Agreed.”
Another pause. “Has your mark faded yet?” she asked, her tone suddenly serious.
“Mark? No. Why would it?”
“Both Freya’s and mine have disappeared. Our husbands rejected us, and the marks… they faded. It was excruciating, like someone slicing your soul with a silver knife.”
I unconsciously touched the spot where Matthew had marked me. Still there.
“That could be trouble,” Scarlett warned. “Another Alpha’s mark on you might be seen as a challenge to the Alpha King.”
I smiled grimly. I’ve never been one to follow rules.
“He might force his own mark on you,” she cautioned.
“Let him try,” I growled.
“Oh, I think he’d enjoy that very much,” Scarlett replied, a hint of worry beneath her teasing tone. “Now hurry up and get dressed!
After drying off, I went to inspect the wardrobe in my room.
When I opened it, I nearly slammed it shut again. The clothes inside if you could call them that–were clearly designed with male entertainment in mind. Revealing, tight, and utterly impractical.
I pulled out a short black lace dress that would barely cover anything essential. “What is this? A handkerchief with delusions of grandeur?” I muttered.
I noticed there was no underwear provided. “So we’re basically eye candy, meant to entertain the Alphas.”
In the end, I chose the least revealing option–a deep red dress that matched my hair but still showed more skin than I’d ever displayed publicly. I let my long hair cascade down my back, carefully arranging it to cover Matthew’s mark on my neck.
At the vanity, I found makeup that perfectly matched my skin tone and complemented my hair color. Whoever stocked this room had paid attention to details. I applied simple cat–eye liner and lipstick, making myself look sexy but not overdone.
For the first time, I truly appreciated my curves in the full–length mirror. Matthew had always preferred me natural, barely made up. I’d never bothered to enhance my appearance this way before.
“I’m not dressing up for Alpha King” I told my reflection firmly. “I’m showing him I won’t be broken.”
Seraphine rumbled her approval in my mind..
When I left my room, a maid in a uniform was waiting outside to escort me to breakfast. She led me through winding corridors to an ornate hall filled with scantily–clad women. The room buzzed with conversation, but not a single male was present.
Before I could take more details, Scarlett rushed toward me, Freya close behind. They both ed stunning in outfits similar to mine, though in different colors. I noticed immediately that their necks were bare–no trace of their former mates‘ marks.
We embraced. Scarlett seemed happiest of all, her amethyst eyes sparkling with life. Freya surprised me with her bright smile. After losing her baby, I hadn’t expected her to recover so quickly. Quinn’s betrayal must have been the final straw for her. The Gamma
would have his work cut out for him, earning her trust.
1/2
Chapter 24
“Who are all these women? I whispered as we moved through the crowd.
“The Alpha King’s harem,” Scanett whispered back. “And the Beta’s and Gamma’s too. I learned from one of the girls that conquered Lunas are usually assigned to..ervice duties. But we seem to be exceptions.”
I noticed the stares we were receiving from the other women. Jealousy. Hostility.
“They’re watching us,” I murmured as we found seats at one of the taples laden with food.
“Of course they are,” Freya said, “We’re new, and we’re different.”
We had just settled in when a group of elaborately dressed women approached our table. Leading them was a tall, striking woman with jet–black hair and cold tyes.
“Why would the Alpha King allow used goods like you to stay in the harem?” she demanded, her voice dripping with contempt.
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