to

few minutes ago, she grabbed me and started to kiss me. I tried to stop her but I didn't want to hurt her. Sh

around the room. I shook my head frantically, knowing

ed to force himself on me. He wa

ore I felt the pain that swished through me. I grabbed my cheeks

a bad person?" My stepmother sn

n trying to force himsel

g to steady myself. I managed to open eyes which I was sure was goi

e. "It isn't enough that you killed my mate, or that you decided to have a dormant and useless wol

didn't do it, Father. W

orme. You'll spend some time in the dungeon to think

*****************

there, curled up, shivering, as the damp air clawed at my throat. My tears had dried hours ago, le

l sides. I stared up at the ceiling, my body too exhaus

I was broken in their eyes. Even as a child, I had seen the way my father

f him made my stomach twist in revulsion. I had never met him, but his reputation was enough to fi

laugh, though it

id

I was nothing more than a bargaining chip, s

to hold back the sobs tha

idea how long I had been down here. And then, just as I bega

d two guards stood there, their face

nd my legs wobbled beneath me. My body was sore, my sk

aiting for me. Her lips widened into a smile as she

't have to worry. I'll make you very presentable for

usba

t like poiso

ught out a chair. They sat me down, and my stepmother began to wor

ered my face, "At least someone is willing to take you

e retort in my throat. Ther

her work. "There. Almost buyable." She gestured to one of the

here?" I asked, sudd

h for you to waste my time trying

hadn't expected

ay goodbye to my

you, Storme. He's happy to sell you off. He's content with my son and I

where a car awaited. I was shoved inside. Two tight-faced men sat at the

was waiting. The moment I saw him, my blood ran cold. He looked like he was in his late sixties, and had a pot belly th

her to my room im

t to the point. Soon enough, maids were fussing over my dress and

ost my V-card to my mate didn't prepare me for this. It certainly didn't prep

e I had left. "King Marcellus," I whispered, my voice t

his eyes narrow

. "I'm... I'm a virgin. I've never been w

e?" he growled, his garlic-filled breath washing over my face. "You think you get to make demands of m

or coursing thro

ight, tried to resist, but he was too strong. He tore at my clothes, and I felt a scream r

my voice breakin

owering me, and the pain that followed was unbearable. P

felt as if my lungs had been broken

en, tearing his way in without mercy. I cried out in pain but I was met with anot

llably. He stood, adjusting his clothes, looking down at me with utmost sa

way in the blink if a

't bring myself to wipe them away. I

alled, and two men entered

ered, his voice cold and uncaring. "Let her t

to resist, too shattered to care. They dragged me back throug

ss. I collapsed onto the floor, my body aching. The pain was unbearable, but it wasn't just the physi