Chapter 3. Weird Experiences

“I am the Alpha King and I chose you. From now on, you are my possession, mine to keep and mine to protect. You will stay by my side, Sarah… where my eyes can always reach you.”

“A-Alpha King…?”

As her throat tightened, she felt suffocated by the fear that coursed through her. Gasping for air, her mind backtracked to a few months back, the day Mr. Knack had brought in newcomers.

She remembered how the cold water from the rusty shower-head had drummed against the open slashes on her back as she listened to the quiet murmurs of the women in the stall next to her.

‘…The Alpha King that sits on the throne is nothing but a thief—’ The newcomer had said, ‘—a cold-blooded thief who ruthlessly wiped out the royal family and stole their place! Anyone who crosses that man –whether young or old, strong or weak—would have to face the blazing fire from the pit of hell! And that isn’t all! If a wild wolf howls or a deer hollers and disrupts his slumber, it would face its demise that very night! He’s a Devil, I tell you! A devil!’

‘Hey!’ A woman cackled, ‘Your crazy exaggerations won’t scare me. If I become his slave, I’m gonna have him hunt you down first for spewing such—’

‘Hush, Silvya!’ Another hissed, ‘It’s true! The King hates everything that breathes! It’s why he doesn’t even have servants serving him. I’ve seen him, believe it or not… the day my Alpha dared to defy him. I escaped his clutches by the skin of my teeth, only to be captured by these savages in the end…’

Sarah trembled, staring into those cold hazel eyes of his.

Ruthless, sinister, cold-blooded… were just a few out of the many used to describe the Alpha King. If this man, Damon Kalesto, was truly the King, then today must be the day she would have her last breath.

‘I chose you…”

‘…you are my possession…’

‘…mine to protect…’

Why would someone like him utter such words? The Alpha King didn’t protect anyone! Was he just a cruel predator playing with his prey before the fatal blow?

“I won’t hurt you…” He muttered, his voice low and careful as if trying to comfort a scared child. He pushed his stool back, putting more distance between them. “…so just stay by my side.”

Was that his way of telling her that he’d be watching her every move and then the moment she messed up, he’d end her?

“N-No…” She trembled, her voice a shaky rasp climbing her throat. “This c-can’t be happening…”

Who would’ve thought that the master who took her from the depths of that dungeon after five whole years, would be the King himself? But that place might’ve been safer than this!

What was she to do? Fall to her knees before him? Cry and beg for mercy?

But as she stared back into those unblinking eyes, she found herself pulling her knees to her chest and reaching up, brushing the spot where his finger had grazed her lip just briefly. It had wobbled the moment he touched it, but a strange tingling sensation persisted there even now.

“Why—” She squeezed out, “—Why does it tingle?”

Damon’s tense shoulders loosened at her words, his lips twitching slightly as he leaned forward an inch, “I told you… You are mine.” His voice was still forced into a careful murmur, but his eyes held an unyielding firmness, reflecting a truth even she could not deny.

Her innocent gaze searched his face, each passing second filling Damon with a strange sense of satisfaction. But just over her shoulder and hanging against the wall, he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror, the slight curve of his lips an unfamiliar sight. His smile fell in an instant, face hardening.

For once, he didn’t want fear. For once, his mind was free of everything else and filled with her.

He liked the feeling… however, that didn’t mean it wasn’t wrong. Yes, they were mates but if she continued to make him waver… it’d be dangerous. She had too much hold over him.

“The tingles…” He said, shifting on the stool as he avoided her eyes. “…are a sign that you belong by my side, as my mate.”

“Mate?” Her breath trembled.

He was saying… she, a human and a filthy one at that, was his mate? It had to be a lie, a cruel joke of his perhaps?

But deep down, she knew he had no reason to lie.

“A mate is so—”

“I know what it means, that much at least.”

“Oh…” Damon blinked. “I see.”

It had been years… since anyone had cut into his sentence. The last time it happened, the foolish Alpha’s tongue had left his mouth the next second. Now, however, he didn’t even have the slightest thought of hurting her. Instead, he wanted nothing more than to continue hearing her soft voice, to nuzzle against her neck and to hug her like his life depended on it.

A king had control of everything. But that tight grip he had on his own feelings was gone. It was beginning to feel upsetting. And he couldn’t even direct his anger at her if he wanted to, for those blue eyes of hers would shut him up in an instant!

How long until he became a slave to her will?

Damon clenched his jaw and stood abruptly, the stool flipping over behind him. “Clean up if you want, I don’t care. And there’s food in the fridge. If you’re hungry, make it yourself.” Without waiting for a response, he stormed off, waves of rage rolling off him.

Sarah flinched back, gripping her legs. Somehow, his demeanor had changed in a matter of moments. She watched his back as he disappeared around the corner. He was seething, any fool could tell. Was he going to rip her to shreds the next time he saw her?

The least he could’ve done before feeding on her flesh and hanging her remains on the walls, was make her food, bring her warm clothes and have her enjoy her last few moments inside this stunning place.

Certainly, he was as cold-hearted as they said.

After a few long minutes of glancing around with reasonable caution, Sarah slipped off the couch and allowed her bare feet to touch the fluffy mat on the floor. She didn’t know where to go, or what her duty entailed of while she was alive and kicking, but she took hesitant steps forward, exploring what was apparently her ‘home’ until he decided to end her.

‘For now, it’ll be fine, right?’