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!

Alina's POV

I woke to the wrong kind of silence. Not peaceful. Not safe. It felt like the air itself was holding its breath. My skin prickled before my eyes even opened, and for a heartbeat I did not know where I was.

Then I felt it.

Heat.

Not mine.

A heavy warmth pressed into the sheets beside me, the faint imprint of a body still lingering. A scent that curled around my lungs before I could stop it. Woodsmoke. Pine. Something sharper underneath. Masculine and wild and terrifyingly familiar.

My pulse jumped so suddenly it hurt. The memories hit right after, too fast, too bright, too humiliating to fully look at. My throat tightened and I shoved myself upright, breath stuttering out in uneven bursts.

The room spun. My legs trembled. The blankets tangled around my waist like they were trying to drag me back down.

I pressed a shaking hand to my chest.

What have I done.

What have they done.

Before I could steady my breathing, a deep voice spoke from the shadows.

"You are awake."

Kael.

My body flinched before my mind even processed it. He stepped forward, emerging from the corner of the room like he had been watching the whole time. His hair was slightly mussed, his chest bare, and there was a dark bruise on his collarbone that made my stomach twist painfully because my lips had put it there.

My pulse stumbled.

He did not blink. He did not smile. He just looked at me as though he was waiting to see if I would break again.

I almost did.

I tried to stand but my legs buckled. Kael reached out and caught my arm with one strong hand. The heat of him slid into my skin, too much, too intense, too real.

"Let go," I whispered.

"You are shaking."

"I said let go."

He did not.

The door opened before I could fight him again.

Kaden entered quietly, bare footfalls soft against the floor. His hair was damp, like he had been washing his face. His eyes found mine instantly. A flicker of something softer. Something guilty.

My heart lurched and I hated that it did.

"You should lie back down," he said.

"No," I managed, even though my voice sounded thin and breakable. "I need to leave this room."

Neither brother responded.

They exchanged a look. A silent one. One I did not understand but felt anyway in the sharp drop of my stomach.

I pulled my arm away from Kael with more force than I meant to, stumbling a little as the blanket slid to the floor. My bare legs hit the chilled air and goosebumps rose all over my skin.

I reached for the robe hanging on the chair near the window, but Kaden got there first. He picked it up and draped it around my shoulders without saying anything. His fingers brushed the back of my neck. A jolt shot down my spine.

I stepped away too quickly.

He flinched almost imperceptibly.

Kael noticed.

Before anyone could say something that would make this moment worse, footsteps echoed down the hall. Slow. Purposeful. Feminine.

Kael's head snapped toward the sound.

Kaden stiffened.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

Then the door opened and she stepped inside.

A stranger. Beautiful. Poised. Dressed in deep red silk that clung to her waist and shimmered every time she moved. Her golden hair fell in soft waves to her shoulder blades. Her eyes were blue and bright and widened the moment they landed on the bed.

Or rather

the state of it

the rumpled sheets

me in a robe

the twins half dressed.

For a heartbeat she just stared.

Her mouth parted the slightest bit.

I wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole.

Kaden inhaled sharply.

Kael's jaw tightened.

The woman recovered quickly, smoothing her expression into something pleasant. Too pleasant.

"Oh," she said softly. "I am sorry. I did not expect to find you occupied."

Her voice was delicate but not weak. A practiced tone. One used in rooms where she needed to impress. One that had been trained.

Kael stepped forward. "You are early."

She smiled, a soft curve of her lips that almost looked innocent. "The Council asked me to arrive before midday. I was told today is the contract signing."

My stomach dipped.

Contract.

Luna contract.

Her.

She turned to me last, eyes scanning from my robe to my shaking hands and back again. Confusion flickered through her, then something else. Something she hid quickly behind a polite smile.

"I do not believe we have met," she said. "I am Cassandra."

The name felt like ice water sliding down my spine.

Too graceful.

Too bright.

Too calm.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out.

Cassandra looked between us again, as if piecing something together.

"Oh," she said again, softer now. "This must be the breeder girl."

My throat closed.

Kaden stepped in front of me before I could collapse.

"That was not necessary," he said tightly.

Cassandra lifted her brows as if surprised he defended me. Her gaze lingered on him longer than it should have. Her lips parted a little. Her breath hitched. She looked away too quickly.

Something inside her shifted.

She saw him.

Really saw him.

And she did not know what to do with it.

Kael moved to her side. "You were told your role. You will accept the Council's requirements and nothing more."

Cassandra nodded slowly, eyes drifting back to me, then to Kaden again. And this time something new simmered under her expression. Curiosity. Insecurity. Something she did not understand yet.

"I see," she murmured. "So that is why you have been avoiding the idea of choosing a queen."

Kael stiffened. "Do not assume anything."

Cassandra gave a tiny, shaky laugh as if she suddenly felt foolish. "Of course. I am only here to fulfill the contract."

Her eyes slid to the bed again.

The sheets.

The scent.

Me.

Her expression flickered.

Very small.

Very quick.

But not invisible.

Jealousy.

Or the beginning of it.

Something tight and bitter squeezed through her chest before she pushed it down.

She clasped her hands politely and bowed. "I should give you privacy. We will speak when you are ready."

She turned toward the door, but as she passed me, she paused. Just a fraction of a second. Her perfume curled around me like warm sugar.

"You look tired," she said gently. "The breeders are usually kept in separate quarters. I am sure they will move you soon."

Her smile didn't reach her eyes.

Then she left the room.

The door clicked shut behind her.

And the silence she left behind felt choking.

Kael exhaled slowly. "This is a problem."

Kaden rubbed his jaw with one hand. "A very big one."

I swallowed hard. "Who is she."

Kael's answer was quiet. "Our contract Luna."

My stomach twisted violently.

Kaden looked at the door as if her shadow were still there. "She is not supposed to care about anything beyond the contract terms."

But something in his face said he already knew.

She would.

Kael turned to me. "We will move you. She cannot see you again in here."

My legs trembled. My pulse raced. Something sharp clawed at my ribs.

"What if she suspects something," I whispered.

Kaden stared at the door with a troubled frown. "She already does."

Kael's expression darkened. "She will not act on it. Not yet."

I pressed a hand to my throat because suddenly breathing felt impossible.

"Not yet," I repeated. "What happens when she does."

Neither of them answered.

And that silence told me everything.

Because somewhere down that hallway

Cassandra stopped walking

leaned against the wall

pressed a hand to her racing heart

and whispered to herself in a trembling voice:

Why did it hurt to see him look at her.

That was her beginning.

And the start of my next disaster.