You are nothing but a servant

Ava and Emma's Room – Ava's POV

The moment we stepped back into our room, Emma collapsed onto the edge of the bed like a broken doll, her shoulders trembling. Her hand was still pressed tightly against her bruised cheek, but it wasn't just the slap that had hurt her—it was the humiliation. The sting of being treated like nothing by her own fated mate.

I shut the door softly behind us, then rushed to her side, sitting beside her and wrapping my arms around her. She didn't resist. Instead, she melted into the hug, hiding her face against my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, stroking her hair. "I tried to stop you… I didn't know he'd actually hit you."

Emma let out a shaky breath, her voice muffled. "They're monsters, Ava. They're supposed to protect us. Cherish us. But they treat us like we're prisoners in a pack that's not even our own."

I pulled back slightly and looked into her watery eyes. "I know. I feel it too… But we don't have a choice. They are our mates. We can't reject them—not without breaking ourselves in the process."

"They've already broken us," she whispered bitterly, fresh tears slipping down her cheeks.

I cupped her face gently, careful not to touch her bruised skin. "You're not broken. Not yet. We're strong, Emma. We survive… together."

She gave me a weak smile, then took a shaky breath and stood. "We better hurry. I don't want to give them another excuse to hurt us."

I nodded, wiping away my own tears before they could fall. "Let's go… before our three minutes turn into a lifetime in their dungeon."

---

Alpha Leo's Room – Ava's POV

The door creaked open, and I stepped inside Leo's room hesitantly, clutching the towel and soap I had brought along. The bathroom door was already open, and steam wafted out from within, filling the room with a warm, damp fog. He was already in the large tub, reclined with his arms draped along the rim, eyes closed—but I knew he'd sensed me.

I walked quietly into the bathroom and set the items down beside the tub.

"You're late," he said without opening his eyes.

I swallowed. "I'm sorry, Alpha. I came as fast as I could."

He opened his eyes then, sharp and intense as they focused on me. "Take off your clothes."

My breath hitched. "W-what?"

He sat up slowly, water cascading down his sculpted chest. His voice was calm but deadly. "You're here to bathe me. You can't do that fully dressed."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, but I forced myself to keep my face neutral. My fingers trembled slightly as I reached for the hem of my shirt and pulled it over my head. Every layer I removed felt like another piece of my pride stripped away.

When I finally knelt beside the tub in only my underwear, I picked up the sponge and dipped it into the soapy water. He didn't move—he watched me.

"Why do you obey so easily?" he asked suddenly.

I blinked. "What do you mean?"

"Most wolves would resist. Fight back. But you… You bow your head and serve."

"Because I have no other choice," I said softly, not meeting his eyes.

"You do have a choice," he said, leaning forward. "You could fight. You could scream. Yet you don't."

I looked up at him finally, my eyes burning. "Because I still have hope, Leo. Hope that the man the Moon Goddess chose for me will one day see me as more than just a maid. Hope that you'll see me."

He said nothing. Just stared at me in silence, his jaw clenched.

---

Rex's Room – Emma's POV

Rex's room was darker than I expected—deep crimson curtains blocked the sunlight, and the only illumination came from the dim glow of a single wall sconce. The scent of pine and musk filled the air, making it hard to breathe.

He was already in the tub, just like Leo, and I couldn't stop the wave of anxiety that crashed over me as I stepped into the room.

"Close the door," he ordered.

I obeyed.

"Bring the soap. And don't be slow about it this time."

I picked up the soap and walked toward the tub, trying to keep my hands from shaking. Every step I took felt like I was walking into a lion's den.

"Did I break your spirit already?" he asked with a mocking smirk. "You're awfully quiet."

"I'm here to do what you asked," I replied quietly, kneeling beside the tub.

"Say Master," he said.

I looked up at him, and though I hated myself for it, I said it. "Yes, Master."

He grinned.

As I reached forward to wash his arm, he caught my wrist mid-air. His fingers tightened, not enough to bruise—but enough to remind me of his strength.

"Don't forget your place," he said darkly. "You're nothing but a servant in this house. And if you ever raise your voice at me again… you won't be walking out of this room."

I nodded stiffly, lowering my eyes.

"Good girl," he whispered, releasing my wrist. "Now bathe me. And smile while you do it."

I forced my lips to twitch into a smile, all the while praying silently that this nightmare would end—that somehow, the men we were fated to would return to their senses… or that I'd find a way to survive them until they did.