3

Pink

After enduring six days of mistreatment, I finally found solace in my very own room. The relief of no longer having to sleep on the cold floor was the one positive aspect in this dismal situation. Whenever I entered their rooms, they demanded that I be calm and orderly, showing no mercy. My brother Derek, who insisted on being called “my highness,” ascended to the role of pack king following our father’s passing. While he held great power within our pack, he was not the Alpha king of all Alphas.

As my birthday approached, I realized that I would soon turn 18 years old. Despite the urge to run away, I reluctantly acknowledged that I had nowhere to go. However, the yearning to uncover my past and find my parents lingered within me, tempting me to escape.

The notion of making a home in the woods, where my parents had abandoned me in my youth, even crossed my mind.

My brothers had shared the tale of how King Valdo discovered me as a two-year-old, wandering alone.

On my way to King Derek’s room, he unexpectedly summoned me to meet him early that day. Although I knew what he desired from me, a sliver of hope remained that we could resolve this matter concordantly.

I braced myself as I walked into his room, unsure of what awaited me. My heart sank when I saw the servant standing there, holding a see-through baby doll. I could hardly believe it. Was this some sick, twisted gift for my birthday? I firmly declined to put it on, refusing to subject myself to such humiliation. Instead, I approached Derek’s room, still dressed in my tattered clothes, determined to confront him.

As the time passed and I grew into my own, I couldn’t ignore the disturbing possibility that Derek might view me as a potential object of desire. The thought disgusted me, and I knew I had to stand up to him, not just for myself but for the entire pack. His position as king did not give him the right to exploit and manipulate those under his rule.

I pushed open the door to his room without bothering to knock, relieved to see that he was fully clothed and not in any compromising position. However, his smile sent a chill down my spine. Something about it felt off, as if a different person had taken control of his body. He rose from his bed and approached me, his movements calculated and deliberate. With no warning, he leaned in and planted a soft kiss on each of my cheeks.

I couldn’t help but shake, the confusion and fear consuming me. “What is this all about?” I managed to stutter, desperately trying to understand.

Derek’s touch grazed my neck, a barely noticeable gesture, before he gently closed the door behind me. His voice, though pleasant, seemed foreign, as if an imposter had replaced him. “Today is your birthday,” he explained, his tone filled with a strange warmth. “I was wondering why you didn’t wear the clothes I sent you.”

Despite the facade he was putting on, I knew deep down that this couldn’t be genuine. I couldn’t allow myself to be fooled by his sudden change in demeanor. I had made up my mind – there was no going back on my decision to stand up to him and fight for my rights, for my freedom.

I immediately pulled away from him, determined to make it clear that I would not be subjected to such humiliation. With a firm voice, I declared, “I refuse to put on a baby doll, and it’s time you started paying attention to what I have to say.”

Derek responded with a wink and a smirk, clearly amused by my assertiveness. “Go ahead,” he said dismissively, “Baby.”

I directed a stern glare in his direction, making sure to grab his attention. “First,” I began in a harsh tone, “put an end to calling me ‘baby.’ I will not be addressed in such a demeaning manner.”

Anticipating his interruption, I shook my head, silently telling him to let me finish. “Secondly,” I continued, “I will not engage in any sexual acts with you ever. I am no longer afraid of you.”

Derek laughed and clapped his hands mockingly. “Seriously? You’re so courageous,” he remarked sarcastically. “Have you lost track of who I am?”

“No, your highness,” I replied, raising an eyebrow and crossing my arms defiantly. “And if you want to end my life, go ahead. But I will never allow you to touch me.”

As Derek stood up, I held my ground, refusing to show any sign of fear or weakness. In that moment, I felt a surge of inner strength like never before.

“Are you insane?” he exclaimed, leaning forward and narrowing his brows. “Are you running a fever or something? Whoever told you that I invited you here to perform such acts is an idiot.”

I stood tall, unwavering in my resolve. “It doesn’t matter what others say,” I countered, my voice steady. “I know the truth, and I will not be silenced or controlled any longer. I demand respect and my freedom.”

I was taken aback by the force of the slap, my head smacking against the wall and causing a sharp pain to shoot through my skull. As I crumpled to the ground, I could feel the stinging sensation on my cheek.

But amidst the pain, a surge of determination ignited within me. I took a deep breath, willing myself to stay calm, and gently massaged my throbbing face before it erupted into hysterical laughter. “You will never lay a hand on me again,” I declared with a newfound strength in my voice.

Before he could react, I mustered all the courage in my trembling body and sprinted out of his room, my heart pounding in my chest. I ran with all my might, every step fuelled by the knowledge that I was breaking free from his control. In my mind, I soared through the air like a liberated bird.

I never stopped running, and he dared not follow. Deep down, he knew that his dark secret would shatter his position as the pack’s leader. My pack, despite their initial abandonment, would not stand for the king and his brother using me as a pawn. They saw me as a cherished younger sister, especially to the other kingdoms. I once held the status of a princess, and the revelation of this abuse had the potential to ignite a war between rival factions. The Alphas would never allow such an atrocity to go unpunished.

Exhaustion eventually overcame me, and I collapsed against a sturdy tree for support. I was greeted by the enveloping darkness, the same forest that I had traversed to reach this place. My body ached, and I realized how weary I truly was. Slowly, my eyelids grew heavy, and I succumbed to a peaceful slumber.

However, my peaceful rest was short-lived as a chorus of voices suddenly surrounded me. I feigned exhaustion, pretending to be too tired to continue. Deep within me, though, a flame still burned, fueling my determination to escape this nightmare and embrace a future where my voice would be heard and respected.

The low voice carried a firmness that demanded attention, and my heart quickened in response. It was his scent that stirred something within me, urging me to open my eyes. As I slowly regained consciousness, I sensed his presence before even seeing him. A surge of anticipation coursed through my veins - was it him?

Without needing to glance in his direction, I could feel that it was someone familiar. But would he accept me? Was he the king my late adoptive father had spoken about, the one who held the fate of our pack in his hands? Or perhaps, though it seemed unlikely, he was merely a weaker beta or omega.

As my weary eyes fluttered open, I found myself surrounded by a pack of wolves. They were wary, unsure of who I was. But amidst their hesitation, I noticed that he stood apart from them. As I rose to my feet, a collective gasp filled the air - it was my eyes, with their striking color. The pack recoiled, their fear on display.

And then, everything changed. I was lucky enough to cross paths with a gentle Alpha, my destined mate. The way he looked at me spoke volumes - he knew, just as I did. Our hearts pounded in unison, the bond of our connection amplifying the sound in our ears.

With a tenderness that beckoned me forth, he spoke in a gentle tone, “Who are you?”

A soft smile played on my lips as I replied, “I am Pink.”

His fingertips brushed against my cheek, and his head shook in disbelief. “No,” he uttered, conviction lacing his voice, “you are my mate.”

In an instant, a profound transformation swept across my countenance, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in my life. With him by my side, the designated “Alpha King” to whom I belonged, a profound shift in my destiny began to unfold.