Against the jumble of ideas in my head was the frigid chamber. I tried to keep the cold air seeping through the walls by clenching my teeth and pulling my knees up closer to my chest.

Tears were running down my face because I had never felt so alone. I mumbled, "Mom," into the emptiness, wishing for her gentle touch and her arms to wrap me and drive the darkness away. “Please help me.” But only silence answered a reminder that I am truly alone.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and two women stepped inside.

I had seen them earlier today, swooning over the Alpha like cats, and I didn't need anyone to tell me they belonged to him. The one with red hair strode forward, her expression a mix of contempt and amusement.

“Well, well, well,” she drawled, her eyes running over me like I was a piece of trash. “Look what we have here.”

“Who are you?” I stammered, instinctively shrinking back against the wall.

“Name’s Freya,” she sneered, closing the distance between us. “And this is Calista.” The dark-haired beauty gave me a smug smile, but her eyes were sharp, like a predator assessing its prey.

“What’s your name, princess?” Freya asked, her voice dripping with mockery.

“Nyx,” I replied, though my heart raced at the disdain in her tone.

“Nyx?” Calista echoed, laughter bubbling up in her voice. “The popular princess with no wolf? How cute.”

“Did you think you would come here and be treated like royalty? Newsflash, sweetheart: you’re nothing to him or anyone in particular.” Freya stepped closer, her face inches from mine. “You’re just a pawn in this game, so read my lips because, sweetheart, I’m going to make your life a living hell.”

My heart sank, the weight of their words pressing down on me like a heavy shroud. I wish I could disappear.

Without warning, they grabbed me, their hands rough as they pulled me up. “Get dressed,” Calista commanded, throwing a handful of clothes at me.

“You have an Alpha to impress.”

As I changed, I tried to avoid looking at them, but their laughter cut through my thoughts. I can feel their eyes on me, judging, mocking. When I was finally dressed, they tugged me out of the cold room and down the hall.

We reach a grand door, and they shoved it open, revealing Xaden sprawled across a lavish sofa, his muscular form both intimidating and alluring. He’s shirtless this time, and the way he sat, confident and relaxed, made my heart race for entirely different reasons.

“Look who we brought,” Calista announced, pushing me forward as if I were a prize they were presenting.

Xaden’s gray eyes locked onto mine, and for a moment, the world faded away. I took in the sharp lines of his jaw and the way his dark hair fell just above his brows. He exudes power, and yet there’s something dangerous in his gaze.

“Strip,” he commanded, his voice low and unyielding. “And crawl over here to please me.”

What? Strip? Me? Here? Now?

“No,” I managed to say, my resolve surging as I tried to hide my shock. I won’t let him take away my dignity, not without a fight. And even if I wanted to, I couldn't risk disappointing him. I've never done this before, and the last thing I needed was these two women making me a laughing stock for not knowing how to please the Alpha like them. I refused to be treated like an object.

Fury flashed across his face.

“Tie her to the chair,” he snapped, his voice cutting through the air.

My heart pounded as Freya and Calista rushed forward, securing me to the chair. Panic rose within me, my breath quickening as I realized the helplessness of my situation.

Xaden stood, towering over me, his presence overwhelming. I felt small and vulnerable, but I tried to hold his gaze. He is attractive in a way that sends conflicting emotions coursing through me. I should be terrified, but a part of me is drawn to him. I wonder why.

As I struggled against the restraints, I couldn't help but glance at Freya and Calista as they slowly made their way to Xaden, merging their bodies with his; a surge of unease washed over me.

As their laughter reverberated throughout the room, I felt my face flush as I saw both of them surround him, comparable to moths to a light bulb. I was overcome with a sense of inadequacy. Xaden made his way to the sofa across from where I sat and lowered himself slowly like the king he is, his eyes never leaving mine.

The woman knelt before him, Freya expertly taking off his pants and whipping out his dick.

Something inside my stomach jumped with excitement, and my eyes widened at how huge he was. Daphne massaged his hardening length slowly with her hands as it grew, caressing and smiling at it like it was some trophy. Her eyes met mine, a smirk lining her lips before she opened her mouth and took him in, bobbing her head at a steady pace.

I closed my legs, clenching my thighs while chiding myself for feeling this way. I was supposed to resent him for humiliating me. For treating me like an object.

After what felt like an eternity, the women finished, giggling and whispering sweet nothings into Xaden’s ear. He smirked, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes as he leaned back, clearly enjoying the show.

“Take her back,” he finally said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand.

As I am dragged back to the cold room, my heart sinks further. I thought maybe I could stand my ground, but the reality of my situation crashed down like a wave. Xaden will make my life hell, and deep down, I know I would be powerless to stop it.

I was startled by the creaking of the door, and my heart leaped into my throat. Xaden stepped into the cold room, still shirtless, his muscular physique illuminated by the dim light filtering through the cracks in the wall. He looked every bit the beast I feared, and yet, there was something magnetic about him that pulled at me, despite the dread knotting in my stomach.

"Nyx," he said, his voice low and commanding.

I shrank back against the wall, my body trembling as he approached. The air thickened with tension as he moved closer, his eyes dark and penetrating. I was terrified, yet a strange warmth flickered within me, awakening feelings I couldn't comprehend.

He reached out, his fingers curling around my wrist with a firm grip. "You defy me, little one. Haven't you learned anything since you got here? You lost the ability to say no the moment your stupid father sold you to me.”

I flinched, my heart twisting at his words. “You still have a lot to learn, but for now, you will learn your place and understand where you belong,” he growled, and I felt my breath hitch. There was something undeniably captivating about his dominance.

“Now, strip your clothes.”

I knew if I didn't do whatever he asked me now, I would be dead in seconds. So, I took off my clothes, standing bare and naked before him.

He took a moment's pause, something dark and desiring swimming in his eyes. He looked like he wanted to devour me as he eyed me before he moved forward.

Before I could react, he pulled me forward and straddled my arms behind my back, binding my wrists tightly with rough rope. His body pressed against my bare breasts did something undeniable to me, making me gasp. I could feel my nipples harden as well, but he didn't so much as spare me a glance.

His touch sent shivers through my body, mixing fear with an unsettling thrill. The manner in which he was doing it was savage and somehow seductive at the same time, sending waves of conflicting feelings through me.

I begged him, "Please," but he disregarded me and took a step back to evaluate his job.

Then his eyes shifted to a waiting whip in a dimly lit corner of the room. He snatched it up, and I felt my heart sink as the leather crackled menacingly in the quiet.

With a small smile playing at the corner of his jaw, he continued, "You'll learn to submit."

He slammed the whip down across my skin, and I readied myself as I gasped from the intense sting. It wasn't only the hurt; it was also the authoritative way he applied it. My defenses started to collapse with every blow, and I could feel my determination breaking down.

"Stop! Please!" I let out a cry, my voice faltering due to the sting of tears in my eyes.

"I have trouble hearing you, Nyx. Speak up," he said, and as he struck me once more, harder this time, I could sense his enjoyment in his voice.

"I'll do whatever you want." My body shook from the pain and embarrassment as I choked out.

He paused to admire me, a proud smile growing across his face. “Perfect. See, that wasn’t so hard, was it?” With a tone full of satisfaction and fulfillment, he said, "Now you have to back it up."

And with that, he pivoted on his heel and disappeared, leaving me cuffed and defenseless in the chilly chamber, the pressure of my submission hanging uncomfortably in the air.