Page 25 of A Mysterious Slave for the Lycan Prince

I nod. “Where are they?”

“You’ll have to collect them from the garden,” she explains, giving me a list of things to collect. “If someone asks, you’re collecting them for me for dinner. We’re expecting guests tomorrow night, so they won’t ask too many questions.”

“Guests?” I say, surprised. No one ever visits Blood Snow. Getting here is difficult, and we’re not exactly a popular pack with outsiders. The only people who’ve ever had contact with outsiders are the alpha and the team he takes with him to summits and meetings.

“I don’t know much about it,” she admits. “Alpha mentioned they were a group of young warriors traveling with the sons of a gamma and a beta. That’s all I’ve been told. Now, go.”

Ryllis and I rush down the narrow corridor in silence. Ryllis grabs my hand just as I’m about to head up the stairs. “Freya,” she says with so much sadness and pain in her eyes that my heart clenches. “If you ever leave, take me with you?”

“What are you saying?” I ask, confused by her sudden request.

“Just promise me,” she whispers. “I know you’re going to leave here one way or another. Don’t leave me behind. I’ll die here without you.”

“You are so strong, Ryllis,” I whisper, gently brushing my fingers through her hair.

The look in her beautiful big eyes is so desperately sad. “I’m broken. So broken…I don’t think I’ll survive a second time.”

I know immediately what she is referring to. She’s thinking about the last time the warriors had their fun with her. Bile rises in my mouth at the thought of what she must have suffered. She hasn’t talked about it, and I don’t want to push her. She isn’t ready, and she may never be ready. That night… I could see something had broken in her.

I turn to face her. She needs this to set her mind at ease. “I’d never go anywhere without you. You are my sister!”

Tears fill her eyes as she hugs me. “Thank you.”

I brush my fingers through her hair once more. “Let’s go find the herbs for Emmanuel,” I say.

Once upstairs, I pause. I sniff the air carefully, scenting something new. It smells so…nice. Seeing the questions in Ryllis’ eyes, I shrug. “There’s just… something in the air,” I murmur. “I’ll check it out. You look for what Ludovica needs in the kitchen. I’ll be back before you’re finished.”

Ryllis nods. She’s confused, but does as I say. Meanwhile, I carefully step outside, following the strong scent. It’s leading me away from the pack house toward a little barn. It sounds like someone is chopping wood inside. When I peek in, I see Dickhead is the one doing all the chopping. A grin spreads over my lips. Oh. It seems his daddy found out about the crazy party yesterday and wasn’t too happy with his son and warriors. The poor little pup has been made to work for the first time in his life. My heart breaks for him…not.

To my horror, Dickhead realizes he’s not alone and spins around to face me. I’m not sure what to do. I was stupid to come so close to him. I never intentionally cross his path. It’s that wonderful scent that brought me here. Stupid, stupid me. Something dark flashes in his eyes, but it’s not the usual disdain I normally see. It’s hungry, desperate, even a little lustful. But it’s gone fast, and he is back to looking like the ass he is.

“Mate!” his voice breathes out. He sounds raspy and hoarse. His wolf is surfacing.

Ah… so that’s it. We’re—

Wait, what?

I stand there dumbfounded. I’m Dickhead’s mate? Benjamin? The alpha’s shitty pea-brained, no-talent heir? He’s a massive dick who lets his penis do most of his thinking, for Goddess’ sake! And having seen him naked once, I can vouch that not even his size is impressive. Not to mention, his huge, inflated ego dictates he is all talk—no way he knows how to skillfully float that boat.

He looks me up and down. Disgust clearly begins to settle in his eyes, and his expression, one of hatred now. I’m rooted to my place, too shocked to do or say anything.

Anger builds in me at the thought of Dickhead Benjamin as my mate. No way Jose! I would rather die old and lonely than mate with him. Even the thought makes me want to gag. Where is the monastery? Sign me up! Nun Freya is on her way! Something bothers me more than the obvious disgust, though.Sereia, he says I am his mate. Why can’t I feel the bond?

No idea. It’s weird because if that is the bond I’m feeling, it’s extremely weak,Sereia says.I don’t know about you, but I definitely don’t want this idiot. His wolf may not be as awful as he is, but he has a major superiority complex and thinks he is entitled to treat those below him like dirt. No, thank you. We are better than that.

Sereia, I love you!I say with all the love and gratitude I feel right now.

Benjamin has recovered from his shock, too, because he takes a step toward me, glaring. “I don’t want a pathetic little slave as my mate,” he spits. “And an orphan on top of that. Besides, it can’t be you. The oracle told me loud and clear!”

“What did she tell you?” I dare to ask.

“That I will be fated to someone unexpected and that my worth will be reflected by my following actions!”

Wow. What an idiot. Thank the Goddess he can’t read between the lines, and thank the Goddess he doesn’t want me.

He looks straight at me, sneering as he states, “I, Benjamin Morris, reject you, Freya without a surname, as my mate and luna.”

Would it be inappropriate to pump my fist into the air now and make a victory dance? It’s very tempting, but I don’t have time for this crap.

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