Chapter 3 It's Time

Raven POV

I looked at them, glancing from one face to the other.

"Where are we?" I managed to say, breaking the silence.

I got no reply.

I had already forgotten that these men were rude and arrogant, I wasn't expecting a reply from them.

They went deeper into the village, passing houses and a few people with scattered bushes.

I also noticed something as we passed, people bowed or greeted these men when we passed.

And that left me with one conclusion; they were men of high status.

We walked for a while, and I could feel my legs giving up at this point; I was already weak, and I had been walking for a long time.

"Please wait!" I said as I collapsed on the floor to rest my already tired legs.

"There's no time for such trivial jokes." The tallest one barked.

He was to be the one with the coldest temper.

"Please, I can't continue. My legs are heavy." I explained, massaging my sore foot.

He dragged me up and pounced me onto his body as he tagged along with the other men.

I slept off because of how tired I was that I didn't even realise when we got to the house until I landed harshly on the floor.

"Wake up, we're here!" He declared as I landed harshly on the floor.

I managed to get up as I rubbed my sleepy eyes. We stood in front of a tall magnificent building.

I was admiring the breathtaking view in front of me, and in no time, I was dragged inside the house.

"Welcome, your Highness!" They greeted the men as they dragged me into the house.

There and then, it confirmed my suspicion all along that these men were important people, but my eyes widened at the mention of highness. I was expecting them to be men of important personalities but not Princes.

"Come in." They ushered as they dragged me into a large room.

"Where are we?" I asked, looking around the room.

"You're in a safe place now." One of them answered.

I moved towards the one who answered and tried to talk to him but I was pushed to the bed.

"Come on Ansel, don't be mean." He questioned the other one.

Oh, so the bad-tempered one was Ansel.

I felt dizzy, I was tired from the journey and everything that I drifted into sleep.

*****

I woke up with a start; I was in a large, empty room well,l, except for the figure sitting beside me. It was a cabin actually, a large one at that.

"Hello. You're awake." I looked towards the voice who had called me, it was the nicer guy from earlier, one of the three men.

My stomach churned from anger and I wished I had something to eat.

"Hello, I'm Asher, what's your name?" He inquired softly with a soothing voice.

His voice made me forget how tired and hungry I was for a moment.

"R-Raven," I whispered in a stutter and he reached out to touch my face. I flinched and he stopped halfway, retracting his hands back in the process.

"Where are you from?" He went further to ask but I kept mute. "Are you from around here? Or from a different pack?"

"A different pack. I got lost in the woods." I stuttered as I struggled to get out.

"Listen, we won't hurt you, Raven, I promise." He went on, "We just want to help you." He said and I shivered.

Just then the remaining guys walked in, peering down at me.

"Let me introduce my brothers to you." He said and pointed towards them.

"You see that one over there? The one standing by the door, that's Rowan. I guess you already know Ansel, the mean one." He introduced, pointing at them.

"They're my brother, and you are our dear; you're our mate. Our woman to claim as ours."

"Here, eat this Raven. You must be starving." The one who introduced himself as Asher brought me food and water, but I cast my face away even though the aroma of the food was tantalising.

He pushed the tray closer to me and squinted for me to have a taste.

My insides were churning and begging me to cast my pride aside and have a taste of the food but I wouldn't.

First of all, I know it could be poisoned or worse. Why should I trust them after taking me against my will and forcefully bringing me here?

"I'm not hungry. I just want to go back to my parents."

Liar, I was so starving but I most definitely wouldn't tell him that. I can't, I refuse to.

Right now, we were the only ones in the Cabin. His brothers had stepped outside for a bit while he came to talk to me.

"It's good, I promise." He tried to persuade me by taking a spoonful into his mouth to gain my trust.

I swallowed down my appetite pretending not to care if it was good or not.

"Why won't you guys just let me go?" I'm forced to ask. He seemed nicer so I only spoke to him.

He signed deeply as he dropped the spoon, "It's not that easy, Raven. You belong with us, and as our mate, you're not allowed to go anywhere except stay with us."

"Unbelievable," I mumbled to myself.

There was no way these men would not allow me to go. I don't even know why the Moon Goddess paired me with such people, but at the same time, I refuse to accept my fate. I refuse to accept that I belong to these three men.

Just then the remaining two entered, staring intensely at me.

What the heck is going on?

Rowan turned to them, "It's time."

"Time for what?" I gasped in fear, staring meticulously at them.

I was very conscious of my surroundings and was checking to be sure about their next move.

I had barely taken a breather when Ansel turned to me, "Strip. Now!"

What?!

Ara, my wolf jumped in excitement at their command.