ARIA
I sat up straight, looking at her with a mix of disbelief and curiosity. She seemed too young to be barren. Or maybe I had judged her and assumed she was young.
Sarah's eyes crinkled at the corner, and she bestowed me a soft smile. She was happy. I suppose she should be. At least, she would not have to force herself into having a child she didn't want.
Regardless, I was curious. How could she be happy that she was barren? I mean, in the life of every she-wolf, having a mate and giving him pups was the top priority, but Sarah didn't look worried one bit.
"I know you have questions, perhaps we can take a walk in the garden sometimes when we're both free and have a chit-chat. But Alpha didn't hold it against me. In fact, the seer told him I wouldn't have a child with him; only a miracle from goddess Selene would help. Instead of killing me or exiling me since I wasn't wanted, he saved me from that fate by letting me stay as a maid."
I shook my head slowly. I was still confused. But I didn't want to push it.
"How many more people are here like me?" I asked her.
"Like I said, a lot." She answered.
"Why?" I whispered. Alex could really find someone compatible with Alpha to carry an heir for him. Why would he go the extra mile picking up women as if they were trophies or unwanted goods, like me?
"It's not those women's fault. It's the family they found themselves in. It's a shame that we can't choose who we call parents and siblings." Her voice was quiet, not as cheerful as before. Sarah's eyes had lost the joyful glee in them, and in their place was a sadness I wanted to ask about.
As soon as she was done speaking, her face brightened once more, and she jumped off her feet, clapping. "I need to prepare your bath, you have a long day ahead and–"
A knock interrupted what she was saying. Sarah glanced at me, her brows rose in question. I looked back at her, mirroring her expression.
"I'll get the door." She hurried to it, opened it, and stuck her head outside.
Sarah stepped aside, and three middle-aged women walked inside. Two blondes and a brunette. They were of average height, chubby with frown lines on their round faces. They all had similar facial features and expressions.
"These are Nightfall triplets. Alpha Jonathan's sisters. Juliet, Janice, Judith." Sarah introduced.
That explained why they looked alike.
I stood from the bed, bowing low before them.
"You're Aria Davenport, correct?" Juliet, the brunette, spoke, her voice deep and breathy.
"Yes, ma'am," I murmured.
"You're aware of the reason you're here." She asked.
"Yes, ma'am," I repeated.
"Have you been touched by a man before?"
"N–no ma'am." I stuttered, face flushed. It wasn't weird to still be pure. In fact, it was considered a sign of pride in she-wolves. Impure she-wolves were disgraceful. But this woman was too direct with her questions.
"Do you understand what you'd be doing to please your master?" Judith continued.
"No ma'am." I truthfully said.
"Understandable." She sighed. "Lift your head."
I straightened, looking her in the eyes. Her coffee brown eyes roamed my body up and down. She stepped away from where she was, circling me. My breath hitched; she touched my waist, then her wandering hand moved to my stomach, and it lingered there.
"You should carry my brother's heir in two weeks if everything goes right." She spun me around, and I gazed down at her. Her hardened eyes didn't leave me, and I saw something flash in them.
It seemed like a threat. I could be wrong.
"But I hope not. Alex assured us you're pure and won't give any problems."
I nodded, gulping. I didn't know what to say.
She let me go but didn't move away. "In the next two days, you'd learn how to please your master and dos and don'ts, especially regarding the law of the Nightfall pack house. Is that understood?"
"Yes, ma'am," I mumbled.
I tuned out her voice as she droned on, barely hearing half of what she said. I was thinking about my survival.
The following two days were the hardest for me. My movements were restricted to just the bathroom and inside my room.
Alpha Jonathan's sisters would come and lecture me on what to do with him. I was taught submission training where I was ordered to always kneel with my head down, always smile when the alpha looks at me, always say 'thank you', 'yes master', even when he punished me, and learnt how to respond to his touch gracefully, even if I didn't want to.
All the lectures taught were sickening.
I hadn't seen the alpha. I didn't even know how he looked, but Sarah told me Alpha was in a coma. He always fell into a coma and came out of it in the next two days. That was the reason I was made to wait; else they'd have taken me to him immediately.
"You look like a real princess, Aria. If only the alpha weren't blind and could see how lovely you are. I'm sure he'd be able to feel your vitality. That's good enough."
I sniggered. "Of course, if only he weren't blind."
"Come now, don't be sarcastic," Grace said with eyes shining with amusement.
It was only for a brief second that she was able to keep the seriousness until she burst out laughing.
She quickly looked around, even as we were the only ones in the room. "I shouldn't laugh. But it's quite funny."
I agreed it was. Grace finished with my makeup. It looked bold, too grown-up and whorish. Yet, it was the dress that disgusted me.
I wore a sheer, red nightgown with thin spaghetti straps and a low neckline, falling just below mid-thigh length. It was Alpha's favorite colour. I saw no reason for that since he was blind.
The thin silk clung to my skin, and every one of my features could be seen. I had no underwear on. So, I was naked.
"The Alpha grows impatient. Let's go to him now." Sarah took my hand, leading me to the door.
We passed by several doors before stopping at one of them. It was fortunate that the servants were busy and not roaming around the house. The embarrassment would have been much more.
Sarah tapped twice on the door, then placed her ear against it, and I heard a grunt from inside. She pushed the door open, leading me in.
The light from the chandelier offered only minimal visibility, but it was enough for me. The strong fragrance of incense wafted into my nose, and I sucked in a breath, my stomach swirling.
"Come." A gruff voice ordered.
I looked at the owner directly, my heart thundering. The alpha lay there naked, with his thin dick erected. He looked frail, pale, lanky, and like a zombie.
Dear God, why me?
I eyed Sara, and she gave me a nod, nudging me gently. I stumbled, walking around the leather sofa towards the bed, my pulse beating so fast in my throat.
"Sit," Alpha Jonathan ordered.
I did. My body was rigid, and I clasped my fingers together, refusing to look at him. His scrawny fingers wrapped around my arm, making my skin crawl. He pushed me to the bed, climbing on me, his dick smacking my stomach.
His wrinkled face moved closer to me, and his labored breath fanned my face. It smelled like acetone. I gaped, swallowed back the scream that threatened to explode out of my mouth.
"You're going to please me, Aria." He whispered, his hand wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air supply.
"No!" I huffed and puffed, panic clawing up my throat. I struggled as his grip tightened. He was surprisingly strong.
Alpha Jonathan lifted my dress, and his hand moved to my soft mound. My eyes snapped shut.
No goddess Selene. Help me. Please!
Alpha moaned as he continued to rub me. Suddenly, he jerked once, then again, falling on top of me.
"What," I swallowed hard, heaving. Alpha didn't move for a brief second. So I pushed him off me, scampering to the door on trembling legs.
"What happened?" Sarah frowned.
"I don't know." I croaked, pointing to Alpha. "He stopped moving."
Hopefully, he had slipped into a coma once more.
Sarah tiptoed to the bed, and I followed her. She raised Alpha's hand, then pressed her fingers to the side of his neck. She placed her head on his chest, and she looked at me.
"What happened?" I questioned, panicking.
Sarah's face paled, and her mouth opened.