CHAPTER THREE

Alpha Ramirez stepped even closer, and Lily shuddered. Her eyes sought out her father, to beg him, plead with him to take her away from the stake and the entire rite, but she couldn’t find him. He probably left immediately she was tied securely to the stake.

Her eyes shot back to the Alpha as he stepped closer. For some reason, she could feel a tinge of excitement under the fear. What would it feel like to be made love to by such a powerful male body. Then she thought of the look in his eyes as he had snapped the Beta’s claws, maiming him for life, she thought of the lack of gentleness in his touch, in his kisses.

“What is your name little one?” his voice was soft, almost gentle, it gave Lily the courage she needed to answer.

“Lily – Lily of Garar pack.”

He smiled. “Lily of Garar pack, you are officially my mate now, a Luna. Do you know what that means?”

Lily shook her head as he stepped even closer. She didn’t know anything about being a Luna. Her mother was a rejected former Luna, and her father’s new Luna never allowed Lily to come near her.

The Alpha stepped closer, and Lily wished she could step back. He was so close now, she could touch him if she just lifted a hand – but her hands were tied. Unable to stare into his eyes, Lily caught herself staring at his broad chest as he lifted a gentle finger to stroke her cheek

“So vulnerable – so innocent,” his voice was barely a whisper.

Why was he being gentle! Lily could not understand what kind of male was gentle one minute, and then rough the next. Again, she felt tears threaten at her wide blue eyes. She would have preferred if he remain harsh with her, at least then, she would know what to expect. It was very easy for her to let down the little defenses she had when he was gentle, and then, she knew he would strike.

As though he read her mind, he laughed out loud. “Your defenses mean nothing were my assault is little one. I want to break you, destroy you until you are nothing but my puppet, a mere plaything, that’s only when I would be able to use you for what I want.”

Lily shivered slightly. The white dress Hilda had dressed her with was sleeveless, and open at the throat to expose her slender long neck and the tops of her breast. In the nights chilly air, it was unbearable. But it was not the whether that made Lily shiver, it was the coldness in her new mate’s heart.

“Why are you doing this? What do you hope to gain?” Her voice sounded pathetic even to her own ears, but Lily forced herself to look into the Alpha’s eyes. It was there again, the pain lodged deep in those silver greys. She wished she could bring him comfort, take his pain away – then his expression hardened, and there was nothing but heartless in his eyes now.

“Why am I doing this? That’s easy, because I can. Dear sweet Lily, you would find that in this world of ours, wolves do things simply because they can. What do I hope to gain, you ask, again that’s easy. Revenge!” He brought his hand up to her hair and loosened the twists Hilda had taken pains to put in place. Her long black hair tumbled in waves down her shoulder, making her look even more lovely.

“You look better like this, with your hair free in the wind. I should name you windflower, so vulnerable, yet so beautiful.” With a simple flex of his muscles, he cut the ropes that bound her to the stake, and Lily was grateful when he pulled her into his arms.

His lips sought hers then, and this time, it was not a kiss of punishment, or the gentle kiss of a stranger, it was a lovers kiss. Hot, ardent. For the first time, Lily was completely caught in the moment.

The crowd cheered as she threw her arms around his neck, drawing him closer, holding him to herself. He was her mate, she would have this forever.

His hands wandered all over her body, stirring primal heat in her belly. So this was what it meant to be wanted? She was so cut in the moment, she did not notice when he brought his hands up to the top of her dress and tore it into two, she only knew that she wanted his mouth on the flesh he had exposed.

Before she could get too impatient, he pressed his lips to her exposed flesh, drawing a moan from her with a kiss so painfully arousing, Lily feared her body was on fire.

His hands tore open the rest of her dress, and it was only when it pooled at her feet that Lily knew the Alpha had stripped her out in the public. The entire crowd was deathly quiet, and Lily couldn’t even bare to look up as her cheeks stained pink with embarrassment, but the Alpha wasn’t done with her yet.

He pulled her nude body tighter to his fully clad one, and pressed his lips to the pulse beating at her neck. “You forget too easily sweetheart. Remember I told you I was going to break you. I had thought I would enjoy doing that, but you make it too easy.”

Lily whimpered, then moaned as he pressed another kiss to the same spot. “Please . . .” her voice was too shaky, and she thought he had not heard her, but then he laughed.

“You would need to be a little more specific my little beauty. Please what then? ‘please, claim me right here in front of the crowd?’ ‘Please stop bringing me exquisite pleasure with your kisses,: or even ‘please return me to my Papa who by the way doesn’t want me, he had to give me up at a moonlight rite’ which is it little one?”

He was toying with her now, and Lily knew that no matter what answer she gave him, he was going to do what he wanted to do. “Please, have some dignity. I am your mate, shaming me I front of everyone wouldn’t be nice.”

The Alpha burst out laughing at that. “You must be a very slow learner, or you’d know that I’m never nice.”

Lily nodded, but she noticed that he had used his big body to shield her from the rest of the crowd, so that it was only he that saw her naked.

Alpha Ramirez stared into those trusting blue eyes, staring up at him in their childish bravery. Even he was not that cruel, he could not hurt her while she was still this innocent. He needed to corrupt her a bit before he broke her. He laughed at his own thoughts. Who would have thought he had anything like a conscience. He was going to watch out for her, he had only just met her, and already, she had him rethinking his actions.

Striping off his shirt, he draped it around her shoulders and heard her draw in a shaky breath as those blue eyes turned up to him in gratitude. She was so small, the shirt came down to her knees, totally covering her nakedness, then she did something he did not expect. She threw her arms around him in an affectionate hug. “Thank you,” she said simply as she pressed a chaste kiss to his cheek.

Ramirez felt something constrict in his chest. If he was not careful, it was this naïve female with innocent face and wild blue eyes who was going to break through his defenses and get to him. A part of him wanted to get to know her, the real her, that sweet naïve creature that was not tainted by the wicked world – but then, he had a mission, and she was only a mere pawn in his game of thrones.

“Come, my Luna, your new home awaits,” he said sarcastically, expecting her to shiver in fear, but to his surprise, Lily slipped her little hand into his big one so trustingly, as though she had forgotten everything he had said about breaking her. Show the female a little kindness, and she was already trusting. . . it was hilarious!

Together, they walked hand in hand till they got into the limo that waited to take them to Ramirez’s pack, and to his home. Lily sucked in a deep breath at the thought of her uncertain future, and yet, even with all the fear, Lily could not help hope that she would make her mate, the Alpha Ramirez fall in love with her, just as she had already fallen for him.

The memory of the battle came crashing back as Lily stirred from her slumber. She felt disorientated, her mind swimming in confusion as she tried to comprehend her surroundings.

She had no idea how she had gotten there. The last thing she could remember was entering the Limo amidst the inquisitive glares from the Pack meme

The room was unfamiliar, the bedsheets crisp and cool against her skin, and she could hear distant murmurs and a gentle rumbling beneath her.

But she was more focused on the pain that throbbed in her head, a nagging reminder of the fight and the moments leading up to her unconsciousness. The image of Ramirez, the Alpha, slashing off the beta's claws with frightening precision, and the blood-curdling screams of the onlookers, still echoed in her mind.

As she tried to piece together what happened, the door to her room creaked open, and she could see the outline of a tall figure entering. The Alpha's deep voice boomed, startling her.

"Good. You're awake." She felt her heart race as she realized she was in the presence of her captor. She couldn't comprehend why he had taken her, and what this strange place was.

She made a mental note of every gruesome thing she could think of- a torture house, some sort of cell and many other unspeakable places she could think of.

The darkness of the room closed in around Lily as she tried to curl up and escape the reach of Alpha Ramirez. But, with each step he took towards her, she felt herself shrinking away, until she was backed against the wall with nowhere else to go.

He stood before her, his tall frame towering over her, a wicked, smug smile playing on his lips. "You think you can escape me, my little dove? Think again." His silver grey eyes were cold and unyielding as he gazed down at her, his voice a low growl that sent shivers down her spine.

"I promise you, I will break you. I will strip away your defenses and make you mine, until you are nothing but a puppet, a mere plaything at my beck and call." Lily trembled as she felt the anger radiating from him, anger he had been holding in since who knows when.

"And when I'm done with you, you will know what it feels like to be at the mercy of someone like me. To feel my wrath, my power, and my control." Ramirez reached out, running a finger down her cheek, making her skin crawl.

"You may resist now, but in the end, you will succumb to my will. I am Alpha, I am in control, and you are mine to command." He leaned down, his lips inches from hers, his breath hot against her skin. "And when I'm done with you, Lily, you will thank me for breaking you."

As Alpha Ramirez trailed his nose down Lily's neckline, he inhaled her scent and reveled in the fear she exuded. Her skin was soft and supple, and he felt his body react to her closeness.

"Please don't hurt me!"

She begged him, but he merely chuckled in response. "Don't worry, my dear Lily," he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

"I won't hurt you, not yet." But just as suddenly, his behavior changed from that of a predator to that of a friend. He pulled back and offered her a warm smile, causing Lily to feel incredibly confused. She didn't know whether to believe him or not, but the pain in his eyes was gone, replaced by a softness she had never seen before.

"Don't be afraid, Lily," he said, his voice soothing.

"I promise, I won't hurt you. Not if you cooperate." He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand, and she felt her body relax ever so slightly. "I'm going to teach you, show you how to be mine," he continued, his voice hushed.

"I'm going to break you, but it will be a slow and sensual process. You will learn to crave me, to beg for my touch. And then, when you're mine, I'll keep you forever." His words were like a dangerous threat and a lullaby at the same time, and Lily couldn't help but feel entranced. He was a dangerous predator, and yet, there was something about him that drew her in.

She was trapped, a frightened mouse in the clutches of a cat. Alpha Ramirez advanced, his wicked, smug smile sending shivers down her spine. She tried to scoot away from him, but there was nowhere to hide. He towered over her, his hand roaming her body, eliciting a whimper of fear from her lips.

And then he switched on the light, illuminating his face and causing her to shrink even further away. His eyes held an evil glint that promised pain and suffering. She was sure he would hurt her, maybe even kill her.

But then, he squinted at the light and she saw the surprise in his face. He looked around the room and she followed his gaze, shocked to see that she was in a beautiful room with elegant furnishings.

"Welcome to your new home," he said, backing away from her.

She nodded, still curled up on the bed. She was scared, but she couldn't help but be surprised by his sudden change in behavior. Was he really going to be so nice to her?

"Feel at home," he said with a smile, and then, to her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her cheek. "I will leave you to rest now."

She watched as he walked out the door, her mind in a whirl. How could he be so cruel one moment and so kind the next?

"I don't understand," she whispered to herself. "What do you want from me?"

But there was no answer, just the sound of the door closing behind him and the echo of his footsteps as he walked down the hall.

Lily stumbled towards the bathroom, her heart racing with fear and confusion. As she caught sight of herself in the mirror, she gasped. Her once pristine outfit was now torn and tattered, her hair disheveled, and her skin marred by bruises and scratches. The tears she had been holding back spilled down her cheeks as she took in the extent of the damage inflicted upon her.

Her lips were swollen from the rough treatment she had received, and her eyes were ringed with dark circles from all the crying she had done. The evidence of her suffering was all too clear, and she couldn't help but break down in sobs at the sight of herself.

She had been sold off like a horse, and subjected to who knows what. And now, here she was, locked in a room with a physco and a madman who seemed to switch from predator to friend in the blink of an eye, one who was bent on making her life a hell.

She cautiously approached the bathtub, taking in the steam rising from the water. She hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing back to the brutal moments she had experienced at the hands of Alpha Ramirez. She shook her head, trying to dispel the memories and took a step forward.

As she stepped into the bathtub, the warm water enveloped her, and she sighed in relief. But with the relief came the pain.

Her bruises and injuries, inflicted by Alpha Ramirez, began to scream in protest as the water touched her skin. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and she bit her lip to stop herself from crying out loud.

She closed her eyes and tried to take deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. The water continued to soak into her skin, washing away the grime and dirt from her body.

She looked down at herself, the bruises and cuts stood out like vivid reminders of her suffering. She let out a sob and clutched the sides of the tub, trying to ground herself.

The pain was almost too much to bear, but she was determined to cleanse herself of the memories of the last few hours.

She gritted her teeth and began to wash herself, her fingers gently tracing the contours of her bruises. Every touch was a reminder of the violence she had endured, but she refused to let it break her.

She finally stood up, letting the water run off her skin and down the drain.

As she emerged from the warm embrace of the bathtub, Lily's body was still aching from the rough handling she received from Alpha Ramirez. She stood there, shivering and vulnerable, her skin pink from the hot water. She needed to find something to cover herself up with, something to protect her from the harsh reality of her situation.

With hurried steps, she made her way across the room, her eyes darting towards the door as if she expected Ramirez to come barging in at any moment. She reached the wardrobe, frantically searching through the rows of clothes until she finally found a fluffy white towel. She wrapped it around herself, tucking in the edges to ensure it wouldn't slip off.

Although the towel offered her some measure of comfort and security, Lily couldn't shake off the feeling of being exposed and vulnerable. The reality of her situation hit her all over again, and she could feel the fear and uncertainty creeping back in.

It was very clear from the way she glanced around, like there was a presence watching her.

She ambled back to the wardrobe, her eyes scanning its contents for something to wear. She rummaged through silky dresses, cashmere sweaters, and delicate lingerie until finally, her hand brushed against a soft, white nightgown.

She slipped into the comfortable cloth, the fabric caressing her skin and sending a shiver down her spine. She marveled at the feel of the cloth, so much different from the rough fabric of her previous clothing. She felt like she was wearing a blanket of comfort and protection.

Satisfied with her attire, she reached for the light switch, casting the room into darkness once more. She approached the door, her hand reaching for the bolt, making sure it was secure before retiring to the bed. The soft mattress cradled her, and she felt her eyes grow heavy.

She was so tired, so very tired. All she wanted to do was sleep, to escape the fear and the pain. And so, she drifted off into slumber, her breathing slow and steady as she surrendered to the safety of sleep.

***

"

The darkness of the night seemed to seep into her dreams as she tossed and turned on the bed, a cold sweat drenching her forehead. Her breaths came in short gasps as she tried to outrun the monster that pursued her, his steps echoing in her mind like the beating of a drum. Suddenly, she was running, her legs pounding the ground as she tried to escape the predator that was Alpha Ramirez.

The wind whipped past her face as she ran, fear coursing through her veins like electricity. She could hear his heavy footsteps growing closer, his breaths hot on the back of her neck. She screamed as she ran, her voice piercing the still of the night like a knife. But Ramirez was too fast, and she soon found herself tripping and tumbling into a ditch, the hard ground smashing into her body.

She lay there, gasping for air, her body wracked with pain. She could hear Ramirez's footsteps getting closer, and she knew she was going to die. She closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face, and whispered a prayer for the first time in years.

But then she opened her eyes, and saw Ramirez towering over her, a wicked smile on his face. He raised his claws, ready to strike the final blow, when suddenly she screamed and sat up in bed, her heart racing, her breaths coming in short gasps. "

She looked around the room, confused, her eyes wide with fear. The room was silent, save for the whirring of the alarm beside her bed.

She realized with a jolt that it was all just a nightmare, and she let out a sigh of relief. But the fear lingered, a chill running down her spine as she remembered the way Ramirez had looked in her dream, the way he had chased her, ready to kill her just like in real life.

She shuddered and lay back down on the bed, her thoughts a jumbled mess as she tried to fall back to sleep. But the memory of the dream lingered, a haunting reminder of the fear and pain that was her reality. "

The sound of a knock at the door echoed through the room, jolting her awake from her fitful slumber.

Her heart races as she remembers her nightmare, and she's filled with a sense of dread as she tentatively makes her way to the door. With a shaking hand, she reaches out to turn the handle, her mind filled with visions of Alpha Ramirez on the other side, ready to pounce.

But as she swings the door open, she's met with a completely different sight. Three women, dressed in maid's uniforms, stand in the doorway with warm smiles on their faces.