Willow's entire body trembled as her eyes landed on a giant of a man. He was tall, imposing, powerfully built and probably the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on.
His golden brown hair fell over his forehead and icy gray eyes which stared her down. Her wolf continued thrashing and yelling, 'mate' to the point where it was beginning to get out of control.
The Alpha King's eyes flickered as his eyebrows furrowed into a frown, his hands clenching into fists.
"Your Majesty," Willow heard someone call next to him, but she couldn't even bring herself to tear her eyes off her mate. It felt like torture to even try to look away.
She was entranced and her wolf was going feral.
Willow could instantly tell that the Alpha King had also figured out they were mates and his expression turned furious, his eyes turning stormy.
"How is this possible?" He growled and despite the fact that his whole demeanour was furious, Willow's body reacted to his voice. It was so deep that it sent vibrations up and down her spine.
"How can this be? Why is it you?" He growled, his contorting with disgust.
Willow let out a small gasp, taking a step back as her insides twisted with hurt and agony. She wasn't stupid. She could see it in his eyes. Her mate did not want her.
And why would he anyway? He was the king and she was nothing but a lowly slave. Who in their right mind would want a slave as their mate?
"Dorian. What's wrong?" The person next to him asked once again, but the Alpha King did not say a word.
His stare only hardened as he shook his head in pure disappointment before storming away with the other man hurrying after him.
Willow slowly turned around and she was once again face to face with Carina whose eyes were cold as ice.
"Just thank your stars and the Alpha King. You will not be so lucky next time." She hissed, clutching her sword tightly before storming away.
Willow's entire body trembled with fear. Her legs were too weak to even hold up her weight and they instantly buckled.
Before she landed on the ground, she felt arms wrap around her from behind, steadying her.
"Are you alright?" She heard a female voice ask and she slowly looked back to catch a glimpse of her savior.
The woman who saved her was a slave like her and Willow knew that because she had seen her scrub the floors earlier.
Willow managed a nod, trying to steady herself. "I'm fine. Thanks for catching me."
The slave flashed her a pitiful smile as she helped her stand properly.
"I saw you had a little run-in with lady Carina," She whispered, her eyes darting around. "It would be best for you to stay the hell away from her. She is nothing but trouble."
Willow could already tell that much. The woman was ready to chop off her head just because she poured a bit of water on her boots by accident. That was terrifying.
"Who is she? Why does she wear armor and carry a sword around?"
"Lady Carina is Alpha Dorian's Gamma and one of his best soldiers. You don't want to mess with her. She is freakishly strong."
Willow shivered instantly. There was no doubt about it. The aura which surrounded that woman was incredible, but there was someone else with an aura that was even twice as incredible.
The Alpha King. And now, she has even managed to learn his name. Dorian. He looked menacing and he was downright terrifying.
The rumors that he was cruel and ruthless didn't seem like rumors after all. Maybe it was a good thing that he already despised her.
She hoped that he would reject her so that their paths would never cross again. Her wolf whined in protest at that thought and deep down she didn't know if that was what she truly wanted.
She was terrified of him, but also intrigued by him. What an awful situation she managed to find herself in.
"Are you listening?" The slave's voice cut through her thoughts, yanking her out of her reverie.
Willow blinked in confusion before she realized that the slave had been speaking to her.
"Uhm. Sorry. What did you say?"
The slave's expression turned even more sympathetic. "Oh poor you. You must still be in shock. It's going to take a bit of time to get used to the palace but I'm sure you'll do just fine."
Willow highly doubted that. Today was just her first day and it was already a disaster. How would the days that followed get better than that?
Despite her doubts, she managed a nod.
"Come on. Let's clean up this mess before we get into trouble." The slave said and the two of them began working instantly.
Willow's entire body ached, but she did not stop cleaning. The last thing she wanted to do was get in trouble.
"I'm Lyra, by the way. Lyra Mckenna. It's nice meeting you." She said with a smile that Willow managed to return.
"It's nice meeting you too. I'm Willow Sheffield."
Willow and Lyra continued scrubbing the floors and when they were done, to Willow's utmost relief, they could retire back to their rooms.
The two women walked side by side, descending the stairs and heading down to the lower levels of the palace where the slave quarters were located.
"What is the Alpha King like?" Willow asked, unable to contain her curiosity anymore.
Lyra instantly turned pale as a sheet, her entire demeanour changing instantly.
"Alpha Dorian is as cruel as they come. He kills anyone who dares defy him."
Willow's body instantly trembled at her words. "So the rumors are true."
"Indeed,"
Lyra paused for a second before she continued. "A strange rumor has been going around the palace that the King might be in trouble though."
Willow furrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "Trouble?"
Lyra nodded. "Yes. He has no luna and heir to the throne and the elders have threatened to strip him of his title if he doesn't find a luna to give birth to his heir soon. I think we all know who Alpha Dorian will eventually make his Luna."
"Who?" Willow could not help but ask, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Lady Carina."