MIA

“So what?” I whispered, then broke tears pouring down like rain I couldn’t hold back anymore. My chest heaved with every breath.

"Our marriage of one whole year meant nothing to him. He betrayed me with my cousin… impregnated her. He used me and tossed me aside like I was nothing. But it’s fine, right? Because he’s the Alpha King.”

My voice trailed off after those last words. This was the bitter truth. No one would care because he was the Alpha. Look how easily he got the guards to turn against me.

I staggered back from the stranger, no longer able to hold it in. The walls of the motel felt too small and tight. I turned and bolted, running out into the cool night air, gasping, sobbing, trying to hold myself together but I couldn’t.

It was too much.

The pain, the humiliation and loneliness.

I stood there in the darkness, arms wrapped around myself, when I felt a hand gently tap my shoulder.

Before I could turn, warm lips brushed mine and as I looked up, I saw that it was him, the stranger.

His red eyes searched mine.

“You sure you want this?” he asked in a husky voice that sent all thousand species of butterflies dancing in my belly.

I looked at him for a moment with my eyes still wet, heart still aching but I nodded faintly, letting my lips curve into a fragile smile.

And then, I kissed him like a hungry lion.

My hands slid around his neck as our mouths collided again, lips tasting, tongues searching.

He backed me up slowly, still kissing me, until my back hit a door. He didn’t stop. One hand reached behind, pushed it open, and we stumbled inside without breaking the kiss. The door clicked shut behind us.

My fingers found the buttons of his shirt, undoing them one by one, revealing smooth, warm skin and toned muscles. His hands gripped my waist, trailing up my sides.

I reached behind and tugged the zipper of my gown down. The fabric slid from my shoulders and pooled at my feet, leaving me in nothing but my bra and panties.

And still, our lips stayed locked, like we were both drowning and each other’s mouths were the only way to breathe.

“Wow…” he murmured, eyes roaming over me with clear desire. “You’ve got a beautiful body.”

I smiled faintly, still breathing hard.

He pushed me gently onto the bed, climbing over me slowly. His lips found my neck, trailing fire as he kissed lower. One hand slid behind my back and unhooked my bra easily, while the other cupped my boobs so firmly and needy.

Then his hand moved lower as he tugged my panties down then tore them without hesitation, and a sharp gasp escaped my lips as he filled me in one hard thrust.

“You are so warm....fuckkk.” he growled against my ear, his voice filled with lust. He began to move in me and I completely lost it.

“Harder...arghhh...” I moaned, my nails digging into his back.

His hips moved faster, harder, driving the pain and pleasure into something tangled and intense. I cried out louder each time, my body arching to meet his rhythm as he took what Lucas had to easily discard.

The room filled with the sounds of skin clapping together, gasps, and soft, breathless moans.

We didn’t stop.

Not for what felt like an hour.

By the end of it, he collapsed on top of me, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath. I lay still beneath him, completely spent, my heart still racing.

I exhaled slowly, a deep, shaky breath and I drifted into sleep.

The next morning, I stirred awake with a dull ache behind my eyes. My head throbbed faintly, and for a second, I just lay there, blinking against the soft morning light that filtered into the room.

Then I saw the tall stranger already up, fully dressed, standing by the window and watching me.

A soft smile tugged at his lips.

“Hope you slept well,” I heard his sinfully delicious voice say.

I didn’t answer right away.

I didn’t need anyone to remind me what happened last night. I began to feel guilty and embarrassed at the thought that I started everything.

I sat up slowly, the sheets slipping down my bare body. A sharp ache throbbed between my legs, and I winced.

“I have to go back,” I said, pushing the covers aside as I reached for my clothes, careful not to meet his eyes.

If anyone found out where I was or worse, what I’d done I wouldn’t just be shamed.

I’d be beheaded.

“Don’t worry,” I said quickly, reaching for my things. “I don’t have any money on me, but… take all my golden jewelry. That should cover everything.”

My hands went to my neck only to find the chains missing. I glanced around, heart racing, until I spotted them glinting on the lantern table.

“Wait,” he said suddenly, stepping closer. “I want us—”

“To continue?” I snapped, cutting him off as I yanked my gown up over my shoulders. “Do you have any shame? I’m a queen. If anyone sees me here…”

I shook my head, more to myself than him. My voice broke with panic and regret as I fastened the last clasp of my gown.

I didn’t wait for another word. I turned and rushed out the door, my feet carrying me faster than my thoughts could catch up.

*

“And where do you think you’re coming from? Where were you all night?”

That was my welcome the moment I stepped inside the mansion.

I stopped mid-step, my gaze landing on Lilith. She stood there in one of my flawless purple gowns, her arms folded and her eyes narrowed. Pain and jealousy burned within me.

I looked at her from head to toe as I sighed and turned away, already walking past her.

“Wait…” Her voice sharpened as she moved closer. Then she leaned in too close and sniffed.

Her lips curled. “Why do you smell like alcohol?” she snapped, her tone rising. “Answer me right now!”

I clenched my fists, heat prickling at the back of my neck. When did she grow the courage to yell at me?

“Don’t stress yourself. Let me handle it.”

Lucas stepped up behind her, placing both hands on her shoulders. She relaxed instantly, drinking in his soft, gentle gaze the kind of look he never spared for me.

Then his eyes shifted toward me. All the softness vanished and was replaced by a cold, stern gaze. He parted his lips to speak when—

“Wait…” another voice interrupted.

All eyes turned toward the voice.

“What’s that on her shoulder?”

It was Vivian’s voice as she stepped closer.

Before I could move, Lilith rushed forward, her fingers digging into the sleeve of my gown so hard that I heard the seams strain. She yanked it down over my shoulder.

Her eyes went wide. “It’s a mark!” she gasped, turning to Lucas. “She’s been marked by someone else, Lucas. She obviously fucked someone last night!”

My heart sank. A mark!? I then turned to look at that spot that turned purple. Did that stranger really put a mark on me?

Shit, I was fucked.

I looked at Lucas. His jaw tightened and his fists curled at his sides, his gaze hard enough to pin me in place.

“I… swear,” I began to stammer, “it’s not what you think…”

“How dare you cheat on the Alpha!?” Vivian’s voice dripped with outrage, and for a moment I almost laughed because wasn’t that exactly what he’d just done to me?

My heart hammered painfully, rising and falling in my chest.

Lucas stepped forward, glaring at me. “Tell me the truth! Did you go out, having sex like a fucking whore?”

I shook my head quickly, the lie burning my tongue. I opened my mouth to speak, but Lilith cut me off before I could form the words.

“That’s a lie. We all know what happened,” she sneered. “That mark is a wolf’s mark. Or do you care to explain, you fucking prostitute?”

Her voice echoed in the parlour, and I could feel every pair of eyes boring into me, waiting for me to break.

I couldn’t take this anymore. I had to liberate myself.

“I… I will gladly accept your rejection,” I finally said. Although my voice was shaking, it was steady enough to carry the words.

“You dare not!” Lucas suddenly roared in a thunderous voice. His eyes burned into mine with a glare that was so sharp and vicious that I had to look away.

“What?” The word slipped out before I could stop it. So… he didn’t want me to reject him? Did he want to drag this out and make it hurt me more? Why? Why was he so cruel? When did he become so cruel?

“Guards!” His command tore through the air. “She will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane, unless she confesses where she’s been.”

“Exactly!” Lilith’s voice chimed in immediately.

No… no. I couldn’t even imagine the cane tearing into my skin. I wouldn’t survive it.

“Please…” My knees buckled, and I fell to the cold floor. “Please, I beg you.” My hands rubbed together in desperation, trembling, my pride already slipping through my fingers. “I’m sorry… please, forgive me.”

Lilith stepped forward, her heels clicking softly and her smile growing like a snake tasting victory. “Or,” she purred, “you can choose… between watching your darling father get executed right in front of you...” she paused for effect, her eyes glittering, “...or taking just a few strokes of the cane. The ball is in your court.”

What the fuck?! I couldn’t believe the bizarre words coming out of her mouth. She wanted me to choose between myself and my father?!

Just how evil were they?!

My fists clenched so tightly that my nails tore into my flesh.

My chest rose and fell with ragged breaths, my mind racing between the agony of the cane… and the image of my father’s blood staining the ground.