If he hadn’t spoken earlier, I would have assumed he was mute.
Confused and exhausted, I longed to confide in him. Questions about my stay in the castle were already eating away at me, and I needed someone to talk to-someone to assure me that I would get through this nightmare.
Since he had lived in the castle all his life, he seemed like the best person for a small conversation. But instead, he ignored me like I was nothing more than a piece of furniture. He didn’t even care how I felt.
Loneliness became my only companion, and I found myself anxiously picking at my fingers.
After an hour of silence and unbearable boredom, I tried to distract myself by counting the trees we passed on the road. I kept going until I lost track, and eventually, exhaustion took over. Curling up into a ball on the large leather seat, I drifted off to sleep.
“Wake up!”
The familiar, harsh voice rang in my ears, followed by a firm smack on my shoulder.
I jolted awake, displeasure written all over my face as I glared at him. He didn’t care. Without another word, he stepped out of the car, and I had no choice but to follow.
We walked through the garage until we reached a massive door where a girl stood waiting.
She barely spared me a glance before bowing in respect to him. Just as he was about to leave, he turned, fixing me with a wicked glare.
“You better get used to it. This is your new home now. Escaping isn’t an option-the castle is heavily guarded by warriors.”
My stomach sank as he crushed any hope I had left.
“Your princess life is over. It’s time to face reality. You are nothing more than a mere property meant to satisfy the King. And when your services are no longer required, you will be terminated immediately.”
His words sent a sharp chill down my spine.
“My last advice? Please the King and make the most of your short life while you still can.”
With that, he disappeared, leaving me alone with the stone-faced girl.
Did no one here ever smile?
A cold dread settled deep in my bones.
I would be terminated? As in… killed?
How insane.
And even crazier-why not just send me back to my parents instead?
Fear gripped me as I wrapped my arms around myself, as if that could somehow protect me from whatever awaited inside.
My heart somersaulted a thousand times as my legs refused to move.
Sweat broke out on my forehead, trickling down my face as I stared at the girl in shock.
“The Alpha King’s chamber? Isn’t that too soon?” My voice came out as a whisper, barely audible.
“Nothing is too soon for the Alpha King. He owns you now. You are his property,” she stated matter-of-factly before turning toward the dimly lit hallway.
We walked in silence, but her words echoed in my mind like a megaphone blaring directly into my ears.
I couldn’t deny the truth behind them, but why did she have to say it like that? Why couldn’t she show even a little kindness?
A bitter taste of irritation burned in my gut as the words repeated in my head.
Did he own me?
Was I a piece of jewelry?
A discarded piece of cloth he could use and dispose of whenever he pleased?
Despite knowing I had no choice, I refused to let anyone see me as merely the King’s possession.
I still had my parents’ blood running through my veins. I was the Alpha’s daughter, which meant I was an Alpha.
My discomfort grew as we continued in silence, the girl’s indifference making everything worse.
Exhausted, I finally stopped, panting hard before sinking onto the cold floor.
Today had been overwhelming. A day I would never forget.
“Please, can you slow down a bit?” I called out, signaling for her to wait so I could catch up. She kept walking but, to my relief, slowed her pace slightly.
“You have to hurry. He’s already waiting. It’s dangerous to keep him waiting. The dungeon is not a nice place,” she said with a forced smile, waving me forward as if urging me to shake off my exhaustion.
My body protested, but her words sent a chill down my spine.
Taken aback by the change in her tone, I glanced at her, surprised that she had spoken to me in such a way. Her voice was calmer, almost encouraging. These were the most words she had said to me, and they were enough to push me forward.
In a rush, I scrambled to my feet and hurried to catch up.
Guilt twisted in my gut as I realized the reason behind her initial coldness. She had been trying to keep up with the Alpha King’s time, afraid of the consequences if she failed.
I hated the dungeon too.
The thought of her getting into trouble because of me made my stomach churn. I wouldn’t be able to live with that. But how could I forget the terrifying man who had ordered her to be strict with me?
I bet he would have snapped at her for showing me any kindness.
The hallway was dim, making it hard to see her features clearly.
“Do you mind if I know your name?” I asked, attempting to start a conversation.
“My name is Alex. And yours is Aurora Gray. It’s nice to finally see you.”
I gasped in shock at the mention of my full name.
“How did you know that?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
“Trust me, news spreads.”
A wave of sadness washed over me as she nodded.
“Does that mean everyone already knows I belong to the King?”
Tears burned the back of my eyes, but I forced them back, blinking rapidly.
No amount of crying would change my twisted fate.
We halted as three massive guards stepped forward for a security check, but as soon as Alex came into view, a large mahogany door was opened for us.
I instinctively turned to look back, but the imposing figures of the guards sent chills down my spine. Why was everyone here so unnaturally huge?
Like a frightened cat, I scurried behind Alex, resisting the urge to glance at the guards, whose cold, hard stares bore into me.
“Can I ask something, Alex? As the King’s property, what exactly am I supposed to do?”
Her face contorted in sadness as she cast a pitiful look my way. I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that whatever my role was, it wouldn’t be pleasant.
“Anything he pleases,” she said with a heavy sigh.
My mind went blank, drowning in confusion. What could he possibly ask of me?
“Anything like…?” My voice trailed off, waiting for her answer.
“I don’t know. The King can be extreme and unpredictable. But I’m certain that your duties will include gracing his bed from time to time.”
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