Chapter 1 CLAIMED BY THE ALPHA'S BROTHER

"Scrub that marble until I can see my reflection in it."

Bettoni squeezed the soapy rag, the cold water stinging her raw knuckles. She blew a loose curl of thick dark hair out of her warm brown eyes and kept her head down. She was scrubbing the grand hallway floor,  while around her the pack house was filled with sickening excitement. Alpha Jaceon ordered a grand welcoming feast which made the estate swarm with highborn ladies wearing silk and expensive jewels. They all wanted the same prize, Commander Zachery, who was returning tonight.

Jaceon wanted his younger brother married to a noblewoman before the next blood moon. The Alpha desperately wanted to bury the shame Bettoni brought to the royal court.

They think a fancy dress will tame a beast, Bettoni thought.

Her petite frame ached terribly, the scars of ninety nine lashes burning across her skin. Ardon gave her those scars. The Alpha's son promised her the world and then threw her to the wolves on his mating day. He stripped her rank, made her a lowly Gamma, and now she washed floors while he paraded around the palace in his fine royal robes.

She rinsed the dirty rag. I will make you choke on your crown, Ardon. Her revenge would come. She just needed a way out of the dirt first.

The head maid kicked Bettoni in the thigh. "Get more water. The Commander's carriage is approaching the gates."

Bettoni grabbed her wooden bucket and limped away from the grand hall. The loud noise of arriving carriages and giggling noblewomen made her stomach turn. Frostina, Ardon's now intended, was out there plotting. Angelika, the famous politician daughter who was basically raised to be Zachary's Commandress, was out there scheming. They all desperately wanted the Commander's bed and his power. Bettoni just wanted ten minutes of silence.

She slipped out the servant doors, the night air feeling cool against her pale skin. She wandered past the busy kitchens and headed toward the abandoned market stalls near the military barracks. No one came back here during a feast. She set her bucket down on the cobblestone, leaned against a wooden post, and closed her tired eyes.

Soon after, a low groan broke the silence.

Bettoni froze instantly. The sound came from the deep darkness behind the nearest stall. A heavy panting followed, and it sounded wet and cadenced.

As she took a cautious step forward, the distinct smell of dark musk hit her senses, and it was overwhelmingly intoxicating. She peeked around the wooden corner.

A huge man stood in the dark alley, leaning his broad shoulders against the brick wall. His thick military coat hung open over a scarred chest. He had a rough jaw covered in dark stubble, and his pants were shoved entirely down his muscular thighs. 

Bettoni gasped quietly. His massive thick length stood erect in his brutal grip, and he was stroking himself with slow and forceful pumps.

His head tipped back against the brick. Thick muscles corded along his neck as he pumped his fist much faster. The wet slapping sound echoed loudly in the quiet alley as slick precum glistened under the moonlight and dripped constantly down his thick fingers.

Bettoni could not look away. She stood completely frozen.

The man opened his eyes. Piercing burgundy irises locked directly onto her. He did not stop his hand; instead, he smirked.

"Enjoying the view?" he asked. His voice rumbled like rough sandpaper.

Bettoni felt the heat rush to her cheeks as she stumbled backward. "You're disgusting."

He chuckled deeply and pushed himself off the wall. He did not bother pulling up his pants at all. He walked right toward her, his  massive erection jutted out proudly, bobbing with each heavy step.

"Don't come near me," Bettoni warned.

He ignored her entirely and stepped right into her personal space. His towering frame blocked the moonlight, and he smelled of sweat and pure dominance. When he raised his right hand, she saw a thick, clear slick which coated his palm and fingers, dripping freely onto the dirt between them.

He tilted his head, and his eyes darkened with pure lust. "You look tense. Want a taste?"

He moved his dripping hand right toward her face.

Bettoni slapped his wrist away hard. "Urgh, are you insane? Keep your filth to yourself."

The man threw his head back and laughed. It was a booming sound. He stepped closer, his hard chest brushed against her worn servant dress. "Insane? Maybe. You're the one watching a man handle his business in a dark alley."

"I was looking for peace and quiet," Bettoni spat, glaring directly into his burgundy eyes, refusing to show any fear. "Not a pervert jerking off like a wild animal."

He dragged his dirty hand through his messy hair which left a visible trail of slick in the dark strands. "A wild animal." He tasted the words slowly. "I really like that."

Who is this lunatic? Bettoni thought. She looked at his heavy combat boots, at the gold medals pinned to his coat… then the realization heavily hit her in the chest.

Commander Zachery.

The man Jaceon brought all those noble women to meet. The most feared warrior in the entire kingdom. He was standing in front of her with his pants down and a wicked grin on his handsome face.

Zachery watched the sharp recognition hit her face, making him smile wider. He liked the sudden fire in her eyes. The highborn ladies waiting inside the hall bored him to death. They simpered and bowed constantly. This filthy little Gamma with her scarred hands and feisty tongue made his blood run incredibly hot.

He finally adjusted his clothes. He zipped his pants but left his coat open. He leaned down until his lips grazed her ear.

"What's your name?" he whispered.

"None of your business," Bettoni replied and shoved her empty bucket between them. "Go back to your party. Your future wives are waiting."

Zachery grabbed her chin firmly, his thumb stroking her bottom lip slowly. "I do not want them."

Bettoni swatted his hand away again. "Do not touch me."

"I will touch whatever I want," Zachery's voice dropped an octave and the humor vanished in an instant. Predatory intent now filled his cadence. "My brother wants me to pick a bride tonight. He brought me a whole buffet of boring princesses."

Bettoni backed away quickly until she hit the wooden post. There was nowhere left to run. "Then go pick one and leave me alone."

Zachery stepped into her space again. He  caged her against the wood with his massive arms and leaned his face inches from hers, inhaling her unique scent deeply, picking up the smell of old trauma and buried anger. He loved it.

"I already made my choice," Zachery said.

Bettoni frowned in confusion. "Then what are you doing out here?"

"I'm collecting my prize," Zachery replied, then grabbed her wrist tightly. "You're coming with me to the grand hall right now."

Bettoni struggled against his iron grip. "Are you crazy? The Alpha will kill me. Ardon will kill me."

Zachery laughed darkly. "Let them try. We're going inside and you're going to stand right in front of my brother."

"To do what?" Bettoni yelled.

"To ruin his perfect little feast," Zachery smirked. "Because you're going to be my Commandress tonight."