled onto my back and tried to push him off me but he was too heavy.
"I gave you an option you bitch" he hit my face. I would never dare to go against Jonathan, but in this moment, I knew what he wanted and I couldn't let it happen. I scratched with my nails and bit his flesh with my teeth. A satisfying howl of pain filled the night and I took the time to push him off me. I took off running again but I didn't get far this time. He hit me from behind, smacking my face twice in succession and stomping his feet over my stomach. I curled into a ball full of pain as he paced in front of me.
"Why did you have to run? I wanted to help you. To take you away from this miserable life" there was nothing like help from Jonathan.
"I'm going to be mated to the alpha's daughter soon. You can come with me to the pack house. You don't have to endure my mother anymore" I said nothing.
"I can help you Ava" he brushed his finger across my forehead.
"But I only want something from you. Let me be your first" his breath hit my face as he spoke, leaning closer.
Never. I wanted to scream in his face but I moved away from his touch. He didn't stop smiling but the look in his eyes changed. The false kindness was replaced with a sadistic look.
"I'll be generous and give you until the end of the mating party with my mate. I want my answer by then or I'll send you to the slave camp to serve the other wolves. Don't test me" and with that he was gone, leaving me in pain on the floor and the worst kind of fear I have ever experienced.
No matter what, I had to look for a way out. I couldn't be sent to the slave camp. Being a rogue was frightening, but the slave camp was hell on earth.
After my encounter with Jonathan in the forest and the days to the party drew closer, each day felt like hell to me. Not because of the physical pain I felt, but because I was dreading the words he had said to me. He was capable of making it happen especially once the mating to the alpha's daughter is done and he becomes next in line to be alpha. But I couldn't give in to him. I was waiting for my mate. He'll be disappointed in me if I ever did something like that. And what's worse, Jonathan is my brother. It was wrong but he didn't see that. He couldn't see past his desire to get what he wanted no matter what.The thought of the slave camp made me shudder. It was a place of horrendous activities. Female slaves were captured and sent there, made to serve the men repeatedly by choice or otherwise. None of the girls who were ever sent there made it out alive. I feared being a rogue but I feared going to the slave camp even more."Run away" a voice screamed in my head but I couldn't. I c
ALPHA THORNE's POVThe night was slow and I was already having regrets about coming here. I didn't want to be here. The daughter of an alpha getting mated to a nameless boy wasn't reason enough to drag me out of the comfort of my pack but here I was, all because my uncle was a stubborn male who wouldn't leave me alone. Alliances he said but looking at these people I didn't need them and they wouldn't be of any help if I needed one.I was going to return to my pack. I wouldn't even spend the night like they had planned for me. It would be a miracle if I even lasted until the end of the night."Alpha Thorne" a high-pitched voice drew my attention and I turned slightly, coming face to face with the alpha, Mathew. His daughter is by his side with a trail of people standing next to her."I wanted you to meet my daughter," he said eagerly, pushing her forward. I didn't spare her a glance and kept my gaze on him. He looked like he was waiting for my approval or something. But when I said not
I couldn't believe what I just heard. He was my mate? How was that possible? The Alpha Thorne was my mate? It didn't sound right when I repeated it in my head."Who are you?" His voice was gruff and insistent, demanding for a response immediately."Ava" I answered immediately, submitting to the alpha command in his voice."Who are you and why are you here like this? Who are your parents" he grabbed my arms tightly and I jerked back instantly. He let me go but his focus stayed on me."My father is Jackson Coleman" I mumbled. I saw the shock in his eyes."Jackson? I didn't know he had a daughter" I wasn't surprised. How could he know? They didn't take me out like they took Jonathan. I was always introduced as a slave so even if he wanted to, he couldn't know me."Why are you like this? What are you doing here?" He asked again.I didn't know how to answer his questions. How do I tell him that I was the daughter of the mistress, so hated by her family that they treated me like the help? M
Alpha Thorne's words resounded in the room and then I heard a collective gasp ripple through the environment, followed by a murmur of astonishment and chaos. I felt a thousand eyes on me, their gazes burning into my skin, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from Alpha Thorne. His expression was unreadable, a storm of emotions wrecked through me as I stared at his emotionless eyes holding mine."No!"Jonathan's voice rang out, filled with outrage and disbelief. He pushed his way through the crowd, his face twisted in a snarl. He was vibrating with so much anger. "Ava is not going anywhere with you. She is our servant and you're not taking her anywhere"Alpha Thorne's gaze shifted to Jonathan, his eyes narrowing with a cold, calculating fury."You dare try to stop me?" he asked, his voice low and threatening. I never thought silence could be so loud."You must have a smart mouth. You dare challenge me" he took a step forward and the silence deepened.Jonathan's face turned red with rage,
My body didn't feel like my own. I just wanted to lie down for a moment and rest my head. Even if it was just for a little movement. My body needed rest. That much was evident in my sluggish movement and tired face.Anyone could tell but yet nobody would say a word because they didn't care about me. Born as the daughter of a mistress, my life had never been easy. Occasionally I wished I died along with my mother or that she had never crossed my father's path but it wouldn't change anything. I can't undo the mistake that brought me into this cruel world.Every day was hell for me and I longed for an escape but I was too much of a coward to try. I stopped the large bag of grains that I carried on my back. The dropping made a loud thud and I winced. That sound will definitely attract some unwanted attention.It was still very early in the morning and the time for them to wake up was still far. If I awoke Lady Bianca before the appropriate time, I would receive a whopping. I opened the ba