Alina's POV.

The dungeon refused to let me sleep. The stone floor was cold and rough, heavy with the weight of the unyielding cold biting into my skin whenever I tried to shift my weight to a more comfortable position. 

 The air was damp, heavy, and full of the smells of mold and old blood. Every sound echoed-dripping water, distant footsteps, and the slow scrape of rats searching for food.

But none of it kept me from sleep.

What held my eyes open throughout the night was Damon voice in my mind.

If you don't go to them, you'll die here.

All I have to do is say the word.

He said it seriously.

He would really do it.

A part of me hoped, foolishly, that Damon still had some drop of humanity, something that could make him think twice before completely destroying me. But it was clear the moment they shoved me into the cell: Damon didn't consider me family, hell, he didn't even consider me a person.

I was a problem.

A burden.

A tool.

And tools didn't get mercy.

Outside my cell, the torch flickered as heavy footsteps approached. Not the rushed movements of guards, doing checks . This was slow, confident walking, someone who wanted to be heard.

Damon.

He stepped in front of the iron bars, fresh and well slept, as if he had not enjoyed the comfort of a warm bed and maybe the soft body of two or more ladies while I froze in the dark dungeon . The contrast made my throat tighten.

"Good morning," he said, grinning from ear to ear. "I bet you had lots of time to think."

I didn't answer him.

Damon gripped the bars and leaned slightly. "I am going to ask you for the last time, Alina. Do you want to face the Lycan kings? Or should I call the council and tell them that we have a witch hiding in our pack?"

My fingers curled into fists. 

I wanted to scream at him. 

I wanted to fight. 

But what good would it do?

No one would save me. 

No one would stand up for me. 

The pack had feared Damon since the day he took Father's seat. They would obey him blindly-even if it meant burning an innocent girl alive. 

Last night, I had replayed every possibility, every direction my life could go. Running wasn't an option; Damon had guards everywhere. Fighting wouldn't work; I was weak, tired, and outnumbered. Staying here meant death.

Going to the Lycan kings... I didn't know what they would do to me. Maybe they would hurt me. Maybe they would use me. Maybe I would spend my entire life in a cage far worse than this one.

At least I'd be alive. 

And as long as I was alive, there was always the chance-however small-to protect myself. To survive. To find a way to live. 

I lifted my head and met Damon's eyes.

His eyebrows lifted, awaiting.

"I'll go," I said, my voice steady even though my body wasn't. "I accept."

A satisfied smile curved on his lips. "Good. You finally understand what is best."

Not what was best. What he wanted. 

With a snap of his fingers, two guards immediately rushed to unlock the cell. They grabbed my arms-not too roughly this time, but enough to remind me that I wouldn't be controlling anything here.

"Prepare her," said Damon, "the kings will be waiting for her soon." 

They dragged me out of the dungeon up the narrow stone steps into the daylight above. Brightness smashed on my eyes. I blinked while the shapes finally took to forming: Trees, grass, the morning sky began to be that soft pale blue.

It felt odd to see beauty after passing a night in the dark.

They took me to the servant baths near the back of the palace. Women I had no idea who they were washed my skin with hot water to scrub off all dirt and smell of the dungeon. Another woman was busy brushing my hair and pulling out every knot until it fell down my back. 

No one spoke. 

No one met my eyes.

It was like they had to rush through cleaning me and touching me, some chore to get done and out of the way before the kings arrived. 

After the bath, it simply dressed me in a basic cream sown. Nothing exceptional, nothing grand-honestly, just clean and modest. The soft fabric felt strange against my skin, as though I had no right to wear it. 

They escorted me toward the front courtyard, where a small carriage stood waiting. Its wheels were muddy, and the horses looked restive, stamping their hooves against the ground as though sensing tension in the air.

My stomach twisted with every step closer I took. 

This was it.

This was the carriage that would take me away from my home, away from the lands I grew up in, away from the life I once imagined for myself.

Before sunset, I would leave. 

Before dawn tomorrow, I would belong to the twin kings. 

My fate would have been sealed, traded like goods.

A guard opened the carriage door and prepared to shove me inside.

But before I could step   my foot in, the sound of fast footsteps approached from the main gate.

Breathless, a messenger walked  up to Damon. Damon stepped out of the carriage to meet him.

"What is it?" Damon demanded.

The messenger quickly bowed his head. "Alpha... just got in a message from the Crimson Lycan Empire." 

Damon's expression shifted with curiosity. "And?" 

"Both kings will be here to get their breeder themselves."

Alina's POV

The black carriage rolled through the gates and came to a stop. And  it was bigger and heavier than anything I had ever seen before.

When the doors of the carriage opened, out stepped the two identical kings, tall and well built, both dark-haired, pale-eyed, and made them seem even more eerie.

Their presence sucked air out of the entire courtyard. One bore an expression that was cold, unreadable, while the other had a faintly amused look, as though this whole visit had something of a view to it.

For a moment, their eyes moved over the pack grounds.

Then they landed on me.

My stomach dropped out by that, and I thought my knees might buckle.

One of them, the oldest, I presumed, spoke to Damon. "Is that her?" His voice was deep, steady, and had not a hint of warmth.

Damon straightened himself up, quickly regaining his confidence. "Yes, Your Majesties. This is the girl I promised."

The younger king spent more time on me, narrowing his eyes before he said, "She's small."

Damon quickly nodded. "But healthy. Besides, she'll be right for the job."

Their purpose.

Breeding.

The word rang hollowly in my skull.

The oldest king nodded curtly. "We leave at once."

Before I could even catch my breath, I was shoved toward the carriage. The kings didn't ride with me but rode ahead of me on their separate path as soon as we passed through the borders of my pack.

I looked in the direction where they disappeared into another road. 

I was property.

Finally, after many hours of my traveling, the carriage stopped. When the door opened, I found myself before The Crimson Lycan Empire, my new prison.

Two female guards seized my arms and sent me through a dim hallway. Then they hurled me into a small room with a single bed, basin, and a tiny barred metal window. 

When I looked up, the door opened again.

An elderly lady came in with her gray hair knotted very tight at the back of her head.

"Sit," she ordered.

I followed her order quickly, sitting at the edge of the bed.

She stared at me, considering, then spoke flatly. "You are here to breed." 

"I... I know."

"Do you really?" she countered. "Most young girls think they know until they hear the rest." 

I swallowed hard but nodded. 

"Straightforward enough, then. You will produce healthy male children for the royal bloodline. Not one. Not two. As many as your body can withstand until the expiration date of your contract." 

Contract. 

As if I signed up for any of this.

She walked around me slowly. "You will be inspected every month, live on special meals, be manufactured to perfection, and observed. If you cannot conceive..." She tapped the scroll softly. "You shall be out."

"Out?" I asked, though dread filled me at what I thought was inevitably coming next. 

Her eyes were unyielding to mine. "Executed." 

My breath stilled. "Executed...because I can't get pregnant?" 

"Because you would be useless," she said simply. "This isn't irreverent here. Many breeders before you have died that way." 

I tightened my chest as though I were holding unexplainable pain within it. "And what about those who succeeded?" 

"The ones who bore it are now alive," she answered. "Free they were not." 

She rolled the scroll up. 

"Your stepbrother has sold you into a dangerous promise, girl. The kings are expecting results. And the kings always got what they wanted." 

I looked down at my hands trying to stop shaking. It felt like my bones were shaking.

"I'll leave you to your rest," said the woman. "Someone will come to collect you when you're needed." 

When the door closed, the silence in the room felt too loud. 

I stared at the little window and tried not to fall apart. 

This is worse than what I had imagined.

Not only did Damon throw me like an object... he also traded me for death if I failed. 

The door opened again. This time, a young maid stood there. Her hands were pressed together as she wrangled nervously, "You need to come with me." 

I sat up instantly, "Why?" 

Her eyes turned away. "The kings... they want you in their chambers." 

I felt my heart hit the ground. 

The kings. 

She led me through the hallway, and all I can do is shake my head by moving slowly and steadily. She stopped in front of a large door made of dark wood which had carvings of wolves on both sides. 

"They're inside," she whispered. 

Before I could even open my mouth, the door swung itself wide. 

Inside their chamber stood the twin kings: a wide room with fire burning in the fireplace and big bed behind them. They didn't sit. They waited. 

The oldest king spoke first. "Shut the door." 

The maid bowed, closing it up behind her, leaving me alone with the two tall kings. 

My palms were clammy, and my throat felt tight. 

"Come forward," the younger king said. 

I forced my feet to move until I was a few steps away from them. 

His arms were folded across his chest. "Your stepbrother took a huge advance from our empire, and to cover it, offered you up." 

Collateral. 

Not sister. 

Not relative. 

Collateral. 

The younger king neared me. "You shall give births to pups for us - strong ones - healthy males, and this will go on until Damon repays everything he owes." 

Involuntarily, I tightened my fists. "What if he doesn't?" 

The eldest king didn't even blink. "Then you belong to us forever." 

My voice cracked. "If I... if I fail to supply you heirs?" 

The younger king cocked his head. "Then you will die like your parents." 

Something broke inside me. 

Air felt thin. 

The eldest king stepped toward me slowly, and his overwhelming presence made it impossible for me to look away. 

He assessed me, scrutinizing me with cold, critical eyes. 

Then he gave my new life the first command. 

"Strip!"

Alina's POV 

My fingers fumbled with the laces of my dress. The dress loosened and slid down my shoulders. The cool air touched my skin and made my nipples point. 

I pushed the fabric that held  my breasts, feeling them bounce free as I did. The twins didn't move or say anything, just stared. Heat flooded my face, but I kept going. The dress pooled at my feet, leaving me in just my thin undergarments. I hooked my thumbs into the waistband and pulled them down, stepping out naked. My vagina felt naked, a very well-groomed patch of hair above it. I crossed my arms over my chest to hide, but I could feel their eyes burning into me.

Kael stood first, taller than I am, throwing a shadow. He was already shirtless, a broad, muscular chest. Kaden followed, just like Kael. They walked toward me slowly, almost like predators. I felt my heart pounding. 'Please, don't.' I whispered, but they just ignored it. Kael grabbed me by the wrist, gentle but firm, pulling my arm straight away. Kaden took the other. Without saying anything, they pulled me to the bed. I stumbled a little as my bare feet sunk against the soft rug.

They pushed me down onto the mattress, the sheets cool against my back. With languid eyes, I lay gazing up at them looming over me. Breaths came fast with fear. Kael climbed onto the bed on my left, Kaden on right. The initial point of contact was with hands running over my skin, starting from my shoulders. His fingers descended, slow and deliberate, along my arm. So, Kaden tried the same on the other side, and shivers went up my spine with uncertainty whether from cold or their touch.

'You're ours now,' Kael growled.

I wanted to run, but their bodies pinned me in place. Kael's hand moved to my breast, cupping it. His thumb brushed over my nipple, making it tighten more. A small gasp escaped me. He squeezed lightly, rolling the nipple between his fingers. On the other side, Kaden mirrored him, his touch identical. Pleasure sparked, unwanted, mixing with the fear. 

My body betrayed me, warmth creeping low inside my belly, however. 

They leaned down, mouths finding my neck. Kael kissed the spot just beneath my ear with his firm lips. Kaden sucked lightly on the other side. I arched a bit, hating how good it felt. 'Stop,' I murmured, but my voice lacked strength. 

Kael's mouth kept on moving down, sliding to my stomach then my thigh as he gradually started easing my legs apart. I complied at first, Kaden holding my hip still in place. 

Kael's fingers reached my pussy, grazing the outside lips. Damn, I was already so wet. He parted me, finding my clit with his thumb, rubbing in slow circles. Pleasure shot through me, making my hips buck. Kaden's hand joined, his fingers teasing my entrance. He pushed one inside slowly and deeply. I moaned, the sound startling me. The remaining fear lurked, but this heat building inside pushed it back. 

'Tight,' Kaden muttered, his voice rough. He added another finger, stretching me. 

Kael kept circling my clit, his eyes locked on mine, cold but intense. I gripped the sheets, my body trembling. Their mouths moved lower, Kael sucking on my nipple now, his teeth grazing it. Kaden licked the other, his tongue flat and wet. Sensations overwhelmed me-fingers fucking me, mouths on my breasts, thumbs on my clit. My fear faded more with each thrust of Kaden's hand. 

Pleasure took over, making me wetter. I panted, 'Oh god,' as Kaden curled his fingers inside, hitting a spot that made stars burst behind my eyes. Kael kissed me though, crashing his lips onto mine, pushing his tongue in and claiming my mouth. I kissed back, now desperate. Kaden pulled his fingers out, and I whimpered at the loss. But then they proceeded by both stripping off their pants. 

Their cocks sprang free, hard and thick. Kael's was a bit longer, veined, the head already leaking. Kaden's matched, curving slightly. They were big, and fear flickered back-how would I take both? But my pussy clenched, wanting it. 

Kael had positioned himself between my legs and rubbed his cock against my slit. 'Ready?' he asked, voice still cold. 

I nodded, dreading too much to say anything. He pushed in slow, inch by inch. I felt him stretching out every millimeter of himself inside me. He filled me completely, bottoming out. I cried out, pleasure mixed with a burn. Kaden knelt near my head, his cock so close to my face. 'Suck,' he said bluntly. 

I turned my head, opening my mouth. He slid in, salty taste hitting my tongue. I wrapped my lips around him, sucking while he started to thrust shallowly. Kael then started moving, pulling out and slamming himself back inside. With every slam, rhythm built, his hips hitting mine. I moaned around Kaden's cock, the vibrations making him groan low. 

They worked me up like that, Kael fucking my pussy deep and steady, Kaden fucking my mouth. Hands everywhere-Kael gripping my hips, Kaden in my hair. The pleasure was coiling tight in me. My fear was gone now and feeling just need. I sucked even harder on Kaden, hollowing my cheeks. Kael's thrusts sped up, his cock hitting deep each time. 

'Good girl,' Kael grunted. 

Then I came, hard, each spasm of my pussy holding onto him. Waves crashed over me, body shaking. Kaden took me out of the air for a second before carrying me off, heads up and domed, his dick in my ass while Kaden's was in my pussy. 

The double penetration stretched my pussy and my asshole so much to the point it hurt, but the pain was secondary feeling hot cum filling my ass and my pussy, with both brothers biting their teeth, deep into my neck classifying me as their mate! 

I was marked!