*Daphne*
I shivered as I was led through the gates with an uncompromising hand on my upper arm.
Gareth shoved in front of him. I stiffened and threw him a glare over my shoulder, but I couldn’t help but marvel at the community I had been pushed into.
A thick iron gate wrapped all the way around the bustling community. There were sleek, gray buildings with nicely paved pathways. A large marble fountain with swirling sculptures seed to reach toward the sky as if trying to touch heaven. There were beautiful gardens and hoy-looking shops. I could see a large towering building in the background that could only be Alpha Gareth’s mansion.
I was beginning to realize why Mother and Father were so set on pretending to be engaged to this Alpha in particular. He obviously ca from a pack that was doing very well for itself. Their community was beautiful.
We were suddenly sward by a group of young n and won. They surrounded us as soon as we were through the gate.
“Welco ho, Alpha,” several of them said respectfully, nodding their heads low in front of their leader.
Gareth thanked them and then gestured to since many of them were staring at with curious expressions.
“This is Daphne Crimson, youngest daughter of the Alpha King and the White Queen,” he said to them. “She will be with us for quite so ti, so I expect all of you to treat her well.”
I could easily read the surprise and excitent in their eyes. Many of them took notice of the possessive way that their Alpha was holding onto .
“Yes, Alpha,” they said respectfully.
Many of them smiled at and shook my hand. A couple of the won even gave a friendly hug. They seed like genuinely kind people. It made it feel even more disturbing that their Alpha had dragged here against my will.
Were they aware of what a jerk their leader was?
I was tempted to tell them, but I feared what Alpha Gareth would do to if I exposed him. I wasn’t really in a position to act rashly. I was in their territory now. I really had no choice but to lay low and hope that I could convince Gareth to let go.
I didn’t like the look in his dark eyes. He still looked as if he wanted to bite the back of my neck.
I shuddered and continued to allow Gareth to guide forward with his large hand. No one seed concerned by the fact that he was essentially manhandling . I adjusted slightly, seeing if that would cause him to loosen his hold on but he just curled his fingers even further into my bicep. I was certain that I would have a bruise later.
It was obvious that we were heading toward the mansion that was overlooking the entire community. It lood over the whole area, casting shadows over the smaller buildings, much like Gareth was doing to as he marched along.
“How are you enjoying the pack community, Princess?” Gareth asked.
I craned my neck to look up at him in surprise. He hadn’t spoken a word to since we crossed through the gates. I assud he wouldn’t until he got inside of his mansion. “You have a very nice community,” I finally answered once the shock had worn off.
“Good,” he said in a low, sultry voice. “I hope that you will enjoy it here.”
I gritted my teeth together at the aning behind his words. “I’m sure I’ll have a pleasant visit,” I responded, putting a heavy emphasis on the last word.
He didn’t say anything, but I heard a growl low in his throat, but I didn’t regret that comnt. I wasn’t going to allow him to think I wanted to stay here.
As we approached the ornate double doors of the mansion, they swung open to reveal a middle-aged butler with a thick mustache. “Welco ho, Alpha,” he said respectfully, dipping his head.
“Thank you,” Gareth said, leading up the steps. “This is Princess Daphne.”
I curtsied politely, which was only slightly awkward since Gareth was still holding onto my arm.
A young woman with wavy blonde hair ca bustling in. She curtsied to . “Welco, Princess. If you’ll please follow , I’ll help you into a dress that was prepared for your arrival.”
I looked down at the blue travel dress I was wearing. “That really isn’t necessary,” I said.
Gareth looked down at with a raised eyebrow. “Allow redith to help you dress, Princess. You won’t have a use for your old clothes any longer.”
I had no emotional attachnt to those items, but I still felt violated by having them taken from . I narrowed my eyes for a brief mont but then reeled in my quickly rising temper. “Very well,” I said, yanking my arm out of his grasp.
redith led up the winding marble staircase and into a lavish room with white, lacey blankets and golden fixtures. I stood in the middle of the room, staring at the silk, floral gown that redith held out to .
I had to admit that it was beautiful, but I couldn’t help but feel uneasy as redith helped into it. The gown had looked light, but I felt weighed down.
I giggled nervously at redith as she quickly ushered out of the room and down the long hallway. “While I appreciate the hospitality, I hardly think this is necessary for a casual guest like .”
redith didn’t answer as we stopped in front of a large white door with a brass doorknob. She hesitated for a brief mont before knocking.
“Yes, let her in, redith,” said a low voice from the other side.
redith nodded to aningfully before pushing the door open.
By the anxiousness I was feeling, I was expecting a dungeon of so kind, but I found myself in a bright, modern office with dark furniture and marble flooring. Gareth had changed out of his travel clothes as well and was wearing a dark button-up shirt and black pants. He stood up as I entered, his dark eyes sweeping over . “I hope the dress is to your liking, Princess,”
I tried not to grimace, thankful for the years of politeness training that ca with being raised in a royal family. I nodded politely, my hand going to the skirt so I could curtsey. “Yes, Alpha Gareth. I am humbled by the overwhelming hospitality.”
Gareth raised one thick, sculpted eyebrow. “Well, I don’t expect a woman of your background to go without so lavish outfits considering that you’ll be here for quite a while.”
I took a deep breath. “With all due respect, Alpha Gareth, the condition of our agreent was that I wasn’t officially engaged to you. I am making no moves to change that status anyti soon.”
Gareth quirked an eyebrow at again, his dark brown eyes flashing dangerously. “I must insist that you keep an open mind, Princess,” Gareth said in a hard voice. “I happen to believe that having a future white queen in my pack would not only benefit but your family as well.”
I felt my breath catch, panic going through . Of course, that was what he would want. It was obvious that the arrogant Alpha was well aware of the power and prestige he would gain from such a union.
Even more obvious was the fact that he couldn’t know that the powers of the white queen no longer existed. I would have to choose my words carefully. There was no telling what he would do if he found out the truth.
“The powers of the white queen are mysterious,” I said slowly. “I have three other sisters, Alpha Gareth. There is no telling who the powers will bless. I could only hope to be so lucky.”
I didn’t expect the reaction that I got from Gareth. His handso face was blank for a mont before he grinned, his eyes narrowing slightly as he gave another long look up and down. He walked around the desk so that he was standing right in front of .
I flinched and took a tiny step back, doing my best not to show my fear and contempt toward this man.
He lifted a hand and traced the side of my face with his long, thick fingers. I shivered, but it definitely wasn’t from pleasure. I tried to stay completely still, wishing with everything I was that it wasn’t Gareth touching .
I nearly flinched away when his fingers tilted my chin up. I tried to imagine that his eyes were the familiar, deep gray ones that I loved instead of the dark brown that I was forced to stare into.
Gareth’s large arm wound around my waist and I couldn’t help the frightened squeak that burst from my lips as he pulled against him. I leaned away, but the movent only allowed him to stare straight into my face. His grip was hard and uncompromising.
He leaned toward so that his lips were right at my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “You think I’m that daft not to be aware of that?” he demanded between his teeth. “If you aren’t the next white queen, you’d best be sothing that can be of use to .”
He squeezed the side of my hip, making it very clear what kind of use he expected to have of . “Regardless of whether you’re the white witch or not, you will beco a part of my pack as my Luna,” he ordered.
I felt the fear in my eyes as I stared up at him. “I can’t do that,” I said, voice shaking.
He just smirked at but shook his head as if I was a naughty child who refused to eat their vegetables. He dropped the arm around my waist, allowing to take a step back, but his other hand tightened on my chin.
“I suppose now would be a good ti to inform you that I have had spies stationed in your palace for quite a while, my dear,” he said, the threat clear in his voice. “It would be a sha if sothing happened to the young, sickly prince. If sothing were to happen, I don’t doubt that it would be a complete accident.”
I gritted my teeth together at the obvious sarcasm in his voice. “Don’t hurt Rhys,” I demanded in my strongest voice. “Please. I’ll do anything!”
Gareth smirked, dropping my chin. “You already know my condition,” he said. “Beco my Luna and no harm will co to the boy.”
I barely held back a bitter sob as I nodded my head.
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