Chapter 9 Surrender to Fate

Time might not heal all wounds, but it certainly worked its magic on my body.

Another week passed, and I felt better than ever.

Doll's carefully crafted diet plan was undoubtedly worth sticking to.

I followed through with every doctor's appointment, maintained light walks to strengthen my body, and stayed on track with my recovery. Although I wasn't entirely healed, each day brought steady improvement.

I was amazed at how quickly I was recovering—Alpha blood was coursing through my veins, after all.

There was no turning back. I convinced myself that things would be better once this ordeal was over.

I'd be healthier, free, and in control of my life.

An hour had passed since dinner.

I stood by the window, gazing out at the camp bathed in the dusky hues of evening. This quiet time, a brief respite from my grueling recovery schedule, was the only part of the day that felt like mine.

I retrieved a book from the library and placed it on the small shelf in my room.

Earlier, the maids had lit a fire. I was grateful to them.

The crackling fireplace warmed the room. I felt its heat on my skin, a comforting embrace against the evening chill.

A sudden knock at the door broke the tranquil silence. Two familiar maids stepped in, accompanied by an older woman I hadn't seen before.

"Gianna, I'm here to prepare you," the woman said with a tone of authority.

"Prepare me... for what exactly? Who are you?" I hesitated, standing from my chair and moving toward her, my unease growing.

"I'm Kaia Green, the head maid of this manor. Alpha sent me to ensure you're ready for tonight," she explained, her voice even but firm.

Her words confused me. It wasn't until Kaia disappeared into the adjoining bathroom that her meaning fully struck me.

Tonight was the night.

It was happening tonight. Dennis would come here.

The book slipped from my hand, hitting the floor with a thud. I scrambled to pick it up, trying in vain to hide the nervous tremor in my fingers.

Sometimes, Dennis' face flickered in my mind. My fear of him, which had haunted me for so long, seemed to fade over time.

Without him constantly near, I had almost forgotten the weight of his presence.

After that first night here, he seemed to have completely forgotten about me.

Our initial meeting felt like a distant memory, so much so that I occasionally questioned whether it had even happened—until now.

As I sank back into the chair, it felt like time had slowed to a crawl.

The maids bustled about, drawing a bath filled with rose petals. They worked with precision, paying me no mind, as though I were a doll on display.

When the bath was ready, Kaia beckoned me forward.

Her action stirred memories of his cold declaration, "Your only purpose here is to bear children."

To him, this was transactional. I was no more than a vessel, bought and paid for.

The warm water enveloped me as I slid into the bath, the floral-scented steam rising around me.

For a moment, the soothing heat eased my tension, allowing my thoughts to wander.

The maids lit candles, their flickering glow casting soft orange light across the room.

The delicate aromas of cedarwood and vanilla filled the air, transforming the grand but empty suite into something almost intimate.

From a distance, the setting might even appear romantic.

Outside, the sky darkened, and I caught myself looking for the moon.

I yearned to see it, to pray to the Moon Goddess for strength and guidance.

The night felt perfect—like something out of a dream any girl might wish for.

Yet, the man who would share my bed tonight was no romantic partner.

His sole purpose for coming here tonight was to leave a child in me. Once he took what I hold dear, there would be nothing left between us.

There would be no love, no tenderness—only a deal.

It was a vow I had made, one I was determined to honor. I had chosen to become the breeder.

But as much as I tried to prepare myself, tears streamed down my face. Reality hit harder than I had expected.

"You'll be fine," I whispered, sinking deeper into the water, trying to convince myself.

This was my decision. I could endure it.

"Time to dress, Miss Miller," a maid called from the doorway.

She stood holding a pristine white towel. "We must hurry. Alpha will arrive soon."

I trembled as I stood up from the bathtub, the cool air meeting my damp skin.

The maid wrapped the towel around me, her motions brisk but gentle, and ushered me into the bedroom. Laid out on the bed was a set of delicate white lingerie.

The silk camisole was soft and nearly transparent, with an elegant lace trim that gave it an air of purity.

It was beautiful—but wearing it felt like an act of humiliation.

The fabric was impossibly thin, almost transparent. The fabric clung tightly to my modest curves. I felt exposed as if I were nothing more than a vessel for someone else's desires.

I didn't want to wear the white lingerie.

The thought of appearing before the Alpha dressed like this made me feel uneasy.

Standing before the mirror, I barely recognized myself.

My long hair fell softly over my shoulders, my skin was smooth as silk, but my complexion was pale, and my eyes, though clear, seemed devoid of life.

I had spent the last two weeks mentally preparing myself, thinking I had numbed myself enough to face this moment without fear.

Yet now, standing here, I couldn't stop the fear from creeping in.

I wanted to run.

"You look stunning," the maid said with a kind smile as she adjusted the folds of my gown. "The Alpha will be pleased."

It was only then I realized they hadn't given me any underpants.

Dennis' sharp eyes and flawless face flashed in my mind.

I could still feel the ghost of his touch on my skin—the gentle caress of his fingers against my cheek. Those same elegant fingers could so easily snap my neck.

I was about to lose something I could never get back, yet it seemed meaningless to the man who would take it.

The maid noticed my trembling and reached for a white silk robe draped over the chair.

"Here," she said softly, draping it over my shoulders, to help me keep warm.

"... Thank you," I murmured hesitantly, watching as the maids exited the room.

The ticking of the clock grew louder, each sound like a countdown to doom.

"Gianna, you can do this," I whispered to myself, clutching the edges of the robe. "There's nothing more important than the pack's survival. Sacrificing this is worth it to save innocent lives."

In ten months, I would be free—a child would buy my freedom. I could start over somewhere far away.

My mind raced, cycling through the same self-reassurances over and over, the only thing I could do.

The soft beep of the door's keypad snapped me back to reality. I turned instinctively, and my heart stopped as the tall and handsome man entered the room.

Alpha Dennis.

He was as striking as ever. The tailored black dress shirt tucked into his slacks, the sleeves rolled up to reveal his forearms. The open collar and lack of a tie gave him an air of casual dominance.

As his sharp gaze swept the room, it landed on me and stayed there.

His eyes were crystalline, yet cold, reflecting nothing of what he might be feeling. Like the man himself—impenetrable.

"Alpha... " I stammered, unable to form coherent words.

What was he planning? I knew the purpose of his visit, but the question remained: what should I do?

Standing there, I felt unmoored, unsure of where to place my arms.

Dennis stepped closer, his height making me feel small and vulnerable. His gaze was steady and unyielding. "Are you afraid of me?" he asked, his voice low.

I shook my head quickly, avoiding his eyes as I stared at the floor.

We were so close now that I could feel the warmth radiating from his body through the thin silk of my robe.

The air was heavy with silence, broken only by the sound of my racing heartbeat.

Each breath felt like a battle.

Instinctively, I stepped back, but he moved swiftly, his hand reaching toward me.

I froze, my eyes squeezing shut.

His hand brushed my shoulder, and the robe slipped off me, pooling around my feet.

I was scared though the sudden exposure made my cheeks burn. I squeezed my eyes shut, trembling under his scrutiny.

"Please... " My voice was barely audible, laced with uncertainty and fear.

I wasn't sure what I feared or what I hoped for.

His scent enveloped me, wild and intoxicating, clouding my thoughts.

"I'm not diseased, and I don't have any... unconventional preferences," Dennis said, his deep voice both matter-of-fact and oddly reassuring.

Before I could respond, he added, "If you're afraid of pain, I'll do my best to make it... enjoyable. Let's get started."

His tone was clinical like he was issuing a verdict.

Without warning, he scooped me into his arms.

My breath caught in my throat—no man had held me like this before.

He carried me to the bed.

The soft wool blanket beneath me did nothing to chase away the chill spreading through my body.

I took a deep breath and then clenched my teeth, biting my lip as I squeezed my eyes shut, my lashes fluttering with barely contained emotion.

The weeks I'd spent mentally preparing hadn't lessened the dread of this moment.

"Spread your legs," he commanded.

Dennis' large hand slid along my thigh, and I gripped the blanket beneath me, my pulse racing wildly.

When I opened my eyes, his were locked onto mine. My soft gasp escaped before I could stop it.

He seized my wrists quickly, pinning them above my head.

That's when it hit me—he was still fully clothed, while I was almost entirely exposed.

The humiliation made me want to crawl away and disappear.

The dim light in the room felt harsh now, stripping away any illusion of warmth or romance.

As his rough palm traveled upward, I couldn't stop the shiver that ran through me.

I shut my eyes again, praying for it to be over soon.

But when his cold fingers brushed the sensitive skin of my inner thigh intimately, my body instinctively recoiled.

"Don't move," he warned, his voice sounding like a dangerous growl as he tightened his grip on my wrists and pulled me closer. "Unless you want me to be rougher."

His words made my cheeks flush hotter, and I froze, unable to even breathe.

But the moment I surrendered to his control, regret clawed at my chest.

The weight of him above me, the solid warmth of his chest pressing against mine—it brought back haunting memories of Leo.

Leo's greedy, twisted face filled my mind, his menacing shadow looming over me.

The romantic ambiance in the room felt like nothing more than an illusion. The bed beneath me was suffocating, and the man looming over me...

Dennis wasn't Leo. He wasn't here.

I bit my lip hard, struggling to steady my breathing, but the storm inside me raged on. My efforts to remain calm were futile.

My body trembled, and tears pricked at my eyes, spilling over before I could stop them.

Warm droplets slid down my cheeks, soaking into the blanket beneath me.

"No... " The word slipped out, fragile and desperate. I felt trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape.

"Please... no... " My voice broke, the faintest whisper of defiance against the storm.