Chapter 5 (Gaushe)

Athena’s POV

I recognize my role as a breeder, yet his harshness baffles me. It's too early for remorse. Optimism fuels my belief that everything will work out. I reassured myself while reclining on my bed.

Persistent contemplation, seizing my thoughts. The deed is done, now, I must endeavour to extract the best from the situation. I couldn't sleep early, but at last I did

A knock on my door shattered my sleep, and I sluggishly made my way to open it.

"Good morning," chimed two servants in unison, their faces beaming with smiles.

"Morning."

"We're here to attire you for your council meeting," the first lady informed.

"I don't quite understand," I managed in a drowsy tone.

"You're expected at a meeting this morning. I assumed you were informed," she added, a touch of concern colouring her expression.

"Come in," I welcomed them. The second servant promptly entered the bathroom to prepare my bath.

"Remind me why I can't dress myself again?" I inquired.

"Alpha instructed us to dress you at your finest," she replied with a bow.

While meeting the council and having servants dress me seemed unnecessary, I refrained from appearing overly critical. 

They adorned me in a regal purple gown, properly styled my hair, and applied light makeup on me. One would mistake me for a royal princess.

After the meeting commenced, the two servants guided me to the conference room, where Ralph sat at the head of the table. Tala, seated close to him, offered me a small smile.

Placed in a chair by the side, the two ladies left, and I quietly observed as they delved into discussions, seemingly forgetting my presence.

"Now back to your breeder, you should properly introduce her," his beta urged him.

"This is the breeder chosen for me," Ralph stated nonchalantly, gesturing towards me. All eyes focused on me as I shifted my gaze to my fingers.

"What's your name?" a lady among them inquired.

"I'm…" I was abruptly interrupted by Ralph.

"Her name is Lyra," he answered, avoiding eye contact with me.

"You must fulfil your duty as a breeder and give Alpha an heir," a man instructed me. Before I could think of a response, another person questioned me.

"Did you two make love last night?" I was taken aback. Ralph slammed his hands on the table, silencing the room.

"I'm your Alpha. You must not interfere in my personal life," he retorted before gesturing for me to leave.

Quietly exiting the room, I considered it possibly the first kind gesture he'd shown me. The blatant disrespect baffled me, being a breeder shouldn't warrant such treatment.

In my room, shedding the weight of the ceremonial dress, I opted for a simple knee-length black gown and sat down. A knock interrupted my thoughts.

“It's time for breakfast,” she politely announced.

"What's your name?" I asked, disregarding her announcement.

"I'm Yifa, your servant," she replied. I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Is the meeting over?" I inquired.

"No."

"I'll have my breakfast here then," I said with a smile, and she promptly went to fetch it.

In this vast mansion, pondering my newfound free time, I wondered about my purpose. Yifa returned with a tray of food, accompanied by another servant, placing it on the table near the couch was sitting on.

"Is today a special occasion? Why so many dishes?" I marvelled at the feast before me. The table is adorned with an assortment of delicacies.

"That's our usual way of serving food here," Yifa replied, her departure leaving me with an array of tempting dishes.

Tasting the flavours, I indulged in what appealed to me and left the rest. After a while, Yifa returned, packing up the remains of the culinary display.

“Hey, are you okay? Is your body sore?” Tala teased through the mind link, her words offering a connection in this unfamiliar environment.

“Nothing happened,” I reassured her.

“I know, otherwise you should have asked me. Have you ever, you know...”

“No!” I answered, a tinge of embarrassment colouring my response. A brief silence followed.

“Your first is supposed to be memorable, though,” Tala's calm words lingered in the air.

“With my mate, you mean,” I chuckled, trying to diffuse the awkwardness.

“Yeah, I got to go now. If there's anything, talk to me,” she said, concluding our mind link.

Choosing isolation, I spent the entire day in my room, disinterested in venturing outside or encountering Ralph.

As evening descended, Yifa, my servant, made her way to me, breaking the peacefulness with her presence.

“Alpha said today is an odd day and requested you join him in his room,” she announced, causing my heart to skip a beat.

“Okay,” I managed to murmur.

“I'll run your bath and get you ready,” she offered, but I interrupted.

“I'll take my bath myself and dress,” I stated. She stood still for a moment.

“Alpha said…”

“Please,” I pleaded, and she left. The contradiction of his harshness and the luxury of having a servant puzzled me.

Reluctantly, I took my bath, nervousness lingering, perhaps intensified by the anticipation of him being my first. 

Adorning a beautiful silky white nightgown, I carefully combed and let down my hair, stealing a glance at my reflection before heading to his room. Standing before his door, I took a deep breath, uncertain of what awaited me.

I knocked on his door, but there was no reply. Standing there, I hoped no servants would appear, as it would be embarrassing.

“Come in,” I heard him say after a few more knocks. Gently, I pushed the door open and entered.

There he stood, with wet hair that hinted at a recent bath. The towel casually draped around his waist emphasized the allure of his captivating masculinity.

As he busied himself drying his hair, his back turned to me, and an awkward silence hung in the air. I found myself standing there, feeling like a mere observer in the magnificence of his room.

“Are you just going to stand there?” he asked, his gaze fixed elsewhere.

Nervously, I dragged myself towards the edge of his invitingly large bed, moving my fingers restlessly with a delicate tension. the sound of my heartbeat seemingly echoing in the room.

“What are you doing?” he asked, finally acknowledging my presence with a gaze that held a mysterious inquiry. 

Confusion clouded my thoughts as I wrestled with the meaning behind his question amid this dreadful encounter.