Chapter 3:

RPOV

I will hate everything about my new life. I will hate it with a vengeance and anyone that would ask me I will tell them that I would rather eat a giant snake than be a concubine.

But in good conscience I couldn't hate this.

I was in a special bath. The tub was filled with a milky substance. It smelled good and felt amazing. It soothed my skin. I could barely see the marks on my wrist anymore. The scar on my side also wasn't as angry red as it had been. I knew I had a few older marks on my back, from some lashes, I hoped the milk would fade them too, but I couldn't really check those on my own.

Lissa had removed the stitches from the wound at my side today. She had been so excited. The doctor had trusted her with a lot of procedures and he was teaching her more complicated ones. Lissa said there had been more than enough soldiers to practice on. Either they would be wounded in battle or they would be wounded in training. So there were always willing or maybe not so willing teaching objects.

She was grateful for the job here though. She preferred her environment a little less bloody. She had helped a few women with some herbs against cramps and one had come in a bit fatigued. Lissa had been so proud to have diagnosed the anemia.

Lissa was happy here. And honestly, being able to eat when I want and what I want or sleep in that amazing bed did have its perks. So for now, I would enjoy the time I have to heal and not worry about what would happen next.

I was getting a little stir crazy though. Maybe I should start running again. They would have to have some sort of activity area here. Most girls would have to work to stay in shape. I didn't necessarily have to, but I was always active.

Years or hard work would do that to you. And my previous slave master gave me a lot of hard work. He resented me a lot. I think he had the illusion that if he gave me enough work, if he made my life a living hell, I would break and he could sell me as a concubine again.

He wouldn't dare before he had broken me, not after what happened the first time.

But I always completed the work. I never broke… and yet here I am. Even with that bastard dead, I still ended up here.

I picked up one of the most delicious grapes I had ever had from the plate next to my bath. I groaned at the juicy and sweet taste of it. Okay, so maybe this did have its advantages.

Maybe I could cut my hair or get fat, it would be a struggle, but I am sure I can eat enough to get fat, shouldn't be too hard with all the amazing food. But even then, I knew people might be interested.

I had seen some very beautiful women here that were highly coveted while they weren't as skinny as me. They were fully curved and knew how to handle their bodies. I had even seen some males walk around here. There was something for everybody here.

Plus If I wasn't coveted I doubt they would keep me here. If I was lucky I would be bunked to a house slave, but I might be sold off. Which meant leaving Lissa. It didn't matter how I looked at it. This was the best-case scenario.

I reluctantly got out of the bath after it had cooled down and dried off.

I stood in front of my closet. The tailor had come and taken my measurements. There would be an array of dresses made for me. But right now my closet contained some generic pieces that didn't quite fit. A little snug around the chest and hips, but a little wide around the waist.

Also when I say generic I still mean very intricate and delicate and amazingly soft. The soft silk felt like water on my skin. But I wish they had some leathers here in my closet. Now that was my idea of a fancy outfit. Some quality leathers, with reinforcements on the elbows, maybe with an arm gauntlet on them.

I slipped on a dress, brushed my hair and added a bit of red to my lips and cole to my eyes. I looked in the mirror and I knew I looked beautiful... but I didn't look like me.

Maybe I just had to come to terms with the new me.

I exited my own apartment and walked across the garden. It was a sunny day and the sun on my face felt amazing. It tanned my already almond skin and enhanced my exotic looks. Something Madame Kirova had been adamant to exploit.

'Every girl needs some unique selling point. This will be yours.'

I had tried to refrain from rolling my eyes at her. I didn't think she would appreciate it. She seemed to be a stickler for etiquette and proper decorum. I imagine we would have many more fights to come.

I walked towards a tea house where I saw a few women sitting and drinking tea, two of them had their wolves at their feet. They were small enough to fit under the table. It was good to see the women socializing with each other. There seemed to be little hostility amongst them. Maybe because of our 'unique selling points' we didn't have to compete much. Every girl was revered and covated in their own way.

One of the women waved me over. She seemed to be the oldest of them, maybe mid thirties, still stunningly beautiful of course.

"Come join us. We haven't had a chance to introduce ourselves."

Part of me wanted to run. I wasn't used to just drinking tea. But I suppose none of them were born into the life of a concubine, so they all had to have learned at some point.

I sat down and stared at the three women staring at me.

"So tell us your name."

"It's Rose."

There were some nods of acknowledgement and an introduction of their names.

"So I hear you were brought in from the raid?"

One of them asked. I just nodded.

"Were you a concubine before?" I shook my head. They gave each other some odd looks but didn't press any further. The lady that had called me over, her name was Elena, just grabbed my hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Is it true that General Belikov brought you in? That he protected you?"

The girls' eyes were dreamy when they mentioned him. I couldn't blame them. The man was hot. I wondered if he had actually protected me. I had a feeling he did, but I had no idea why. His wolf certainly had been protective. But I don't think it would be good to point that out here.

"I think he wasn't necessarily protecting me, but dealing with one of his men that disobeyed him when he attacked me. And once he had killed one of his own for me, he kind of had no choice but to take me in. I don't really remember anything. I passed out after that."

The girls nodded. The description I gave seemed to fit with their view of him.

"Any of you have… experience with him?" I asked, trying to remain as neutral as possible. But just thinking about that man in such a way sent goosebumps all over my skin.

All heads turned towards the girl opposite me. She blushed while the other girls were looking at her expectantly.

"I have been with him once. He is nice, but a little serious."

There was something wrong though. She was blushing but the comment was said without a shred of emotion. I imagine spending the night with him would bring a little more… enthusiasm. But there was nothing. She wasn't afraid, that was clear. He hadn't been cruel to her. But it also didn't sceam best night of my life. Which honestly with his physique was what the rest of us were thinking. Maybe he sucked in the bedroom?

"Honestly, he doesn't request girls often. He doesn't really need to, every woman would throw herself at him, and it isn't just because he is hot. He is also a powerful man and you could do a lot worse."

Yes you could. But if he doesn't request girls often, chances for me are slim.

"So he doesn't have an exclusive arrangement with anybody here?" I asked. Already knowing the answer.

They all shook their heads.

I noticed that none of the women shared my wounds on the wrist. Meaning they never had shackles. I wonder how they got here. You can't be born into being a concubine can you? I had seen there was something here for everybody but they didn't have very young girls, at seventeen I was probably one of the youngest.

"So, how long have you been here?" I asked the girl next to me.

"I have always been here, I suppose. I am one of the bastard children of one of the Generals. I have two half brothers and they have made it to lieutenants. My Mom retired years ago and is now a slave to a female courtier. She helps her with her clothes and make-up etc. My mom knows all the best tricks to look beautiful, even if you can't really pretty up a pig."

That got a round of laughter from the other girls. They obviously knew who she was talking about.

"Your mother was a concubine?"

She nodded. As if that was obvious. Maybe from her story it was. But it just hit me. I knew Lissa was asked to take care of a woman that was pregnant. But I hadn't really put two and two together.

"And your brothers, they were conceived by concubines as well?"

Again a nod. Elena seemed to notice my panic.

"Some men don't mind to sire children. Most of the time they are older military men. They never mated so they don't mind a bastard or two. Karina's father dotes on her and they have weekly tea. It is cute. Mostly only the mated men ask for protection or we get prescribed herbs to stop a seed from taking hold."

Okay, I knew she was trying to help and calm me down, but it wasn't working.

"But don't worry. You are too young. Madame Kirova will not allow it. She has an age limit of at least twenty before you can conceive. She is very adamant about that."

I had to like Madame Kirova a little bit more now. But twenty was still too young. But maybe I wasn't panicking about a baby per se, I was panicking about who would put it in me.

"I came here when I was eighteen. I was the same as you. I was a house slave for my last slave master, but he sold some of us to the palace. I couldn't clean for shit, but I knew how to please a man. So I was sent here."

I looked her over. She was pretty, but I could see that her make-up went a long way in making her so. Without it, and covered in filth she wouldn't have attracted attention.

One of the other girls laughed. "That is true though, She has some mad skill. If you need some pointers, she is your girl."

That got a good few chuckles from the other girls. The girl in question leaned towards me. "The trick is to touch the base of their member, just beneath the sack. It is very sensitive." She winked at me. I filed the knowledge away for later as I tried not to blush. I was usually the one with the big bravado, but I just didn't have anything to add here.

I knew the mechanics but I had no idea how to 'please' a man. I figured they did that on their own. But this girl seemed to have made it into an art form. It gave her an odd sense of power.

It had never occurred to me that we could have power over them, instead of the other way around. Maybe I would have to talk to her some more.

"So where is Zasha?" One of them asked, trying to change the subject.

Elena looked over to one of the apartments. The look in her eyes was sad.

"She got back this morning from the King."

There was a collective silence. And I realized that you do not want to be servicing the King. Because what should have been jealous looks on the girls' faces because she was able to service the most powerful individual in the land, were actually looks of pity.

My breath caught in my throat. The King was the only exception to the exclusivity rule. So even if I did find a nice comfortable man, I could still be requested by the King.

Great, and here I thought I could fly under the radar a bit. There was only one way this could end, and it wasn't good.

We talked a bit more about the men in the palace. Each girl gave me some intel. Some went into great detail about their likes and dislikes, but mostly it was about how the men were and who to look out for. None of them named the King. It sort of seemed to be rudimentary that you tried to stay away from him.

There was another lull in the conversation as I saw a shadow coming over me. I turned around to see Madame Kirova.

She looked down at me, she was obviously here for me.

"Rose, you need to come with me."

I stood up and turned towards her. She looked me up and down, she lingered on my arms and side, so I knew she was checking if my injuries still bothered me. She seemed satisfied they didn't hinder me.

As she made her judgment my stomach dropped.

"You have been requested."

DPOV

I rubbed the sides of my face. I was grateful I hadn't let my wolf out. I usually didn't when meeting with the King. I didn't need to be 'naked' like that in front of him.

Because if my wolf had been here, he would have paced and he would have growled and he might have even attacked the King's wolf this close to the full moon. And that wouldn't have a happy ending for either of us. I could feel him inside of me now, practically clawing his way out.

I sometimes had to close my eyes to stop the distinct glow of an activated Alpha wolf subside in my eyes. Sometimes our wolves would bleed through. We were one being after all. The glow was only apparent in Alpha's. They were the only ones strong enough for the wolf to affect our human form. My normal chocolate brown eyes would turn a bright gold, with an inner glow. Also my canines could elongate and my nails could turn into claws. But if that happened, nobody was safe anymore.

We had been debating war for the last three hours and I was exhausted. The king took offense for any strong Alpha that dared to set foot in his Kingdom. He had two in his military, but as I said, not all Alpha's are created equal. He didn't realize you also needed strong alphas. The kingdom was too big to rule alone. You needed loyalty. His only exception had been me. Because he was certain he could always control me.

He was afraid that one of these days one of them would make a pass at the throne. He used to be the strongest Alpha around. It is why he was named King. There were packs with alphas all over his country but we had long ago adopted a monarchy structure. The alpha of alpha if you will. That title had been in his family for generations, but wasn't bound by blood necessary. He had no heir, so it was anybody's game really.

When I was a child his power weighed down on me. It felt like a giant rock was placed on my shoulder, preventing me from standing up straight.

But that had been years ago. He was still strong. I could still feel that unmistakable alpha energy suffocating almost everyone in the room. It oozed out of him, like a blanket across the room. Mine was different. Mine was like a sharp knife, I could flare it and focus it if I needed too. He seemed to lack the same control. It mistakenly gave him the idea he was still stronger.

I knew I surpassed him in power long ago. But for my own sake I kept that hidden. I knew he probably remembered that night, but I knew it would be a fatal mistake to remind him. Ever since then, I kept a piece of my power hidden.

It was also why I didn't let my wolf out around him. If he could directly compare our wolves he would know mine was bigger and although he probably knew this already and that didn't necessarily mean I was stronger as an alpha, I couldn't rub it in his face. That sort of loss of face would cost him dearly. And in turn cost me dearly.

He didn't need another push towards madness. He was already half there. But he was King and he would lash out if he felt threatened. Which was all the time now.

So me and other Generals and ministers had been trying to convince him- delicately- of his foolishness of attacking an Alpha that had a rather large pack at the south border.

The Alpha in question was strong and cunning and I believed if he was pushed far enough, this one might push back. And honestly I was wondering on which side of that battle I should be.

"Please my Lord. He is no match for you. And he knows that."

The King just waved the first minister off. I was done, I wanted to go back to my room, take a bath and sleep. I stood up and the room fell quiet. Every pair of eyes was on me. I didn't actually like that. They hadn't been this quiet for him. I didn't really need to give him another reason to be paranoid around me.

"This can be solved diplomatically. If you send an invite to him requesting him to Court, in a show of friendship and in recognition of his strength."

His eyes nearly bugged out of his head. He already had a small piece of spit on his lip, and he would be spraying it across the room pretty soon, but I ignored him.

"Then have him bend the knee in front of his beta's. Either willingly or by force. Show him recognition, while reminding him who is King. Show him you don't need an army to control him."

The rage in his face transformed into a smirk.

"Ah Yes, Boy. That is a great idea."

Boy. Never General Belikov, never Dimitri, always boy. Sometimes I wonder if he even knew my name.

He sat down on his throne and motioned a scribe forward. The rest of us were dismissed. I let out a breath I didn't really know I was holding. When I exited several people gave me grateful looks. I had prevented a war, but I wondered for how long.

I dragged my feet towards my quarters. I was wired because the full moon was in two days. But I was also exhausted, the two didn't really mix well.

I opened my door, I was already taking off my boots and shirt. I was debating taking a bath, or going to sleep first and bathing in the morning. Maybe I would just do a quick clean in the wash bin. I didn't really want to wait for a slave to fill my bathtub. I should have requested it before the meeting. But I had thought the meeting ran a bit shorter than it did and that I would have had ample time to ask for a bath afterwards.

I let out my wolf, he was scratching at my skin from the inside out. He was restless, he had been all afternoon, but as soon as we entered the door the feeling intensified. He lifted his nose and he seemed to be smelling something. I let his sensations bleed through me and I could determine a floral scent. Jasmine maybe?

He darted to the bed, I guess he was as tired as I was. I unbuckled my pants and walked towards my bed.

When I looked towards my bed I was a little distracted from my task by the almost naked girl in my bed.