Maria's POV
"What? He's already here? Alpha Noleen is here!" a girl beside me gasped, clutching her friend's arm, wide-eyed with surprise.
Here? Now? But… wasn’t he supposed to arrive tomorrow?
The other girls bolted for the hall, tripping over each other in their rush, giggling with excitement. I reluctantly got up, a heavy feeling sinking in my chest, knowing there’d be consequences if I didn't show. I almost wished he’d ignore me, just focus on the others—each girl was dressed to impress, radiant, practically buzzing with anticipation.
In the hallway, more girls were still adjusting their outfits, making last-minute preparations. I quietly joined the back of the line, hoping to fade into the background, praying I’d be invisible.
We finally reached the hall, lined up like… I don’t know, cattle? It felt like some silent audition in a twisted game. My stomach churned with dread. I despised every moment of this, every reminder that this man held so much power over our lives, while each girl seemed desperate for even a glance from him.
"Please, ladies, keep still. He’s almost here,” Miss Lavender commanded, her tone sharp, as she cast a watchful eye over the fidgeting line.
Six guards stood by, their gaze unwavering. Every girl looked perfect, polished—each one seemingly more eager than the last. I bit the inside of my cheek, stealing myself.
A hush fell over the room as he entered, capturing every gaze in the room. Alpha Noleen.
“Oh my goddess…” the girl beside me whispered, barely breathing.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I looked up, feeling my heart skip a beat. He walked in with a powerful presence, as though he owned every inch of the space. His muscular build was evident, and his intense gaze held an unnerving edge.
But… was that gray?
His aura seemed almost inhuman, like a mist. His eyes were sharp, as if he could see right through us.
And that necklace—a gold chain with a simple “N” pendant. Bold and unmistakable. I shivered, wondering what that “N” might mean for all of us now.
Miss Lavender offered a small, measured bow. "Welcome to Becktonson Hotel, Alpha Noleen." Her smile was careful, her words chosen with precision.
"Thank you," he responded smoothly, though his voice carried an edge of impatience. "So… these are the ladies?" His gaze swept over us like a storm.
"Yes, Alpha. All of them," Miss Lavender affirmed, following close behind as he walked down the line.
I lowered my gaze, hoping he would just pass me by. He stopped in front of each girl, studying each one carefully.
The room was thick with tension. Though silent, the weight of his presence was deafening.
When he paused in front of a girl named Seren, he asked quietly, almost icily, "And this one?"
"Seren," Miss Lavender replied crisply. "A human girl. Abandoned by her family."
His gaze lingered on her just a moment too long before moving on, leaving her visibly shaken.
Then he paused in front of Taina, a half-human with haunted eyes, though he barely paused before moving past, as if he could sum up each of us with a single look.
But why did Miss Lavender seem so uneasy? Her voice trembled slightly with each response. What was it about him?
The silence grew deeper with each girl he passed, each holding their breath.
He paused in front of Carol, the girl who always dreamed of finding her "prince," and let his gaze longe a bit too long, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
Her hands trembled, a fragile hope radiating from her.
But he moved on, and her face fell, her hands clenching as if trying to ground herself.
And then… he stopped in front of me.
My breath hitched as an unexplainable charge tingled through me. The air around us felt electric.
I could feel my pulse race, my skin prickling as though drawn into his orbit.
He inhaled deeply, his gaze darkening, and a flicker of something almost… hungry crossed his expression.
"Mate." The word slipped from his lips, reverent, almost like a prayer.
I couldn’t breathe. My legs felt heavy, my body frozen under his stare. I wasn’t like the others—polished, perfect, or ready for his scrutiny. And yet… he stopped here.
His eyes lingered on me, not unkindly, but with a look that was almost… wonder? I swallowed hard, trying to tamp down the panic.
"And this one?" he asked, his voice softer as he lifted a hand toward my face. His fingers barely brushed my chin, yet it sent my heart racing.
I was terrified he’d see through the mask I wore.
Miss Lavender cleared her throat, visibly tense. "This is Maria," she said with care. "Daughter of Melissa."
His brow arched slightly, a trace of amusement in his eyes. "Melissa’s daughter… the Moon Luna’s child?"
I flinched, my mother’s name echoing through me. She was gone, but her enemies were relentless.hauntin me
"Yes, Alpha,” Miss Lavender said, glancing at me with pity. “We found her two days ago in the forest. She’s been with us since."
A cold chuckle escaped him. "So… the Moon Luna’s daughter stands before me?" His voice dripped with irony.
My face flushed, shame and dread prickling beneath my skin. He could see it all—my fear, my weakness.
His hand lifted again, this time touching my cheek with an unexpected gentleness, tilting my chin until I met his gaze. His eyes probed deeply, as if seeking every secret I held.
The intensity of his gaze left me shaken, unable to look away. I could sense that he’d already made up his mind.
"Well then," he murmured, a slight smile crossing his lips, "it seems I’ve found my bride."
And I was caught.
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MARIA'S POV
“On your knees.”
His cold gaze pinned me down, silencing any thought of resistance. I could feel his eyes on me, his voice a harsh command as he moved behind me.
My body responded instinctively, dropping to my knees before I could process it. The bruises from last night’s torment stung as they met the hard floor. Every nerve felt raw, a reminder of what defiance would bring.
“Maria,” he said, his voice feigning gentleness as he moved closer, his fingers grazing my shoulder. I tensed, expecting pain.
“You’re not just here as my wife. You belong to me. From now on, you will address me as Master. Understood?”
I wanted to scream, but forced out the words, each syllable tasting bitter. “Yes… Master.”
A cruel smile crossed his face as he moved in front of me, savoring the submission he had extracted. My fists pressed against the floor, nails digging into my palms.
"Are you a virgin, Maria?” His tone was casual, like he was asking about the weather. My heart skipped a beat.
“Yes, I—" The lie slipped out before I corrected myself. “No, Master.”
A dark satisfaction flickered in his eyes as he leaned forward, his fingers tracing my jaw with calculated cruelty. I shivered, instinctively pulling back.
“A virgin,” he sneered. “And yet you think you can play games with me.”
I swallowed, my throat painfully dry. His gaze felt as though it was dissecting every ounce of my remaining defiance.
“Take off your clothes.” The command fell like a stone, final and inescapable.
My heart pounded. “Please… don’t,” I whispered, my voice breaking.
His eyes darkened, anger rising within them. Without warning, his hand struck my face.
Pain flared as my head snapped to the side, blood pooling at my lip.
He leaned closer, his breath hot on my skin.
"Did you really think your pleas would change anything?" he growled, every word cutting deep.
I turned back, tears in my eyes, my spirit battered but not entirely broken.
“Adel!” he called, and his beta entered. There was a flicker of something in Adel’s expression—pity? Disgust? It vanished quickly.
“Tie her to the bed. Whip her,” Noleen ordered, his tone sharp, anticipating my suffering. Adel hesitated, glancing between us.
"Noleen, this… this isn’t—”
“Do as I say!” Noleen’s voice was icy. Adel swallowed, nodding in reluctant submission.
He approached, eyes filled with a sadness I couldn’t understand.
They bound me to the bed, my wrists and ankles chained. The silver cuffs burned into my skin.
A guard unraveled a whip, drawing it back.
The first lash seared across my back, and I couldn’t hold back a scream.
Pain exploded, each strike worse than the last.
I tried to retreat into my mind, to remember happier times, but the agony kept pulling me back.
Finally, after what felt like forever, Noleen’s voice cut through the haze. “Enough.”
I slumped, my body trembling, each breath jagged. But there was no comfort—only the grim knowledge that this was far from over.
“Bring me Britney,” he ordered.
Adel’s face went pale. “Alpha… she’s… she’s your mate. You can’t—”
Noleen’s glare silenced him. Adel’s shoulders sagged as he turned to leave.