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The first night

Charlotte

I was nervous and anxious, having no idea what would happen from then on. Such a powerful Lycan could do whatever he wanted with me, even take my life in the blink of an eye, but he simply stood there, observing me from the doorway. Feeling ashamed, I tried to cover my body with my arms. He took a few steps toward me, fists clenched. He seemed angry, so I lowered my arms. His gaze became hazy, and he took another step forward, but then turned around and headed to the bathroom where I had taken a bath earlier.

I wasn't dressed appropriately to receive the Alpha King; he could have seen it as a grave offense and expelled me from his castle. I stood up and waited, my hands sweating and trembling, so I wiped them on my nightgown. Then I ran my hands through my hair, trying to fix it even though it wasn't necessary. My heart was beating so fast and so loud, with my destiny still uncertain, the thought of the Lycan king coming out of the bath and approaching me was making me feel dizzy and nauseous.

The door opened and a tall man, his body covered in scars, with a short beard, his hair a mix of gray, black, and white, his green eyes radiating fierceness, power, and desire. I had never seen an Alpha before, so I never imagined they could be so intimidating and tempting at the same time. He had only a towel wrapped around his waist as he walked towards me like a predator seeking the right moment to attack its prey. I stayed still until he came so close that I took a step back. I needed to stay strong, showing weakness could become my death sentence at that moment, or, at best, I would be banished from the territory. I clenched my hands into fists, gripping the fabric of my nightgown, took a deep breath, and tried to control the trembling of my body.

"My lord," I lowered my head as much as I could and closed my eyes, my voice trembling, and it took me a few seconds to gather enough courage to continue. "I am immensely grateful for your generosity in welcoming me into your castle." My face was forcefully lifted. His green eyes pierced into my soul, making my body burn in a completely different way, something I was experiencing for the first time, something wild and raw.

"I didn't give you permission to speak," his low voice was cutting, and his touch made my whole body tremble. He approached my face and took a deep breath, dragging his nose along my neck and face. "It's your first time, your first cycle."

I didn't know what to say. My face grew warm, and tears welled up in my eyes. He roughly trailed his thumb across my face, wiping away the traces of tears. His face twisted in anger upon realizing my reality, clearly displeased. I had believed that preserving my purity would be the best, as I feared a fate similar to my mother's. My stepfather didn't care enough to find a mate for me, and after being abandoned by him in that castle, I realized I had been fooling myself, saving myself for a mate who would never come.

"I'm sorry," with his hand open over my mouth, he silenced me, then slid his fingers down to the nape of my neck and slowly pulled me towards him, attentively observing my reactions. But I could never reject him. I was a rejected she-wolf, abandoned by my wolf pack and without a place to return to, but it wasn't just that which prevented me from rejecting the Alpha King.

His lips, warm and soft, touched mine. I closed my eyes and felt my body relaxing with his slow movements. My body melded with that of the Alpha King; his muscles felt like stone, and his skin was scalding, perhaps due to the bath he had taken earlier. With still trembling hands, I dared to touch his arm with the tips of my fingers and slid them up to his shoulder. He pulled away and observed me, then grabbed my wrist and placed my hand on his chest. My heart raced as the King placed his hands on my waist and pulled me closer, pressing our bodies together. I could feel something pressing against my hip, and I was startled by its size.

"You don't have to be afraid," I looked at the King, who seemed calmer now. "I will be patient so as not to hurt you. I will guide you, and soon you will learn how to please me."

"My lord," he silenced my lips once again with his hand.

"Just here and just with you, call me Logan."

His large hands grabbed the thin fabric of the nightgown and pulled it, tearing it apart from top to bottom at the back. I tried to hold onto the shreds of fabric to cover myself, but he prevented me, gripping my wrists. I was completely vulnerable before this beautiful and frightening man, his hungry gaze roaming over my body. The scent emanating from his skin began to cloud my mind. My body seemed to move on its own, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer, pressing our lips together.

An insatiable hunger grew with each touch of Logan. I desired him in a strange, possessive way, feeling the need to have him close to me. The whole situation was so strange to me, that feeling of finally being in the place where I belonged and had always been searching for, the home I never had. I pulled away from him and held his face in my small hands, caressing the scars and his beard, intertwining my fingers in his thick hair, savoring every texture with the tips of my fingers, with every inch of my skin.

"Logan..." I was lifted instantly and laid down on the soft bed. Logan hovered over me, supporting himself with his hands.

His smile widened, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Logan was gentle and attentive to me. His hands, rough with calluses, were both firm and tender as his long nails lightly grazed my skin, causing shivers and involuntary sighs. But at no point did he force himself upon me or impose his will without me showing comfort. And when he finally possessed me, my body recognized him instantly. Every cell identified him and responded to the primal call of the Luna. It was him. There was no denying the connection that was established at that exact moment.

"Logan," he silenced me, pressing his lips against mine as he took me completely.

I don't recall when I fell asleep, but as soon as I opened my eyes, the room was dark, with only the light of the crescent moon shining through the windows. Logan stood by the bedside, wearing a sheet wrapped around his hips. I sat up, feeling soreness in my hips, and groaned, catching his attention. His gaze was empty and cold, so different from the one he had given me hours earlier. I reached out my hand, attempting to touch his arm, but he abruptly pulled away and walked towards the door without saying a word. I tried to get up and follow him, but my legs felt weak, and I fell to my knees on the floor.

"Logan," he paused but didn't turn around, growing desperation in my heart. "You felt it too, didn't you? You and me..."

"Silence," My body froze under the weight of his gaze. "I did not give you permission to speak." Tears filled my eyes, feeling powerless and broken by his harsh words.

"But you and me..."

"There is no such thing. Your only purpose in this castle is to be at my disposal whenever I so desire. That's why I bought you. I will return during your next heat. Until then, stay out of my way."

The door closed, and I remained on the floor, alone in that grand, yet empty and cold room. I looked at the moon and prayed to the goddess, begging that what I had felt wasn't just an illusion or a foolish longing of a needy and lonely girl. Why had Logan's behavior changed so drastically? And the fact that he had bought me to be his concubine instead of his mate, the pain I felt at that moment tore at my heart. Did he truly not feel the connection? I lay on the floor, wrapped in the blanket, and cried until the sun bathed the room with its warm and daunting light. How many more days would I live like this?

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