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Chapter 3

Ashley

My heart seemed to stop as his words echoed in my head. "But she comes with me." It took me back to the day King Matthew found me wandering in the forest two years ago. I had been a frightened little girl, fleeing from my abusive stepmother who made my life a living hell.

I couldn't endure the torture any longer, so I ran as fast as I could. That's when King Matthew found me. I'll never forget the disgust in his eyes when he saw me—dirty and unkempt, like a stray dog searching for scraps. There was no softness, no kindness in his gaze, just the same disdain everyone else had for me—a wolfless Omega.

"You must not have any relatives," he had said. I seized the opportunity and nodded. I couldn't bear to return to my abusive mother; I would take any chance I could get.

I had hoped for peace, but I didn't know what awaited me. His daughter, Azura, turned me into her plaything—a puppet she could manipulate whenever she pleased. Whenever she was unhappy or something didn't go her way, she took it all out on me. Everyone saw Omegas as worthless, and I was the lowest of the low.

The man standing before me now was intimidating beyond measure. His presence sent shivers down my spine, radiating authority with every word he spoke. I felt submissive in his presence, afraid of what he might demand of me, terrified of where he might take me. I was scared and confused at the same time.

He stared at me as if looking through my soul, and my hands grew cold with fear and confusion. I couldn't object or ask why he wanted me to come with him. Azura kept giving me death glares.

"We leave first thing tomorrow," he added, with King Matthew nodding in agreement.

I nodded in confusion as I left them and went straight to my dorm. I had to start packing. I opened my door and went straight to my closet. I only had two clothes that weren't torn. "This will have to do," I mumbled to myself as I took them out with my one slipper.


As I sat in the back seat of the car, gazing out the window after hours of driving, we finally arrived. The guards opened the large gate for us to enter, and I admired the grandeur of the massive building in front of me—it was a magnificent, enormous castle. People moved in different directions, and the car came to a stop. I slowly pushed the door open.

Looking up at the imposing castle, I couldn't tear my eyes away from its beauty. The walls were adorned with intricate rose decorations, and people bowed their heads as King Zade stepped out of another vehicle. Azura, clinging to him like a shadow, never left his side. He began walking, and I hurried to keep pace behind him.

As I walked, I felt the stares and heard the murmurs of onlookers. I must have looked like a stray dog in my torn dress and worn-out slippers.

Inside the castle, a woman rushed over to us. "She will take care of you," King Zade said, turning to face me. I nodded, and the maid gave me a small smile, which I returned.

I followed behind her until we finally stopped. "This will be your room," she said, opening the door. As I stepped inside, I couldn't believe my eyes. Did every maid's room look like this?

There was a large bed with grey bedding, a mirror, and a chair in the spacious room. Before I could ask if it was really meant for me, the woman had already left. I explored further, opening another door that led to a bathroom with a bathtub. I was in awe—I had never used a bathtub in my life.

The joy I felt was overwhelming; it was like being given gold. Tears welled up in my eyes. Just then, there was a knock on the door, and I hurried to answer it. It was the same woman, carrying a large lion plush toy, which she placed on the bed.

"There are clothes in there that you can wear," she said with her usual smile. She looked to be in her early thirties, young and beautiful with blonde hair and green eyes, wearing red lipstick. She was the epitome of beauty.

"Are you sure all of this is for me?" I asked, and she giggled as if I had said something amusing.

"Yes, dear. King Zade asked me to shop for these clothes for you. Please get ready so you can go and tidy up his room," she said. I nodded, my mind racing with thoughts. King Zade had given me all these clothes. I needed to thank him. It was the first time someone had given me a gift, and I was happy to realize he wasn't as bad as I had thought.

"Yes, I'll be there in five minutes," I replied. She nodded and left. I hurried into the bathroom, quickly shedding my clothes and sinking into the bathtub. I spent no more than two minutes there. I didn't even have time to arrange the clothes properly.

I hastily chose a beautiful dress and rushed out of my room. I had no idea where I was going, not even which was his room. Just then, the woman from earlier returned. She seemed to know the perfect timing to appear. "I'll show you to his room," she said.

"By the way, I'm Miranda," she added.

"I'm Ashley," I replied with a smile, returning her warm expression. Miranda seemed to love smiling a lot, which I found quite strange.

We came to a stop in front of a large, imposing door. Miranda left me, and I gently pushed it open, my heart pounding. The room was unexpectedly normal—not the scary sight I had imagined. There was a large, unmade bed, and the room was painted in a dark blue hue with roses near the window, giving it a large and beautiful appearance. King Zade wasn't present, but I heard sounds coming from the bathroom. I went to the bed and began to straighten the covers.

Soon, I heard footsteps. I turned and gasped softly. There he was, his huge, muscular body, his hair still damp with droplets cascading down his chest, almost covering his eyes. The room fell silent, and I was sure he could hear my fast heartbeat.

I didn't understand why I felt this way around him, this undeniable pull whenever he was near. His towel-clad waist showing his V line, drew my gaze as his eyes locked onto mine, studying me intently. He started walking towards me, and instinctively, I began to move back.

"Thank you for the..." Before I could finish my sentence, my back was against the wall, and he held my waist firmly, his hand resting on my neck, drawing my face closer to his. Our lips were inches apart. His eyes darkened as he whispered, "You are mine." Then, with a surge of passion, his lips met mine.

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