Chapter 5

　　Kaira:

　　And finally, the guest arrived. My father's supposed stepsons. The perimeter alert sounded. It was the signal that a high-ranking Alpha had crossed the palace gates. Not just Alpha—They were Alpha Kings.

　　"The Draven's are arriving," I heard someone yell with a clipped voice. "Maids, it's time."

　　The air in Ashmount Palace changed the moment three G-Wagons passed through the gates, their heavy vehicles made crunch sounds through gravel that signaled their arrival. I froze through the window, the instant I saw their shiny cars with Redmoon pack crests printed on the side, rolling up the long driveway.

　　They emanated oppressive power, pressing against my skin even in the distance.

　　I kept my head down, lingering near the entrance corridor. I caught the hushed voices of two maids huddled by a pillar. "Did you see them?" one muttered, eyes wide. "Aven, the eldest… he's so handsome," she yelped softly. "But, powerful… I heard he once tore out a rival Alpha's throat with his bare hands during a negotiation just because the man disagreed with him. And he's cursed not to have any mate. Four chosen brides have died in his hands before the mating ritual even began."

　　My heart raced, as the gossip continued.

　　The second maid shivered and added, "Eryx, the middle brother, is known as the Silent Death. He doesn't speak much, but when he does, people dies. They say he burned an entire pack to the ground just for insulting his mother. But even powerful men always had flaws… his bad addiction to alcohol."

　　"And Cassian…" the first maid lowered her voice even more, "Cassian is the worst. He isn't just charming or beautiful… he's sadistic. He plays with his prey, before breaking them. Heard he has a disgusting addiction for women."

　　They both glanced around nervously before finishing together, "They're ruthless. Dangerous. And untouchable." One of them noticed me listening and quickly shushed the other. And scurried away immediately.

　　The rumored said they were blessed with unearthly beauty, but yet again, monsters in human skin which made them feared in the whole of North America. And my father had chosen me to serve those dangerous men.

　　I was forced to serve them during their welcoming feasts. Not as a princess, but as a servant.

　　Dressed in plain servant clothes, my hair tied back tightly. I moved through the hall carrying trays of food, with my head down. The rich smell of Ashmount's best cuisine with one of it's best wines filled the air, but the fear of being near three powerful strangers made my stomach churn. My arms burned under the heavy weight. Every step heavier than the last.

　　I crossed paths with them near the long head table.

　　A tall man with sharp golden eyes and long brown hair tied in a messy bun, sat at the center. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he was probably six inches or more, his presence made me instinctively step to the side. His veiny hands had an expensive watch, and one of his broad fingers bore a ring and tattoo runes trailing from his neck down to his shoulder. The rumors didn't really justify his looks… he was manly handsome. He glanced at me first, immediately his nostrils flared slightly, not in desire, but in disgust. As if my presence somehow offended him.

　　The second man sat next to his right. He was the taller one—had a very unique facial appearance, like a scholar with his glasses, though with a unique tattoo rune visible from his hand. Dressed in a black suit too, but his tie was slightly loose. With middle-length hair, slightly messy, complemented his golden eyes and thick black eyebrows. Combined with full lips and a sharp nose, created a striking and well-suited appearance. From his posture, he seemed about 6 feet 6 inches, he looked like a giant. He didn't look at me but at the wine bottle on the tray I was holding.

　　And the last man. He wore only a white long sleeve, folded slightly. His short hair didn't hide his framed chiseled face, that made his golden eyes even more striking. A small lip piercing on his tempting lips, drawing attention to them, giving his face a rugged, almost dangerous allure. There was a distinctive tattoo on his neck trailing down his shoulders like the other two, adding to his handsomeness. His body was a masterpiece of lean, sculpted muscle, effortlessly powerful. He tilted his head to the side, watching me with curiosity. Then he licked his lips, slow and deliberate.

　　My father spoke before any of them could ask questions.

　　"This is Kaira," Victor said smoothly, not giving me a single glance. "Isn't she beautiful? She's the niece of my late wife, though she's wolfless, and an Omega left in my care. I thought she might serve you during your stay… and perhaps attend Cromwell Academy under your watch." Maybe one of you might find her useful there."

　　The first man I locked eyes with when I arrived, his expression hardened instantly. Seems he was the first from the brothers. Because his golden eyes narrowed at me before speaking with disgust. "Absolutely not. There are no more favours left to give, Victor. Especially not for a wolfless Omega. What can she possibly do? Or is this your way of pitching women to warm our beds? We came through the alliance with Queen Ravenna, our mother, and not to babysit broken strays."

　　The mention of their mother, Queen Ravenna, sent a shiver down my spine. She was as feared as her sons. But being referred to as a prostitute and a stray… God, I wanted to just take this bottle and smash it on this arrogant King's head. Alpha or not, he didn't deserve to speak to me like that.

　　My eyes flicked to my father. If not for his silent warnings, I would've done something to break this insulting agreement, but I had to stay calm for Kim. My hands tightened around the tray until my knuckles turned white.

　　Victor's smile never wavered. "It is not a favour, Aven. It is an exchange. You take the girl. In return, I will grant your mother the northern trade routes she desires. A fair price for such a… manageable creature."

　　I swallowed hard, trying to keep myself at bay. Didn't I mean anything to this man? I was his daughter. His blood flowed inside me, yet here he was pitching me to ruthless wolves like some bargaining tool. I felt so small, so cheap. He was trading me like I wasn't a person but an item. The humiliation felt so unreal, mixing with grief that never left me.

　　The one rumored to be a womanizer I guess. His eyes slid to me again, dark and sleazy. Manageable? She's beautiful, but she looks dead already. "Father, I prefer my toys with a little more spirit. And perhaps… defiance."

　　Heat crawled up my face. The humiliation was so thick I could barely breathe in the room. I was right here. Standing in front of them like an item they could buy or dispose of while they discussed me. Why were Alphas this brutal?

　　The scholar-looking man finally glanced my way. His gaze locked onto mine. For a second, I thought… no, hoped… he would defend me, that maybe he was the light between his brothers. All he did was frown, his brow furrowing. And didn't even say a word.

　　Aven's hand slammed on the table, and I flinched back. "Enough. We do not need more distractions. Send her to the kitchens where she belongs. We have no interest in your leftovers."

　　Victor simply nodded "As you wish."

　　"And just like that, I was discarded like trash."

　　I turned away before they could see the tears burning in my eyes.

　　Just like that, my own father had sold me. Not even for gold… but simple trade routes. Did I really repulse him that much?

　　As I walked out of the hall, the empty tray shaking in my hands from the tears falling, something cold and vicious hardened deep inside my chest.

　　Fine.

　　If they wanted a broken, useless Omega… I would give them one.