Mated To The Devil

THRENNA

"You would do it, wouldn't you?" Princess Calista's voice was soft, sugar-laced, the kind that made you lean in, her green eyes ever glowing like jewels. But I should have known the devil was at its best when it wants to strike.

"It's just a simple delivery," she added, her smile tightening with satisfaction.

And naive little me? I nodded, my heart skipping a bit. I took the box she offered me.

I thought I was delivering a gift.

Turns out I was the gift. A maid wrapped in obedience, wanting to please.

I clutched the box to my chest as I walked deeper into the woods. The warehouse a few miles away.

She said someone would be there to collect the box.

She didn't say I'd be collected instead.

Walking into the warehouse I was met with a loud growl rumble in the dark. My heart pounding.

"Take off your clothes," a hoarse voice ordered.

My heart kicked against my ribs. I froze, dropping the box. "Wh-What? No, this is a mistake..."

I spun towards the door, only to be met with a solid unmoving chest.

"I won't repeat myself again," the voice snapped, low and sharp as a knife's edge.

I opened my mouth to plead, to scream, but I never got the chance. His strong arms lifted me from the floor, sinking me hard in a bed.

He didn't ask. He didn't hesitate. My clothes were torn-shredded-like they had offended him. His kiss was hot, reckless, claiming. I fought, until the pain tore through me, and he sealed my scream in my throat with a kiss.

My struggles against his strong grip were useless, and shortly my defiance died down.

He didn't stop. Not until he was done.

Then silence followed.

He tossed some silver coins on the bed, like discarded candy. "Not bad," he muttered, already walking away.

All that remained was a blood stained sheet —proof of what I'd lost.

I curled into myself. Closed my eyes. Maybe if I opened them again, it would be a dream. I opened them twenty times. Yes I counted, and then reality dawned. It wasn't a dream.

I picked up what was left of my clothes, as I walked back slowly back to the palace the damp soil and leaves stuck to my feet, the wind cared the scent of pine and blood.

Now I was no different from the maidens I pride myself over. I had lost what made me special, that must have been Calista's plan all along.

A nobody!

That was what I was. Picked up by her parents, the King and Queen of Silver Wolves, and being made to be her personal maid.

A life of Hell was what I lived.

And tonight I got a proper taste of it…

I knew Calista hated me, but I couldn't imagine she would do this.

I scrubbed until I could see my second layer of skin bruised red. Still I couldn't feel clean.

I buried my screams in my rat infested pillow.

Just a little while longer, I told myself.

Just until the mating ceremony.

Then I'd find my mate and leave this godforsaken place.

But… I just hoped this desire of mine wasn't too far-fetched.

***

The next Morning

"Move it," the cold steel voice of the guard slashed through the air of my room, the small store room that was crafted into my rest place, rest I mostly never had.

"Pick up those damn feets of yours..." he spat.

I said nothing. My feet moved slower than my mind.

"Didn't know even whôres needed beauty sleep," he sneered.

I stopped, heat in my chest. Anger. The kind I couldn't afford.

He smirked his brown rotten teeth glittering in utmost darkness. "You're not going to talk back now?" he taunted. "Or are you saving your mouth for tonight?"

My jaw clenched, my knuckles turning white. This wasn't new, just unexpected, and if this guard is saying this it means Calista.... The remaining thoughts died down too painful for me to think of.

"Maybe tonight I had come for a taste of mine," he whispered, his breath stinking like swine pee.

In your dreams, I muttered to myself, before following him.

When we reached Calista's room, the guard bowed low, the snake shedding his fangs for formality.

"MY PRINCESS," he greeted.

Calista turned, her laughter fading midair.

"Oh you," she remarked with a sarcastic laugh, her friends joining in. "How was it?" she added.

My head was still bowed low, my body shivering.

"Was he gentle? Or rough? Did he call you pretty when he was done?" She laughed again.

Tears trickled down my lids...she wasn't even ashamed admitting the fact that she had sold me out.

She stretched out a hand. "Hand it over."

I raised my head gently, as I dared to meet her gaze. "H-Hand what over, my princess?" my voice trembled, before a slap followed.

The slap was instant. Sharp

"Didn't you get paid last night?" She asked sweetly.

My cheek burned. My throat closed. A buzzing ring filled my ears, and I couldn't tell if it was from the slap or the shame.

My body is not for sale. I wanted to say, but my tongue stayed behind my teeth. I couldn't afford to lose my little form of protection—not yet.

"Has your ears suddenly lost the use of their function?" she sneered.

"I...I...." I stammered.

"She must have hidden the money for herself," one of her minions offered.

"I didn't—" I said, defensively, my cheeks still stinking with pain, my thighs worse.

"Are you calling her a liar, Renna?" Calista asked, her voice silk soft, but eyes razor sharp.

"No Princess Calista," I bowed lower.

"So you hide the money then?"

Trapped. No answer would save me.

At least if she had specified the contract or what I was to do there we wouldn't be here. Oh… that's right, she knew I wouldn't oblige, I mean who would?

"You can send someone to check the warehouse," I whispered. "The coins might still be there."

"Might?"

Her smile vanished. Stood, chair scraping back the polished marble. "So I sent you to a wolf just for you to get screwed and not paid?"

Her words were venom in clothed silk.

Silence followed.

The only thing stopping me from running a knife down her throat was her father, he was the only nicest person to me, but soon that thread might snap. I was still in thought, when the ugly looking guard came in.

"My Princess, Your Father, His Majesty, requests the presence of the maid."

She motioned for him to go, and just as I was about to follow him, she wrapped her fingers around a lock of my hair. "This isn't over Renna, and if you survive this, you will pay me what you owe."

My ass kissed the floor roughly as she shoved me backward.

I bit back tears, adjusting my hair rushing to the royal chambers.

Why has his Majesty summoned me?

I rubbed my stinking check, my heartbeat stuttering.

Just then her words strucked me... What did Calista mean... "If you survive this"?