"What is it, Liam?" he asked while still holding me.

My face was flaming, so I buried it in his shirt. I could not believe I was kissing a man in the alley.

Hold up, shut the front door. Did I just say a man? I mean a monster that tried killing me earlier today.

"What did I just do?" I exclaimed, jumping off his hands and cleaning off my lips with the back of my hands.

He shot me a glance, ignored me, and turned his gaze at the guy who gave him the contract earlier.

"We are ready to leave Alpha; her bag is already in the car," he said.

"Good."

"He is an Alpha." I heard my wolf whispering, feeling all giddy, but I didn't share the same feeling with her.

"No wonder the aura he exudes." I thought to myself,

"Time to go. Your bag is in the car," he said, and he started dragging me.

"This is kidnapping, and I won't let you take me." I did not finish what I was saying when he lifted me off the ground, throwing me like some sack over his shoulders.

"Let me go!" I yelled while kicking and hitting him hard, but it was like, I was hitting some rock.

"Damn it!" he yelled. I guess I was getting on his nerves. He set me down, still holding onto me. He shook me a little bit, and I began feeling dizzy. It felt like the stress of today was trying to catch up with me. The more I fought to keep my eyes open the more I lost consciousness saw.

I heard him saying something, chuckling dryly, and then he lifted off the ground again.

I wanted to call him a psychopath, but I could not talk; my mouth felt heavy and my eyes closed.

***

When I woke up, I heard the sound of someone. I groaned, then pushed up. I did not know where I was, but the room smelled of money. The bed was extra soft, and the decor was fit for royalty. I was lost for a second, wondering if I had moved to another time in space.

When I looked up, I saw a large portrait of Mr. Reed, I was wondering why that lunatic picture was staring back at me when I remembered what happened

. I put two and two together, and then I instantly knew we were back at the penthouse.

"He kidnapped me!" I yelled, realizing that I was being locked up in this room without my consent.

"This is against the law!" I screamed, banging on the door.

"Let me out!" I yelled out, still banging on the door, but there was still no response. I heard no one outside the door, and I began imagining a lot of things. Since he didn't want anyone to know I was his mate, maybe he locked me away to die in here.

I nearly started to cry, but then I remembered that if I died, he would get weak, so I dried my tears.

I was still lost in thought when I heard a knock on the door, and I hurried back to the bed, but not before grabbing a glass that I saw on the table for safety.

The door revealed a middle-aged woman who started to smile as soon as she saw me. I sighed in relief.

"How do you feel?"

"Great, I mean, I was kidnapped, drugged, and locked in here. I feel so wonderful," I said, smiling awkwardly while still looking at her.

"That's good to hear, Are you hungry? Do you like beef noodle soup?"

My stomach growled immediately when I heard her mention food, forgetting my predicament. "Yes."

"Then come to the dining room and eat, Luna. The Alpha said, To make sure that you eat."

I looked at her in surprise, then remembered the contract guy called him Alpha: "My name is Anabella, not Luna, and where is your Alpha?"

"He went home, Luna; I can't address you by your name."

"What! Where is home? He can't keep me locked in here forever, will he?" I asked her.

"Home, at Celestial Pack, he is the Alpha King, and as such, there was something that required his attention."

"What, and when will he be back?" I asked.

She shrugged. "I don't know, but I have everything ready for you. Would you prefer to take your bath or would you eat dinner first?"

"Hold, he is not just an Alpha, but he is the Alpha fucking king!" I screamed out, and she looked at me weirdly. I guess my language offends her, but I don't fucking care right now.

For fucks sake, the messed-up maniac is the Alpha King? It now explains why he was pissed off that he was mated to me. I fell on the bed, looking into the space.

"Is everything okay?" the middle-aged woman asked.

"Dinner, I will have dinner; I haven't eaten for so long," I said, then stood up, pretending I was okay.

"What is your name?" I asked her.

"My name is Ana, Luna. Please sit." She pointed at the chair.

Everything about this place screamed luxury; I didn't get a better glimpse of the place when I came the first time. The table was made of silver glass, which was so beautiful. There were three golden buffets at the end of the table. The plates were not the kind I had ever seen anywhere before.

Maybe it's strictly made for the Alpha King. What was I expecting? He dominated the human world with his companies and chains of hotels.

The Forbes listed him as one of the most influential men in the world.

There was no picture of him, as such, no one knew what the mysterious Reed looked like. I thought he would be an old, sickly man. He was wise to hide, though, to preserve the image the public had of him because if he interacted with people more, no one would want to have anything to do with such a monster.

I wonder how humans would react when they found out that one of the most influential men is a supernatural being and not a human.

She dished my food and then brought it to me. It smelled so delicious that I wanted to dig in, but then I remembered.

"Sorry to ask this. How do I know that it isn't poisoned?" I asked. Don't blame me; blame the bastard in the portrait staring at me.

She grabbed a spoon, said, "If you do not mind," and ate two spoons from it.

I started eating the noodles while trying to get information out of her, but she was very tight-lipped. Maybe he had threatened to kill her too; if she breathed a word to me.

"What is the alpha like?" I told her I wasn't going to give up so easily.

"Like every other Alpha," she answered.

"What is every other alpha like?" I have never been to any pack; as a matter of fact, I have only met a few wolves, which were my mom's friends.

"How long have you been working here, and how come there is no one here but you?" I asked.

"I don't recall how long, but it's been a long time, and the Alpha prefers it that way," she said.

"What of the door? Do you have the key to it, and can you get me out of this place?" I begged.

She glanced at me like I wasn't speaking the language she understood.

"Please stop, Luna; I can't help you escape."

I was just being selfish and unreasonable; I was not sure if he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she helped me.

I stopped asking her questions and finished my food in silence. She grabbed took away the plates.

"Can you show me around?"

"If you want Luna but only the inside, the Alpha doesn't want you outside."

It was on the tip of my tongue to protest and ask her to take me outside as well, but I remembered I was only going to put myself in danger and decided not to. Even if they did take me outside, I have a feeling it would be heavily guarded since I tried escaping earlier.

It's not like I could jump off the building; it's a fucking penthouse.

"Of course," I said, and she went on to show me the main room, two other rooms, a mini library, the swimming room, a small cinema for just two people, and a mini gym. He pointed at his office. I had no idea a penthouse had that much.

There wasn't much to see, but I was kind of impressed with the ones she showed me.

When we were done, I went into the room I was locked in earlier. After grabbing two books from the library, I wanted to dive right in and divulge them, but I decided to bathe before the Alpha came back. I have no idea where that maniac was sleeping, but I don't want a repeat of what happened in the alley.

I got naked since I was alone and started searching for my towel and phone, but I couldn't find them anywhere in the room, not even in my bag I saw on a couch.

I wrapped my body in the sheets and stepped out of the room.

"Ana, I'm looking for my phone."

"The Alpha King took it; he said he would give it back if you behaved, Luna." She said, my grip on the sheets tightened, and I wanted to murder him.

He was scared his threats wouldn't get to me, and I ended up calling the police.

"Bastard," I cursed under my breath.

"Can I at least get a towel?" I asked her, pissed off.

"Yes, Luna," she replied, hastily disappearing into one of the other rooms.

"Here," she said, giving me a towel. I went back into the room and put back the sheets. I went into the bathroom, dropped the towel on a hanger, and turned on the shower.

Memories of the kiss we shared in the alley filled my mind, but I quickly shoved it aside, sticking my head in the shower as water trickled down my body.

I heard the bathroom door open, and I turned, facing a naked Alpha King.

I was lost for words while trying to figure out what was going on in his head.

"He is freaking naked," I gasped internally, my eyes almost bulging out of the socket.

"You!" he growled like he was staring at a disgusting sight. Before I couldn't say a word, the lights went off. We were both standing in the darkness, but wolves are blessed with night vision. But seems like a curse right now.

I quickly snapped out of it, and grabbing the bathing robe hanging at the corner, I maneuvered my way out of the bathroom. While he stared, I didn't so much as glance in his direction.

I sat on the bed breathing heavily, but the moment I heard him squeeze the door handle, I dashed out of the room.

I don't think I can handle another breath-stopping episode again. Pressing my back to the door, I was working on steadying my racing heart.

My wolf fighting to take control, but I wouldn't let it. The last thing I want is a repeat of the episode at the alley.

I heard his footsteps heading towards the door.

And I grabbed the handle.

"What are you doing?" I heard his deep voice from the other end of the door.

I didn't think I could face him yet, and I didn't want to piss him off either. But I was doing a bad job on the latter.

I was still holding the door handle when I felt someone touch me from behind.

I gasped and turned around frantically to see a slender-looking lady standing behind me; my brows furrowed the moment I smelled Mr. Reed's scent on her.

My wolf growled. I was still trying to figure things out. Mr. Reed walked out; he was loosely tying a white towel. His chest was bare, tanned, hot, and enticing.

"What are you still doing here?" He blurted out,

"Kane, Come on, it wouldn't kill you to have some fun," the slender lady said, grabbing his hand and leaning her head on his shoulder.

"No! Snap her head," I heard my wolf growl, but I knew better than to charge at her.

"Why did he let her touch him like that?" I whispered under my breath.

"Please..... It's my birthday, for me, please..." She made baby faces at him.

"Your majesty, dinner is served," Ana announced, bowing her head before she turned to leave.

"Ana, what was she doing in my bathroom?" He pointed at me.

I felt my stomach churn in disgust; he didn't just refer to me as she.

"She..." Ana stuttered.

"You didn't!" He scowled and hurriedly went inside, pulled open the door to the walk-in closet to see my bag stacked in the corner.

"You asked me to show her to a room. I thought as your mate, it's only ideal you stay toget..…"

"Ana!"

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, I will get it done...." She stammered and hurriedly went inside to get my bags.

I stood there watching the entire drama, my hands clenched into a fist. I wanted to punch him, but what did I expect from my so-called mate?

He tried killing me the very minute he realized who I was.

The slender lady gave me a condescending look, grinning as she walked past me, entering the room the minute Ana stepped out with the last bag.

He walked back inside, not sparing me a glance as he shut the door.

"Luna, let me show you to your room," Ana smiled at me.

I wanted to bite her head off for calling me Luna but decided to let it go.

I headed into the room next to Mr. Reed's; it wasn't as luxurious as the first room, but compared to my room at my apartment, it was beautiful.

Ana stacked up my bags in the wardrobe while I sat on the bed.

"Luna, you should come out for dinner...."

"I'm fine, Ana. I want to rest now." I quickly cut her off. To think she would even suggest I eat with Kane and his whore—is she that clueless, or does she just want to get on my nerves?

I lay on the bed fuming with anger when I heard them leaving the penthouse.

I couldn't help but imagine the two backed into a corner, tearing at each other's clothes.

I kept on tossing and turning on the bed, till I dozed off.

* * *

I woke up the next morning with bags under my eyes; I looked more like a ghost than an actual human being.

They must have slept out because I didn't hear them get in yesterday.

I didn't want to spend another second in here, or I might lose my senses. To think that whore locked me in here only to go frolicking with his slut.

I hurriedly brushed, took my bath, and picked out a dress from the wardrobe.

Did a light makeup to cover up the evidence of staying awake half of the night?

Picking out a bag and shoes to match, I dashed out of the room. I saw Ana in the kitchen cooking. I glanced at the entrance door, and it was slightly ajar.

"Good morning Lu..…" The words caught up in her mouth the moment she noticed I was all dressed up. Sneaking past the door.

I ignored her and made my way out, I quickly stabbed the elevator button.

"No...No," she screamed, heading towards me.

The door swishes open, and I hurriedly step inside. I stab it one more time, and it swishes closed before she can get to me.

I sighed in relief. I wasn't going to spend another minute with that whore. To think he was my first kiss. Made me sick in my stomach.

Immediately the elevator chimed, the door pulled open, and that whore was standing in front of the elevator.

I couldn't move; the smirk on his face sent chills down my spine.

"Going somewhere?" he asked with amusement on his face. He slowly walked into the elevator and pressed the button, the door sealed shut.

"I...I"

"Why do you continue to defy me?"

My heart skipped a beat, wondering if this would be my end. I grabbed the dress I was wearing. While putting on a bold face to mask my fear.

Immediately we were back in the penthouse. We met Ana on the floor, bawling her eyes out. I guess she understands her fate since she lost me. I felt guilty for making her cry, but I had to get away from him.

She jerked off the floor at the sight of me and Mr. Reed.

"Ah....."

"Follow me," he spat out, ignoring Ana.

He pulled open the door of his study, and I quickly followed him in.

He didn't offer me a seat, and I didn't bother sitting either.

He picked up a file on the desk and a pen.

"Sign this," he said, placing the file on the table. Without being told, I knew it was the damned contract again. There is no running from this hellhole if I sign that.

But if I should stay, it will be on my terms, not his.

"I get to keep working."

"What?"

"If you get to keep your whores, I get to keep working," I spat out, looking him dead in the eyes.

He smirked, came closer, and ran his fingers through my hair, taking in my scent.

"Jealous much?" I could swear he was enjoying my misery. But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction he craves.

"You wish, no touching; you should include that in the contract too."

He smiled and grabbing the paper, he tore it in half and tossed it in the waste bin.

"Sit," he said, firing on the laptop to make some adjustments.

"I'm fine," I said, struggling to keep a bold face.

Within a couple of minutes, he was done and printed out the new contract.

I went through it, and satisfied, I signed it.

" Since we are done, I should return to work now." I turned almost immediately, clutching my bag tightly, fighting hard not to crash.

"Only if you have a job to return to." I stopped in my tracks the moment I heard him.

"What? thought you were fired yesterday." He walked casually to the chair to sit.

That was when it hit me: I came up here because that bastard fired me.

"Shit!" I forgot about it; I should have included that in the contract before Isigned it.

"He played me," I whispered to myself.

But I wasn't going to back down now.

"You can fix it, if you want to," I reminded him.

"If I want to..." I knew what this whore was playing at. He gave in knowing I had no job to get back to, but I won't give in yet, not without a fight.

"Fine, I guess I have to go hunting for a new job. I wonder which of your enemies I would run into." I made a sad face and left.

When he didn't call me back, I felt defeated, although I was still proud of myself for standing up to him, even when I was scared. But I lost in the end.

I decided to go back to the office to clear my desk and say goodbye to my colleagues.

Immediately I stepped inside the office, I heard voices at Mark's office, then the door was pushed open and two security staff were dragging Mark out of the office with the hotel manager standing at the corner.

In a matter of minutes, they cleared out his desk. I was still trying to figure out what was happening when the hotel manager handed me a letter. While apologizing for any inconveniences caused before leaving.

I tore the envelope open, and the moment my eyes rested on the content of the letter, I froze.

My body was all shaky, and my mind was blank for a second, but the sound of my phone notification brought me back to reality.

My brows furrowed while I fumbled with my bag in search of it. I was shocked when I brought out my phone from the bag.

I stared at it for some seconds, wondering how it made its way into my bag.

"Bastard, you got what you wanted," I cursed. I didn't even know when he returned the phone.

"Hold on, the screen." I can't believe he fixed the screen. I remembered the phone was broken in more places than I can count. For a second I was grateful to him for saving me some cash.

But when I recalled that the screen broke thanks to him, I quickly snapped out of it.

I opened the message that came earlier, and I was shocked to see it was from Kane.

"Speak of the devil," I whispered.

"How do you like your new job?" I read the text out loud.

I was loss for words, glancing from the phone to the promotion letter I had been holding the entire time. I hurriedly went into my supposed new office; I had no idea how to feel about the whole situation.

For a second I felt sorry for Mark, but when I remembered how he unjustly fired me, every shred of pity and guilt I felt disappeared.

I guess this is what it felt like to have friends in high places.

I sat on the chair smiling from ear to ear and swirled around happily.

"He listens," I whispered to myself. I picked up my phone to type an appreciation text but didn't know how to start. I don't want to come off like an ass-licker, but I also didn't want to be branded ungrateful either.

"This was you're doing?" I texted, pretending I didn't understand his message.

"Who did you think did it? Karma? I didn't want that pig anywhere near you; now we're even."

I didn't know what to make of it; I just wanted my old job back. He didn't have to fire Mark to give it back.

"What does he mean by being even, He can't be into me?" I whispered but immediately shoved the thought out. It sounded crazy; How could he, when he was just getting back from his exhausting night out with his slut.

I spent the whole day moving into my new office as the new supervisor. By the time I was done, it was break time.

I was already exhausted and collapsed into the chair to catch my breath.

I can't believe none of my colleagues would help me. I know I'm the freak sleep concierge, thanks to my gloved hands, but I had never imagined I would suddenly be hated.

I heard them whispering behind my back a couple of times as I came to pick up a few things, but I decided to play dumb. Besides, they are the least of my problems.

"I need the money," I chanted a few times. I mean, money is the only emotional booster I can relate to right now.

My phone chimed, the moment I saw the message on the screen, I gasped and jerked off the chair.

"No, no, no!" I screamed, picking up my bag and phone. I dashed off from the office. I ran to the unit entrance door; luckily, he wasn't there yet.

I have suffered enough gossip and backlash for one day; having him visit me at my office to congratulate me would blow things out of proportion.

"The almighty Kane Reed, never," I whispered as I hurried down the hall, hoping to catch up with him somewhere secluded and stop him. Immediately I took the next turn, down the hallway. Close to the elevator, I saw him standing by himself.

I sighed in relief and moved closer only to find someone else standing at the corner with both hands held together. I dodged, praying he didn't see me.

Mr. Reed was wearing a button-up black shirt that could barely contain his well-defined muscles and a pair of black trousers to go with it.

On a closer look, I noticed the person he was speaking with was Kris Tanner, the hotel manager, Mark's son. My heart skipped a beat.

I texted him to meet me out front, away from the prying eyes of the hotel manager and my colleagues.

He read the text and ignored me. Before I knew what was happening, he was heading towards me with the hotel manager walking behind him. I made to walk away but he caught up quickly.

"There you are," he smiled at me.

"Hi, Mr. Reed." I forced a smile and turned to Kris, who was staring at me confused.

"Mr. Tanner, good day," I greeted, praying he didn't remember me, but how could he not? I mean, I'm the reason his father was fired.

"I should introduce you. Meet my fiancée, Miss Anabella Stone." I turned almost immediately to glare at him, shocked to my bones.

"I... It's a pleasure to meet you." I was transfixed to the spot, unable to say a word. I clenched my fist, fighting the urge to punch him across his face, but that would be suicide.

"Please do take care of her," Kane said to Kris. I turned to face Kris, still faking a smile.

"We should get going, honey," Kane said to me, fondly placing a hand on my back. I wanted to yank myself away from him, but I didn't want to cause a scene.

Immediately when we were outside, I moved away from him.

"Go where? We didn't agree to go anywhere," I reminded him.

He held open the SUV door parked right in the alley.

"Get in," he ordered, his two-colored eyes shimmering. Of course, there he is, the psycho that I know.

"We didn't talk...."

"Remember the contract you signed: you go where I ask you to, no questions asked," he recited it like some poem.

"Bastard," I cursed under my breath. It was barely a few hours, and he was milking it already.

"What was the penalty fee again, two million..."

"Fine, I will get in!" Cutting him off, I quickly got into the car, cursing him internally as the driver sped off. I was in a dilemma the whole time, wondering where he was taking me. We drove for hours nonstop until I dozed off.

* * *

I was slowly gaining consciousness when flashes of memories hit me. It was Kane smiling at someone.

The loud music was deafening, but it was soon cut off, and everything was swallowed by darkness; then an image of a man lying unconscious on the bed hit me.

I shrieked, and my eyes flew open, only to be staring into his eyes.

I was startled the moment I noticed I was in his arms, he was carrying me bridal style. I jumped off his hands; that would explain the vision—his bare hands must have touched my bare legs.

He ignored me, moved close to the wardrobe, and began to unbutton his shirt. It was dark outside already. So I couldn't see much.

"Where are we?" I asked him looking around.

"My Pack"

"What? Celestial Pack?" I shrieked out wide-eyed. It was my first time visiting a pack house.

I didn't know how to react to the news.

He glanced at me before taking off his trousers.

"Ana must have filled you in." He arched his brow.

"You should rest; you will be presented to the elders tomorrow," he announced while he snuck into the sheets. And closed his eyes.