Now I was a little confused. Usually it was Vanessa, Darly's mistress, or Akeem, his little brother, who did these kinds of things to me.
I mean, Luna Freya was practically new here and no matter what, I couldn't go on her bad side, not when her sister was one of the king's wives.
"Luna Freya," I said, my voice attempting a greeting. One hand clutched my towel, the other still pressed under her feet. She didn't respond. She just looked at me with so much disgust before moving her feet and ordering the guards.
"Drag her to my father-in-law. She did it."
"Can I please put on some clothes?" I asked as the two guards yanked me to my feet. They stopped and turned to Freya for permission.
"Oh, little omega wants some clothes? Here, I'll help you put on clothes." She stepped toward me and I couldn't move, the guards gripping me tightly. "Here!" She ripped my towel off, leaving me in just a bra and, thankfully, shorts.
"Luna Freya–"
"Shut up!" she shouted, making me step back as she got in my face. "You are going in there like that, shameless, because that's who you are." She gestured at the guards. "Take her to the packhouse."
The guards' pace was so fast that if I weren't used to this, being dragged like an animal, I would have fallen already. But after years of experience, I had learned to catch their rhythm.
"Pretty bitch thinks she can take my place just because she's pretty. I'll show her what I'm made of." Freya mumbled behind me.
I was half-naked, dragged outside like a criminal, yet it seemed my body only disgusted even the slaves. No one cared; they were all about their business.
We reached the house and, as always, the guards threw me to the floor, landing me at the Alpha's feet.
"What nonsense? Why the hell is she naked?" The Alpha rose from his seat.
"The Luna asked us to bring her as she was Alpha," the guards explained.
Freya, who had fallen behind, finally caught up.
"I couldn't wait, father-in-law. I want her to return my necklace." Her voice was pitiful, and the Alpha nodded. "My father gave it to me. According to him, it belonged to the previous Luna Queen, so you must understand how important it is to me." Yep, Freya's father was the royal healer.
"Of course, dear. Please don't cry. Where is that useless husband of yours?"
"Here I am, father. Oh, what did she steal now?" Darly walked in with Vanessa, both of them sweating from training. Gosh, Freya seemed blind. If there was anyone she needed to be mad at, it was Vanessa. She was the one sleeping with her husband.
"Call Akeem. I have a task for the two of you," the Alpha commanded before leaving the room, leaving Vanessa, Darly, and Freya with me.
A guard came to fetch Darly to his father's office, since we were still in the living area. I kept my head down, trying to calm myself, but I still felt him leave. Technically, the bond was still there.
"Okay, I always thought you were a thief, but to steal the new Luna's possession? I must admit, you surprised me." Vanessa commented.
"I couldn't believe it," Freya agreed. I chuckled inwardly at how the two were getting along while Darly played them both. He wanted Freya for her connections, and Vanessa had a body he couldn't resist. It was laughable.
"Tell me, how did you find out?"
"Um, what?" Freya sounded dumb all of a sudden.
"That she stole your necklace?" Vanessa asked. I watched them from the corner of my eye, seated on the floor, hugging my knees to hide myself like the helpless, wolfless creature I was.
"I… I just know," Freya stammered. Obviously lying.
"Well, I hope you didn't tell the Alpha that," Vanessa said, then glanced around before lowering her voice. "You were in the same car yesterday, correct?" Freya nodded. "She stole it from you during the trip."
'Bitch!' Rhea cursed in my head. I shook it off, knowing Vanessa was the mastermind when it came to these games.
"Yes, and her roommate found it and told me when I was looking for it," Freya said. Vanessa shook her head. "Not good?" She ran her hands over her arms.
"Her roommate is not allowed here. There's no way she could have told you that."
"Yeah, true. Wait… do I get punished if the Alpha finds out I'm lying?" Freya asked, sounding nervous.
"You're the future Luna, of course not. Now, here's what you'll say…" Vanessa turned to me. I immediately looked away. Once I was sure her eyes weren't on me, I looked back. She seemed to whisper something I couldn't hear.
"You're so good. Oh my, I can see us becoming best friends."
"I don't see why not when we have a common enemy," Vanessa agreed. Then they left without a glance at me. Before I could process, the same two guards dragged me to the Alpha's office. Time for my punishment.
'Where's your mate now, Rhea?' I teased. I knew I would survive this punishment and continue my miserable life.
'We have to do something,' Rhea said, but I ignored her.
I was pushed inside and landed on the floor again. The Alpha stood behind his desk. To my sides were Darly and his brother Akeem.
"I am tired of punishing you, so I've decided to let my sons decide today," the Alpha said. I nodded. He wasn't as cruel as everyone else; to him, this was simply him doing his job.
"My punishment is simple. Thalia has been known as the thief of this pack. To end this, I marry her and give her a lifetime nightmare," Akeem said. Oh yes, he had a silly crush on me.
"That's stupid," Darly opposed, coming toward me. "Father, I say…" He paused, squatted next to me, and leaned close. The office was spacious, so I was sure no one else could hear.
"Freya felt threatened yesterday. I asked her if she wanted revenge and gave her a tip that works for Vanessa," he whispered. I nodded, grinning; he had something to do with this. "Now all you have to say is yes and I will spare you."
"You're not Alpha yet," I whispered back. Then I looked at Alpha Edward and Akeem. "I'd rather be punished than sleep with you."
"Suit yourself." He stood upright, looking at me, then at his brother before his father, who was eagerly waiting. "I say we burn her alive."
"Oh," Alpha Edward seemed to give it thought. My heart started pounding at the thought of death. "I mean, son, don't you think that's–"
"I don't mean to interrupt you, father, but she has done enough damage. She will never change. I say we burn her just like we do witches and end our problem."
"That's weird, brother, considering your in-laws are–"
"Good witches, little brother. They work for the palace; they are palace healers," Darly said quickly. "Besides, she was adopted. Technically, they are not witches. Queen Scarlet is."
"Whatever. Father, I still stand by my word. Let her marry me," Akeem said. Alpha Edward looked conflicted.
"You are eighteen, son. You are going to get your mate, your Luna."
"I'm going to be Alpha. I can have two wives, just like the Alpha King."
"Oh really?" Darly laughed. "You really think you'll win and take my title?"
"No brother, I think I stand a chance," Akeem said firmly, which seemed to irritate Darly. He walked toward him, and then the door burst open. Their mother, the Luna, rushed in. I'm sure if she hadn't, a blood fight would be what I could be witnessing right now.
"We are in an important meeting, woman," Alpha Edward said, clearly displeased.
"I was told she was here," Luna said, pointing at me as she caught her breath and placed her hand on her chest. "The king is here for her."
"What?!" Both Alpha Edward, Darly, Akeem, and even Rhea seemed to react in unison. I, on the other hand, couldn't believe what I had just heard. I bent my neck, repeating the words in my mind.
The King was here for me?... Me? Why?