I could do this, just a few more hours.

Pushing the lid back on, I secured the packet to my body, turning around to walk away. If I delayed, it would all be to my detriment. I bumped into a wall, stumbling back. My head hurt, my forehead throbbed as I rubbed it, spluttering out apologies to the wall.

Looking up, all the air in my lungs was knocked out when my eyes met with piercing blue orbs. I stepped back, careful to keep a reasonable distance between us, knowing very well the way I was dressed would trigger him. "I-im sorry, I, I didn't see you," I apologized meekly, diverting my gaze from his.

"Please, Audrey, it kills me to see you suffer like this," he said to me, his tone soft and remorseful.

"Agree to be mine and all this would end," he gestured to my attire, his eyes going dark as they took in my form.

I pulled down the dress, feeling uncomfortable under his lustful gaze."You will be my mate and no one would subject you to punishments ever again. The Luna, my sister and the Alpha would never be able to torment you ever again. Please, my love," he pleaded, his hand coming to cup my cheeks, raising my gaze to meet his.

I flinched away from his cold touch, adjusting my stance. My lips parted and I was about to speak when he interrupted me, "Don't you dare address me as young Alpha," he warned, his tone dangerous. "Address me by my name. I love you and I want you by my side."

My eyes went wide and I tried to ignore his pleading gaze. Did he really think we were mates?

"H-hunter," I said quietly, the way his eyes shone with a spark of hope made me feel so guilty. "We aren't mates. I'm sorry but I-i don't love you," I quietly said, regretting it when he painfully grabbed my jaw, forcing my eyes to meet his.

"You are my mate and you are foolish to question our bond!" He raged, tightening his grip and I winced, tears pricking my eyes.

"P-please," I begged, tears falling down my cheeks.

"Hunter!" Vivian yelled, making Hunter pull away from me to stare at his sister, his eyes narrowing into a deadly glare.

He let go of me, strolling over to her. He came face to face with Vivian, "Don't you ever interrupt me when I am with my mate, do you understand?"

Her eyes widened and she glared menacingly at me, "She is not your mate and you are reducing yourself by being near her. You are the future Alpha so act like it," she reprimanded, her nose flaring in anger.

I used the chance to slip away with the packet, tears free falling down my cheeks as I made my way to the others. I got strange glances from onlookers, but I ignored it and slipped into the carriage along with the others.

All this would be over soon, I chanted to myself as the carriage rolled out of the cobblestone.

•••••••••••••••

I don't know why but I expected the King's manor to be dark, scary and goth-like, but what I stood in front of was the exact opposite. Standing tall in all its beauty was the Alpha King's manor; its pillars were gorgeously adorned with entrails of rose flowers, their red beauty adding to the splash of the cream-colored walls.

The breathtaking garden that surrounded the large expanse of the frontier of the manor was absolutely breathtaking. I could recognize so many exotic flowers that thrived in their habitat. The garden added to the mystical aura that surrounded the entire place.

Different carriages pulled up along the stone paths in front of the grand fountain, and different pack leaders spilled out with their children. Everyone was dressed to impress.

Why wouldn't they be? Everyone coming here was likely expecting to find their mate, their one true love, the one that was destined and created for them. Their soulmate.

Whereas others came to exploit the secrets hidden behind these walls. Nobody had seen the Alpha King in over centuries, yet today he decided to show himself.

A part of me felt uneasy, not wanting to believe his highness would just decide to appear after so long in hiding. Maybe he came searching for his mate as well; surely he would want to give himself hope of finding her in this generation, and for his sake I hoped he would find her. I never knew the Moon Goddess to deprive someone of the one thing she fought and created us for; a mate.

Strict instructions were being fired to us by the Alpha. Everyone listened intently, whereas I couldn't concentrate properly. I felt dizzy and my eyes were seeing double. I blinked several times, squinting my eyes to see the Alpha approaching me.

He stood in front of me and immediately I registered his actions, I lowered my head. "Since you delayed our arrival, you will work more hours than anyone else."

I didn't protest. I couldn't. I doubt I'd be able to part my red lips or blotched cheeks. The winter had started taking its toll on me, and it didn't help matters that I hadn't eaten in days. I felt horrible, but I had to stay strong. Just a few more hours.

We were taken in through the back and led to the kitchen where we unloaded all the food. We were all given trays of small foods by the head chef.

He gave me a sympathetic smile, his dark brown eyes gleaming with sadness, "You don't look good, dear," he pointed out.

I sighed deeply, looking away. I knew all the stress had become evident on my face. The dark rings under my eyes, droopy gaze, blotchy cheeks, and my pale lips.

"Rest, I'll send someone else," he said, opting for me to take a seat, but I shook my head in disapproval. He knew what would happen if he was caught helping me; I couldn't risk getting Burtrum in trouble with Luna. He would probably be subjected to the same punishment as me, and he was too old to handle it.

"Don't worry, Burtrum, I'm fine," I gave him a lopsided smile that didn't really do much to ease his worrisome face. I collected the tray from his hands before he could force me to stay. Walking into the ballroom, I felt my mouth go dry. Everywhere was absolutely gorgeous.

The gold heavy velvet curtains that draped the walls, the huge diamond chandelier added to the grandeur of the ballroom. Everywhere was dripping with expense and the people were dressed equally as expensively.

I sucked in a deep breath, trying my best to look as small as possible as I maneuvered through the crowd, my head lowered and my hands to my sides. I refused to raise my head and look at anyone who stopped me to take from my tray. Maybe if I continued like this, I would get through the day without making a fool of myself. But as fate would have it, I started feeling dizzy.

The mountain of food that resided on the feast table had my mouth watering, but as an omega, I wasn't to be seen anywhere near the benefits of such an event.

According to the Alpha, we were opportune to even be serving at such an event because we were the bottom of the barrel and the scum of the pack, so we should never expect the pleasures other pack members received.

AUDREY

He made it clear to me the first day I arrived at his pack that I was meant for the work I was going to be doing, that I meant nothing and would amount to absolutely nothing. That day I remember crying myself to sleep, hearing that as an eight-year-old did things to me.

I cried so hard I became sick. I was convinced that if I refused to get better and I died, I would be able to meet my parents again and all my heartache would end, but after a few years I got used to the verbal and physical abuse.

For a long time I was numb, a body without a host, but something gave me hope again. Till now I didn't know what it was that gave me hope of a better tomorrow as long as I endured it all and tried to see the best part of it.

Right now I was losing it. I slipped around the corner, approaching the hallway to the kitchen in a haze. Maybe if I sat down I would regain my senses, but all came tumbling down when I tripped on my own foot and collided straight into someone's strong body.

The tray in my hands flew and spilled all over the unfortunate stranger, their red liquid contents spilling all over him. My knees and elbows dug into the ground, making me hiss in pain. I heard gasps from the crowd and only then did it register I was laying at someone's feet. I got up quickly, shaking to my core because I knew what I had just done.

I was doomed. My eyes met with the Alpha's and they narrowed into slits, his face contorted into a sinister scowl.

With shaky hands, I began using my little napkin to wipe off the wine stain from the stranger's... dark green mantle!?? With wide eyes, my gaze flickered up to meet a pair of dark onyx eyes, framed with thick long lashes that brushed against his high cheekbones as he blinked slowly at me. His eyes were dark and stormy like an impending catastrophe, like a thunderous wind brewing in his gaze, yet I couldn't help but stare into his eyes, mesmerized.

The way his pupils dilated, his perfectly pointed nose flaring as he took in my scent. All the air caught in my throat as the strongest, overpowering spicy scent invaded my nostrils, making my palms clammy and my already racing heart thump even faster.

What?

I turned to see the Alpha approaching with a furious expression. In that split second, I could see a mix of fear and vulnerability in his gaze.

I hadn't yet registered his raised hand coming down to strike my cheek. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the impact, but instead a deafening growl tore through the halls, startling my already shaken body into full-on trembles.

Everywhere fell silent and for a minute I thought I had fainted and this was the grave silence before I went over the edge.

My eyes snapped open, "𝔐𝔦𝔫𝔢." His deep voice growled, booming through the hall, sending a shiver down my spine.

Everywhere rumbled with his thunderous voice, the walls shook and the floors crumbled. His eyes were glowing a radiant black, their depths opaque and mysterious. Everyone fell to their knees, their heads bent over in submission.

His claws extended, drawing blood from the Alpha's neck, leaving deep gashes oozing blood onto the floor. The amount of fear I could see in the Alpha's eyes had me faltering.

I stared in shock, my breathing laboured as it all came crashing down on me. I-it was the king. I spilled drinks all over the king. I was frozen in fear, my body was rooted to the ground and I was shaking uncontrollably. My lungs started constricting, refusing to obey my command to breathe.

Sugars. Tears pricked my vision, my chest tightened as black dots stained my gaze.

The last thing I heard was an ear-curdling scream and dark onyx eyes staring deeply into mine before my eyelids closed, my greyish vision going black.

~

My eyes fluttered open, darkness was all I saw. I blinked a few times, trying to adjust my vision to my surroundings.

Flashbacks of those mesmerizing pairs of onyx eyes filled my mind, the scene of so much blood pooling onto the floors from Alpha Nicholas's neck. The king, everyone bowing. Was it all a dream? Was I back in my room?

I didn't feel tired after working at the ball for so long. I felt well rested and... comfortable? I ran my hands along where I lay, and no doubt it was a bed. I lay under smooth, velvet-soft covers; the material felt devilishly good against my skin. The softness of the bed was luring me back into slumber, but I knew better.

Looking around once again, the room was still pitch black. My heart started racing as fear crept into my spine. What if it was some sick joke? What if I was back in the cellar?

All of a sudden, everywhere became bright; light from all areas slipped through the room. Burning from the beaming lights, I blinked repeatedly before my eyes adjusted to its surroundings.

"She's awake, tell His Highness." I heard a voice command from a few inches away from me. Directing my gaze to the direction of the voice, he had his back to me, but from here I could make out his attire. He had on a red tunic and dark pants. He turned to me, and my eyes met with a pair of peculiar violet orbs. He approached me slowly, his eyes filled with excitement.

I backed away, shuffling toward the other end of the large bed. I stared at him wide-eyed as he stopped moving, raising his hands in surrender. "Woah, woah there, princess. I'm not going to hurt you," he said, backing away, his facial features softening as he took in my startled form.

I stopped moving, but my gaze remained on him. Did he kidnap me? Was I being held hostage? If I was, then I was most certain no one would come looking for me. I was worthless after all. I let my eyes travel around the room I was in, and sugars, it looked fit for a princess.

The walls were etched with gorgeous calligraphy. The roof had a tall chandelier, the tall windows draped with heavy velvet curtains that had rays of sunlight beaming brightly through them, their intention for the day clear.

AUDREY

The large bed with sinfully soft velvet sheets lured me into their oblivious comfort. The headboard-sorry, headpiece-was intricately carved with fine wood, and the pillows... gosh, the pillows were so soft it was like they were made out of clouds.

The chairs that were placed around were gorgeous. The floor was covered with furry, light beige wall-to-wall carpets.

To my right were two tall double wooden doors, and to my left stood the same pair of doors, but wider. Sugars, were they torture chambers or something? They had intricate, vein-like designs engraved into their depths.

"Ryker, be careful, she may still be shaken," a deep voice spoke from the entrance. Both he and I snapped our heads toward the entrance to see a huge, tall figure walk into the room and immediately go silent when his eyes landed on me.

My dark gaze melted into a pair of onyx eyes; it was like the air in my windpipe had gotten stuck and I couldn't breathe.

I was lost in his dark, stormy eyes, like a brewing storm waiting to wreak havoc and destroy anything in its path, yet I couldn't help but be mesmerized and enthralled by them. The more I stared hopelessly into his eyes, the more I drowned in their dark, ethereal abyss.

"She's a little startled, Your Highness, please be cautious," the man whispered to the large, mythical being that stood well over six feet tall, taking up half of the room. He failed in his attempt to whisper as he gave me one last glance before sauntering out of the room.

I gulped hard, averting my gaze from his tempting eyes. I let my eyes travel down the King's form, and my throat went dry. He wore a simple dress shirt and pants; his long, thick tendrils of golden-brown curls were pulled up into a slick ponytail, a better job than I could ever do with my hair. Even though he didn't have his official attire on, he still had a sophisticated aura surrounding him that made him look out of this world, with his stubble and sun-kissed ivory-gold skin.

Everything came tumbling down, and memories of last night and seeing him came flashing into my mind.

It wasn't a dream. I had spilled drinks all over him, and he was here to punish me for it. Immediately, I started trembling, my hands shaking as I gripped onto the sheets to at least have something to protect myself. Stupid, I know, but I was panicking.

I could feel the power and dominance radiating off him in waves, and it had me shaking more. My dark eyes widened as he began walking closer to me.

With each step he took, my body jerked, and I flinched back. He stopped in his tracks, his hard, terrifying features softening once they landed on my rattled form. "𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐚 𝐦𝐚𝐞," his deep, dulcet voice spoke so fluently, the foreign words sliding off his tongue, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. (Calm down, my love)

Sugars. His features were rough and dangerous; they had an almost primal look to them. His stubble only made him look even more physically powerful than his huge frame already did.

He effortlessly towered over me and everything else in the room. His hands were so big and powerful, they looked like they could break the whole fabric of our world. The beast in a mantle.

The soft look in his eyes had me so transfixed I hadn't noticed he had closed the distance between us and was now sitting on the bed beside me, his weight making the space dip. "How are you feeling, love?" he asked, actual concern lacing his features.

I blinked a few times, uncertain if I had heard right. Was he talking to me? Di-did he just call me love?

~

He's trying to be nice, sugars. "I-I'm fine, y-your Highness," I answered softly, adjusting a few inches away from him. His perfect brows furrowed as he frowned deeply, making my heart race. Did I do something wrong?

Fiddlesticks! "I-I'm sorry if I offended you, Your Highness, and I'm sorry I spilled drinks on you at the party. It was not my intention, I swear, and I didn't see where I was going. I mean, there was no way I didn't see you-you are very hard to miss-but I was feeling dizzy and I wasn't looking. I promise I would never intentionally ruin your clothes and humiliate you in front of everyone. I'm sorry, I should have been looking, and sugars-"

I kept rambling, and he just watched me with a foreign, faraway look in his eyes. I shut myself up; my heart was racing and my palms were clammy. Nervously, I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth, fiddling carelessly with my fingers.

Was he going to have me whipped?

"Stop that," he commanded in an authoritative voice, and almost immediately it sent my heart into a frenzy. I halted whatever movement I had been doing.

"I'm sorry," I apologized meekly, knowing very well apologizing would ease his anger before he would lash out. That meant fewer strokes for me-well, at least I hoped.

"No," he declined, slightly shaking his head at me. "Stop apologizing and don't call me Your Highness, please," he requested. I just gaped at him.

Okay, maybe he preferred Your Majesty.

"Audrey, my name is Darius. Call me Darius," he commanded in a serious tone, as if reading my thoughts, and I couldn't help but nod. I didn't want to anger him further than I already had. Shucks, it was so hard for me to control my rambling whenever I felt anxious.

B-but you're the King, a-and everyone should accord you y-your respect," I stuttered, my heartbeat quickening. I still could not register whose presence I was in at the moment.

He didn't respond, only hummed lowly to my words, and I took it as a sign to stop talking.

I decided to ask the question that had been tugging at my mind. "W-where am I, King?" I asked, my eyes wandering around the room in a daze.

"My quarters. You are in my palace," he answered, and I felt all the air get caught in my throat. H-his palace? The Royal Palace!?

"Did I do something to warrant my being here, King? I-I know I made a mistake and I spilled my drink on you, so please f-forgive me. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to, and I will face any punishment you give me because-" tingles shot up my hand, cutting me off.

He held my little hand in his calloused one, and I couldn't help but let out a shaky breath at his actions. I flinched away from him, but his grip on my hand tightened enough to keep it within his hold.

Looking at our hands, they were so unlike each other's; his hand was huge, rough, and covered in dark markings, while mine was small, soft, and clear. He stared intently at our joined hands. "Why would you think I would punish you, Audrey?" he questioned, his soft gaze not leaving our hands.

Something about the way he called my name made me shiver, a burning feeling resonating in the pit of my stomach, making my insides flutter.