Emma’s POV

"Hey, come down here!” I heard my master call out and I abandoned the dishes I had been washing and fled down the stairs as fast as my little legs could carry me, praying he wouldn't get furious.

I got down the stairs walking towards him with my gaze on the floor.

"Here I am, Master," I said awaiting his acknowledgment as he started at the fireplace tapping his foot impatiently and immediately turning around when he heard my voice.

"Ahh, there you are." He cheered as I felt his intent gaze on me which made me tense up knowing he had a smirk on his face. I still bowed lowly to the ground waiting for him to allot a duty to me.

"Where's my sister?" He asked.

"Mistress Ava said she was going to 'keep an eye on things' happening in the pack and won't be available for lunch," I replied to him.

"Doesn't she know we're expecting an important visitor?" He thought aloud as he walked around the room. "Of course she isn't, that bastard fixed an impromptu meeting.... Seems like he's beginning to question us." He continued throwing his hands in exasperation as he thought to himself. I didn't care to ask as it was none of my business, he walked towards me and sighed.

"Go in and call one of the guards, I need to inform my sister about this.... She would surely have a solution." He ordered me and I nodded, turning around to leave.

"Wait."

I stopped in my tracks as I slowly turned back to him staring down at the floor as sweat dripped down my face. I fiddled with my sweaty hands wondering if I had done something to annoy him but couldn't think of anything.

"We're having a very important visitor today and I want you to stay out of the way, my sister and the other slaves would arrange the pack house to meet him." He said rubbing my shoulders lightly as I could feel a smile forming on his lips. I nodded in agreement feeling uncomfortable with his hands on me.

"You see Alpha Ethan is fond of taking what doesn't belong to him, I'm afraid he might take an interest in you." He added lifting my chin as I took a glance at him before diverting my eyes to the wall.

I hated the way he looked at me, it was the same stare he gives me when he invites me to the 'cum room'. It was a place where 'clients' which are pack members and other neighbouring packs

sleep with any slave of their choice as long as they can afford the price. I must say it wasn't a pleasant place to be.

"You look more gorgeous today, perhaps your heat period seems to be drawing close." He whispered in my ear and I gasped as my heart pounded in fear at the thought of going into heat, I wished it was untrue but later was the case I had seen other female slaves go into heat, and believe me it was awful. The master and his trusted men would gather around a slave going through heat as she would be sexually active and all she desires is a dick inside her to soothe the pain she was feeling. They'll make her beg to get fucked and they'll take turns having her.

I felt uncomfortable being this close to him and took a step back but he followed suit.

"Don't move." He growled as my body froze in obedience to his command, being his slave for over twelve years had thought me things I should always keep in mind. At first, I was stubborn and unwilling to obey him until he tamed me and I resigned to my fate tired of putting on a fight. He slowly pulled my shirt up and his rough hands made me quiver as I bit my lips and shut my eyes hating every single second his hand moved.

"Looks like someone finally decided to follow my rules." He scoffed

Rule number #7: on no account should you wear any undergarments unless instructed or on a special occasion.

He continued to caress my skin as I still shut my eyes waiting for what was to happen next, as he was about to grab one of my boobs the door flung open as mistress Ava walked in with a frown on her face.

"Tyler, are you sick?! Didn't you hear the rumours about Alpha Ethan in the neighbouring pack and might come here." She snapped at him as she slumped tiredly on the chair, he immediately withdrew from me pushing me away from him as I staggered to keep my balance.

"Sister! I'm so glad you're here." He cheered childishly as he walked up to her with a grin plastered on his face and acting like he hadn't tried to touch me.

"I doubt you understand the situation at hand as you were engrossed in that." His sister nodded at me.

"You of all people should know I only wanted a quickie and nothing more." He laughed sitting next to his sister.

I cringed at what he said. Having a quickie with the master is much worse than being tortured to death, it was indescribable.

"That aside, what are we going to do about Alpha Ethan? He can't find out about this slave trade or this pack is doomed to fall." Master told his sister.

"I know all these which is why I had to visit, we need to find a way to hide over fifty slaves." Mistress Ava sighed frustrated as she brushed her hair with her hands. "He's very smart and would notice if anything went wrong, we need to be careful about this." She added.

"I already planned, everything would fall into place... the females would be given maid dresses and the males uniforms," Master smirked as he looked at his sister whose face brightened.

"You should organise the Zetas to take care of the males while you take care of the females." He added.

"That's great, schiava follow me, we have certain things to take care of." Mistress Ava said getting off the chair and about to walk out the door but I didn't make a step forward knowing my master would object.

"She won't be part of the preparations." He announced as he glanced at me before looking back at his sister who furrowed her eyebrow.

"And why is that?" She asked, almost irritated.

"Ethan takes what isn't his as a way of showing his strength... and." He paused, eyeing me profusely with a smirk on his face as he approached me.

"And this slave is mine."

Emma’s POV

Mistress Ava looked at me, smiled and looked away.

“You are right, the last thing I want is for Ethan to take away our plaything,” she remarked.

Alpha Tyler matched her smile, “Good, start making preparations, I'll go around and ensure nothing is out of place. The Ethan I know, if very observant.”

“You can say that again, little wonders he found the traitor who sold out his father to Moonspring Pack Alpha.”

“I'll give her something to do that will keep her away for a long time.”

~~

Mistress Ava took me to the stable and instructed me to tidy it. This particular stable hasn't been used in a long time, it was totally unnecessary for me to clean it.

I sighed, took a rag and a bucket and began to clean it. I really don't have a choice, the Alpha’s and Mistress Ava’s wish it my command.

At this time I wished my wolf was still awake, she would have comforted me but sadly she is buried deep inside of me. Alpha Tyler made it a point to subdue my wolf and the wolves of other slaves. He thinks if we have our wolves working just fine, we would attempt to flee. Honestly, he wasn't wrong but that doesn't make it any better.

Some slaves are very weak without their wolves and each time they catch a cold or any minor sickness, they end up dying. At times I wish I could just get sick and die, at least it will put an end to all my sufferings.

I continued scrubbing, discarding all thoughts of my wolf, thinking about whether it won't bring her to life.

**

Ethan’s POV

“Your collection looks nice, especially that one, it's rare. I haven't seen anything like it.” I said, pointing at a very beautiful artwork hung on the wall of the Lunascent pack house.

“You can say that again, Alpha Ethan. It is indeed a very beautiful artwork, it is the only two piece in the whole world.” Alpha Marcel said with a smile, pleased that I was giving much attention to him and his artworks.

“Really? And how do you know so? Have you traveled around the whole world and searched for it?” I asked, I picked a biscuit from the tray the maid held in her hands and ate.

Alpha Marcel followed suit, he took a biscuit and also ate before responding. “Not necessarily, you see. My ancestors made this artwork, they give it to the one they love the most or trust the most or respect the most. It was passed down until it got to my mother, the former Luna and before she passed away in the war she told me the artwork is mine. I cherish it so much,” he explained.

I nodded my head, “You mother gave it to you so you should cherish it.”

“But what about your other brothers? Did they take the news that you are now the owner of your mother’s artwork?”

He hummed, “I haven't really thought of it but I guess I received quite a few words of hatred. And their attitudes towards me changed, especially my elder brother. It seems like I stole his legacy, his birth right or something when in truth, it was fate who brought these things to me.”

“Let's sit for a while, you must be tired of standing.” he offered, I agreed with a nod.

I liked him, he was honest but–

I took a seat directly opposite him. “Marcel, do you know the main reason I'm here?” I asked out of the blues.

He shook his head, pouring me a drink. He picked up the glass and stretched his hands, I gladly took the glass.

“I don't want to waste any more time, I still have other packs to visit so I will go straight to the point.” I told him, he nodded in understanding.

“Cole visited my pack a week ago. Guess what he wanted?” I asked, a smirk formed on my lips as I noticed the change in his facial expression.

“He came to ask for the alliance,” he answered correctly.

“I like you, you always think fast. You are correct, he wants my alliance and he is willing to do anything to get that.” I told him, my smirk was very much in place.

“And what did you say?” he asked, seriously.

“You don't question me, Marcel. Never ever try that in your life, do you get me? If you repeat it, I will end you.” I swore, meaning each and every word I spoke.

“I'm sorry, Alpha Ethan,” he apologized, bowing slightly.

“Good. So, what I said to him doesn't concern you, what you should be concerned about is how to prepare yourself for the upcoming war, your brother won’t relent until he takes the position of alpha or he is killed. Which would you like to consider?”

“Killing him. I’m not giving my birthright to anyone, least of all him.”

“Good, then you will need allies and only me can get you the allies you need.”

“If you are willing to help me, I will be forever grateful and indebted to you.” He said.

“Yeah, yeah. I could help you but there is a catch. Nothing goes for nothing after all.”

“Sure, what is the catch? I don’t think there is anything I can’t do.”

I smirked, my mother’s words ringing in my ears. “Get me the artwork, son, no matter the cost.”

“You will have to visit my pack in order for us to negotiate but as a peace offering I want to ask something from you. It’s the only thing I want and can accept so don’t bother asking what else I want.”

“Alright, so what is it?”

“I want the painting, the one you showed me minutes ago.” I said, deadpan.

Ethan’s POV

“The painting? But Alpha Ethan, th— the painting is not something to be taken likely.”

“Am I someone to be taken?” I questioned back.

“No. But, it has been in my family for ages, my pack wouldn’t be pleased to hear that I have it out.” He cried.

“The pack you talk about with so much pride will discard you the minute you are overthrown by your brother.” I pointed out. It was difficult to argue with this fact.

He stared at me, indecisive. He would probably think I’m heartless which isn’t far from the truth. There wasn’t anything to my taste in his pack and I would have left the same way I came, not taking anything If not for my mother’s love for painting.

“But—.” He began, I silenced him with the wave of my hand.

I drank the wine he had poured me and stood up, suddenly feeling impatient.

“I won’t hear anymore excuses, do as you please but mind you, you have just 24 hours to decide. If the artwork isn’t sent to my pack house by this time tomorrow, we will see what will happen.” I said, turned and walked out. My guards standing at the door also followed suit.

I shut myself from the outside word, knowing what was coming next. Either a scream or a plea and I don't have the patience for either of them.

I walked outside, and my car was parked closeby. I walked up to it and my guard was right on time to open the door. I got settled.

My guards occupied the front seats, they waited for my instruction.

“Take me to the next pack, hopefully they have something that'll excite me.”

“Okay, Alpha,” the one on the driver's side said.

I picked up a magazine on the seat to while away time but Roy chose that time to disturb me.

“So you just go around, disrupting people's life.” My wolf Roy said.

“I don't get what you are saying, I'm merely doing my job.” I told him. I flipped through the magazine as though I was actually reading it.

“What job? We both know this has nothing to do with your job as the Ultima Alpha. You are merely trying to–”

“Can you drop that already? I'm over her okay? I'm going to find my one true mate soon and the rest will be history.” I cut in, knowing what he wanted to say.

“If that is the case why are you oppressing these people? Marcel for instance is your trusted ally, if you snatch his most cherished artwork from him you will end up having him as an enemy.” Roy stressed.

“And since when did I care about having enemies? Just shut it, Roy. You have nothing important to say.” I chided my wolf.

He sighed.

“I hope you don't regret all these. That aside, where are we going next?”

“Crimson Shadows pack, I have business there.”

“Shouldn’t we head home instead? The Luna is having a feast, it’s the best shot at finding our mate.” Roy said.

“Our mate in not in the pack, I’ve check. She’s not in this pack either, my reason for going to the Crimson Moon pack isn’t just for business, this is another reason.”

**

“Numbers 26,69, 70 and 80, go over there and stand upright. When Alpha Ethan comes in you are to bow, do not say a word to him unless asked to, am I clear?” Mistress Ava asked.

“Yes, Mistress.” The chorus and moved aside.

“Numbers 50, 80, 17, and 107, go over there.” She instructed, she took the sheet of paper containing all the names of the slaves and ticked.

She looked up and found that only three of the slaves she called were standing in their assigned position. She frown.

“Who is the last person? I called out four of you, why am I seeing just three persons here?” She asked, striding forward.

“Number 17, Mistress. You asked her to clean the stables.” One of them replied.

Realization flooded her senses and she retreated, “That’s okay, number 41 join them to make it complete.”

She called out other maids and gave each of them a position and a duty, followed by instructions.

Few hours later a Delta entered the scene.

“Mistress, Alpha Ethan is here. Alpha Tyler told me to—.” He started.

“It’s okay. I know what you want to say. Everyone stay in position and act natural, if any of you fucks up, you'll be dead by sunrise.”