136

Scar

Pain flared in my throat as I swallowed, every breath a reminder of his grip around my neck. My hands trembled, but I forced myself to keep eating.

If I stopped now, he would see it as rebellion, and I wasn't in the mood to suffer more of his wrath.

Dickson watched me like a predator, his golden eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction.

Pathetic.

Bile rose in my throat, and I set the bowl down, my stomach twisting violently. I needed to think, to find a way out of this.

Running wasn't an option, not yet. He was too strong, and with his rogue warriors surrounding the place, I wouldn't make it past the gates.

But I wouldn't be his captive forever.

I forced myself to meet his gaze. "Satisfied?" I asked, a smirk plastered on my face.

His lips curled into a sneer before he spoke. "I think I prefer you like this, obedient."

I clenched my fists. Obedient? If he only knew how badly I wanted to rip him apart.

"Get some rest," he continued, rising to his feet.

"Okay."

Dickson chuckled, brushing a strand of my hair behind my ear. "That's my good girl."

"I need to go," he muttered, walking towards the door. I sighed in relief. I wouldn't have to see his scowling, ugly face for a while. But then he turned around and shattered my hope. "I will be back soon."

"D-don't tell me you will be staying here?" I whispered, a cold dread spreading through my chest.

He smirked. "What do you think, darling?"

"No," I protested. "You can't stay here. Anywhere but here."

"You can't tell me what to do, honey. I own this place," he replied. "I own you. You're mine, and it is my duty to sleep with you."

"I refuse to accept this," I said firmly, my hands trembling with rage. "You have no right to impose yourself here."

Dickson opened the door. "Wait for me. I will be back soon."

I was devastated after he left. Why was this happening to me? If I had known he was nothing, I wouldn't have left with him.

I preferred to stay beside Lucas as his mistress rather than suffer here with a nobody like him.

I whimpered. It was sudden. I never knew I could meet my mate in my pack. I had been Lucas's lover for years, and I never once thought of my fated mate.

I never wished to meet my fated one because I enjoyed the wealth and attention Lucas gave me. What else did I need a mate for when I could easily become the Luna?

I was on my way to thank Lucas for helping me and thinking of winning his heart again, if possible, when I encountered my real fated mate.

"Mate," I heard him call me.

I was mesmerized by his appearance. His chiseled features looked as if they were carved from marble, and his eyes held galaxies within them. Time seemed to stand still as I took it all in.

The cold air enveloped me, bringing with it an otherworldly elegance. My breath caught in my throat as I gazed upon the man before me.

I had always thought Lucas was the most handsome man I had ever seen, but this creature surpassed him in every way.

He didn't just capture my attention; he seized my very soul, claiming it as his own.

"What is your name?" he asked, his husky, beautiful voice making my body tremble with desire.

"Scar," I replied with a blush. "My name is Scar."

"My name is Dickson," he responded with a smile before touching me.

When his fingers brushed against my skin, every nerve ending in my body ignited. Electricity coursed through my veins, awakening parts of me I never knew existed.

His touch was so amazing, and instantly, I could feel the bond, the bond everyone had been talking about. The bond I thought I would never be able to feel in my life. That was it. Everything clicked.

He was perfection incarnate. His presence alone commanded not just respect but adoration. Dickson's aura enveloped me, drawing me in like a moth to flame.

His physique exuded contained power and restrained strength. I instinctively knew he was extraordinary, a suspicion confirmed when Lucas addressed him as Alpha.

A smile played across my lips. I had struck gold, found the ultimate prize, or so my naive heart believed, until we arrived at his place. "Creepy" failed to capture the oppressive darkness of the place where he ruled over rogues with an iron fist.

My glorious mate, my perfect match, was nothing but a monster wearing a beautiful mask. My calculations, my hopes, my dreams, all shattered in an instant. Such a lowly man.

I was lost in my thoughts, not paying attention to my surroundings, until he pulled me out of them.

"Come back to earth, honey. I guess you must be thinking about me."

I looked up at him, and all I felt was hatred from the pit of hell. I wanted to rip his head off his neck.

"Why are you here?" I asked. Dickson ignored me and started undressing himself.

"Why are you taking off your clothes, Dickson? Answer me!"

"To sleep." No matter how much I questioned him, he would only say two words to me. Would I ever escape this man?

After undressing, he climbed into the bed.

"Let's sleep, honey."

"I am not ready to sleep," I answered.

"You have no choice," he said before ripping off my dress in the blink of an eye.

"What the heck are you doing?"

"Performing my duty as a mate, Scar. I don't want to delay anything."

The more I struggled, the more fun he was having. Dickson grabbed my legs before thrusting inside me, fucking me at a faster pace until he cum.

He cum inside me countless times, leaving me breathless and weak.

*

The next day, I woke up with a splitting headache and searing pain throughout my body. I sat upright, my chest heaving as I sobbed uncontrollably.

I reached over to touch the side where he had slept; it was already cold, achingly, devastatingly cold, like my hollowed heart.

I was still lost in my sorrow when someone knocked on the door.

"Who?" I called out.

The door creaked open before someone popped their head in. What a rude animal!

"What do you want?" I snapped.

"Queen," the voice called. Queen? What a cruel joke. The owner of the voice walked in before bowing her head. "Good morning, my queen," she greeted. "I'm Dema."

I scoffed. "Why are you here? What do you want from me?"

"I'm here to serve you at the King's request," she said, walking towards me.

Before I could react, she grabbed me, her touch sending a jolt of revulsion through me.

With surprising strength, she lifted me from the bed and pushed me into the bathroom.

I remained frozen, torn between humiliation and disbelief as she began to bathe me.

After bathing, she dragged me back inside.

"Sit," she uttered, more like a command.

What the heck? Is this what 'serving' means? What did I expect from a female rogue? They are nothing but low-life monsters.

She rummaged through the old wardrobe, the creaking hinges making me cringe.

My stomach sank as she brought out a dress so worn and tattered, it seemed like it had been rescued from a trash pile.

"I don't think that dress is for me," I said as she approached me.

"Yes, my queen. This dress is for you." Her smile, so sickeningly sweet added more to my rage. "Only you deserve to wear something beautiful like this."

Oh, my goddess. I thought my life was hard back then, but now I knew it wasn't. My life right now was hell. Why? Why was this evil thing happening to me?

Why couldn't I be a proper Luna? The question screamed in my mind. Why be a queen to the rogues, a rogue's queen?

I hated that title with every fiber of my being, each cell in my body rejecting it like poison.

"You mean this dress?" I repeated again. I couldn't believe my ears.

"Yes, my queen."

"I don't want to," I said, shifting back. "I deserve something better. Someone that befits me."

"This dress is perfect." She lifted the worn-out rag as if presenting a royal gown, her eyes gleaming with what could only be cruel satisfaction. "You will look so beautiful in it."

I felt tears welling in my eyes, not from sadness, but from pure, unadulterated rage. How far I had fallen, how deeply I had been humiliated. And I knew this was only the beginning.

"What did I tell you, my queen? You look so pretty in it."

I sat down like a doll, letting her do everything she wanted.

"It is time to eat," she muttered, holding my hand and leading me out. "The king will be pleased with you. You look so beautiful."

She began praising me. Who wanted her praise? Nobody did. I clenched my jaw, dark thoughts swirling in my mind, if I had any chance, I would get rid of everyone here, watch them all burn to ashes.

"You look so pretty," Dickson said as soon as he set his eyes on me, his gaze crawling over my body like insects.

"I told you, my queen," Dema whispered in my ear, her breath hot and repulsive. "He is so pleased."

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to create a barrier between myself and these creatures. As I looked around the dining area, my horror grew. It was a squalid, filthy space that smelled of unwashed bodies and rotten food.

Everywhere I looked was horrifying, not a place where a normal wolf could stay, let alone eat. I had finally arrived in hell.

"Come sit beside me," Dickson commanded, patting the spot next to him.

I refused, planting my feet firmly, but Dema's grip tightened as she dragged me forward again.

"How dare you!" I screeched. Dickson's hand shot out, grabbing my hand before making me sit.

"Let's eat."

I was so angry and mad at myself. I could feel their eyes on me from all around the room, their lustful, heated gazes boring into my flesh.

We were not the only ones here; the hall swarmed with rogues, so many I couldn't count them all, each dirtier and uglier than the last.

My skin prickled with loathing as I became increasingly uncomfortable under their predatory stares.

"Stop looking," Dickson commanded suddenly. "She is your queen. No funny ideas. She is mine."

He possessively wrapped his arm around my waist, his touch a brand of ownership that made me want to scream. "Meet Scar, your queen."

Their howls filled the place, primal and savage sounds that made my fur want to stand on end beneath my human skin.

This wasn't what I wanted. I deserved better, not a hell like this. I was meant for beautiful and elegant halls and gold plates, not this den of filth and degradation.

After the introduction, everything went back to normal as if a switch had been flipped. No more lustful gazes, no whispering.

Everyone was suddenly busy with their food, heads down, shoveling whatever slop filled their bowls into their mouths with animal-like ferocity.

I took my spoon with trembling fingers and began eating. I didn't want Dickson getting mad at me here, not surrounded by his loyal pack of mongrels.

Who knew if he would punish me by gifting me to these rogues? I should be on my best behavior and secretly plan my escape.

After eating, Dickson led me back to the bedroom.

"How do you feel, Scar?"

"Good," I responded, turning my back to him.

"I thought you would be tired," he spoke. "I guess I was so gentle."

Idiot. What an evil person. He nearly killed me last night, taking me over and over again until I could barely breathe, and now he was shamelessly claiming he was gentle.

He wrapped his hand around my waist, forcing me to turn around to face him.

"I will take good care of you, Scar," he began. "Just give me a little time. I will prove myself to you."

"Really?" I asked, my tone softening.

"Yes," he blinked with happiness. "If not for that wife of mine, I wouldn't be in this position."

"Your what?" I questioned. "Don't tell me you are already married."

Dickson sat me down and began explaining his past to me.

"You mean your ex-wife is Nina's sister?"

"Yes, and she is also the Luna of Crescent Pack."

I was shocked. Scarlett was the Luna, not the maid as Nina had claimed. Both sisters.

A roar escaped me. Both sisters destroyed my life. They were the reason why I was trapped here.

A lot of solutions were roaming in my mind. If I took Scarlett down, I could take Lucas's pack down, deal with Nina, and finally become the real queen.

It wasn't a bad idea to support Dickson's plan. With his power, I was sure he could succeed.

"So," I purred, my fingers tracing down his chest. "How do you plan to take Crescent Pack down?"

I listened carefully as Dickson laid out his plan.

"Good," I smiled, kissing him lightly on his lips. "This is a brilliant idea."

A different plan formed behind my eyes, one where Dickson was just a stepping stone, like the sisters who had wronged me. In the end, I would stand victorious, alone.

"With the rogues, we will defeat them, Scar."

I wrapped my hands around his neck before kissing him. His hands roamed around my body as the kiss deepened, leading to intimacy.