4. Damn Filthy Slave

Anya’s POV 

“Anya,” Papa called out weakly.

“She would go with him, John. That’s final” Alpha Cole’s familiar voice is heard before we see him. He had no doubt been close or was informed by someone of the happenings here.

“Forgive us, Alpha Andrei, for the time wasted, you can take her along with you, and when we bring the subsequent tributes, we would appreciate it if we could see her. After all, she’s a daughter from our pack.” 

As much as I didn’t want to, my rational reasoning won, and I knew very well that Kenan’s dad was only doing this for the pack. His request that I should be seen anytime they came was only to let Andrei understand that I was also important to them even though that was the otherwise. 

The last twelve years I had spent here had been nothing but terrible. 

Since there was already an agreement, Andrei signalled to his men, who tried to take me outside, and it took every power in me to keep my feet glued to the ground. “Won’t I at least get to pack some of my stuff” 

Everyone in the room automatically turned to Andrei while I made it a mission not to as I heard him take a deep breath. “You only have five minutes,” he growled like he didn’t like the very thought of it. 

I raced upstairs and packed my stuff, making sure to pack the box that Papa had given me from my mother. I had never opened it, but this might be my last time here. I certainly wanted it with me. 

Since I didn’t have enough time, I didn’t bother with folding and just went ahead to shove everything into a bag and dragged it downstairs. The difference in my power was overwhelming. I feel like I could actually take on one of those men if I’m given some assurance that I won’t be beaten up after by Andrei. 

When I got back down, I was surprised to see that Andrei and everyone from before had gone leaving just my papa in the dainty living room. My cousins and aunt are nowhere to be seen. 

“Papa,” I call out as I dive into his open arms. I was going to miss him so badly. To think I had come back just to see him and I was taken away by the Devil Alpha the next day was ironic. 

“You are strong, Anya.” Papa murmured as he patted my back slowly, and I nodded, fighting tears that were threatening to drop so badly.. “I’ll do my best to visit you, okay? Just do your best to keep your head up. If you show him how strong you are l, I’m certain he would take a liking to you.” 

“It’s okay, papa. I’ll be fine. My best guess is that he doesn’t want to reject me because of the resulting weakness that follows. The times are dangerous, after all.” He stared at me for a while as if to be sure I knew what I was saying before nodding in approval.

“Julia asked me to give you this necklace as soon as you get your first transformation. This alone was enough reason to make me believe that your father is most likely a werewolf too. Now that you already have your transformation, I’ll hand this over to you.” 

The necklace is beautiful. One of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen. Not only is the chain exquisite and shiny, but the pendant is also stunning. With a red teardrop-shaped jade, or perhaps something else since it seems to have this lustre to it that a jade shouldn’t have. 

Papa helps me wear the necklace, and it feels really cool against my skin. It’s probably my imagination, as it seems like it made my body become cooler the moment I put it on. 

I was about to ask Papa something when one of Andrei’s men popped his head in through the partly open door, signifying that was my cue to leave. 

“I love you, papa.” I say as I dive into his embrace, my eyes stinging with tears. 

“Who would have imagined that a bitch like you would get so lucky.” I hear Kara’s nasty voice before I see her, and I’m glad she looks just as bitchy as she always looked. 

“I bet you want this too.” I attacked as I picked up the jealousy in her eyes. My guess is right when I see her face turn pale and sour. Although being a mate to the devil alpha was in no way a good thing, in my opinion, seeing the look on Kara’s face was enough temporary compensation. 

“You don’t intend to keep my men and me waiting forever, right?” His already familiar cold voice interrupted my thoughts, and I realised that they had parked in front of Papa’s house. 

Army cars that looked even stronger and more menacing than what I had seen in my few time in the human world went down a row that I couldn’t see the end, and one of his men got down from the car he was gesturing for me to enter. 

I looked around. Although I didn’t have much hope, I had prayed that Kenan would be out here. That I’ll see him one last time before leaving. But a clean sweep around was all I needed to know that it had just been a wish. He wasn’t here.

I took one more glance at my papa, who was standing by the doorway to the house, watching me as I entered the car. Just like I thought, the man entered right after me, trapping me between Andrei and him. 

*

I haven’t had so many rides in my life, but I was certain that this would certainly be the most horrible, no matter how long that list gets. 

Perhaps it had something to do with me being near him. My wolf was calm the whole time, yet, it was also hard to resist the deep want I felt for him. 

It felt like some constant nagging feeling to want to be closer to him than my wolf.

We had been on the road for three hours when Andrei finally spoke. 

“Get out.” He says as the car came to a sharp halt. I looked between me and the man beside me, wondering who he was referring to. 

The driver and the man beside me get down at the same time, and I’m lost for some minutes before I remember the mind link function between pack members. 

“I would like to set some basic rules for you from this point.” He says, pausing as his eyes roamed all over my body, sending tingles down my spine even as much as it embarrassed me. 

From the moment my wolf claimed him as my mate, I had lost control of my body.

“Never would it come out of your filthy mouth that you are my mate. Not for one moment must you let that slip out of your mouth when we get to my pack.” Andrei growled with clenched teeth. 

“If you need me to do you a favour, ask nicely. Also, you don’t have to call me filthy.” I retort, knowing fully well that he needed me to maintain his reputation. 

Andrei chuckles. The low rumble makes me wonder how it would have felt if my hands were placed on his chest… 

His hands are on my neck before I realise it, his large and strong arms wrapped tightly like he could squeeze me to death in that very minute. If I had thought yesterday was scary, then at this moment, I felt my life flashing by in my face. 

“You would not talk to me that way. You damn filthy slave.” He snarled, and I could see the fire in his eyes. I felt a shiver rush through my spine just by how he looked at me. 

Like he could really kill me with a little more tightening of those hands around my neck.

“If you would like to keep your life, then you have to keep it out of your fucking mouth that I am your mate.” he finally said and then loosened his grip on my neck.

“And why would you say you brought just one spoil of the battle?“ I asked as soon as I regained control of my voice box. 

“You would know soon.” He mutters, and the car doors open at the same time. 

For one, I’m glad he had the decency to have that conversation with them out of the car.