Chapter 3
820words
"Remember," Kayden murmurs as we enter, "speak only when spoken to."
Melissa glows in her red gown while I scan for exits.
At the head table, Kayden instructs us to kneel. Melissa immediately complies. I hesitate before reluctantly following.
Human servants bring food and wine. Kayden seats us at a lower table among other humans with downcast eyes.
Lucas walks over and tilts Melissa's chin up. "You seem to know the rules well, unlike that one," he says, glaring at me.
Melissa looks up through her lashes. "I know my place, sir."
"And where might that be?"
"Wherever you wish it to be," she replies sweetly.
Lucas laughs. "I like this one, Kayden. Perhaps you'd consider giving her to me?"
Kayden shrugs. "Take her if you want. One less problem for me."
"Would you prefer to belong to me?" Lucas asks her.
"Yes, sir. If you would have me."
"Melissa," I hiss, but she ignores me.
"I'm claiming this one tonight," Lucas tells Kayden.
"No! Melissa, you don't know what you're doing."
Lucas leans close to me. "She's made the right choice. Some day they'll all see their future Alpha is too merciful to properly handle humans."
The Alpha rises, silencing the hall. "As tradition demands, we welcome new servants with a demonstration of pack hierarchy."
Two werewolves drag in a bloodied human man. "This one dared to look his master in the eye. A reminder is needed of the natural order."
They force him to crawl and bark like a dog while wearing a collar, breaking his fingers when he hesitates. Werewolves laugh and place bets.
My nails dig into my palms as rage and terror battle within me.
"That," Lucas tells me, "is what happens to humans who forget their place."
Later, after Melissa leaves with Lucas following a claiming ceremony, I'm returned to Kayden's rooms alone.
When he doesn't follow immediately, I seize my chance. Wearing a servant's cloak, I navigate to a service entrance leading to the gardens.
A scream stops me. Through a window, I see a human woman cowering before a werewolf.
"Please," she begs. "I did everything you asked."
"Not enthusiastically enough," he replies, raising a clawed hand.
I turn to leave when a hand clamps over my mouth. Lucas drags me into the shadows.
"Foolish girl," he hisses, spinning me to face him.
"I wondered how long it would take you to try escaping," he says. "You're braver than most. Or stupider."
"Let me go," I demand when he removes his hand.
"I have a better offer. Come to me willingly instead of waiting for Kayden. I'd treat you well... by human standards."
"I'd rather die."
"That can be arranged," he snarls, his face beginning to shift.
"Lucas." Kayden's voice cuts through the night.
"Cousin," Lucas acknowledges. "I was just returning your property. She got lost."
"She's not my property. Yet." Kayden steps closer. "Release her."
Lucas shoves me toward Kayden. "You should keep better track of your humans. This one's defective."
"I'll handle it," Kayden says coldly.
As Lucas leaves, I face Kayden. "Death or freedom," I declare.
His eyes narrow. "Freedom? Back to that wretched family? You call that freedom?"
He grips my arm. "We're going back. Now."
"The forest is patrolled by wolves who hunt for sport. You wouldn't make it a mile."
In his chambers, he locks the door and gestures to a chair.
"If you want to survive here," he says more calmly, "you need to accept certain realities."
"Like becoming someone's property?"
"Yes. If you want to live, you need to be claimed."
"By you?"
"Preferably."
"What does claiming entail exactly?"
"It means you belong to me. No other werewolf can touch you without my permission."
I remain silent, unwilling to accept this reality.
Kayden's expression hardens. "Or perhaps you'd prefer to join your sister? I told you, at least with me you'll be safe."
"Fine," I finally say, my voice trembling slightly.
"Listen to me. Do as I say, and I will keep you safe."
The door swings open. A striking woman enters with amber eyes that mark her as werewolf royalty.
"Kayden," she says, her gaze sliding to me. "The rumors are true, then."
"Ashley. I didn't expect you tonight."
"And miss the moment you finally claim a human? She's pretty, though not what I expected for your first."
"I didn't choose her. Circumstances did."
Ashley laughs. "Protective already? How sweet." Her smile reveals sharp teeth. "Remember, three months from now is the Moon Goddess ceremony. When you'll finally discover your true Luna. Though we all know who the Goddess will choose."
"The Goddess reveals what she will."
"Don't get too attached to your new pet." Ashley lifts my chin, squeezing it painfully. "Once I'm officially named as your Luna, everything will change."
