Chapter 5
Arias' POV
The first thing I noticed when I opened my eyes was the luxury around me. I was laid on a bed of silk and fur which was way too soft for someone like me. The air smelled different, clean and rich. Where was I? And how was I still alive?
Memories flooded back - the hospital, the dungeon, Damian's hatred, everything, and most importantly, the voice. Yes, the voice. It was a deep commanding voice that had made even the guards tremble.
I shivered. Who was this man that had saved me?
I heard the sound of footsteps coming into the room and a girl stepped inside. She looked young and delicate. She smiled at me softly. Her eyes were filled with warmth and kindness that I hadn't seen in years.
She was holding a tray in her hand and placed it gently on the bedside table before me.
"You are awake.." she said. "I was already starting to worry." She released a sigh of relief.
I blinked; my throat was dry. "Who... who are you?" I asked.
She straightened and placed her hand over her chest. "My name is Mia, your maid."
I stiffened. "My maid?"
She hesitated, then continued.. "I was sent to check on you, to make sure you are well enough for... tonight."
"Tonight?" I repeated.
"The king has requested your presence in his chambers tonight."
I went cold. The king. Yes. I remember the warriors calling him King. The man who had saved me, the man who had made the guards trembled in terror was a.. king.
I swallowed hard.
"Who...who is this king?" I asked Mia.
Mia bit her lips and lowered her voice. "We dare not mention his full name. It is prohibited."
That seemed to send a shiver through me. What kind of power must a man hold if even his name was feared?
Who was was this king?
And what did he want from me?
Mia helped me bathe. The water burned my bruised skin but I didn't complain. I had never felt clean before.
After that, she dressed me in a soft gown which was a deep midnight blue gown that clung to my delicate body. She brushed my hair gently letting it fall down my back in soft waves.
When I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't recognize myself.
I looked... different.
Not a slave. Not a beaten discarded Omega.
But even as I stared at myself, I knew the truth. I was still broken
"Come Milady." Mia said softly.
I hesitated.
Milady?
Me?
No one had ever called me that before.
No one had ever treated me as though I was worth more than dirt.
And yet, I had been summoned like I was someone important.
My body trembled as I followed Mia out of the room and through the hall.
She stopped in front of a huge set of double doors which was guarded by two warriors dressed in black armour.
Mia stopped and bowed her head slightly.
One of the guards spoke; "The king is busy. He does not want distractions."
I felt relieved instantly and turned to leave together with Mia when I heard a voice from the inside;
"Let. Her. In."
The guards stiffened. Mia shuddered and Me?
I froze.
The door swung open and the guards bowed as they gestured for me to go inside.
I entered and I gasped at the sight before me.
He was standing near the massive window in his chambers. His back was to me and his whole frame looked powerful.
He was tall. Muscular like a body built for battle and I could tell from his posture that he was handsome also.
My eyes trailed down and I couldn't help the gasp that escaped my lips seeing that he was in a towel which was wrapped around his waist.
I shivered nervously as he slowly turned to me.
His eyes. It stole my breath away.
Blue. Oceanic blue.
I stumbled in fear.
I couldn't see his face then because it was dark but now I could see it clearly and I could recognize him all at once.
He was the Alpha King.
Alpha King Zaine.
The Alpha of all Alphas.
The King of all Alphas.
A king no one dared defy.
I have heard his name whispered in fear countlessly by many but never would I have believed that I was standing right in front of him.
"Come closer." He commanded.
It was two simple words of command but I couldn't move.
My body was locked in the spot.
I couldn't move because those words reminded me of Damian.
Those were the same words Damian had used before he forced himself on me every night.
Zaine's piercing gaze didn't leave me and a frown appeared on his handsome face just for a second before softening his gaze.
"I won't do anything to you." He said softly.
Still I couldn't move. I was still frozen in that spot, in fear.
He sighed softly and to my greatest horror, he stretched forth his hands for me.
More like an invitation.
But all I could see was Damian's hand. This was the same way he had stretched it towards me just before he rejected and humiliated me in front of the entire pack.
I shuddered and found myself shaking my head.
Pain flashed through Zaine's face for a second then his jaw ticked angrily as if he could feel my fear.
"Who did this to you?"
I swallowed hard. My throat burned.
I wanted to say it. To say his name. But my voice wouldn't come.
I couldn't speak.
So I lowered my head and stayed silent, tears streaming down my face as I recalled everything that Damian had done to me.
Zaine's growled deeply and the whole room shook.
He took a step towards me.
And my wolf stirred.
And then.. I felt it.
A force pulling me toward him.
A force I had felt once before.
No. No. No. No. Please. Not again. Please.
Zaine's eyes darkened.
He was up close now. His fingers lifted my chin upward forcing me to meet his blue eyes.
And then... My wolf screamed.
"Mate."
I froze.
No. It couldn't be.
I had already had a mate before.
I had already been rejected.
I had already lost everything.
So why?
Why had fate had given me another?
Zaine's thumb brushed my jaw, his oceanic bluish eyes turned dark as it stared right into my soul.
"I will find out who did this to you, Aria, and they will pay for what they did. No one touches what's mine and goes scot-free." He said in a cold and threatening voice and I shuddered.