"Alpha Klain. Here's the trespasser we found sneaking near the gate," said the warrior dragging me forward.
My gaze stayed fixed ahead. The moment the Alpha turned, my eyes burned with hate.
Two half-naked harem girls clung to him, fingers lazily tracing his chest.
Alpha Klain's golden eyes narrowed. Then they roamed over me.
A shiver crept down my spine.
"What are you?" His voice slid through the air, deep and sharp. "And what do you want?"
I lowered my head. I couldn't look at him. Not at those eyes that made my stomach twist. I wanted to claw his face like a wildcat.
"I asked you a question," he said. His voice wasn't loud, but it filled the dim room like a strike of thunder.
"Kristina," I breathed. Then I lifted my eyes to his. "Donovan," I added, slow and defiant.
I hoped he would remember.
He didn't. He only tilted his head, uninterested, and waved off the guards.
"You two as well, my loves," he murmured to the women.
They giggled and slipped out of the room.
Now we were alone.
Alpha Klain turned to face me fully. I tried not to stare at the smooth muscles beneath his open robe or the cruel perfection of his sculpted face.
"I hear you've been creeping around my territory for days," he said, his voice like velvet over steel. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Why?"
Because I hate you. Because you destroyed me.
But I didn't say that.
I met his gaze and said, "Make me one of your harems."
He eyes narrowed, his lips curled,
"Bold," he said, voice low and amused. "Do you know what you're asking for? What you'll lose?"
I didn't flinch. "I'm not afraid of losing anything to you."
"Ahh," he shook his head. "You seem like trouble."
I said nothing.
"But I like trouble."
Suddenly, he jumped down from the big throne. His robe flowed behind him. He was remarkably tall as he closed the distance between us.
The scent of leather and musk wrapped around me.
When he neared, his hand traced my cheek. I clenched my hand into a fist.
"Ebony hair," he inhaled deeply, fingers lingering on my skin. Then he traced his palm along my cheekbone.
I sucked in a sharp breath.
"Deep blue eyes," he murmured, his gaze roaming over me, memorizing every inch.
"You are quite… remarkably beautiful."
He stepped back. "You'll look good in my bed."
His eyes darkened, narrowing on mine.
"But I doubt you know what you're up against."
"You have so many harems. I've heard there are about twenty or more of them," I shot back. "Why am I any different?"
Klain's eyes bore into mine. "Because... I pick my own harems."
I almost laughed at the irony. "What difference does it make?"
A warm light flickered across his face. His jaw clenched. Then he leaned in close, whispering into my ear, "Do you know what it means to give your body to me?"
Something surged inside me—like a stepping stone toward my goal. I was close.
Who doesn't know Alpha Klain's reputation in the Crescent Pack? He loves women, never says no. Not even to me—whom he barely recognized.
His fiery eyes locked onto mine, daring me to back down. I didn't flinch.
His breath ghosted over my lips. "When you become mine, I will ruin you, break you, leave no crumbs."
"Yet you want to be my whore?"
"Yes," I whispered.
He smiled, then stepped back. "If that's what you want, then that's what you get. But be ready for the consequences."
I blinked. Did that mean he accepted me? Without questions?
"Come." He extended his hand.
I gulped but took it.
"Let me show you what it means to become my harem," he murmured.
Alpha Klain led me away from the grand throne room, down a dim, narrow corridor.
Though I'd steeled myself, ready for whatever was coming, my heart pounded fiercely against my ribs.
I mustn't show fear. I stood tall as he guided me into his inner chamber.
At last, we entered a spacious room—open and bare.
A mattress lay in the center, surrounded by sheer curtains that fluttered gently. Moonlight poured in, casting pale silver across the floor.
No harems were present. Only two guards stood rigid at the head of the bed, staring straight ahead.
But their gaze was fixed on the mattress.
I swallowed hard. Why had he brought me here?
"Climb," he commanded, pointing to the bed.
"What?" I blinked three times, disbelief rising. Surely he wasn't serious.
His face was unreadable—no trace of a smile. "You wanted to know what it means to be my harem. This is how I'll show you."
My legs trembled, but I pressed my hands together, forcing myself steady.
I was the one who brought this on myself. I had to hold firm.
He raised an eyebrow as I stood frozen, doing nothing.
I swallowed hard, then moved—slowly. The dress clung to my body like a second skin. Dear goddess, it was suffocating.
Behind me, I could feel his gaze burning into my back.
Surely, there had to be another way. To buy time, I suddenly turned to him. "The guards... uhm, will they stay?"
Without breaking eye contact, Klain clapped his hands. The guards silently exited the room.
"Now, climb," he ordered.
The cold night air from the open sky brushed against my skin, but it was his icy stare that made me tremble.
I had come with a purpose—one I was determined to fulfill as soon as I crossed into his domain. I hadn't expected him to take an interest in me so quickly. Surely, he had harems enough to keep him entertained.
Suddenly, he growled and stepped closer. His breath ghosted against my ear. "Do you want me to help you?"
I jumped back quickly. "We can't do this."
His eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you defiling my words?"
"No... I..." I scratched my head, avoiding his gaze and staring at the floor.
I had to do this. It was the only way.
"I..." I looked up slowly, my lashes fluttering, and blurted, "I'm still a virgin."