Chapter 3 (The Condition)

By sunset, we arrived at the Blue moon pack. The guard handed me to the guard from the Blue moon pack and walked away without a word, like someone selling an item.

As I walked into the gate of the pack, everywhere looked so luxurious. Different from what I had heard, and different from what I had created in my brain. There were luxurious quarters, painted with attractive colours, there were a fleet of cars lined up in each quarter, the land looked super healthy, and by what I was seeing, the pack had lots of members.

I bit my lower lip, as I walked behind the guard admiring the whole place.

The guard opened a very big door, made of shining gold and dark wood. The door was smooth, with bright stones fixed into its surface. Around it, tall walls were covered in soft red cloth, and a silver lamp hung above, giving off a warm glow. The place looked rich and royal.

As the door opened, we walked into a grand hall, it was painted with rich colours and had expensive gold chairs. My eyes moved from one corner to the other, I had never seen anything as grand as this before in my life. The whole place was empty and quiet. The guard also didn't say a word, he just stood by the door.

I was confused, I didn't know what to do...I was used to people giving me instructions. should I keep standing, should I walk around and admire the place, should I sit... what in god's name should I do?

"What is this," a voice startled me from behind. I turned immediately , my eyes moved up to the stairs, standing there was the most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on... who could this be, I whispered to myself... This can't be...he looks too clean to be...

"Alpha Roman," the guards greeted bowing down.

What! This... this hunk of a man standing in front of me, is the Alpha Roman? I whispered to myself.

"This is the girl from the Red light pack," the guard continued, still bowing down.

My head tilted a little, I really wanted to look at him well, I couldn’t believe my eyes...this was the same person I had heard nasty rumors about.Well Yes, rumor had it that he was handsome, but the way they described him...oh my goodness, wasn’t even close to the reality standing before me.

I was expecting an ok man, with a tatard look ... messed up hair, overgrown beards, and clothes that make you want to plug your eyes out. But instead, he was very tall, broad-shouldered and he moved with a natural grace that was easy to notice even without any effort. And, as I raised my eyes to his face I was amazed...his jaw was sharp, his blue eyes steady, and there was something about the way he stared that made the air seem heavier, and caused the room to have to settle down to his presence.

The gods and goddesses took their time to craft him. Very funny how the gods bless monsters with striking beauty, it’s almost as if they are intentionally setting a trap. A cruel joke, really...wrapping danger in perfection, so that when you look too closely, it’s already too late.

He was dressed in black, the kind of black that seemed to swallow in the light around him. His shirt clung to his chest, outlining the strength beneath, while a long coat flowed around him like a shadow that refused to leave his side. Even the simplest details...the polished boots, the heavy watch on his wrist...spoke of dominance.

I didn't say a word, I was lost staring at him.

"You see something you like," he asked staring at me, without a smile on his face

"I... I'm sorry," I apologized immediately, burying myself to the ground.

He waved his hand, signaling that he didn't care about what I was saying.

He walked down the stairs, stepping closer to me...As he walked down, everything seemed to notice his presence, even the air itself changed. As he stepped closer to me, my whole body became tense. I didn't know what to do. For a second I felt he was going to do something harmful to me, because of the way he stared at me. He looked at me like he was seizing me up, maybe checking if I was worth the money he spent. I tried not to move. I didn't want to look weak in his eyes, and I also didn't say a word, I just stood like a statue in front of him.

He raised his head over my shoulder "How is the preparation for the ceremony going," he asked the guard. He smelt like warm vanilla mixed with fresh jasmine and a touch of honey, the kind of scent that made it hard to look away from him.

"The preparation is almost done Alpha, they are just waiting to get the bride ready."

Ceremony...I thought there wasn't going to be any ceremony, isn't this just like buying a product from the market, what is the essence of the ceremony.

"Get me wine," he commanded his guard, "And... take this..." he looked at me with disgust in his face, "whatever this is out my sight."

And at that point, I knew everything they were saying about him was all true. He is a tyrant, wrapped in a fine face.

The guard escorted me to a simple room, with maids inside. Without saying a word to me, they stripped me off my dress, and wore me another robe. They applied powder on my face, and wrapped my hair up.

When they were done dressing me like a monster, they escorted me back to the hall. This time around, people had gathered...the elders sat on the high table, and there were also some other people who stood.

The priest began the ritual, his voice sounded like an unserious person. It was low and dull, like he was playing, and couldn't wait to get this over with.

Everybody’s face was cold stone, unreadable, as if carved from ice. Yet, hidden in the crowd, a few carried something else...pity. It flickered in their eyes, faint but unmistakable, like a candle struggling to survive in a storm.

I swallowed hard, and said all the priest asked me to say, and do.I didn't hesitate, I did all required from me, and when the final words were spoken, the priest struck his staff on the ground, signifying the deal was sealed.

Roman didn't say a word, or even kiss me like the law required. I wasn't expecting any of that either... because this isn't a traditional marriage, this is a powerful man buying a weak slave.

When the ritual was done, he stared at me briefly, and then he turned away, and started walking away. Shortly, a guard tapped me, ordering me to follow him. And I followed immediately. They escorted me into a very luxurious room. As I walked in, my eyes moved from one corner of the room to the next, the room was very big...my eyes moved to the furniture...the wood was dark and expensive, the curtains were made with the most expensive material, and then, my eyes moved to the bed. I was blown away. The bedrail was made with gold, and the covers real fur. When I touched the bed it was so soft. I had never slept in anything like this.

My eyes caught another door. I slowly walked closer to it. I stretched my hands to the door knob, but I stopped, what if... what if I'm not supposed to touch anything, I really don't want any issues. I bit my lower lips, trying to resist the urge, but curiosity got the better part of me. I twisted the door knob and what I saw shocked me.

The bathroom looked breathtaking, words can't explain how luxurious it looked... everything was shiny from the marble floor to the silver fixtures. The bathtub is so big, even the one in my father's house isn't as big as this one. My eyes move to the towel, neatly arranged on the shelf. I walked quietly to it, my fingers brush over the towels, they were thick and soft. I didn't own a towel back in my father's house, he always says the towels were too good for me.

There were different types of body wash and shampoo lined up...things I never thought I'd ever use.

I quietly closed the door, and sat on the bed, tired, and afraid...I didn't know what to do or expect next. The sound of the door opening startled me. I quickly jumped to my feet.

The door opened, and Alpha Roman walked in like he owned the place...well he does.

I didn't know what to do, if I should bow, kneel, stand straight, bury my head to the ground, I really didn't know the right thing to do...so I just stood, my hands fidgeting with my gown.

He stared at me for a while, and then adjusted his leather jacket. "Listen up," he said, his breath filling the whole room. " I have a few rules you must abide by."

I didn't say a word, I just nodded my head.

"You should know your place here, you would not leave this room, unless I order you to. Whenever I want you, you would give me yourself wholeheartedly. Never come into my chambers, and never speak when I'm speaking. You will be obedient, and never break any of my rules."

He paused for a moment, staring at me, then he continued, "Have you been with anyone before?"

"Huh!" I didn't even know when the words escaped my mouth.

"Have you met your mate yet?"

I gripped the side of my gown. Only if he knows that the one I thought was my mate, chose my sister over me.

I shook my head, "No, I haven't."

"Hmmm...Your father told me you're pure, I hope that is truly the case... because that is part of the agreement.

I swallowed, and took a deep breath, "I haven't been with anyone, I'm still a virgin.

He makes a low sound in his throat, and then nodded his head, like he liked what he heard. He didn't say a word, he just walked down to an empty chair, and sat down, staring at me, his gaze was so deep that I felt like disappearing.

"So," he continued, "Have you gotten familiar with your wolf?... because here that is also important.

Shame covered my face, how do I tell this man that I still haven't gotten my wolf... what do I do now. Do I lie... what if he catches me, I have always been bad at lying.

"I..." I cleared my throat, "I haven't... gotten my wolf.

"What?" he asked surprisingly."How old are you?"

The shame increased, and I turned to him immediately, our eyes locked together, and I buried my head to the ground. "I'm twenty."

"Hmmm," he blurted out, his index finger, gently rubbing against his thumb like someone in deep thoughts.He stared at me some more, and then he said, "So you know why you're here right?"

My eyes rolled in confusion. To be his wife obviously, isn't that why we just had a ceremony.

I nodded gently, "To be your wife."

He looked at me, like he was surprised, "Not just that..." his gaze was disturbing, "Didn't your father tell you about the deal."

I shook my head, "No"

"Well… you are to give me an heir to the throne within a year. And if you can’t produce one…" his lips curved into a cruel smile, "you become my slave."

"What!" I screamed, my voice breaking through the silence. My heart slammed against my ribs, and for a moment, the room spun.