Chapter 21 Heather's POV

The door creaked open and a young man walked in, looking every bit gruff and unfriendly. My body quivered as I wondered what it was they had found out now. Instead, he dropped a box on the bed. 

"Alpha Darren wants you to dress up and come down for dinner." He said before turning his back to leave.

I checked the box and saw that it was a black sequin gown that would leave my back bare. It was a beautiful dress nonetheless so when I showed up at the table, everyone had eyes on me. By everyone, I meant Darren and Kyle. 

Why we were here was still not clear to me. Except for the fact that they had just lost someone and needed to do a little digging, I had a feeling Darren wanted to push me to the edge until I started talking. I wasn't one to break easily so I won't start now. 

"Have a seat, Heather," Kyle pointed towards a chair opposite his, while Darren sat at the center. 

The maids trooped in minutes later, the tray they carried engulfed in a sweet aroma. My stomach rumbled and I bit my lips in embarrassment. After food had been served, we were left alone. I began to dig into my food.

"For many years, I've ruled this pack and there's been no hitch." Darren started, his voice rumbling and booming all through the hall. "Every battle, every war had been fought and conquered by me. No one would dare touch me or any of my people."

I stopped chewing, paying rapt attention to his words. 

"You came and everything started going downhill. It makes me wonder, Heather, if it's a mere coincidence or you're just bad luck." 

My heart clenched as I gripped my fork tighter wishing I could gouge his eyes out for saying that. How could he?

"Like I said, I know nothing. I could have gone my whole life living with you like a normal being until you decided to open yourself to me." I caught myself before I would say anything incriminating. "I'm sorry about your people but I have nothing to do with it."

Kyle nodded, his voice coming in thick and concluding. 

"I'm pretty sure whoever it is will be brought to us. Let's not jump to conclusions." 

The rest of the moment spent in the dining hall was quiet, save for the clinking of spoons against plates. I could no longer eat well. Soon, Darren would find out about me and there'd be no running away any longer. All I'd do is wait for my judgement and let him kill me. 

I wouldn't sit and allow that to happen. 

"When are we going back?" I asked as we settled on the chair. 

"Not until I say so." Darren snapped, his lips set in a tight line. "Contract or not, you won't move a muscle unless I say so." He then rose and walked away. Kyle did the same thing, not sparing me a glance. 

For now, I was free. So I walked around the place, taking in the grandeur. Something about the mansion reminded me of moments I tried pushing away. I never really came close to the palace during my stay here. Ever. The furthest I'd ever been was the field. The only time I could have been here, I'd run away for fear of being killed. 

I wondered if I had truly escaped death then if I was in the same place now. 

Stuck in my head I wandered into the garden, my thoughts a chaotic whirlpool. The soft crunch of my shoes against the gravel paths barely registered as my mind replayed Darren’s words from the dinner table. Each one felt like a lash against my already fragile composure.

The garden was vast, dotted with marble statues and vibrant flowers that seemed to mock me with their beauty. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves, and the moonlight bathed everything in an ethereal glow, but none of it could soothe the storm inside me. I stopped in front of a rose bush, running my fingers over a blooming red flower. Its thorn pricked me, a sharp sting pulling me back to reality.

I winced in pain as I grabbed my finger which was now bleeding. I gazed at the blood pooling on my finger, and for a brief moment I envied the flower. Even in its stillness it fought back.

“I can't stay here.” I muttered to myself. A newfound determination coursing through me. I escaped the first time and succeeded, I'm pretty sure I can do it again. I can't continue being treated this way and being held against my will. Each second I spend here, is each second closer to my death.

I glanced around, my heart racing as I calculated her chances. The garden’s high hedges offered some cover, and if I could make it past the perimeter, I might have a shot at escaping. Quietly, I moved, sticking to the shadows and avoiding the paths lit by lanterns.

As I reached the edge of the garden, my breath quickened. The sight of the forest beyond filled me with a sliver of hope. Freedom was just a few steps away. I darted forward, my dress catching on the underbrush.

But before I could take another step, a hand grabbed my wrist with a force that nearly knocked me off balance. I gasped, spinning around to find Darren towering over me, his expression a mix of anger and amusement.

“And where do you think you’re going?” His voice was low, almost teasing, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

“Away! Away from here! I'm not your prisoner.” I yanked my hand away, glaring at him.

Darren’s laugh was deep and unsettling. He crossed his arms, his presence dominating the space around us. “You think you can just walk away? After everything? I own you now, Heather. Contract or not, you belong to me.”

“You don't own me! I didn't agree to any of this. This isn’t in the contract.” I said defiantly.

He stepped closer, and for a moment, I thought he might strike me. Instead, he tilted my chin up, forcing me to meet his piercing gaze. 

“Listen to me Heather, until we figure out what's going on and I've had my fill of you. You belong to me, now quit being a naughty girl and go back inside.”

My blood boiled in fury, but the firm grip of his fingers on my chin clouded my thoughts, words got stuck in my throat at the closeness between our faces, but somehow I willed myself in one final act of defiance.

“No.” I said. His expression got darker for a brief moment then was slowly replaced with a sly smile. Then suddenly the world seemed to flip upside down as he lifted me effortlessly unto his shoulder and carried me back inside while I pounded and kicked against his insanely strong grip.

He carried me all the way back to the room with the guards looking on in surprise. Immediately he closed the door, he dumped me on the bed with a gentle slam.

“How dare you!” I yelled angrily. He looked unfazed as though he hadn't just carried a 60 kg human all the way through the gardens back to his room without a hair out of place.

“You've been a naughty girl, and naughty girls deserve to be punished.” He said, his voice low and seductive.

“What?” I asked, my body lighting up at the tone of his voice. I could feel my pussy clench at his words, the promise of being punished turning me on.

“Strip.” He commanded, leaving no room for arguments.

I wanted to argue, I wanted to disobey but I just couldn't. I found myself bending to his command and slowly pulling off my dress until I was left in my underwear.

His eyes roamed over my body as he took a dangerous step closer, he reached out gently cupping my breasts and running a finger over my skin.

I bit my lips, keeping myself from moaning and leaning further into his touch. 

“I said strip.” He repeated.

I slowly unclipped my bra and let it fall down, then teasingly pulled my panties down my legs. I could feel his eyes on me and the atmosphere in the room was tense with lust.

“Come here.” He ordered while taking a sit on the edge of the bed.

I knelt down in front of him and slowly began unbuckling his belt, then pulled down his pants and briefs, revealing his long hard veiny dick that sprung up smacking me in the face.

I pushed my hair behind my ears and lowered my mouth to his dick. I felt him tense up as I wrapped my tongue around his dick sucking him and bobbin my head 

I wanted to touch myself as my pussy was craving wet for some attention but before I could, he held my hand.

“You’re not to touch yourself. That's your punishment.” He said.

I nodded and continued sucking him off, squeezing his balls at any chance I got. I squeezed my legs shut rubbing them against each other as the urge to touch myself kept increasing. I was soaking wet at this point and it felt like I was going to burst.

He groaned in pleasure as I bobbed my head faster and faster then with a deep groan he came into my mouth in loads.

“Swallow.” He ordered.

I gazed into his eyes and there was no sign of playfulness in them. I obeyed and swallowed his thick cum.

“Good, we are just getting started.” He said with a sly smile and my body shuddered at his words.