Chapter 3Cruel Fate: Chained To The Alpha

Jaselyn's POV

After patching myself up with some first aid and taking some aspirin for my raging headache, I swooped into action and began packing my bags.

It especially wasn't difficult as I only had a few belongings, Uncle Dan never bought me anything. I took out the money I had been saving and counted it. It wasn't a lot but it would be enough for me to feed and have a roof over my head for a few days. I'll figure something out before I run out of cash.

I zip the duffer bag close and make my way to the living room. I take a quick look around and it saddens me that I don't have even one good memory of this place. There's nothing I'll miss.

Just then, I hear a loud banging on the door which startles me. That's weird, Uncle shouldn't be back already. If he's really the one at the door, I'm in trouble for sure. If he finds out that I'm trying to escape, only Selene knows what he'll do to me.

A mixture of panic and dread washes over me as I become glued to my spot, too scared to open the door.

The knocking persisted.

“Calm down, Jas, everything's going to be fine. If it's Uncle at the door, he won't be happy that we kept him waiting. We need to hide the bag somewhere and answer the door. We'll apologize and lay low. Once he's in his room, we'll take off as quickly as we can.” Nila formulates a plan and I nodded. She's always so great at adapting, even in difficult situations like this.

I jump into action and carefully hide my bag before rushing to the door and taking a deep breath. With shaky hands, I unbolt the lock and open the door but the sight that greets me steals the air right out of my lungs.

Standing right before me isn't my uncle like I had feared, it's the last person I'd expected to see—Zane Black, the same man who just rejected me.

He moves closer to me before I can shut the door while I back away slowly. I only then realize just how tall he is, he's basically towering over me. I shake my head to dismiss the thought, that's the last thing that should be on my mind right now. What the hell is he doing here?

“I know I have the right to come in but it would still be nice if you invited me in.” He suddenly says, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“What are you doing here?” I don't bother to beat about the bush.

“You'll know as soon as you tell me something, what are you up to? You look panicked, like you're about to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar. I can even tell from your scent that you're distressed.” He says and I scoff.

From the way he speaks, I'd think our earlier exchange in that bedroom was a dream if I didn't know better.

He's my mate and we became one in body, strengthening our bond so he can detect my emotions from my pheromones. I can do the same if I pay enough attention. Our bond still lingers on despite the fact that he's rejected me because I'm yet to accept the rejection.

“Why do you care what goes on with me? Just leave, I don't want to talk to you right now.” I shun him and try to turn away but he grabs my arm, forcing me to turn to him.

“You shouldn't speak to me like that, don't forget I'm still your Alpha.” He voices in that dominant tone that forces everyone else to submit.

“I—If you must know, Alpha, I'm leaving the Pack.” I admit hesitantly. He suddenly lets go of my hand but his words force me to look at him again.

“You can't leave, I won't let you.”

Against my better judgment, a small spark of hope starts to build up within me. Maybe he's realized his mistake, maybe he's come to apologize and accept me back as his mate.

“Do you regret your decision? Do you want me back?” I ask expectantly, voicing the thoughts in my head.

Zane chuckles like I had just said the funniest joke while I stared at him confused.

“Quit being delusional, I already told you you have no place in my life. I'm only here because I want you in the palace so you'll come with me.” He states.

“No! I'm not going anywhere with you. I, Jaselyn Everhart, accept your rejection. Now please leave and don't come back.” I declared firmly, managing to keep a firm grip on my emotions and the disappointment starting to eat away at my heart.

“I'm not giving you a choice.” He spat and lunged at me before I could react. A sharp strike to the back of my neck caused me to see stars. My vision blurred and I could feel myself falling, everything suddenly went dark.

* * *

I startle awake and realize that I'm in the same room I woke up in this morning. Which can only mean I'm in the palace, so that jerk really knocked me out and brought me back here against my will.

I try to move but a wince escapes my lips, the back of my neck hurts like a bitch.

I massage it gently and sit upright. Being in this room again brings back memories I would give anything to forget. But I don't have time to wallow in self pity. Whatever reason Zane brought me here must not be good; he already said he wants nothing to do with me but yet he kidnapped me for reasons best known to him. I won't be sticking around to find out.

I get out of bed and walk over to the door of the room, I listen carefully to figure out if anyone is outside. If I'm caught, it might very well be the end. Outside the room sounds as silent as a graveyard. I creak the door open and scan the area and by Selene's grace, the coast is clear.

I tiptoe out of the room and close the door as quietly as possible. I carefully make my way through the halls and for once, luck favors me and there's barely anyone around. A few maids pass by but I make sure to keep myself hidden so they don't notice me.

From memory, I carefully make my way towards the exit. I hide behind a wall and take a look, the large double doors which lead to freedom are wide open and no one seems to be around.

I should have been suspicious but perhaps I was too enamored with the thought of escaping.

I made for the exit in one swift motion but all of a sudden, just like clockwork, several guards appeared from all directions and surrounded me like a criminal. They were all so tall and buff looking, there's no way I'm breaking through them. It's obvious that this was all planned, it's probably another one of Zane's twisted games.

“Where do you think you're going, little lady? You were supposed to stay in your room, are you lost?” One of the men asked me intimidatingly. From his appearance and the way he carried himself, I could tell he was someone important but I don't give two shits. I just want to get out of here.

“You should behave yourself, Blade. Don't forget she was personally brought here by the Alpha. I hope you're ready to take responsibility for any mishaps.” Another man chided while Blade harrumphed and backed off.

The man turned his attention to me and spoke softly. “Are you alright? I hope we didn't frighten you too much, the Alpha gave orders to not let you out of the palace so please go back to your room and wait for him there.”

I was filled with mixed emotions, some of them just too overwhelming to start an argument. I'm exhausted as well from last night's entanglement and the beating I received, I haven't even had breakfast yet. I don't have the energy for this.

I simply sighed and nodded. I guess I'll have to face Zane again and he'd better have answers for all this shenanigans.

I was escorted back to my room by Blade who I quickly discovered is the Gamma. The other man who had spoken up for me goes by the name of Rion, he's the Beta of the Pack.

He seems like a nice person, the only normal person in this Pack in fact, but if I've learned something, it's that I shouldn't judge quickly.

I once thought Zane was the sweetest man on Earth, the perfect mate but look how that turned out.

I paced around the room restlessly, my anxiety levels rising by the minute. Nila tried to calm me down but all her attempts failed. Even she has no idea what our jerk of a mate could be up to.

After what felt like an eternity, the door of the room was unceremoniously slammed open and Zane walked. Following behind him was a beautiful woman with blonde hair, she was fabulously dressed and had an air of arrogance about her.

I needed no soothsayer to know that she must be Zane's wife, the current Luna and the one who stole my mate.

Chapter 5

Jaselyn’s POV

“What is going on? Why have you brought me here?” I demand hotly.

“You'll only get your answers when you calm down and listen.” Zane's wife, Isla answers me casually and it takes all my self restraint not to glare at her.

“Just please tell me why I'm here. Why won't you let me leave?” I request more softly this time.

“This might come as a shock but my beloved Isla is unable to have children of her own, we've tried everything but nothing seems to be working. After I informed her about you, we talked and we both decided that since you're my mate, you'll be the perfect person to make our dream come true.” Zane begins.

“What?!” I exclaim, wide eyed and unable to believe my ears.

“You're going to have children in Isla's place, Jaselyn. You are my mate, after all, it's your duty to give me an heir.” Zane declares shamelessly while I struggle to comprehend everything.

After deflowering me, betraying and then rejecting me, he wants me to get pregnant and have a child for him and his Luna? Is this a joke?!

“I don't know what kind of sick joke this is but it's not funny. I only have a few hours before my uncle returns so if you'll excuse me, I must leave now.” I say and turn away but a firm grip encapsulates my hand, stopping me in my tracks.

Before I can protest, I'm slammed against the wall hard and Zane places both hands on either side of the wall, trapping me between his body and the cold surface. My heart races in my chest.

“This is not a joke, Jaselyn. It's not in my nature to make jest, everything I've told you is true. It's a fact you must accept, we're not giving you an option.” Zane growls at me in a warning tone and dread washes over me as I realize they're actually serious.

I try my hardest to stop them but the tears still fall.

“Why? Why did you choose me specifically for this task? If you wanted a surrogate you could have asked any other woman in this Pack. You're the Alpha, you're feared and respected, a lot of women would jump at the opportunity to share your bed and birth your child, so why me?” I asked the question that bothered me to no end.

“It's simple, Jaselyn dear.” He begins, his tone mocking. “You're my fated mate, you were created by the goddess just for me. You were born to carry my children, it's your destiny. Besides, your body's quite nice, it was made to be fucked and I don't mind taking on the responsibility.” He says and traces his hand up my body while I struggle not to cringe with disgust.

I slap his hand away and use the opportunity to push him away from me and create the much needed distance between the two of us.

“Listen to me carefully, I refuse to be used in such a way. I'm not a toy you can play with and discard whenever you deem fit. I'm a fucking person, I have feelings; I have dreams as well and becoming your baby making machine is not one of them.” I lash out and finally turn to them with teary eyes.

“And as for you, Zane. You're a horrible person and a despicable mate, how could you even come up with something like this? How dare you try to abuse our bond like that? You're……” My words are abruptly cut off when a hard slap lands on my face, causing me to accidentally bite my lip hard.

The taste of metal fills my tongue as I glare daggers at Isla who had just slapped me. She looks at me with disdain, like I was the worst piece of trash she had ever seen.

“Did whoever raised you not teach you any manners? When powerful people speak, scum like you should listen with your head bowed. You had the nerve to talk such rubbish about my husband, who also happens to be the Alpha of this Pack, just who do you think you are, brat?

Let me tell you right now, you're nothing but a slave to us. You're simply a body to carry our future children so know your place, wench, and never forget or else that slap will be the least you receive." She spewed in a voice full of animosity.

I'll be damned if I let this woman speak to me or treat me like this when she's clearly the one who doesn't belong here.

I raise my hand to retaliate but it doesn't land on the woman's makeup stamped face like I intended. A rush of pain reverberates through me and I realize that Zane grabbed my hand midair and is twisting it unnaturally.

I struggle in his grip but it only tightens. In less than a second, he flings me across the room like I weigh nothing and I fall to the ground helplessly.

Before I have the opportunity to regain my composure, I feel his hand on my head. He grabs a fistful of my hair, pulling me up with it while I bite my bottom lip dangerously hard to stifle the moans of pain that threaten to escape my mouth.

He leans towards me until we're eye level and the menacing look in his eyes makes my blood run cold. “Do not EVER raise your filthy hand to my wife. You could never compare to her, you're below her by every standard. You shouldn't even talk back to her or be ready to face my wrath and I promise you don't want to know what I'm capable of. Are we clear?”

I nod with what little chance his grip provides. He suddenly lets go of me and I crumble to the ground heavily.

My body shakes with sobs as everything finally begins to overwhelm me. How did things turn out like this? How could my life take such a dark turn in just a matter of hours? If only I hadn't attended that damned ball, I'm sure none of this would have happened.

My mind works overtime for some kind of solution but I know that I'm out of options. Yet, there's no way I can let them keep me here as their prisoner, especially if they intend to follow through with their plan. I have my whole life ahead of me, I can't let them ruin it.

Pride be damned, I need to get out of here.

“Please…. Please let me go. Let me go and I promise that I'll disappear from your lives completely. You'll never see me again and no one will ever know that we're mates. Just let me go.” I plead out in choked sobs, staying on my hands and knees and keeping my head bowed.

My wolf wrestles within me, unhappy with my submission but I know that this is my only option.

Zane walks over to where I'm kneeling and crouches down beside me.

“Hey, don't cry now.” He soothes and wipes away my tears. I raise my head to look up at him and my stomach turns at the sadistic smirk that lines his lips.

“I'll only let you go after you've had as many children as I desire. I want to possess you inside and out, destroy you, crush all your hopes and dreams. I'll become the only thing you have in this world, the only one you crave and you'll continue to adore me even as I torture you and leave you a wasted and broken mess with no value. This is your fate, Jaselyn. Embrace it.” He whispers into my ear and bites on my earlobe hard as if to drive home his point. My body freezes up in horror, my lips quivering as the words replay in my mind.

Zane moves away from me and joins Isla where she's standing. He stretches his hand towards her.

“Come on, my love. Our duties await.” He beckons and she places her hand in his. He holds it tightly but gently at the same time, like one would do with a prized possession.

I watched in utter despair as they both left the room and the sound of the door closing was the only thing that reminded me that this wasn't some kind of dream.

This is my reality; a betrayal so cruel I might never recover from it…….

Chapter 6

Jaselyn's POV

Shortly after Zane and Isla's departure, one of Isla’s maids showed up to take me to my new room. She had a disgusted sneer on her face and it was obvious that she hated my presence.

Well that makes the two of us because if I had my way, I'd rather be anywhere else.

I dragged my feet as I followed her but I had to pause when we reached a creaky set of stairs that led upwards towards what seemed like an attic. I thought she was taking me to my room, why are we going up there?

The maid led me up the crooked steps, before she callously flung open the door to reveal a very nasty, rundown attic, filled with cobwebs and scattered rubbish littering every available space.

The maid then turned to face me with a cruel smile on her face.

"Congratulations, wench. This is your new room.” She announced, her voice dripping with cold indifference.

“I have a name, it's Jaselyn.” I retorted and she snorted.

“Whatever.”

I scanned the dusty, pathetic space and was horrified to see two huge rats skitter across the room's dusty floor.

“You’re surely joking.” I muttered to the maid with widened eyes. Even a dog wouldn’t live in such a place.

The maid's face twisted into a nasty sneer as she eyed me with obvious disdain.

"How dare you complain? You should be thankful that you have a roof over your head. Luna Isla could have made you sleep in the cold! This is the palace, you should be grateful you're even allowed to live here.” With that, she stormed out of the room and slammed the door in my face.

I took a deep breath through my nose to steady my breathing and dispel the anger that was beginning to bubble within me. There was no use losing my temper over the maid's nasty attitude. I had bigger problems to deal with.

“Maybe it’s not so bad, if we clean it up a little, it could become comfortable.” Nila said in an attempt to comfort me.

I turned around to survey the room once again, only to be horrified when a dozen cockroaches scattered for cover under the bed. I had a vision of those disgusting pests crawling all over me as I slept and the image sent a shiver down my spine.

“Heck no! We are getting out of here!” I said back to Nila.

My gaze swiftly scanned around the room for exit points until they finally landed on the windows of the attic.

They were also coated with grime and cobwebs but they sparkled with a glimmer of hope for my escape.

Without wasting any more time, I rushed towards them and tried to push them open only to be met with disappointment – they were nailed shut! Sealing my fate to spend the night in this vermin-infested prison.

Refusing to lose hope, I turned my attention to the attic door, but before I could even take another step forward, my ears caught the sound of distant movements within the palace. I couldn’t leave just yet, if I tried to, they would just find me and drag me back.

No, I had to make my escape in the cover of night, hopefully when everyone was asleep.

I grabbed a broom and sweeped the floor, clearing out as much garbage as I could, unable to stay in this filth a moment longer.

I dusted the bed and took a seat, biding my time and waiting for nightfall.

I wasn’t sure if it was because of the physical exhaustion of the day, or the emotional abuse I had endured — but I ended up somehow falling asleep. I wasn’t even aware I had been asleep until something wet and icy cold splashed on my face, causing me to jolt awake in a panic.

I didn't have time to wonder where I was before Isla's mocking laughter cut through my confusion.

"Get up, you stupid wench! Do you think you're a princess or something? As long as you live here, you must earn your keep." she yelled at me and I blinked in confusion.

It was then it suddenly dawned on me. I was still a prisoner here, I wasn’t able to escape last night like I had planned.

I felt my throat tighten painfully as hot regret flooded my thoughts for letting myself fall asleep. How did I let myself do that?!

I dragged myself out of bed and followed Isla. She led me to a room that turned out to be the pack’s laundry room.

"Now listen, wench. I want you to hand wash all these clothes till they sparkle like glass.”

My eyes scanned the mountains of clothes before looking back at her in horror. Was she freaking serious?

“First of all, don't call me that. You already know my name. Secondly, there's a washing machine sitting right there, at the corner of this room so why would I hand wash your clothes?” I asked and the glare that Isla gave me could have disintegrated me right there and then.

“I’ll call you whatever I wish. And why would I waste such valuable equipment when your hands are fully functional?”

I glared at her while she smirked, reveling in my humiliation.

“This is low even for you, you should know it'll take at least four people to finish this!”

Isla’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “ Exactly, that's exactly why I've instructed you to do it alone. It seems you've forgotten already so let me remind you. You're nothing but a slave, Jaselyn dear. You're my husband's little cocksleeve and a living incubator for my children. As long as you stay in this palace, you will follow my rules and do whatever the fuck I say like an obedient little dog because you belong at my feet.

Now begin if you wish to keep that pretty little face intact, accidents do happen.” She mocked and I bit back a retort.

Arguing with her is pointless, this is all Zane's fault. He brought me here and it's because of him that I'm having to go through all of this. I should murder him in his sleep when I get the chance.

I reluctantly began washing the clothes while Isla placed that haughty maid of hers from earlier to supervise. The girl was a real menace, she nearly talked my ears off as I washed the clothes, instructing me on the dos and don'ts as if I had never washed clothes before. I eventually had to zone out on whatever she was saying.

Isla sashayed back into the room sometime later, it's already been hours and I'd just finished washing the last piece of clothing.

She took a look at the clothes and confirmed with the maid that I had indeed washed all of them.

“It's good to know that you're not completely useless. Your skills will surely come in handy in this palace, I have a task that's specially for you. Now come with me.” She suddenly directed at me and I didn't have a chance to protest before she roughly grabbed my arm and dragged me all the way to the east wing of the palace.

“The task is simple, I want you to paint the walls. All the walls in this part of the palace should be retouched and the end result should be fabulous or else I'll have you do it all over again, after a little punishment to boost your creativity.” She spoke casually like a teacher giving her students some homework.

“Are you crazy? The palace is huge, there's no way I could paint all the walls in this wing. I don't even know how to, it's something I've never done before.” A backhanded slap had me jolting backwards and seeing stars. I haven't had a single thing to eat and I've exhausted the last of my strength. Any more of this and I'm sure to pass out. Maybe it'll be a good thing. Isla won't be able to drag my unconscious body around and force it to do meaningless work.

“I've told you to stop arguing with me. Are you insane or are you unable to understand something so simple? I don't care how you do it, I want it done as soon as possible.” She raved at me before turning to the maid. “Osha, get her the paint.”

“Yes, Luna.” The maid was gone and returned in a minute with two buckets of paint.

“You can go fetch the ladder in the basement, now get to work. I want this done in two hours, if you're even a minute late, there will be consequences. You have been warned.” Isla ordered and left with her snotty little maid who kept throwing me mocking glances.

What even is that girl's problem with me?

I was already too exhausted to overthink so I made my way to the basement and found the ladder covered in cobwebs. After a little dusting, I somehow hoisted the thing over to the first wall I would be painting.

My vision blurred uncontrollably and my stomach twisted with hunger, I stopped to catch my breath and tried to blink away the daze.

I climbed the ladder and began painting the first wall while humming my mother's favorite song which she had taught me as a child. It somehow always made life a little easier and before I realized it, I was done with the first wall.

I couldn't stop to admire my work as my stomach rumbled uncontrollably again, threatening to digest itself. I took a few minutes to catch my breath again before moving the stupidly heavy ladder over to the opposite wall. I climbed it and began painting again but I had barely managed a few strokes before my vision suddenly turned black.

I lost all sense of direction and it felt like I was being sucked into nothingness. Blinking back the darkness, I was met with a horrifying discovery.

In my disoriented state, I'd let go of the ladder and I was falling to the ground fast!