"What the fuck do you want?" he asked, and I looked to the two guards who stood on either side of me, remaining silent.
"I... I was brought here. My name is Rebel Sterling." He sighed and pulled himself from the girl.
I looked away as he wiped himself off, and to my relief, pulled on some pants. I thought kings would have a little more decency.
"I know who you are," he said coldly, a hint of a proper accent, almost like he was trying to hide it. "Why are you in my room?"
I was asking myself the same question. I felt silly to assume that the contract meant I would be his.
"Leave," he commanded, and I turned to go, thankful I could get out of this situation. "Not you." I froze in my step and looked back. His stare boring into me.
The girl, who had still been lying open to him on the bed, quickly got up and ran from the room, not even bothering to grab something to cover herself with.
He doesn’t acknowledge the guards, but they also leave suddenly, as if told to by some unknown force. His eyes didn’t leave mine as I stood there, the pressure building like the calm before the storm and I stayed put, not knowing what to say.
"So, this is what they’ve sent me?" His gaze dragged over me, as if assessing me.
"You look weaker than I expected." A grunt in his throat, or was it a growl? I looked away, avoiding his harsh stare.
You’re meaner than I expected, I thought. He began to circle me, eyes low under his dark hair. Like an animal circling prey, I wrapped my arms around myself, a chill running through my bones.
I stayed silent until he finished his assessment. He stopped and waited, like he was expecting me to flinch, or maybe for an apology or explanation as to my presence.
He touched his hand to my chin and pulled my lip up, like I was some sort of game horse. It was then I decided I hated him. He grabbed my chin and lifted my eyes to him.
When I still didn’t speak he looked away, agitated and bored. Then he walked to the edge of the bed where he sat.
"Your father said you were rare, yet you hide your eyes from the world. Expensive clothes and a pretty face won’t get you far here."
It wasn’t his insults that hurt, it was the way he already decided my worth without even knowing me. I kept myself motionless, lip upturned to him.
He dismissed me with a wave of his hand and I happily escaped his presence. I didn’t want to be around him as much as he didn’t want to be around me. We had no bond, no claim over each other. I was his prisoner now, not his queen.
I tried not to cry as I was escorted back to my chambers, the heavy dress sweeping the floors behind me.
With the door to my room closed behind me, I started dropping the excessive weight of my outfit. A maid around the same age as me, who I hadn’t noticed hiding in the corner, came silently to assist me. I thanked her, but she didn’t speak and kept her eyes down as she worked.
The morning sky turned into a midday sun and the mist had cleared as I looked through the dark iron grating that criss-crossed over the window.
I felt more like a captive in this dungeon. The hopes of a charming king floating away with the early fog. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do here. My father had warned me not to disappoint him and I felt like I had done just that without even trying.
"Could I get some food?" I asked the girl, stomach ready for lunch. She shook her head. She looked to fold into herself, small as a mouse, eyes sad like she was accustomed to being neglected.
"We’re not allowed to leave until we’re called upon." Her English accent made her sound even more depressing. "Well, when is that?" I asked and she shook her head, though it looked more like a whole-body quiver on her small frame. "When we are called upon." The poor girl, scarcely larger than a child, refused to look at me as she spoke.
"What can you tell me about Alpha King Grayson and this... place?" She was so frail, I suspected I could take advantage of her subservience and find some answers.
"I can’t." Her face went pale, "If he knew..." I felt bad for her. I couldn’t help but think of what she might have been through to act this way, but I needed insight into my purpose here and she was the closest I might get.
"Tell me," I demanded, and she jumped back as though I was about to strike her, the force of my voice surprising me as well.
Her lips quivered, "He is as he is supposed to be." It sounded like a riddle, but oddly, I understood and accepted the answer.
"Do you know why I’m here?" She nodded slowly, eyes wide. "What’s going to happen to me?" I asked.
She reluctantly answered, her body shaking like she didn’t want to but had no choice. "The Binding Rite will be performed if the Alpha accepts you."
"What is the Binding Rite?" I asked, but she didn’t answer, her body shaking more violently now.
"Well go on, tell me."
A tear fell down her cheek as she continued staring at the floor and I watched curiously.
"It’s a ritual. When the moon is at its fullest, the pack comes together to witness your joining. You speak the blood oath and the Alpha marks you. After that, the proving hunt begins."
Sobs began ripping out of her and as she finished her last sentence, she ran from the room as though a spell had been broken.
The pack? The blood oath? The proving hunt? Either this place had some strange traditions or this castle was way too into fantasy. What had my father sold me into?
I was kept in my room until nightfall, when I was told I would be dining with Grayson before the ceremony. I didn’t want to see Grayson again after our encounter this morning but I was grateful to leave the confines of my chambers.
Fewer maids had come for my preparation for the dinner and they were all older. The young one I spoke to was noticeably absent and the women were quiet this time, with an air of caution about them.
My chest tightened and guiltiness struck me. I hoped I didn’t get the girl in too much trouble. This place was twisted, though, and all I wanted was answers.
I was dressed in an elegant red dress this time, more adult than I was used to. Something more modern and flattering, fit for a kings gala. They pulled my hair into an up-do and decorated me with simple jewelry and makeup. Polished and displayed, I was ready to perform the part I didn’t know how to play.
The guards led me to the dining room while the maids followed like shadows. The room was great, like the rest of the place. Vaulted painted ceilings, a U-shape of dining tables with a set of thrones in the middle, a chandelier with crystal shards that caught the rising moonlight and shined it across the room like shattered stars.
Grayson sat in the largest throne, chatting happily with a man to his left. I was sat next to him where he continued to ignore my presence.
My throne was made of dark metal painted white, a crescent moon and star intertwined along the back rest that reminded me of the locket I held hidden in the confines of my breasts. Torches lined the walls and the table was filled with food from end to end. A violinist was playing in a corner and the chatter reminded me of a cafeteria.
I waited patiently, watching the faces of the room. No one acknowledged me and I was free to eavesdrop on whoever I chose.
Before anyone was served a plate, Grayson rose to his feet. The room fell silent and every head was turned his way.
Raising his cup, he spoke, "Tonight, we will test our teeth. The weak will fall behind, the strong will feed. The moon will show us her way, and decide who is worthy."
I jumped as howls and yelling erupted from the table of nearly thirty people. I looked around the room, the firelight caught the eyes of the crowd around me and burned in a way that was familiar and foreign. Gold, orange, and red eyes, glowing and inhuman.
My breath quivered and panic ran cold down my spine as I realized I was trapped in a land of beasts.