Rejected Mate: The Lycan King's claim

Katherine's POV

The moon hung in the sky, cascading its illuminating lights on the white stone assembled along the walkway leading from the slave quarters to the Alpha's quarters. One stone smaller than the next, revealing a sign of superiority. With each step I took, I felt a heavy burden drop from my chest to my stomach. My heart beat against its cage, sending an influx of horror through my nerves.

I felt as though something bitter was being forced down my throat but I couldn't throw up because my lips had been sealed shut. I grabbed the hem of my faded gown and fixed my gaze on the foot of the guard right in front of me, leading the way to the Alpha's quarters.

I have a secret!

My breath hitched as soon as he stopped walking and I knew we were exactly at the spot where I dreaded the most. I didn't need to look up to know where I was. It was the place I hated most but didn't have a choice to stay away from. I feel like a fool, an idiot for not fighting each time I'm called on. For not running each time I'm pursued. What's the essence of running when death knocks on the door of my soul if I tried to run?

I have a secret.

The door was flung open and a thick, veiny voice resonated from inside. "Come in,"

I shivered in fear of what's to come as the guard gestured for me to go in. I nodded, holding back the shameful tears that were about to drop from my eyes.

I took the first step, took a deep breath too and begged the moon goddess to let this moment go past so fast it would only last a minute.

As I walked into the room, his face came into my line of vision and the door locked behind me. There was no need to run or think about running.

"Hello Katherine,"

I held the hem of my dress, on both sides this time and lifted it over my head. He grinned like a creep and asked me to get onto the bed and hold on to the railings like the bitch that I was.

I have a secret! Every night, I warm the bed of my most hated enemy. The alpha of my pack and the one who rejected me, broke me and sold my soul to the devil.

Five months ago, I was sold to his pack along with fifteen other girls from different packs across the region. Most of the girls were kidnapped from their homes, throwing their families into despair but some of us were sold by our original packs to serve the great Alpha Jackson.

I, particularly, was an orphan who worked as a slave in my old pack and was sold to this pack as a tributary when the chance came for my old Alpha to lick Jackson's ass.

Before arriving at his pack, I'd heard about Jackson and his men. They were notoriously known for their brutality and wickedness especially towards those that were weaker than them. Just above that pyramid was the Lycan King, the one known as the direct descendents of the moon goddess. Rumour has it the two were best friends but no one cares about that. To me, they were all demons released from hell and given a title on earth so they could torment lives.

On getting to the pack, we were arranged into a group of two and given some sultry, revealing dresses to wear before throwing us into the harem.

By night, we were brought out to be introduced to the Alpha and his entourage of sex starving men. No one cared to know us by our names rather by the size of our bodies and stamina in bed.

The leader of the harem held me by the hand and walked me towards the center of the hall. The closer we got, the more enticing and captivating the mysterious scent I'd caught all day became. I didn't dare look up as it was forbidden for a sex slave to look at the King.

There was a surge of emotions through me and I almost bursted into tears as my wolf howled in the head, wanting to be near its mate as soon as possible.

'How could I possibly meet my mate in this situation?'

The leader's tight hold on my arm suddenly lapsed and I was forced to look up for a minute, to know where I was. I was too engrossed in my thoughts of meeting my mate that I lost consciousness of my surroundings for a minute.

My eyes met with that of the man at the head of the table and I stopped breathing. He was handsome, his eyes were deep ombre, challenging a part of me that I didn't know existed. All of a sudden, I noticed the deep frown on his face and I began hearing murmuring.

He stood up from his seat and walked up to me. He grabbed hold of my face, holding so tight I was scared he would crack my jaw. He lifted my face so I could look up at him.

"Alpha Jackson..." someone called from behind me. My eyes went wide in recognition. He was Alpha Jackson, my mate was Alpha Jackson.

"What is your name?" Even though it was a whisper, I could still hear him loud and clear. The same way I could hear my heartbeat.

I wanted to talk but his hold on my jaw prevented me. I grabbed his hand, trying to pry his hold off him but instead he held on tighter.

"I asked you a question, slave,"

"Kat–Katherine," I managed to answer.

"Your last name and your pack?"

I raised an eyebrow, worried about why he needed to know my last name and my pack.

He wasn't even supposed to ask me for my name. We were told earlier they didn't need such information from us.

"Durbey. I'm from the Ocean Waves pack,"

He smirked.

He released my jaw and took quick steps away from me as if I was an abomination.

Several eyes were on me, including his and I felt as though I was a trophy meat on display. I wanted to run and hide. I preferred the harsh treatment I got from my old pack to this. At least, no one stared at me as if they would be happy to shoot an arrow at me.

"I, Jackson Ville reject you Katherine Durbey of the Ocean waves pack,"

A loud, sharp noise rang out in my head. I quickly covered my ears, trying to stop the noise but I soon realized it was coming from me.

My chest tightened and the air around me ceased. I could feel a bead of sweat pooling at my forehead. Before I could lose balance, he grabbed my chin again.

With a hard glare on his face, he demanded, "Accept the rejection,"

I shook my head. Why would I do such a thing? It could kill me.

"No? Accept the rejection or I stand back and watch my men take turn on you,"

Shock overshadowed me but was soon replaced by agony and pain.

Tears rolled down my eyes as I took a deep breath. All I wanted was just to breathe.

Forcefully, I replied.

"I accept the rejection,"

Katherine's POV

After I accepted his rejection, I was thrown into a dark dungeon for many nights. I experience excruciating pain. I went through hell. It was as though my soul had been gifted to hell and all I experienced was pain and agony.

My heart felt so constricted the first night I didn't know I could survive. As I opened my eyes the next morning, I saw a little plate of water and a piece of bread.

I couldn't eat. I was too scared of the possibility of being poisoned than to stomach anything. The pain continued the next day, I couldn't feel my wolf, I threw up when my body couldn't hold the pain anymore and ended up passing out most times only to wake to the bright morning of another day.

The fifth night came and I was released from the dungeon by a guard who led the way to the Alpha's quarters. I didn't quite understand what was happening. I thought he was accepting me back but when he laid me on my back, took my virginity in a brutal way and sent me out of his room, naked, I realised what had happened.

This has been going on for five months. It's my secret even though I'm clueless if anyone else knew about it in the pack.

By day, I work in the mines or in the kitchen and by night, the Alpha's quarters.

Once he was done, he spat, "Get out," which I gladly did. I couldn't bear to spend one more second in his presence. His gaze annoyed me, his touch creeped me out and I'm glad he never made an attempt to place his lips on mine, that would've been the last straw to break the camel's back. I would've died and never to be resuscitated.

I walked back to the slave's quarters alone. As I sat on my bed, wishing I could wash this filth away, my friend, Roma, sat up and stared at me. She was also a slave like me and I shared the room with her.

"Did it happen again?"

I nodded, tears pooling in my eyes. I've told myself I wouldn't cry anymore. Tears don't stop or control anything.

"I'm sorry it did,"

"Don't say that," I told her. She doesn't have to apologize for his brutality or my stupidity.

"I'm sure it would stop for the next few days,"

"Why do you say that?" I asked her.

"The Lycan King would be around. It would be a feast and I'm sure he wouldn't have the time to call for you,"

That was good news at least.

"You should sleep soon, we're resuming at the kitchen as early as possible tomorrow. You need all your strength to withstand the yelling,"

I shrugged. I was used to it.

The yelling, the usual embarrassment and the frequent slaps. We were at the bottom of the survival chain, everyone had the right to treat us like shit.

I lay on the wooden straw bed and stared at the hollow ceiling. Sleep didn't come to me.

It never did.

I kept on staring and counting numbers until day break. I woke Roma up. She asked if I slept well, I nodded, and lied that I did.

The entire day was spent in the kitchen. We could barely sit for a minute or drink a cup of water. We weren't allowed to touch anything or eat anything. I was hungry, weak and sleepy.

I and Roma were instructed to set the feast table along with some other maids. Setting the table was hard since I was shivering and dizzy but I still did it. I didn't want to be beaten or stripped naked and thrown into the dungeons again.

"Have you ever seen the Lycan King?" Roma whispered.

I turned to the door to see if any of the guards were coming before I whispered back to her. "No,"

Her eyes went wild. "He's gorgeous,"

I rolled my eyes. I wasn't really interested in whatever he looked like.

Soon, the party started and we were all lined up against the wall. We couldn't breathe too loudly, laugh at any jokes or say anything. We were there and at the same time, demanded to be invisible.

Alpha Jackson walked in and everyone stood up. For a minute, I wished he would just drop dead. His eyes met mine filled with disdain and I quickly looked away. Even though it was forbidden to look him in the eyes, I still hate it anytime he looks at me because all I can see in his eyes is hatred and anger.

I looked down at my feet. Someone suddenly touched me by the shoulder. It was the chef.

"Get the wine bottles from the cellar,"

I nodded. "Yes, chef,"

I walked away from the crowd after sharing a look with Roma. The wine cellar door was left open and instead of being bothered, I decided someone might have opened it earlier to get the wine out.

The back of a person was the first thing I saw when I got in. He turned and my breath hitched. Whoever he was was breathtaking and gorgeous. His eyes were deep blue, reminding me of the skies that form before the full moon. His hair was luscious, dark brown and styled in loose waves that framed his chiselled jawline.

He was perfection in a word. I was so tongue-tied I couldn't even make out a sentence.

"Hel– you're not supposed to be here," I said.

He raised an eyebrow. "Needed some privacy before the event,"

I found his statement confusing. "Alpha Jackson doesn't like people lingering around especially in his wine cellar,"

He suddenly pointed at me. "Isn't that what you're doing?"

I pointed at myself. "Me? I'm here to get some wine for the party,"

I placed the wine bucket down on the table and picked out the first wine.

"You're a slave,"

His words angered me. I knew I was a slave and he doesn't need to point out the obvious.

"Yes," I answered through gritted teeth. "If I wasn't a slave, I wouldn't be wearing this tattered gown or look skinny as a twig," I unconsciously slammed a wine against the table.

It broke. I gasped.

He took the broken bottle out of my hand and when our fingers brushed, I could feel an electric wave rush through me.

Something was different. Whatever it was scared me. I quickly moved away from him. His gaze held mine and sucked me into a world that I didn't know existed. I felt seen, wanted.

"It's good to finally meet you," he whispered, his lips close to my ear.

My absent wolf suddenly reappeared, in an excruciating stance. I sucked in a deep breath. My heart began racing and I placed my hand on my chest to stop it. It wasn't possible.

His hand reached out and before he could touch me, I took the bucket and rushed towards the door. The door flung open and right outside the door, was my nemesis.

Alpha Jackson.

He looked past me and I could see his jaw clenched as he took in the stranger behind me.

"Your highness," he whispered.

I was taken aback. His highness?. Does he mean the Lycan King?

Katherine's POV

I looked back and forth between both Alpha Jackson and the Lycan King. Not only was I in disbelief of who I just met but also of what I felt for the Lycan King when our fingers brushed.

Lowering my gaze slightly, I moved away from the door to allow Alpha Jackson to walk in. I could feel his hot gaze on my face as he did and as soon as he walked down the stairs leading into the wine cellar, I walked out and closed the door behind me.

It was punishable by death to wait behind and eavesdrop on their conversation unless called upon.

With as little as five wine bottles in my basket, I returned to the feast. The chef gave me a hard glare as I placed all five bottles on the table.

"That's all you could bring, you useless wimp," he said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry," I bowed, apologising. He was the chef, which means he had the authority to kill me or punish me for my foolishness. He was also Jackson's favourite. That gave him the leverage to act in his capacity in the pack. All the slaves hated him but there was nothing we could do.

I returned to my spot, right beside Roma. She grabbed my pinky finger, making me turn to her.

"What happened?" She asked in a whisper. I raised an eyebrow. How did she know something happened?

"What?"

"You're as red as a tomato,"

My eyes went wide. Did Alpha Jackson also see me like this?

"Nothing important. I only ran into Alpha Jackson,"

She suddenly grabbed my hand, making me scrowl.

"Did he try anything?"

I shook my head. Roma was the only one in the pack who knew my secret. Maybe I told her because she was my friend or because she would understand my predicament but I knew I told her when I needed someone to confide in.

The festival continued when Alpha Jackson returned to the hall with the Lycan King. An eerie silence descended on the hall in the presence of the Lycan King.

His aura was dominating and powerful. I only looked up for a few seconds to see them walk in.

Jackson started a long speech, emphasizing on the friendship between both of them and how they've come a long way.

They were friends. I'm sure Jackson already told the Lycan King about me. How he rejected me and how I was nothing but a tool to me. I wouldn't expect any less from his friends as well.

If he wants to reject me, so be it.

"We're honoured to be in your presence today, Lycan King. I hope you have a wonderful evening," Jackson ended his speech.

Kai? That was his name. Is it a short form of a longer name? Or is it just Kai?

I pinched myself, coming back to my senses. Why was I curious about him? He wouldn't accept a degraded sex slave like me.

A whole Lycan King.

Unknowingly, I scoffed.

"You!" Someone commanded. We all looked up at the chef who was pointing at me.

"Pour some wine for the Lycan King,"

I swallowed hard. My lips trembled. Hot breath bursted in and out of me.

I'd never been given such a delicate yet hard task before. All I knew was to wash dishes and carry plates. I didn't even know how to open wine bottles, not to talk of pouring one.

"Get you stupid ass over here," he demanded and I flinched. A loose hiccup escaping my throat.

The loud music in the room made others oblivious of what was happening and for once since I got to this bloody pack, I was grateful they wouldn't witness my shame.

I moved closer to him. "I don't know how to..."

The words had barely left my lips when a resounding sound echoed, a sharp pain resonated on my right cheek.

My hand flew to grab hold of my cheek as tears threatened to come down my face.

"Useless pig," he mumbled under his breath and called over to the next person. When the boy opened it wrongly, he kicked him where the sun doesn't shine and instructed the guards to drag him out.

I returned to my spot and Roma secretly held my hand. My eyes went across the room and landed on the deep blue eyes staring at me.

I quickly looked away before I was caught staring.

At a second thought, I looked up again and I saw the Lycan King still staring.

His eyes were cold, hard and flinty. His jaws were tightened and his palm was curled in a fist on the table. I had to look away again.

The party went on for what seemed like years but in reality was only a few hours. I wanted nothing more but to leave that place. I was done getting cakes, bread, wine and food thrown at us by other members of the pack.

I was hungry too.

As the party manoeuvred into the night, the music decreased, the screaming and yelling went down, the dances also stopped as most men were drunk while the rest were busy fondling the women with them.

"They should retire for the night soon," Roma insisted.

She's usually the one who gave me insights about the pack since she'd stayed longer than I did.

"Good,"

Jackson stood up to give another long, boring closing speech for the party before leaving and at the end, he asked Kai to take anything he wanted as he was being generous.

The Lycan King smirked, then raised a finger at us.

"Shit! Shit!" Roma held my hand tighter as she muttered underneath her breath. I could only curse as well because I knew he was an animal as worst as his friend, Alpha Jackson.

He probably wanted one of us for the night.

His finger suddenly moved away from us and stopped at the chef.

Jackson frowned. "I didn't know you swung that way, your highness. You want my chef,"

Kai interrupted before Jackson could say anything to the chef. "I want his head,"

Another deadly silence came over the room. His demand was so powerful it cleared off the drunkenness even from the most drunk man in the room.

My eyes went wide at his demand. Murmuring soon replaced the silence.

"What?" Jackson asked in disbelief.

He stood up, placed a hand on Jackson's shoulder.

"His head on a pyre by morning. That's my only demand,"