Karen drew in large gulps of air trying to catch her breath.
Her body felt aglow, like a slow fire had been lit and spread across her. She swore she could still see fireworks exploding at the back of her skull.
She turned her head to see Kai, equally out of breath. He laid on the bed, facing the ceiling as his clothed chest rose and fell rapidly. Karen wanted to say something to him, but she wasn’t sure what to say.
She swung her legs off the bed and stood up her eyes searching for her clothes.
“What are you doing?” Kai asked. She turned to him.
“I’m leaving.” She replied.
“Did I tell you to?” He said. “Get back here.”
Karen slowly crept onto the bed watching him closely.
“Lie down. Don’t stay there and stare at me.”
Her heart fluttered at his words. She laid down, her head on the pillow and her eyes watching him. Was this allowed? The last time he had fallen asleep. But this time he was telling her lie with him.
“Go to bed Karen.” He said. “Stop looking at me.”
“Sorry,”
He had said her name. For the very first ever. She wanted to hear him say it more.
She didn’t know how long she stared awake for, but she was sure he fell asleep first. His breathing gradually slowed. She watched his eyes close, a peaceful look upon his face.
She crept closer to him, careful so she didn’t wake him. She reached out and gently brushed strands of hair away from his face. Her fingers ghosted over his face. She took in his sharp features, high cheekbones, she noticed he had long and full lashes. Her eyes moved to his lips, they had felt incredibly soft against her skin, she wondered how they would feel against hers. She badly wanted to touch his lips, run her fingers across his lips and then kiss him.
“Karen, I said go to bed.”
“Ahh!” She screamed out, jumping in fright.
She had no idea he was still awake!
His eyes opened, gorgeous blue eyes that stared into hers. He looked tired and sleepy.
She gasped, feeling unsure of what to do next. He was just watching her, and her hand was hovering over his face.
“My alpha… I’m so sorry I…”
“Luckily for you, I will not have you executed for that.” He said, his tone a bit light.
Karen quickly leaned away from him and laid her head on the pillow. “I’m going to sleep now! Goodnight my alpha.”
“Goodnight Karen.”
She turned her back to him so he won’t see the stupidly happy smile on her face.
***
The day of the blood moon was finally here.
Karen woke up with a smile. She stretched out her body instantly registering the soreness between her legs that was reminder if the wonderful night she had with Kai.
She looked out of the window, surprised to see the sun high up in the sky.
Beside her, Kai was still asleep. His long black hair was a contrast against the white sheets, forming a river of ink around his head. Karen felt her heart leap as she stared at him. The sun highlighted his facial features, making him look even more attractive to her
Karen gently got out of bed so as not to wake him up. He needed his rest, she was sure of that. She picked her clothes up and put them on. With one last glance at him she turned and left.
She walked to the servants quarters, a prep in her step and a soft smile on her face. The blood moon hurt a lot less now. A whole lot less.
“You’re late for breakfast!” Elisa shouted at her. Karen spotted her up ahead and went to meet her.
“I’m sorry, I had things to do ” Karen said, smiling to herself. Things like get absolutely railed by the alpha.
“Whatever.” Elise snapped. She shoved a tray of food in her chest. “Eat and hurry up! We have thing to do today so we can be free for the ceremony.”
Karen stared at the tray. It was a simple dish of rice, chicken and vegetables with a cup of water. She looked at Elise, her eyes shiny.
“You made this for me?”
“No, eww ” Elise snapped, disgust on her face. “We all had the same thing this morning. Don’t feel special.”
Karen rolled her eyes. “Fine fine. Thank you for saving me a plate.” She knew Elise meant no harm. That was just how she spoke to people.
“Whatever.” Elise said. “When you’re done, meet me in the field. We have to clean it up for tonight.”
Karen was already eating the rice. It was plain, but she was hungry. The chicken was well seasoned and the Vegetables fresh and crisp. She didnt know she was so hungry till she ate half of it standing, Elise watching her with wide eyes.
The night with Kai really sapped her of her energy.
“You’re disgusting.” Elise said, her nose wrinkled. “Anyway, meet me later.”
“Sure!” Karen replied and waved.
She finished the food and hurridly returned to the kitchen. She washed the plates and put it away. As she was washing, she began to notice a weird feeling in her body. It felt like she was slowly hearing up.
“What …” She gasped, her head suddenly beginning to ache. She felt dizzy, grabbing onto the sink for support. She heard a sound behind her and turned.
Her vision was blurry, she could only make out the shapes of two burly men.
Her head exploded in a headache and she passed out, hitting her head on the sink on her way down.
***
The excitement in the air was palpable as all the available members of the pack gathered in the large field. In the sky above was the full moon, bathing the arena in a cool silver light. From his spot above the crowd, Kai could see his people, and he felt a pride bloom inside him.
He had sworn to protect these people. To be the leader they needed. And they were gathered for another full moon, with him in attendance.
His mind drifted to the previous blood moon. He had heard about Zeke Winterblood holding a coming of age for his daughter. Kai had decided to attend it the only thing on his mind being revenge. Instead of revenge, he found his mate. In the person of Zeke’s only daughter.
Speaking of her, Kai scanned the crowd, unable to find her. He had instructed Inez that he wanted her by his side for the ceremony. Thanks to her he had another night of blissful sleep and woke up feeling refreshed. He had confirmed that it was in fact an effect she had on him.
Where the hell was she?! It was so unlike her to be late!
He sighted a maid running up to him. Kai slowly got to his feet, rasing a hand indicating for her to come no further. She stopped a few feet away from him
“Speak.” He commanded.
The maid bowed, out of breath and heaving. “It’s your slave, my alpha!” She did.
On hearing slave, Kai perked up. “What happened?!”
“You might one to see this! I don’t know… she…. she’s with some men! And it’s not a pretty aight at all!”
Karen felt a spark of anger. Was another man trying advances on her? Hadn’t the last time he taught one of them a lesson showed them something?!
“Show me where she is.” Kai said.
The maid bowed. “Right this way My Alpha.” She said and gestured to the pack house.
Kai followed her as she raced through the crowd. They barely noticed him passing through them, their eyes on the moon as they conversed between them. They got into the pack house and it was a lot more quiet
The maid was leading him to the warriors quarters. Kai felt anger at whoever was daring touch Karen. He would have such a person executed for sure.
The maid gestured to a room. Kai threw it open, and the scene inside wasn’t at all what he expected.
“What is going on here?!” Kai boomed, his voice resonating through the room.
“My alpha! It’s not what it looks like I swear!”
Kai’s eyes flashed red with fury. Karen, fully naked was trying to undress two warriors, alternating her attention between the both of them.
“Move!” Kai commanded them.
“We can’t!” The men shouted. “She used some strange powers on us! We can’t move!”
Kai had a flashback, the first time Karen had commanded the man who harassed her to confess. He had suspected she had some strange powers.
This just confirmed it.
Karen turned to him, her eyes hazy with lust. Kai felt anger at her. She dared to show that expression to others?! She dared to throw herself at others?!
“Who the fuck are you?” She asked, her voice slurred. She laughed, covering her mouth shyly. She turned back to the warriors. “Come on…. don’t keep me waiting….”
Kai felt like strangling her right there.
“My alpha,” The maid said fearfully. “There were sightings of her with a man in the gardens at night.”
Kai summoned guards from the dungeons. He reached out and grabbed Karen by her hair, paying no heed to her struggles. He threw her to the side like she was a piece of trash. She looked up at him, her gaze unfocused.
“You will pay for this.” Kai hissed at her.
She whined, rubbing her thighs together.
The guards arrived almost immediately. They bowed to Kai.
“Lock this slave up.” Kai commanded them. “And make sure you do it right.”
“Yes alpha!” The guards exclaimed. They grabbed Karen by both arms and dragged her out. She didn’t resist, giggling softly and mumbling something unintelligible.
Kai felt his heart burning in anger. On the blood moon of all nights!
Why was he surprise?! She was the daughter of Zeke Winterblood. She was the daughter of a monster. Why did he think she could be different?! Why did he think she wasn’t a monster like her father?
He turned and looked at the warriors. They were rooted in their spots since, unable to move, their eyes pleading with him.
Kai turned and left the room, his face a cold mask.