Claimed by the Damned Alpha King

Chapter 3: No Saving Grace

I was thrown into a dungeon filled with crickets and rats.

It's been three days since I was rejected; no one had come to look for me, and my body had been shaken by what had happened at the party. The mark on my neck throbbed like a second heartbeat, sending waves of fire through my veins every few seconds.

Aries had gone completely silent. Not even a whisper. It was like she'd disappeared entirely, leaving me alone in my head for the first time in two years.

I was so worried about her; the rejection must have triggered her more than it triggered me. I was dealing with the physical pain while she was dealing with all of that-the emotional pain, the hurt, and everything.

"I hope you are fine, Ren. I hope they treat you well," I whispered, clutching my heart as another wave of sobs ripped through my lips. I was supposed to protect him from these scavengers called my pack, but I can't, not even in this state.

The dungeon was cold, damp, and smelled like death. Water dripped somewhere in the darkness. I pulled my knees to my chest and tried to stop shaking.

Then I heard footsteps. Heavy boots on stone.

"Get up," a guard growled, unlocking my cell. "The Alpha wants to see you."

I could barely stand. My legs shook as I followed him through the corridors, past pack members who stared at me like I was a walking disease. Some spat on the ground as I passed. Others just looked disgusted.

When we reached Desmond's chambers, the guard shoved me inside without ceremony.

What I saw made my already broken heart shatter into even smaller pieces.

Lily was in bed with Desmond, the man I'd once told her I liked, now the new alpha, and she was on top of him, kissing him so possessively. Their moans filled the room while his hands roamed around her body, circling her waist.

They must have noticed my presence, as they stopped, Lily turning to look at me, her eyes tight and her lips pressed together with contempt.

"Ooh, who do we have here? If not the wolfless girl... Ooh, I meant the omega... of... the... Omegas. What a title, and the one...rejected...hahahaha," she rehearsed, like she always did.

But this time was different. This time, Desmond didn't look away. His eyes stayed locked on me, watching my reaction like I was entertainment. Like my pain was something he enjoyed.

"How does it feel?" Lily asked, slowly getting off him but staying close, her hand trailing down his chest. "Being marked and rejected in front of everyone? Having your pathetic little heart crushed?"

I didn't answer. Couldn't answer.

"You should have stayed in your place," she continued. "Should have kept scrubbing floors and kept your mouth shut. But no, you had to ruin everything."

Desmond finally spoke, his voice ice-cold: "You know what's funny? I've been watching you all these years. Watching you hope. Watching you dream that maybe, just maybe, things would get better for you."

He stood up, walking toward me as I backed against the wall.

"But they never will. You're cursed, Aveline. Cursed to suffer. And now..." He smiled, and it was the cruelest thing I'd ever seen. "Now we're going to make sure you understand just how worthless you really are."

Lily giggled, bouncing excitedly. "Tell her, Desmond. Tell her about her birthday gift."

My blood ran cold. "What birthday gift?"

"The goddess has finally come to our rescue," Lily said, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. "A deal has been struck with the Crescent Dominion pack; you are to be sold as the Cursed Alpha King's Bride."

I froze; my heart seemed to stop for a moment as I stared at her. For a moment, I wondered if she had gone ballistic.

I found myself chuckling at her words because no one could see the alpha king, think of him, or even strike a deal with the devil himself.

"You think this is funny?" Desmond's voice was deadly quiet.

"The Alpha King Thorne Valek," Lily continued, ignoring my reaction. "The monster of the North. The one they say has killed every Luna he's ever had. The one cursed by the moon goddess herself to never know love, only death and destruction."

My laughter died in my throat.

"They say he's thousands of years old," she whispered, leaning closer. "They say his touch burns. They say he feeds on the fear of his enemies and that his castle is built on the bones of those who defied him. His last Luna died less than a month ago... some say he killed her himself when she tried to escape."

"No," I whispered, backing further against the wall. "No, you can't-"

"Oh, but we can," Desmond said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "And we will. You'll be his bride, his plaything, until he gets bored and disposes of you like all the others."

"At least you should be grateful," Lily added with a twisted smile. "For the first time in thousands of years, a pack owned by the moon, one of the most powerful packs in the world, is coming to our pack. Even though selling you to him is like you dying in a rather awful way. Enjoy your last few days of life, best friend."

They both laughed as I slid down the wall, my legs giving out completely.

"Get her out of here," Desmond said, turning back to Lily. "And make sure she's... presentable... for her wedding day."

As the guards dragged me away, I heard Lily's voice, sweet as poison and twice as deadly:

"Don't worry, Aveline. I'll make sure your wedding dress is beautiful. White looks so good on corpses."

The door slammed shut behind me, and I was left alone with the crushing realization that there was no saving grace for me. Not anymore.

I was going to die, and everyone I'd ever loved was going to watch it happen.