Chapter 3 THE QUEEN REMAIN THE FIRST

After the king left my room, I remained seated on the edge of the bed, my body trembling from the intensity of our interaction.

He was just about to kiss me and even do more.

I didn't know what to make of him.

One moment, he was dominating and forceful; the next, he showed restraint, as if he cared-though I doubted it, and now he acts all cold.

Pushing those thoughts aside, I tried to focus on adjusting to my new life here.

But how could I? I wasn't a guest, nor a prisoner-I was something in between, and I hated it.

I only wanted peace and sleep maybe, then everything would work out on its own afterwards. I hated stress

Later that day, a maid knocked on my door. This time, she didn't wait for me to answer before stepping inside.

"The Queen would like to meet you," she said, her voice curt but polite.

"The Queen?" My heart skipped a beat.

"Yes. She's waiting for you in the east wing."

I stood up reluctantly, smoothing the wrinkles from my dress.

Meeting the Queen sounded intimidating, but I had no choice.

I followed the maid through the large hallways, each one more ornate than the last.

It was like one part of the mansion after another was like a world, and it was huge.

When we reached the east wing, I was ushered into a sunlit sitting room.

The Queen sat on a chaise lounge near the window, her beauty both regal and distant. Her hair, black as midnight, was styled to perfection, and her emerald-green dress seemed to shimmer in the sunlight.

She looked up as I entered, her sharp green eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"So, you're the new girl," she said, her tone lacked anything close to nice. Just bland hostility and I was just arriving. "Come closer."

I hesitated but obeyed, stopping a few feet away from her.

"What's your name?"

"L.. Lila," I stammered.

The Queen tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Lila. Lovely name."

I didn't respond, unsure of how to act before her.

She was the wicked representation of my mother, except younger and more beautiful.

I couldn't deny that I admired her, however her behaviour ruined it.

"Do you know why you're here, Lia?" she asked, her voice came out soft but with an edge that made me very uncomfortable.

"My father's debt," I replied, though the words felt hollow even as I said them.

The Queen chuckled, a cold, bitter sound. "That's what they told you, isn't it?"

Her words sent a chill down my spine. "What do you mean?"

She stood, her tall figure towering over me as she approached. Her gaze was piercing, like she could see through every layer of my soul.

"You're here because Kelvin needed someone," she said bluntly. "Not a wife, not a companion. Someone useful."

I frowned, my confusion growing. "Useful for what?"

The Queen's lips curled into a cruel smile. "You're here to bear his heir, and satisfy him if he wanted Lila. Nothing more."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?"

Yes What? Satisfy him?

I was only here to bear his heir and then serve as a slave or leave, not be a sex slave.

"You didn't think he brought you here out of kindness, did you?" she asked, her was tone dripping with so much mockery.

"Kelvin doesn't do kindness. Everything he does is for a reason. He needed someone... disposable. And you fit the role perfectly."

My knees felt weak, and I stumbled back a step. "You're lying."

"Am I?" she said, arching a brow.

"Think about it. Why would a king-a Lycan king-lower himself to trouble with a mere werewolf's debt? Why would he bring you here, give you a room in his mansion, and treat you as if you matter? You don't. You're just a means to an end."

I wanted to scream, to deny what she was saying. But deep down, I knew she was right. Kelvin's actions, his cold demeanor, and even his sudden interest in me-it all made sense now.

I wasn't here because he cared about me. I wasn't here because he wanted to help my family.

I was here because he needed me to give him an heir.

Nothing more.

And if it was to satisfy him after that, is there even a way to avoid that.

The Queen stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If you're smart, you'll do exactly what he wants. Play your role, Lila. That's the only way you'll survive."

"Aurora what is the matter?"

I heard the king's voice come from the floor above, I wanted to move from my spot, but it was like I was rooted permanently to the ground.

I turned to where the voice was coming from and I saw the king descending the stairs with his hair worn in a ponytail.

He wore the same robe he came to me with, he flashed a glare at the Queen, and she was somewhat shocked.

He placed himself on the sofa beside her, and crossed his legs.

"Lila, what are you doing here?"

He asked, jolting me out of my thoughts, when I turned to answer him.

I opened my mouth to speak, only to receive a very painful, bone wrenching, agonizing to my side.

I groaned and crumpled to the ground as soon as the pain rushed into my brain.

I held my side and closed my eyes, forcing back the tears that threatened to pour.

She sure has strong hands, to be able to give such a hit.

I managed to catch my breath, and raised my head, to see the Queen averting her gaze from the king

He glanced at me and sighed, "Are you okay?"

I nodded quietly then he crossed his arms. "Stay away from my......wife, if you live by yourself."

"She's not a fan of girls like you."

"I understand master."

"Master?!" The queen exclaimed but he was already heading up the stairs, avoiding her question as fast as he could.

She then shifted her gaze to me, and the amount of dread that fell over me was like a cup of cold water, I felt like dying.

"You serve me from now on, so prepare yourself. Filthy thing." She spat and exited the living room. Leaving me to my....

'Sorry self.'