ALPHA THORNE's POV
The 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 nothing, he continued with his introduction.
"This is Jonathan. Her mate, Jackson his father, and Bianca his mother" I turned my head slightly this time. I knew the Coleman family. They had much influence in this pack and he was often around the alpha. It was hard to miss him when he showed up at almost every meeting, hanging off Mathew's arm like a new bride.
"It's so exciting to have you in our home" the woman stepped forward. Once I stared at her, she took a step back.
"P-pardon me" she stuttered, a nervous laugh following her apology.
"I hope it's to your liking and you're having a fun time" Not a fun time but I wasn't about to engage in any form of discussion with them.
"I'll have a stiff drink," I said and walked away from their small crowd. People dashed out of the way as I made my way to an empty seat. I could feel their stares all around me, judging. They saw me as an unhinged animal who would destroy an entire pack if one person upset me in the slightest. They probably thought I would go on a murdering rampage.
I resisted the urge to scoff and reclined on the chair. I didn't care what that thought. It kept them away from me so I was fine. Footsteps appeared behind my chair and then a girl was standing before me, the glass rattling because of how her hands shook.
"I...she..." She didn't get to finish when the glass tipped over and the contents poured over the front of my shirt. Silence descended in the hall and breaths ceased as everyone waited for my reaction.
"I'm sorry. I swear to you. I really am. Please forgive me. Don't kill me" the girl cried, dropping to her knees. I was annoyed by the inconvenience but killing her for spilling a drink was extreme.
"What do you think you're doing" the hostess appeared by her side, glaring down at her.
"I didn't mean it" the girl cried harder.
"But you did it anyway. You ruined his..." I stood up and she went silent. I was done with this party. It was time to leave.
"I'll be on my way now," I said and turned to face the door.
"No please" she jumped in my way.
"We have offended you and we're deeply sorry. Please forgive us" I said nothing. My wolf saw the barrier she was trying to create as a threat and I was conflicted on wanting to tear her face out.
"Let me bring a change of clothes for you. Another woman said and I looked at her. She was Mathew's Luna. I was soaked in liquor so a change of clothes won't be bad. It was better than traveling back, reeking of alcohol. But the moment I was changed. I was leaning,
"Show him to the VIP room. While I get a change of clothes. This way please" the hostess said and I followed. She led me upstairs, into a grand room.
"I can get you a..." she started with a smile.
"I'd like to be left alone" Her smile disappeared.
"Oh...sorry. I was thinking you would..."
"Out now" I snapped and she vanished from the doorway.
I tore off my shirt and tossed it on the bed angrily, feeling my temper rise for no reason. It was my wolf, always angry. I refused to see it but maybe Uncle and the others were right. After I lost my mate, my wolf had been resting on the edge. He needed to be balanced out so the people advised me to take a new Luna...Agatha. I had no feelings for her whatsoever but for the sake of my wolf, I was considering it. I heard a knock on the door and I was instantly hit by an overwhelming scent. Roses and strawberries. My raging wolf had suddenly been hit with desire from this scent. I marched towards the door, coming to a halt at the presence in my room, the owner of this mouth-watering scent. She was covered in filth, but when I looked at her face, she was the most beautiful woman I had ever come across.
My wolf clawed at the restraints I had put over him, he wanted to take over but I held him down. Any sudden movement will frighten her and ruin things before they even start. I needed a clear head for this. I took a long stride, standing so close in front of her and I realized it was a big mistake. In such close proximity, I couldn't control myself. I wanted to reach out but I held myself back. Her blue orbs stared back at me, and my eyes shifted to her parted mouth. I lost it then.
"Mate..." I growled at her huskily.
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
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 realize
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