(Amber's POV) This cell that I had been thrown in certainly wasn't the worst that I had experienced but that didn't make it pleasant by any means. The smell of damp and mildew permeated this place and the grime that I could feel on the floor below made my stomach twist in disgust. Compared to this cell, the maids dormitory was practically a mansion. Plagued by the memories of my nightmare, I hadn't slept a wink all night, yet I still hadn't dared to open my eyes in case I found the faces of the men that haunted my dreams staring back at me. "Just tell him Amber," Rae whined, my lack of sleep beginning to impact on her irritability as well. "Rae…I can't. Look at how he's treating us now! Imagine how he would react if he found out that he was lied to!" "Maybe he'll give your father what he's got coming to him . Karma works in mysterious ways!" she shrugged , completely unbothered by the potential fallout. "But what about our mother Rae? I won't have her become collateral damage be

(Amber's POV) I stared at him, my heart beating wildly as I tried to wrap my head around what he was telling me. I belonged to him? A wave of dread washed over my body as I debated the possibility that he thought to use me as a slave for his desires…a breeder or a whore. Neither of them was a good option. "We are tied into this marriage Amber, and whether he accepts it or not he is our mate." Rae urged, "Would sleeping with him be so bad? We were made for each other after all, so why not show the initiative and make the first move?" "And give myself to him?!" I gasped at her in horror. "I don't see why not. Perhaps he will soften towards us" Rae shrugged, "It is often the way for Alpha's and their mates. Just look at how the Alpha King is with his Luna. They are everything that every fated pair dreams to be." I swallowed nervously as a steely determination settled over my heart. For my mother's sake, I could do this. Rae was right, what shame was there to be had in sleeping wit

(Amber's POV) When I finished a day's work, exhausted, I returned to my room. I tried to avoid Ryan because whenever I saw him, I couldn't control the blush that spread across my face. Ever since I bit him, my room had been moved next to his. Ryan reasoned that I was too dangerous, and he was worried I would harm the pack. If I engaged in any dangerous behavior again, he could kill me promptly. I accepted his explanation without any complaints. This room was much better than the previous one. However, since Ryan left last night, I distinctly sensed a presence in my room. It was evident that this person wanted to kill me, but the encounter with Ryan had left me drained, and I couldn't bring myself to open my eyes. I don't know how much time passed, but I fell into sleep as the feeling of being watched eventually subsided . I just hoped that I wouldn't meet him today. Every time he appeared, it made me nervous. His gaze was just too... intense. But as I tried to open my door, the d

(Ryan's POV) "I would choose your words a little more carefully Alpha Bennet," I warned as I fought the urge to wipe that smug smile off his goddamn face. "Why? It's okay for you to throw accusations around and not anyone else?" He snorted arrogantly, "You, Alpha Ryan, need to remember that out of all of us, you are among the most junior and as such you should respect your elders!" "Respect is earned, old man and I see nothing from your conduct here today that affords you that privilege." I replied, my tone dangerously low as I leaned across the table towards him. Galle cleared his throat beside me and laid a hand on my shoulder. "Now now gentleman, there's no need for all this," He soothed amicably, "Nobody was pointing fingers at you specifically Alpha Bennet, we were merely following the most logical train of thought." "I think it's pretty apparent that you won't hang any of your own members out to dry," Alpha bennet sneered as he tried to get a rise out of Galle as well, but

(Amber's POV) "I could smell you from outside Amber. What the fuck are you doing in my office?" He snarled as I swallowed nervously, wracking my brain as I tried to figure out the best way to ask him to reinstate funds to my bastard of a father. "Deep breaths Amber…you can do this." Rae reassured me as my heart pounded wildly in my chest. "I don't have all day," Ryan snarled as he began to walk slowly, almost predatorially towards me, "I…I need to ask you something, but I'm not sure how best to phrase it." I rushed out hesitantly as I willed my heart rate to slow down before I gave myself a heart attack, "Can you please reinstate the payments to my fathers pack?" The feral snarl that erupted from between his lips had me screwing my eyes shut reflexively and I flinched backwards from the fury that radiated off him. Before I could react further his fingers pinched around my chin painfully and suddenly he was in front of me, his scent wrapping itself around me like an intoxicating b