Aurora's POV

I had never faced such profound humiliation in my entire life. How dare he reject me just like that after I had mustered all the courage in me to offer myself to a total asshole like him.

I hate him so much.

As I vigorously wrung out the washed cloth before drying them in the sun, I didn't even notice the water splashing onto the fellow slaves who hurriedly passed by me.

One of the girls whispered to another.

“Ignore her. She's lost her mind.”

But I didn't care. My hatred and anger towards the Alpha had consumed me entirely.

“You appear to be venting some kind of anger towards the poor clothes. Did someone get on your nerves?” A voice behind me remarked, and I swiftly turned to face Zed, the Alpha's younger brother, who was observing me with a hint of amusement. I bowed my head in respect, struggling to compose myself.

It was embarrassing that someone like him had caught me in my rebellious mode.

“Forgive me, sir.” I said, attempting to salvage my dignity.

“You're that servant girl from the party, aren't you? You served my brother a drink. Didn't you?” A flicker of recognition crossed his face and I nodded meekly in agreement.

“I did think you looked extremely pretty that night but seeing you in bright daylight and from up close, you're actually more beautiful than I think. You are not befitting a servant.”

Well, I wasn't a servant from the start. You guys made me one.

“Thank you.”

“What are your plans for later tonight?” He asked, taking a step closer to me, his eyes gleaming with suggestive intent.

I retreated, my heart racing. “Working, of course.”

“Working?” He echoed my response and nodded his head with a grin on his lips and a lustful look in his eyes. “I could help you slip away from your duties. Let's have a memorable night together, just the two of us. I'll treat you like a queen.”

What a shameless flirt! I had heard so many rumors about him. About how he had slept with almost half of the women in the pack and didn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. It seemed like I was going to be his next target.

In his wildest dreams.

“What do you mean?” I feigned oblivion and Zed just clicked his tongue in response.

“Come on. Don't play dumb. You know exactly what I mean. Stop acting like a child.”

Just kick his balls and run off, Aurora. Just do it.

Before I could open my mouth to reply to him, we were interrupted by a guard who approached us. He bowed his head in respect before Zed before delivering a message to me.

“The Alpha requests your presence in his chamber. Immediately.”

I was taken aback, my eyes widening in surprise and confusion as I gazed at the guard. I did not move or respond right away, my mind racing with questions.

The Alpha wanted to see me? Why? I thought he already rejected my proposal.

“Why does my brother want to see you?” Zed mirrored my puzzled expression and I blinked at him and gave a half shrug.

“I don't know either.”

The guard's patience wore thin, and he barked at me.

"Do not keep the Alpha waiting!" Then, he began to stride away again. It was my cue to follow him and I obeyed, hurrying after him and leaving a perplexed Zed behind. I felt a great relief having escaped Zed's irky advances and piercing gaze.

I hoped he go find another girl to fuck.

Upon arriving at the Alpha's door, the guard abandoned me and disappeared once more, leaving me to gather my courage. I swallowed hard and hesitated for a brief moment before knocking softly on the door.

As if anticipating my arrival, the Alpha swung open the door without hesitation, his piercing, dark green eyes greeting me with an unnerving intensity.

He stood before me, shirtless, wearing only a pair of pants, his body glistening with moisture, hinting that he had just emerged from the shower. His dark, wavy hair was slicked back, revealing his chiseled features, and his toned chest caught my eyes, causing a wetness to form in-between my thighs.

I imagined tracing my fingers along the contours of his hard, perfectly toned chest and down to his torso. I longed to kiss those hard lines of his six packs and trace them with my tongue. He was just too beautiful to be looked at just once.

In fact, he looked like a god. A god of pure masculine beauty.

“Come on in.” He said to me, his deep voice resonating through the room. Obediently, I stepped inside and he shut the door after me.

Fuck. It felt so forbidden to be alone in the same room with a man like this. I wasn't afraid of what he would do to me, but rather, I was cautious of what I could do to him.

May the gods help me control my dirty little mind.

“Sit.” He directed, nodding towards an expensive leather couch. I compiled, sinking into the plush cushions as he settled into the opposite couch, his arms stretched out across the armrests, exuding a natural air of authority.

On the coffee table between us lay a printed document.

“Take a look at that.” He indicated, motioning to the paper, and I cautiously picked it up, my eyes scanning the contents, and my breath caught as I read the heading.

Contract Breeder Agreement Between Alpha Kaiden and Aurora.

Beneath it, the terms and conditions were outlined.

My heart skipped a beat, then raced with excitement. He had reconsidered my proposal and accepted! It felt like a dream. So surreal and out of touch with reality. I had lost all hopes when he plainly rejected me but everything had changed now.

He had accepted me to be his breeder. I was soon going to be free.

“According to the terms and conditions of our agreement," Kaiden explained, his voice low and measured. “You will be required to reside in the castle for the duration of your breeding period, until you have borne a child for me. Only then, would you be set free and allowed to regain your freedom.”

He paused, his gaze calculating.

“And because I am a thoughtful person, I will do my best to make sure that you are well looked after and taken care of during your stay here as a breeder. A luxurious room has been prepared for you, complete with every amenity you could desire. You will receive the same premium treatment as my royal family members, lacking nothing.”

My heart soared in joy and I could already feel and taste the sweetness of freedom. Soon, I'll be out of here. Very, very soon.

“However, our breeding agreement must remain a secret between us.” He emphasized, his piercing gaze holding mine. ”We will pretend to be in a romantic relationship until you leave. I refuse to have my reputation tarnished by being known as a breeder."

"Agreed," I said finally, nodding my head as a smile involuntarily crept onto my face.

"Excellent." Kaiden replied, taking a sip of his red wine. "A maid is waiting for you downstairs. She'll show you to your new room and assist you in changing into something more suitable for your new status. Tonight, we'll have dinner with my family, and I'll introduce you as my fiancée.”

He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as he emphasized.

"A pretend fiancée, of course."

"Cool.” I replied, smiling subtly, and stood up to leave. But I hesitated, turning back to face him once more. "Just one quick question, though."

Kaiden's gaze snapped back to mine, his brow furrowed in inquiry. I marveled at how his expression rarely wavered, except for the subtle movements of his eyebrows and lips.

“When do we have our first sex?”

My question seemed to catch him off guard, and he spluttered on his drink, coughing in surprise.

I blinked and remained rooted to my spot. What? Did I say something wrong?

After composing himself, Kaiden's gaze met mine once more, his expression now weary.

Once he had regained himself, Kaiden looked back at me, a tired look now on his face.

“Just go.” He said, his voice slightly drained.

I bowed my head respectfully and exited the room, stifling a chuckle in amusement. Had my directness actually flustered the formidable Alpha Kaiden? Despite his powerful stature, he seemed to possess a vulnerable side, like a child unexpectedly caught off guard.

Without denying it, I liked this side of him.

………………………

As dinner time approached, Kaiden's message arrived, asking me to come down to the dining area within five minutes. Standing before the full-length mirror in my new room, I admired the stunning red dress that hugged my body. The simple, satin gown with delicate straps reminded me of my former life in my father's castle, where I would dress like the princess that I was.

My gaze wandered around the room, taking in the opulence that surrounded me. True to his word, Kaiden had provided me with a luxurious space. It was big, almost like the size of my room at my father's castle. The king-sized bed, extensive vanity table stocked with premium makeup and skincare products, and the wardrobe bursting with exquisite, high end dresses made me feel alive again. It felt good to be treated like a princess once more, instead of a slave.

A knock came upon my door, followed next by the voice of the maid who had escorted me to my new room.

“Excuse me, miss. It's already dinner time.”

Without wasting any more time, I came out of the room and I noticed how the maid's eyes widened in surprise as she took in my transformed appearance. She quickly averted her gaze and led me downstairs to the dining room.

As we entered the dining room, a profound silence fell, and the eyes of Kaiden, his mother, and Zed fixed intently on me. It was the kind of way you would stare at a drop dead beauty who had just walked out of a photoshoot.

Under the weight of their stares, I felt my self-awareness heighten, and my fingers began to nervously toy with the fabric of my dress.

Just as I was starting to feel overwhelmed by the intensity of their gazes, Kaiden seemed to sense my unease and graciously came to my rescue.

He rose from his seat, his movements fluid and confident, and approached me with a gentle smile. It was the first time I had seen a smile on his face and damn, did he look perfect with it.

Plus, did I just see a set of dimples on his cheeks when he smiles? The gods! What else did this man not have?

Once he reached me, Kaiden took my hand in his and planted a soft, chivalrous kiss upon it, his piercing green eyes locked onto mine. The simple gesture sent my heart racing and my stomach fluttering wildly.

Get a grip of yourself, Aurora!

With a courteous gesture, he guided me to the table and finally presented me to his family, their gaze never leaving me for a second. Most especially Zed's shocked ones.

"Mother, Zed, allow me to introduce Aurora, my fiancée."