Chapter 1

“By all means, do as you please. Run away as far as you can but keep one thing in mind, I'm going to find you. I'll follow you, Jaselyn. I'll stalk you like you're my prey and I'll catch you.” His warm breath brushes against my neck and I realize just then that he'd somehow bridged the distance between us.

“I’ll make you mine over and over again till I become embedded in your DNA. You'll never be free of me.” His hand brushes against the side of my face, caressing almost lovingly while he says such chilling words to me. All of this feels like a farce, one big stupid comedy but a sad smile tugs at my lips when I realize this is my life.

“I’ll give you everything and then I'll take it away. You'll always be mine, Jaselyn Everhart. Always.”

***

Jaselyn just wants to make it out of the Pack. Living with her abusive uncle after her parents' death, she dreams of saving up enough to finally run away.

That's until she meets her mate at the annual Peace ball and is claimed by him, only to be rejected the very next day.

But here's the catch, her mate and the Alpha of the Pack, Zane Black, has kidnapped her and he demands that she bear children for his Luna.

This book explores dark themes, reader discretion is advised.

Chapter 1

Jaselyn's POV

Pain has a scent. It’s sharp and metallic, like blood on steel. It sinks into you, saturating every breath, clinging to your skin until it becomes impossible to tell where it ends and you begin. I thought I understood pain before today. I thought I had lived it, endured it. But this was different.

This was agony, and it had Zane’s name on it.

The morning light filtered through the tall windows, golden and soft, a cruel contradiction to the cold reality settling over me. The memories come flashing back quickly. The Peace Ball, his captivating scent, those soft words whispered. His touch. I sat up slowly, the sheets pooling around my waist as I looked at him. He stood near the window, already dressed, his back to me. His posture was rigid, deliberate.

“Get dressed,” he said, his voice low and unfamiliar.

I blinked, confused, clutching the sheet to my chest. “What?”

He turned, and his amber eyes met mine. The warmth I had drowned in last night—the tenderness that had made me believe in miracles—was gone. In its place was something distant, calculating.

“Last night was a mistake,” Zane responded.

I froze. The words didn’t make sense. They couldn’t. “A…mistake?” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nila, my wolf, growled deep within me. He’s ours, she said, her voice thick with panic. He can’t mean this.

Zane didn’t flinch. “Whatever you thought this was, it isn’t. I have a Luna. I have responsibilities. You don’t fit into my life.”

My chest tightened, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears. “You’re my mate,” I pleaded, each word trembling under the weight of my desperation.

He froze for a moment, his jaw tightening. I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes—hesitation, guilt—but it vanished as quickly as it came. “Not anymore.”

The air in the room turned frigid, and I felt Nila recoil, whimpering softly in the back of my mind. “No,” I murmured, shaking my head. “No, you don’t mean that. The bond—”

“The bond means nothing,” he interrupted, his voice sharp enough to cut. He stepped closer, looming over me. “I, Zane Black, Alpha of the Moon Blood Pack, reject you, Jaselyn Everhart, as my mate and Luna.”

The pain came instantly. It wasn’t just emotional—it was physical, a tearing, searing agony that ripped through my chest like claws. I gasped, clutching at my heart as I doubled over. A scream tore from my throat, raw and guttural, as if the rejection had reached into the depths of my soul and shattered it into pieces.

Nila howled in anguish, her cries echoing in my mind. The bond that had tied us, the connection that had felt unbreakable, was unraveling strand by strand.

Through the haze of pain, I saw Zane standing there, unmoving. His expression was unreadable as I writhed on the floor, tears streaming down my face.

“Please,” I gasped, my voice breaking as I reached out to him.

He stepped back, his face hardening. “Don’t,” he said sharply. “Don’t touch me.”

“Why?” The word tumbled from my lips, broken and desperate. “Why are you doing this?”

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving me behind with nothing but the scent of cedarwood and rose lingering in the air—a cruel reminder of what I had lost.

“Jaselyn, Jas? Jas!” Nila called, breaking me out of my shell shocked state. “You have to get up, we have to go.” She said and I scoffed.

“Why? What's the use? It doesn't matter what he does anymore, does it? He betrayed us, he rejected us.” I remind her.

“Yes, all of that is true but it's not the end of the world. I understand how you feel, I can't explain how hurt I feel right now, it's like a part of me was stripped away. The precious connection nurtured by Selene was suddenly broken away but it doesn't mean we should wallow in self pity. Have you forgotten the plans we had? Let's save a lot and leave the Pack, I'm sure we'll find happiness somewhere else, mate or not.” Nila tried to encourage me but I could tell how pained she actually was.

It's times like this that I'm absolutely grateful to have a wolf like her.

It hurts, it hurts like I could have never imagined but she's right, I need to pick myself up. As long as I'm alive, there's hope for a better future. Besides, he already had someone else but still chose to take my virginity and then have the audacity to tell me it was a mistake. If he was able to reject me so easily, why should I cry for him? A douchebag like him doesn't deserve my tears or even my love. He deserves whatever karma's going to cook up for him.

I won't fall apart, I won't give him a chance to see me miserable. I'll go on living like nothing happened.

“That's the spirit! It's gonna take a lot more to break us.” Nila cheered and I slowly crawled out of the bed.

My legs were unstable for the first few minutes, I was so sore it felt like I'd been hit by a truck. After regaining my balance, I picked up my clothes and put them on. I wove my hair into a braid and washed my face. I took a deep breath before finally leaving the room.

The hallway was mostly empty except for employees here and there tidying up from yesterday's extravaganza. They barely spared me any attention as I passed by, something I'm grateful for.

I try to find my way to the exit but only end up getting lost in the huge palace. I rest beside a door for a moment to try to retrace my steps but the door suddenly opens and I fall backwards. I close my eyes and brace myself for impact but the pain never comes. Instead, I feel strong arms wrap around my back securely and pull me flush against a hard body, successfully breaking my fall.

I don't even need to look at the face to know who it is. His encroaching scent wafts into my nostrils and I have to stop myself from mock gagging, already having gotten more than enough of a healthy dosage.

I pulled back but his arms never left my body, he just stared at me blankly, like he was waiting for me to do something. Perhaps he thinks I've come to beg to be taken back. Like hell.

“Despite being the Alpha, the rules of the rejection also apply to you. You should follow your own advice and refrain from touching me.” I taunt and push him off of me, finally freeing myself from his grip.

His brief look of confusion satisfies me more than it should.

“You say that but you're the one falling into my arms. If you've come to plead with me, I suggest you save your breath. I already told you everything I needed to.” He states and I pull on a mocking smile.

“You know Alpha, being indecisive doesn't suit you. If you're looking for a girl who will fall at your feet, crawl, cry and beg just so you can take her as a side piece and dump her whenever you please, do carry on with your search, I'm not the one you're looking for. I happened to lose my way and ended up here and on that note, thank you for saving me from falling.

Even though we're not mates, you're still the Alpha of this Pack and as a Pack member, I'm entitled to your assistance. So if you would be kind enough to have someone show me the way out of here, we won't have to endure each other anymore.” I said in a sickeningly sweet voice and he frowned.

“Ask directions from any of the staff you find around, I have better things to do.” He said and stormed off while I counted down from ten just to be able to stop the flood of emotions swirling within me from bursting out.

One thought echoed through my mind, cold and certain: I will never be weak again.

If Zane Black thought he could break me, he was wrong. He’d unleashed something far more dangerous than heartbreak.

He’d unleashed me.

Chapter 2

Jaselyn's POV

“You finally decided to come home, eh? I assumed you'd finally run away with some delinquent.” My uncle's biting voice rang through the room as soon as I walked through the door. I expected this. Perhaps the saddest part of being an orphan is having nowhere else to go.

As usual, I chose to stay silent. Talking back only made it worse.

“Bitch!” He spat out angrily and in the blink of an eye, he was on me, gripping my hair and pulling so hard that it nearly ripped from my skull. I screamed out from the pain and forced my tired body up, following the movement of his hand and trying to alleviate the excruciating pain.

“I'm fucking talking to you, how dare you ignore me?” He yelled, pulling on my hair some more while I whimpered in pain, tears brimming in my eyes and quickly rolling down my cheeks even as I tried to free his hand from my hair.

“You're still not saying anything, uh? I haven't taught you a lesson and that's why you still have the nerve to disrespect me.” He cursed and delivered a heavy kick to my side and I could swear for a moment that I heard a sickening crack.

I screamed from the unbearable pain and he finally let go of my hair. I curled up into a ball, nursing my bruised rib, my vision blurry with tears, as I tried to catch my breath. The pain was so severe that breathing became difficult.

He didn't stop there, he kept delivering kick after kick all over my body, each one more powerful than the last while I tried to protect my vitals, already in too much pain to care about anything else.

“You're such a whore, where the hell were you last night? You pretended like you didn't want to go to the Ball but the moment I let you out of my sight, you went on an escapade. How many men was it, slut?! Your parents must be so proud, they raised a cunt for the Pack to fuck. You should have died with them, you're nothing but a curse. Your bad luck is the reason why your parents are dead.

I was kind enough to take you in but you've been nothing but trouble. I'm not your fucking dad, I won't take your crap. I'll happily send you to those parents of yours, you useless piece of trash.” He spewed out, never stopping the assault on my body.

He lands one final strike on my back before stepping away from me. I can hear his heavy breathing but I don't raise my head in case he's planning a surprise attack.

“Stupid bitch, you still won't apologize. I wonder why I waste my energy on you. The chores better be done and food better be ready for me by the time I arrive or you'll wish you died with your parents.” He ordered and I heard footsteps once more before the sound of the living room door closing followed. Suddenly, the house was plunged into complete silence, except for my erratic breathing and the gnashing of my teeth from how much everything hurts.

“Jas, are you OK?” Nila, my wolf asks with concern. “I'll be fine, it's not like we haven't been through worse.” I try to say lightheartedly but a heavy cough racks through my body and I taste blood on my tongue. Shit, he must have punctured something. It'll take a few days to heal but I'll live.

“Why do you take all of his bullshit? Why don't you let me take over and teach him a lesson?” She asks and I chuckle bitterly.

“Have you forgotten what happened when we tried that?” I ask and she suddenly goes quiet.

I used to be so much better than this. The first time Uncle Dan had hit me, I stood up to him. He insulted my dead parents and I shifted, ready for a fight but that was my biggest mistake.

I've never been trained in combat so he easily took me down in less than a minute. I was lashed daily with a whip soaked in wolfsbane and starved for three days. The damage that caused to my body, especially my wolf, was almost irreparable. I would never put myself through that again. I can endure any injury, any damage done to my body can heal but I cannot bear the thought of losing Nila. I'll bear anything, as long as I can live.

“How long will this go on for? There's only so much you can take.” Nila argued, I could tell she was simmering with wrath. The pain of the rejection still lingered on but this was more from her genuine love and care for me from the bond we shared.

I'd probably only stayed this long because deep in my heart, I wanted to believe that my uncle cared for me. I deluded myself into believing that Uncle Dan had even just a little bit of love for me because the reality was far more devastating. I didn't want to believe that I had no one in this world, that I was truly all alone and that no one loved me or ever would.

It's funny and sad every time I remember it. Uncle Dan only started calling me a whore after he tried to make a move on me and I turned him down.

It had been about three months when I moved in with him. He came home really late one night and he was drunk out of his mind. He couldn't even stand straight without falling over and I had to wonder how he managed to make it home.

I helped him to his room and proceeded to help him lie down but he pulled me down with him. He wrapped an arm around me and felt me up through my clothes with his other hand. I pushed him hand off but he went ahead to tell me how much he wanted me. I was so grossed out that I nearly threw up right there and then. I pushed his hand away and left, deciding it would be better to talk about it when he was sober. I brought it up the next morning and instead of apologizing and blaming it on the alcohol like I expected him to, he shut me down and claimed I had tried to seduce him.

That was automatically the birth of the demeaning names. That should have opened my eyes to his true nature but I turned a blind eye to all his red flags and chose to endure because I needed to feel wanted.

I'm such an idiot. In these months, I've only let him tear me down completely and rip me of any self esteem I had.

“But it's not the end of the world, we can start over. There are good people out there, I promise, we just need to find them.” Nila encouraged me. I sat up and wiped my tears.

She's right, I can't keep living like this. At my parents' funeral, I promised them I'd live long and well. This isn't the kind of life I want.

It's now or never; I have to make a decision.

“What do you want to do? You always have my support.” Nila asked.

“We're leaving Nila, we're going far away from this fucked up place. Anywhere but here will be better.” I told her and she nodded, satisfied with my choice.

I have absolutely no reason to stay in this Pack anymore. I have no family and no friends so there will be no love lost. I especially need to go far away from that man because then I won't have to bear seeing him with someone else, I won't question my worth and I'll finally be able to move on.

I deserve better.

Chapter 3

Jaselyn's POV

After patching myself up with some first aid and taking some aspirin for my raging headache, I swooped into action and began packing my bags.

It especially wasn't difficult as I only had a few belongings, Uncle Dan never bought me anything. I took out the money I had been saving and counted it. It wasn't a lot but it would be enough for me to feed and have a roof over my head for a few days. I'll figure something out before I run out of cash.

I zip the duffer bag close and make my way to the living room. I take a quick look around and it saddens me that I don't have even one good memory of this place. There's nothing I'll miss.

Just then, I hear a loud banging on the door which startles me. That's weird, Uncle shouldn't be back already. If he's really the one at the door, I'm in trouble for sure. If he finds out that I'm trying to escape, only Selene knows what he'll do to me.

A mixture of panic and dread washes over me as I become glued to my spot, too scared to open the door.

The knocking persisted.

“Calm down, Jas, everything's going to be fine. If it's Uncle at the door, he won't be happy that we kept him waiting. We need to hide the bag somewhere and answer the door. We'll apologize and lay low. Once he's in his room, we'll take off as quickly as we can.” Nila formulates a plan and I nodded. She's always so great at adapting, even in difficult situations like this.

I jump into action and carefully hide my bag before rushing to the door and taking a deep breath. With shaky hands, I unbolt the lock and open the door but the sight that greets me steals the air right out of my lungs.

Standing right before me isn't my uncle like I had feared, it's the last person I'd expected to see—Zane Black, the same man who just rejected me.

He moves closer to me before I can shut the door while I back away slowly. I only then realize just how tall he is, he's basically towering over me. I shake my head to dismiss the thought, that's the last thing that should be on my mind right now. What the hell is he doing here?

“I know I have the right to come in but it would still be nice if you invited me in.” He suddenly says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” I don't bother to beat about the bush.

“You'll know as soon as you tell me something, what are you up to? You look panicked, like you're about to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar. I can even tell from your scent that you're distressed.” He says and I scoff.

From the way he speaks, I'd think our earlier exchange in that bedroom was a dream if I didn't know better.

He's my mate and we became one in body, strengthening our bond so he can detect my emotions from my pheromones. I can do the same if I pay enough attention. Our bond still lingers on despite the fact that he's rejected me because I'm yet to accept the rejection.

“Why do you care what goes on with me? Just leave, I don't want to talk to you right now.” I shun him and try to turn away but he grabs my arm, forcing me to turn to him.

“You shouldn't speak to me like that, don't forget I'm still your Alpha.” He voices in that dominant tone that forces everyone else to submit.

“I—If you must know, Alpha, I'm leaving the Pack.” I admit hesitantly. He suddenly lets go of my hand but his words force me to look at him again.

“You can't leave, I won't let you.”

Against my better judgment, a small spark of hope starts to build up within me. Maybe he's realized his mistake, maybe he's come to apologize and accept me back as his mate.

“Do you regret your decision? Do you want me back?” I ask expectantly, voicing the thoughts in my head.

Zane chuckles like I had just said the funniest joke while I stared at him confused.

“Quit being delusional, I already told you you have no place in my life. I'm only here because I want you in the palace so you'll come with me.” He states.

“No! I'm not going anywhere with you. I, Jaselyn Everhart, accept your rejection. Now please leave and don't come back.” I declared firmly, managing to keep a firm grip on my emotions and the disappointment starting to eat away at my heart.

“I'm not giving you a choice.” He spat and lunged at me before I could react. A sharp strike to the back of my neck caused me to see stars. My vision blurred and I could feel myself falling, everything suddenly went dark.

*****

I startle awake and realize that I'm in the same room I woke up in this morning. Which can only mean I'm in the palace, so that jerk really knocked me out and brought me back here against my will.

I try to move but a wince escapes my lips, the back of my neck hurts like a bitch.

I massage it gently and sit upright. Being in this room again brings back memories I would give anything to forget. But I don't have time to wallow in self pity. Whatever reason Zane brought me here must not be good; he already said he wants nothing to do with me but yet he kidnapped me for reasons best known to him. I won't be sticking around to find out.

I get out of bed and walk over to the door of the room, I listen carefully to figure out if anyone is outside. If I'm caught, it might very well be the end. Outside the room sounds as silent as a graveyard. I creak the door open and scan the area and by Selene's grace, the coast is clear.

I tiptoe out of the room and close the door as quietly as possible. I carefully make my way through the halls and for once, luck favors me and there's barely anyone around. A few maids pass by but I make sure to keep myself hidden so they don't notice me.

From memory, I carefully make my way towards the exit. I hide behind a wall and take a look, the large double doors which lead to freedom are wide open and no one seems to be around.

I should have been suspicious but perhaps I was too enamored with the thought of escaping.

I made for the exit in one swift motion but all of a sudden, just like clockwork, several guards appeared from all directions and surrounded me like a criminal. They were all so tall and buff looking, there's no way I'm breaking through them. It's obvious that this was all planned, it's probably another one of Zane's twisted games.

“Where do you think you're going, little lady? You were supposed to stay in your room, are you lost?” One of the men asked me intimidatingly. From his appearance and the way he carried himself, I could tell he was someone important but I don't give two shits. I just want to get out of here.

“You should behave yourself, Blade. Don't forget she was personally brought here by the Alpha. I hope you're ready to take responsibility for any mishaps.” Another man chided while Blade harrumphed and backed off.

The man turned his attention to me and spoke softly. “Are you alright? I hope we didn't frighten you too much, the Alpha gave orders to not let you out of the palace so please go back to your room and wait for him there.”

I was filled with mixed emotions, some of them just too overwhelming to start an argument. I'm exhausted as well from last night's entanglement and the beating I received, I haven't even had breakfast yet. I don't have the energy for this.

I simply sighed and nodded. I guess I'll have to face Zane again and he'd better have answers for all this shenanigans.

I was escorted back to my room by Blade who I quickly discovered is the Gamma. The other man who had spoken up for me goes by the name of Rion, he's the Beta of the Pack.

He seems like a nice person, the only normal person in this Pack in fact, but if I've learned something, it's that I shouldn't judge quickly.

I once thought Zane was the sweetest man on Earth, the perfect mate but look how that turned out.

I paced around the room restlessly, my anxiety levels rising by the minute. Nila tried to calm me down but all her attempts failed. Even she has no idea what our jerk of a mate could be up to.

After what felt like an eternity, the door of the room was unceremoniously slammed open and Zane walked. Following behind him was a beautiful woman with blonde hair, she was fabulously dressed and had an air of arrogance about her.

I needed no soothsayer to know that she must be Zane's wife, the current Luna and the one who stole my mate.

Chapter 5

Jaselyn’s POV

“What is going on? Why have you brought me here?” I demand hotly.

“You'll only get your answers when you calm down and listen.” Zane's wife, Isla answers me casually and it takes all my self restraint not to glare at her.

“Just please tell me why I'm here. Why won't you let me leave?” I request more softly this time.

“This might come as a shock but my beloved Isla is unable to have children of her own, we've tried everything but nothing seems to be working. After I informed her about you, we talked and we both decided that since you're my mate, you'll be the perfect person to make our dream come true.” Zane begins.

“What?!” I exclaim, wide eyed and unable to believe my ears.

“You're going to have children in Isla's place, Jaselyn. You are my mate, after all, it's your duty to give me an heir.” Zane declares shamelessly while I struggle to comprehend everything.

After deflowering me, betraying and then rejecting me, he wants me to get pregnant and have a child for him and his Luna? Is this a joke?!

“I don't know what kind of sick joke this is but it's not funny. I only have a few hours before my uncle returns so if you'll excuse me, I must leave now.” I say and turn away but a firm grip encapsulates my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

Before I can protest, I'm slammed against the wall hard and Zane places both hands on either side of the wall, trapping me between his body and the cold surface. My heart races in my chest.

“This is not a joke, Jaselyn. It's not in my nature to make jest, everything I've told you is true. It's a fact you must accept, we're not giving you an option.” Zane growls at me in a warning tone and dread washes over me as I realize they're actually serious.

I try my hardest to stop them but the tears still fall.

“Why? Why did you choose me specifically for this task? If you wanted a surrogate you could have asked any other woman in this Pack. You're the Alpha, you're feared and respected, a lot of women would jump at the opportunity to share your bed and birth your child, so why me?” I asked the question that bothered me to no end.

“It's simple, Jaselyn dear.” He begins, his tone mocking. “You're my fated mate, you were created by the goddess just for me. You were born to carry my children, it's your destiny. Besides, your body's quite nice, it was made to be fucked and I don't mind taking on the responsibility.” He says and traces his hand up my body while I struggle not to cringe with disgust.

I slap his hand away and use the opportunity to push him away from me and create the much needed distance between the two of us.

“Listen to me carefully, I refuse to be used in such a way. I'm not a toy you can play with and discard whenever you deem fit. I'm a fucking person, I have feelings; I have dreams as well and becoming your baby making machine is not one of them.” I lash out and finally turn to them with teary eyes.

“And as for you, Zane. You're a horrible person and a despicable mate, how could you even come up with something like this? How dare you try to abuse our bond like that? You're……” My words are abruptly cut off when a hard slap lands on my face, causing me to accidentally bite my lip hard.

The taste of metal fills my tongue as I glare daggers at Isla who had just slapped me. She looks at me with disdain, like I was the worst piece of trash she had ever seen.

“Did whoever raised you not teach you any manners? When powerful people speak, scum like you should listen with your head bowed. You had the nerve to talk such rubbish about my husband, who also happens to be the Alpha of this Pack, just who do you think you are, brat?

Let me tell you right now, you're nothing but a slave to us. You're simply a body to carry our future children so know your place, wench, and never forget or else that slap will be the least you receive." She spewed in a voice full of animosity.

I'll be damned if I let this woman speak to me or treat me like this when she's clearly the one who doesn't belong here.

I raise my hand to retaliate but it doesn't land on the woman's makeup stamped face like I intended. A rush of pain reverberates through me and I realize that Zane grabbed my hand midair and is twisting it unnaturally.

I struggle in his grip but it only tightens. In less than a second, he flings me across the room like I weigh nothing and I fall to the ground helplessly.

Before I have the opportunity to regain my composure, I feel his hand on my head. He grabs a fistful of my hair, pulling me up with it while I bite my bottom lip dangerously hard to stifle the moans of pain that threaten to escape my mouth.

He leans towards me until we're eye level and the menacing look in his eyes makes my blood run cold. “Do not EVER raise your filthy hand to my wife. You could never compare to her, you're below her by every standard. You shouldn't even talk back to her or be ready to face my wrath and I promise you don't want to know what I'm capable of. Are we clear?”

I nod with what little chance his grip provides. He suddenly lets go of me and I crumble to the ground heavily.

My body shakes with sobs as everything finally begins to overwhelm me. How did things turn out like this? How could my life take such a dark turn in just a matter of hours? If only I hadn't attended that damned ball, I'm sure none of this would have happened.

My mind works overtime for some kind of solution but I know that I'm out of options. Yet, there's no way I can let them keep me here as their prisoner, especially if they intend to follow through with their plan. I have my whole life ahead of me, I can't let them ruin it.

Pride be damned, I need to get out of here.

“Please…. Please let me go. Let me go and I promise that I'll disappear from your lives completely. You'll never see me again and no one will ever know that we're mates. Just let me go.” I plead out in choked sobs, staying on my hands and knees and keeping my head bowed.

My wolf wrestles within me, unhappy with my submission but I know that this is my only option.

Zane walks over to where I'm kneeling and crouches down beside me.

“Hey, don't cry now.” He soothes and wipes away my tears. I raise my head to look up at him and my stomach turns at the sadistic smirk that lines his lips.

“I'll only let you go after you've had as many children as I desire. I want to possess you inside and out, destroy you, crush all your hopes and dreams. I'll become the only thing you have in this world, the only one you crave and you'll continue to adore me even as I torture you and leave you a wasted and broken mess with no value. This is your fate, Jaselyn. Embrace it.” He whispers into my ear and bites on my earlobe hard as if to drive home his point. My body freezes up in horror, my lips quivering as the words replay in my mind.

Zane moves away from me and joins Isla where she's standing. He stretches his hand towards her.

“Come on, my love. Our duties await.” He beckons and she places her hand in his. He holds it tightly but gently at the same time, like one would do with a prized possession.

I watched in utter despair as they both left the room and the sound of the door closing was the only thing that reminded me that this wasn't some kind of dream.

This is my reality; a betrayal so cruel I might never recover from it…….

Chapter 6

Jaselyn's POV

Shortly after Zane and Isla's departure, one of Isla’s maids showed up to take me to my new room. She had a disgusted sneer on her face and it was obvious that she hated my presence.

Well that makes the two of us because if I had my way, I'd rather be anywhere else.

I dragged my feet as I followed her but I had to pause when we reached a creaky set of stairs that led upwards towards what seemed like an attic. I thought she was taking me to my room, why are we going up there?

The maid led me up the crooked steps, before she callously flung open the door to reveal a very nasty, rundown attic, filled with cobwebs and scattered rubbish littering every available space.

The maid then turned to face me with a cruel smile on her face.

"Congratulations, wench. This is your new room.” She announced, her voice dripping with cold indifference.

“I have a name, it's Jaselyn.” I retorted and she snorted.

“Whatever.”

I scanned the dusty, pathetic space and was horrified to see two huge rats skitter across the room's dusty floor.

“You’re surely joking.” I muttered to the maid with widened eyes. Even a dog wouldn’t live in such a place.

The maid's face twisted into a nasty sneer as she eyed me with obvious disdain.

"How dare you complain? You should be thankful that you have a roof over your head. Luna Isla could have made you sleep in the cold! This is the palace, you should be grateful you're even allowed to live here.” With that, she stormed out of the room and slammed the door in my face.

I took a deep breath through my nose to steady my breathing and dispel the anger that was beginning to bubble within me. There was no use losing my temper over the maid's nasty attitude. I had bigger problems to deal with.

“Maybe it’s not so bad, if we clean it up a little, it could become comfortable.” Nila said in an attempt to comfort me.

I turned around to survey the room once again, only to be horrified when a dozen cockroaches scattered for cover under the bed. I had a vision of those disgusting pests crawling all over me as I slept and the image sent a shiver down my spine.

“Heck no! We are getting out of here!” I said back to Nila.

My gaze swiftly scanned around the room for exit points until they finally landed on the windows of the attic.

They were also coated with grime and cobwebs but they sparkled with a glimmer of hope for my escape.

Without wasting any more time, I rushed towards them and tried to push them open only to be met with disappointment – they were nailed shut! Sealing my fate to spend the night in this vermin-infested prison.

Refusing to lose hope, I turned my attention to the attic door, but before I could even take another step forward, my ears caught the sound of distant movements within the palace. I couldn’t leave just yet, if I tried to, they would just find me and drag me back.

No, I had to make my escape in the cover of night, hopefully when everyone was asleep.

I grabbed a broom and sweeped the floor, clearing out as much garbage as I could, unable to stay in this filth a moment longer.

I dusted the bed and took a seat, biding my time and waiting for nightfall.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of the physical exhaustion of the day, or the emotional abuse I had endured — but I ended up somehow falling asleep. I wasn’t even aware I had been asleep until something wet and icy cold splashed on my face, causing me to jolt awake in a panic.

I didn't have time to wonder where I was before Isla's mocking laughter cut through my confusion.

"Get up, you stupid wench! Do you think you're a princess or something? As long as you live here, you must earn your keep." she yelled at me and I blinked in confusion.

It was then it suddenly dawned on me. I was still a prisoner here, I wasn’t able to escape last night like I had planned.

I felt my throat tighten painfully as hot regret flooded my thoughts for letting myself fall asleep. How did I let myself do that?!

I dragged myself out of bed and followed Isla. She led me to a room that turned out to be the pack’s laundry room.

"Now listen, wench. I want you to hand wash all these clothes till they sparkle like glass.”

My eyes scanned the mountains of clothes before looking back at her in horror. Was she freaking serious?

“First of all, don't call me that. You already know my name. Secondly, there's a washing machine sitting right there, at the corner of this room so why would I hand wash your clothes?” I asked and the glare that Isla gave me could have disintegrated me right there and then.

“I’ll call you whatever I wish. And why would I waste such valuable equipment when your hands are fully functional?”

I glared at her while she smirked, reveling in my humiliation.

“This is low even for you, you should know it'll take at least four people to finish this!”

Isla’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “ Exactly, that's exactly why I've instructed you to do it alone. It seems you've forgotten already so let me remind you. You're nothing but a slave, Jaselyn dear. You're my husband's little cocksleeve and a living incubator for my children. As long as you stay in this palace, you will follow my rules and do whatever the fuck I say like an obedient little dog because you belong at my feet.

Now begin if you wish to keep that pretty little face intact, accidents do happen.” She mocked and I bit back a retort.

Arguing with her is pointless, this is all Zane's fault. He brought me here and it's because of him that I'm having to go through all of this. I should murder him in his sleep when I get the chance.

I reluctantly began washing the clothes while Isla placed that haughty maid of hers from earlier to supervise. The girl was a real menace, she nearly talked my ears off as I washed the clothes, instructing me on the dos and don'ts as if I had never washed clothes before. I eventually had to zone out on whatever she was saying.

Isla sashayed back into the room sometime later, it's already been hours and I'd just finished washing the last piece of clothing.

She took a look at the clothes and confirmed with the maid that I had indeed washed all of them.

“It's good to know that you're not completely useless. Your skills will surely come in handy in this palace, I have a task that's specially for you. Now come with me.” She suddenly directed at me and I didn't have a chance to protest before she roughly grabbed my arm and dragged me all the way to the east wing of the palace.

“The task is simple, I want you to paint the walls. All the walls in this part of the palace should be retouched and the end result should be fabulous or else I'll have you do it all over again, after a little punishment to boost your creativity.” She spoke casually like a teacher giving her students some homework.

“Are you crazy? The palace is huge, there's no way I could paint all the walls in this wing. I don't even know how to, it's something I've never done before.” A backhanded slap had me jolting backwards and seeing stars. I haven't had a single thing to eat and I've exhausted the last of my strength. Any more of this and I'm sure to pass out. Maybe it'll be a good thing. Isla won't be able to drag my unconscious body around and force it to do meaningless work.

“I've told you to stop arguing with me. Are you insane or are you unable to understand something so simple? I don't care how you do it, I want it done as soon as possible.” She raved at me before turning to the maid. “Osha, get her the paint.”

“Yes, Luna.” The maid was gone and returned in a minute with two buckets of paint.

“You can go fetch the ladder in the basement, now get to work. I want this done in two hours, if you're even a minute late, there will be consequences. You have been warned.” Isla ordered and left with her snotty little maid who kept throwing me mocking glances.

What even is that girl's problem with me?

I was already too exhausted to overthink so I made my way to the basement and found the ladder covered in cobwebs. After a little dusting, I somehow hoisted the thing over to the first wall I would be painting.

My vision blurred uncontrollably and my stomach twisted with hunger, I stopped to catch my breath and tried to blink away the daze.

I climbed the ladder and began painting the first wall while humming my mother's favorite song which she had taught me as a child. It somehow always made life a little easier and before I realized it, I was done with the first wall.

I couldn't stop to admire my work as my stomach rumbled uncontrollably again, threatening to digest itself. I took a few minutes to catch my breath again before moving the stupidly heavy ladder over to the opposite wall. I climbed it and began painting again but I had barely managed a few strokes before my vision suddenly turned black.

I lost all sense of direction and it felt like I was being sucked into nothingness. Blinking back the darkness, I was met with a horrifying discovery.

In my disoriented state, I'd let go of the ladder and I was falling to the ground fast!