CHAPTER 3

📍Shannon📍

I stood frozen at the gate, my breath hitching as I took in the scene before me. I was both dumbfounded and embarrassed as my eyes stayed glued to the spot.

Before I could react, strong hands clamped down on my shoulders, pushing me forward. A startled gasp escaped my lips as I stumbled, barely catching my balance. They didn't care. Not one bit. My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of fear and frustration burning inside me.

Just then, someone else joined us. I felt it before I saw him-the shift in the air, the way the men around me straightened, lowering their heads in respect. And when I finally looked up, I understood why.

The man standing before me was clearly in charge. His gaze was sharp, unreadable, and he carried himself with a quiet authority that made my stomach twist.

He let out a smirk which sent my mind spinning in thoughts. I was almost getting lost in his calm hazel eyes when I felt his rough grip on my shoulder.

His grip was firm but not painful, yet it sent a violent shiver through me.

"Shannon, right?" He asked, facing the men who had brought me. They nodded in return, their heads still bowed in silent submission.

The man nodded in satisfaction, accessing me like I was some piece of furniture. When he was done, he cupped my chin slightly, tilting my face up.

"You have just the right qualities I need." He said, his smile mischievous. "I bet our clients will be thrilled to have you on board."

The blood drained from my face, my eyes reeling in curiosity.

Clients?

My mind raced in thoughts, searching for anything that wasn't the horrifying truth forming in my head.

No, no, no.

It can't be.

I couldn't even imagine myself being in the same shoes with those women I had seen earlier. They looked lost and helpless as they were tossed around by the watchmen, and I couldn't imagine myself being treated that way.

I flinched as the man's fingers crept toward my neck, trailing up to my face with a sickening slowness. My breath hitched, panic coursing through my veins. I raised my hand to stop him, but before I could even think of it, he seized me, his grip unyielding as he pressed me hard against the wall.

I gasped, my pulse echoing in my ear. His fingers dug into my sides, his body blocking any chance of escape.

He shoved my hair aside and leaned forward, his breath warm against my face.

His dark gaze bore into me, his eyes trailing at me in a possessive glare. "Listen to me, woman," he hissed, his voice laced with authority and warning. "You belong to me now, and the sooner you realize that, the better for you."

He turned sharply to his guards, his tone cold and merciless. "Seize her and take her into one of the rooms."

Without hesitation, the guards lowered their heads in obedience before grabbing both my arms, their grip tight around my wrists.

Panic surged through me as they dragged me toward the massive building ahead. My heart pounded violently against my chest, and I struggled, but their hold was too strong.

Then, suddenly-

A voice rang out, bold and commanding, slicing through the air like a blade.

"Stop."

The guards stopped immediately, their bodies stiffening as though a force had jerked them back. Their hands trembled as they loosened their grip and released me, stepping away as if afraid to be near me any longer.

Confused, I sucked in a shaky breath and turned towards the direction of the voice.

To my utter surprise, the once-dominant man-the same one who had spoken to me with such boldness just moments ago-was now trembling on his feet. His once-powerful stance had crumbled, his head bowed in total submission.

Then, in unison, the guards fell to their knees, their foreheads nearly touching the ground, fear etched across their faces.

My heart pounded even harder. Who could command such fear and respect?

The man who had claimed ownership over me earlier struggled to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. "M-My king... what brings you here?"

His voice cracked under the weight of his fear, and the silence that followed was overwhelming.

The man behind the voice stepped forward, his large frame towering over us like a mountain against tiny grains of sand.

"Let her go." His deep voice carried a weight that sent shivers down my spine. Without hesitation, he marched straight toward me, his piercing green eyes locked onto mine. Then, to my utter confusion, he reached for my hand, his grip firm yet oddly gentle.

A soft, reassuring smile flashed across his lips before he turned to the man in charge of the building.

"I think I've found exactly what I'm looking for."

The words sent a jolt through me.

My jaw dropped, my mind reeling with thoughts.

What?

He nodded, as if confirming everyone's unspoken questions. Then, in a voice that left no room for doubt, he said, "I would like to have her."

The shock hit me like a slap.

Me? Of all people? In this miserable state?

As I searched his face, something about the way he spoke sent a chill running down my spine. There was something else beneath his words-something dark.

But he wasn't done yet.

Before I could pull my hand away, his grip tightened-firm and possessive. His cold eyes bore into me, rendering me completely restless. I felt stripped bare under the weight of his intense gaze.

"I have chosen her..." he continued, his voice slow. "Not as a hooker, but as a breeder-my personal breeder."

My stomach twisted.

No.

A cold sweat broke out on my skin as his words settled in. This couldn't be real. It had to be some sick joke.

The boss, the one who had been running this whole operation, looked just as stunned as I was. His mouth hung open, his brows furrowed in disbelief. He sucked in a sharp breath before shaking his head.

"I'm sorry, my king, but I think you might be making a mistake. I don't think-"

"This is no mistake." The man cut him off, his tone sharper now. "I want her, and I mean every bit of it."

My breath caught.

He was serious. Dead serious.

The sheer confidence in his words left me frozen, unable to turn my gaze away. Who's he? And what does he want from me?

Just then, he said something else that made my blood run cold.

"Name your price."

CHAPTER 4

📍Shannon📍

I stared at the boss, my heart pounding in my chest. Every nerve in my body screamed for him to say no. To refuse this deal. To keep me here-anywhere but not with this man.

The stranger's offer hung in the air like a heavy storm. A breeder. He wanted me to be his breeder. My stomach twisted at the word.

Minutes ago, I had fought like hell against the guards dragging me into this building. But now, I would rather stay here, in this hellhole, than go with him. Because I knew-deep in my bones-I wouldn't survive him.

The man standing before me was powerful, dangerous. His presence alone sucked the air from the building. His sharp gaze pinned me down like a prey. There was something in his stance, in his voice-possessive, ruthless. Going with him meant writing my death wish with my own hands.

"So, what do you say, Mr. Manager?" The man's voice was calm, but beneath it, there was something darker. A warning. A demand.

The boss hesitated, his lips pressing together. Then, to my horror, he offered a tight smile and stretched out his hand. "I guess we have a deal, my king."

The floor beneath me might as well have shattered. My entire body went rigid.

What?

This can't be.

He had claimed me just minutes ago. He wasn't supposed to give in so easily. He was supposed to fight for me, to refuse. Instead, he gave in without so much as a second thought.

Why? What was it about this man that made people bend to his will? Even the boss-who was speaking with so much authority minutes ago -looked terrified.

The man moved towards me, his pace slow and calculated. "That was quick." He reached for me, but I pulled back, shoving his hand away.

"Don't you dare touch me!" My voice rang out, fierce and unwavering, shocking even myself. "I am not going to be anyone's breeder. Especially not for some stranger."

He laughed. A deep, mocking sound that sent a chill running down my spine.

The boss, however, was furious. His face twisted in rage as he faced me. "Did I just hear you turn down the king's offer?"

I didn't flinch. Didn't move. I had been tossed around like a pawn for too long. I was done being weak.

Before I could react, strong hands grabbed me from behind. I thrashed and kicked, but it was useless. They were too strong. I was hauled toward a sleek black car waiting at the entrance.

Through the tinted glass, I caught sight of them-shaking hands and laughing with so much excitement. My chest tightened. I had been traded. Again.

First, my parents had sold me. Then the boss. And now, I belong to this man.

Tears burned my eyes. Was this my fate? A never-ending cycle of being passed from one monster to another?

The door swung open and he slid in beside me, his face unreadable. The air in the car grew thick, suffocating.

"Drive," he ordered, his voice cold.

The car roared to life, speeding down the road. I sat frozen, my body trembling. I shot a quick glance at him. His face was blank, his gaze locked ahead. But there was something in his eyes-something I couldn't quite name.

Minutes passed in suffocating silence before the car finally came to a stop.

The door opened, and he stepped out. Instantly, his guards were on me, pulling me out of the car. My arms ached from their iron grip.

"Greetings, King Evan."

A soft voice pulled me from my daze. A woman who seemed to be in her mid-twenties, bowed before him, her posture submissive.

I blinked.

Evan?

That was his name? A name that sounded so... normal. Almost gentle. It didn't match him at all. He was anything but gentle.

Who was he? And why did everyone fear him like he was a god?

He barely acknowledged the woman, his expression as cold as ever. And that's when it hit me.

It wasn't just me. He didn't care about anyone.

A chill ran down my spine. Was this why the boss had handed me over so easily? Was this why no one dared to oppose him?

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I swallowed them down. Crying wouldn't save me.

But this man wasn't done yet. He turned to his guards, and his next words left me completely breathless.

"Get her into the guestroom and have the maids prepare her for tonight."

My breath seized.

Tonight? What does that even mean?

An unsettling fear gnawed at me but before I could process his words, his guards were already on me, grabbing me tight as they led me into a strange room.

Some women were already there, waiting. The moment the guards threw me in, they approached me, their faces warm with smiles.

"We have been ordered to get you prepared, milady."

The words landed like a slap. My pulse quickened.

So it's really not a joke.

I pulled away from their grip, resisting every attempt they made to force me into the bathroom.

"I can do it myself." I said, my voice shaky now. The women exchanged glances with themselves, smiling in a quite suspicious manner.

They shook their heads, their faces defiant. "I'm sorry, but we were strictly ordered not to let you do anything. We need to take care of you so you don't feel fatigued from what you'll be doing tonight."

"And what's that?" I inquired, becoming increasingly fascinated.

They become silent again. I nod and let them do their thing.

They assisted me in showering, and when we returned to the bedroom, they brushed my hair and prepared a nightgown for me to wear. It's a thin, see-through white lace nightgown.

When I put it on, it fitted wonderfully around my curvaceous shape, leaving little to the imagination.

I really want to ask them why I am dressed like this and why I have so many rose petals in my bath. What are they preparing me for?

But before I could get an opportunity to ask them anything, they were already gone.

Just suddenly, the door burst open once again, bringing with it an overwhelming atmosphere.

CHAPTER 5

📍 Shannon 📍

"Who are-?" My voice trembled as a wave of cold air rushed in through the open door. The hallway beyond is dark, the dim light from my room unable to reach the shadowed figure standing there. The longer the person stood there, the heavier the dread in my chest grew. "-You?" I finally whisper.

But all I got was silence.

The figure neither spoke nor moved. My pulse quickened, the fear creeping in deeper. I don't usually get scared. But after what happened today, my nerves were shattered, scattered like shards of glass.

"What do you want?!" I demanded, stepping forward despite the panic clawing at my chest. And that's when it hit me-

A scent. Strong and overwhelming.

Candy and roses, laced with something deeper, something rich and sweet, like raspberries. It floods my senses, intoxicating and almost... familiar.

Then, finally, the answer came.

"You."

A single word. Rough. Low. A baritone voice that sends a shiver down my spine.

The figure moved at last, stepping into the light.

I took a sharp step back, my body reacting before my mind catches up. And then, I saw him.

The same man. The same nonchalant man who had bought me off moments ago.

I guess I hadn't paid enough attention to him earlier. I never realized he was this tall until now. He strode forward-straight towards me, his incredibly tall frame towering over me.

I've always been proud of my 5 '7 frame-taller than most girls I knew-but next to him, I felt so, so small. What is he? Six-three? Six-four?

His silver hair, wet and sleek, draped over his face like he had just stepped out of the shower. Or maybe he just always looked effortlessly, sinfully attractive.

God. What am I even thinking?

But I can't help it. The more I take in his sight, the more captivated I become.

His chest is bare, muscles flexing as he moves. His arms, strong and muscular, swing with every little shift.

The sheer size of him, the dominance radiating off of him-it's suffocating. My breath caught in my throat as my gaze dropped lower, and-

Oh.

His shorts. Loose. But not loose enough.

The thick erection beneath them is impossible to ignore. And he's also making no effort to hide it.

Heat flooded my cheeks as I pulled my eyes away, suddenly conscious of my own body-of the way my nightgown clings to me, how exposed I felt next to him.

"At some point, you're gonna have to look me in the eyes." His voice was smoother now, deeper and teasing.

Shame washed through me and I forced myself to meet his gaze.

His hazel eyes were dark and unreadable. The intensity of his gaze sent another wave of heat through me, dragging low in my stomach.

Who really is this man? And why is he making me feel this way so fast even when I tried so hard to resist him?

I've met men before. I've been flirted with, seduced even. But I've never encountered anyone like this man.

"If you keep staring at me like that, I guess we're gonna be here all night," he drawled. "And I sure as hell didn't plan on that."

I swallowed hard. "I-I wasn't- I mean, I didn't mean to stare."

"Oh, you can stare all you want. That's not a problem." His smirk deepened, making my heart race. "But I like to look too."

My brows furrowed. "I don't-"

"You'll understand soon enough." He stepped closer, his presence swallowing the air between us. "Listen carefully. I won't repeat myself, Shannon."

My name on his lips-

It sounded like a curse. Like something dirty.

I stiffened. There's no warmth in the way he says it. Only cold disdain. Like I'm nothing more than a pawn in whatever game he's playing.

"As we both know, your master has given me authority over you," he said, gently holding my chin as he moved closer, a sly smile on his lips. "So now, you are my breeder."

My breath hitched, my body going rigid.

What?! No!

I thought this was all a joke all along. Did he really mean it when he said I was going to be his breeder?

I dropped to my knees, suddenly realizing that I was at his mercy now. "No please, don't do this. I can do anything else for you–I can serve you, clean, cook, wash. Whatever." I said, my voice laced with desperation. "B...But I can't be your breeder, please." My voice was shaky now, and I hated how vulnerable it made me look before him.

He stepped in, closing the last of the space between us. My knees hit the bed, and I falled back slightly, hands gripping the sheets.

He towered over me, his body so close, too close. My heart slammed against my ribs as his eyes dragged over me, slow and calculating.

Then he leaned down, and his next words made my stomach drop.

"I'm not here to negotiate with you." He hissed. "You are my breeder, and the earlier you realize that, the better for you."

I froze.

But he wasn't done yet.

"I'll fuck you, put my pups in you, and you'll give birth to them." He said it so casually, like he's discussing the weather. "As many times as I want. Do you understand?"

A strangled breath escaped from my lips. My whole body trembled.

This can't be real.

I slipped backward slowly, struggling to crawl my way to the bed when I felt his firm grip on my legs.

He jerked me back towards himself, his hands grabbing my waistline in a violent manner.

Then he stopped, his gaze suddenly calm. He stood up and turned toward the door, facing away from me.

"I've decided not to be violent. Since you belong to me, there shouldn't be a need to force you, right?" he asked, his voice cold but gentle.

He turned slowly, his eyes scanning me with a nauseating dominance.

"Strip."