ARIA
The sky was still a murky gray when I stepped out of the car. We were in the Nightfall Pack. Dawn hadn't fully arrived, just enough to see my breath in the freezing air. Frost coated the ground, and it didn't help that I was barefoot. My feet were killing me, and in no time, I was sure I wouldn't be able to feel them.
"Who's she?"
"Is she one of those war spoils?"
"But I can't remember the last time we went to war to bring in one!"
I swallowed back lumps as I was led through the crowds that surrounded us. I didn't look at their narrowed and judging eyes that were on me; instead, I allowed my eyes to wander.
The pack house was much bigger than I expected. I had never left Black Moon pack before now, and I pretty much assumed it was the biggest pack in the West. I was small-minded.
There were many taller buildings than smaller ones. The tall ones were for higher-ranking werewolves, while the smaller ones were for Omegas. It was like that in Black Moon pack. Only the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and the elders get to live in a lovely house.
I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering, partly due to the cold and partly because of another crowd that formed in front of the entrance. Again, I couldn't tell if they were here to welcome me, curse me, or worse, hate me like everyone does.
My legs grew numb and suddenly stopped moving; I stumbled slightly. I didn't stop my descent towards the ground. I was too tired to do so. A calloused hand yanked me back upright, steadying me.
"Kaiden told me you're manipulative. I never believed that until now," a voice murmured in my ear.
I looked back at the stranger, snorting. "Nonsense. Even a blind man would sense I am fatigued. Perhaps taking off those sunglasses would do you a lot of good."
I yanked my hand free from his. It was dawn. I couldn't tell why he was in sunglasses when the sun wasn't even out!
He gripped my hand again, roughly, pulling me into his hard chest. He turned me around, sneering. "Do you want me to go on with my promise of cutting off your tongue? Or maybe you can put it into practice first before you lose it. What do you say, smarty?"
His voice lowered, annoyingly, and his lips curved up in a weird smile. "The Alpha won't mind if I fuck the whore that's brought to him to breed on. I'll be doing him a favour."
My cheeks were stained red, and I glared at him. Placing a hand between us, I shoved him. "In your dreams."
I couldn't tell which thought was more disgusting—sleeping with someone like him, or the alpha of the Nightfall pack, who was already dead in my opinion. Both made my stomach churn.
"People say it's even better in dreams."
Oh God, no!
I groaned, hurrying away from him, the sand biting into my bare feet. Eventually, we got inside. It was warmer and brighter. I sighed, rubbing my palms over my arms.
We stopped at the first room. He kicked it open.
"This is your room." He said.
I frowned as we stepped into the dark space. Then the light flickered on, and I looked around. The room was tiny, but big enough to fit a queen-sized bed and a closet that was located at the edge, close to the door.
Everything was painted in white, making it look like I was in a hospital room. The only colour was the dark brown wooden floor and the blue curtains.
I wasn't expecting much. I should be grateful they didn't throw me into one of those horrible abandoned basement rooms to live in.
"You should rest. You have a long day ahead." He said and proceeded to the door.
"What about the bathroom?" I questioned. I didn't see any.
"You'd share with the maids. Ask around, they'd show you. If you get pregnant in your first month with Alpha, you can request that from him, and he'd do so if he deemed you worthy."
Deemed me worthy? What the hell did that even mean?
Wasn't it common sense to have one close by in case of a bathroom emergency?
"Lastly, this is the Nightfall pack, and things are done differently. For your sanity, do not compare it to your pack," he advised.
For my sanity?! What fucking sanity?
Those were already left behind the moment I got shoved into the car. Right now, I have gone round the bend.
"And take off that ridiculous dress, it makes you look janky. We don't want Alpha to think we brought something of low quality to him."
I flushed, shooting his back a withering look until he was out of the room.
I drove a hand through my hair, tugging in frustration. All that happened in the last few hours suddenly flooded my head.
I didn't want to be here. But what choice do I have when even my mate was the one who gave me away? My heart throbbed, and I fought back tears burning in my eyes.
Sitting on the bed, I cupped my face. I guessed my father was right. Maybe if I had been aborted, I wouldn't face any of this horribleness. I'd have been spared. But why would the goddess let me suffer much without doing anything to help me?
I had almost died in prison, and when it seemed like my freedom was in front of me, she whisked me off to be a mare to some old fool.
My situation couldn't be helped now.
A soft knock sounded, jarring me out of my thoughts.
"It's opened," I murmured.
A girl close to my age stepped inside. Shiny caramel skin with wild black curls and grey eyes. She wore a cropped white top that showcased her toned stomach, paired with a denim skirt that fell just above the knee. She looked beautiful.
"I'm Sarah, you must be Ariel." She raised a brow.
"It's Aria," I said.
"Oh, right. I must have heard it wrong from Alex." Her cheeks were pink.
So, the stranger's name was Alex.
"It's fine." I waved it off.
Sarah moved further in with the tray she had on her hip. She set it on the table. "Alex explained everything to me. You had a long day and had barely eaten. Also, you had a fever. This Advil will lessen the pain you feel."
My eyes widened as I stared at the drugs and food, "He did that?"
I never knew he was that considerate to feed me and give me drugs. Besides, I never told him I was sick. Kaiden possibly did that while discussing with him.
"Alex is a good man. He's only following the orders that Alpha gives. His loyalty is to alpha first before anything else."
"I see that," I muttered, remembering he had threatened to cut off my tongue. I had judged him wrongly. But it wasn't my fault.
I took the medicine, grimacing at the bitter taste in my mouth. Then I eyed the food warily. It smelled great, and in fact, I was hungry. But I didn't trust it.
"If you can drink the water, you should eat the food too. We don't poison guests except if they're a threat."
"Um, don't worry about me. I'm not hungry." I pushed the food away. Instantly, my stomach grumbled in protest.
"Traitor," I muttered.
Sarah laughed heartily, walking towards me. She picked up a piece of toast and took a bite. She sipped the juice, setting the cup down. "I prepared it myself."
I relaxed into the seat, taking the piece of toast she had bitten, and began to eat. It wasn't just because she tasted it that assured me, it was the softness and warmth of her voice. She seemed like a nice person.
"You should try your best to please the alpha, Aria. Many lost opportunities along the way, not like they weren't given the chances, but because they can't do it." Sarah said matter-of-factly.
"What do you mean?" I set the cup down, looking at her curiously. She had stopped what she was doing.
"I am also a breeder for Alpha Jonathan, but I can't have his child. I'm barren."