At Their Command

Rhea's POV

A deep sense of dread and fear washed over me the moment I snapped my eyes open. Pairs of hands were on me—heavy and sweaty. I turned my gaze to both sides, only to realize that they belonged to the three men from last night.

What had actually happened? I pondered, when immediately, like a bolt of lightning, the memories came back—vivid and clear.

Their deep growls rumbling in my ears… the way their hands had held me—not gently, but with a kind of desperate need. Their touch had been firm, hot, and unforgettable. I could still feel it, burning on my skin.

Their lips… their bodies… their scents—wild, addictive, and overwhelming. Each of them had claimed a part of me, leaving their marks not just on my neck, but deep within my soul.

I gasped, my eyes going wide in shock.

They hadn't just kissed me. They hadn't just whispered their needs. They had claimed me. Fully.

And after Aria had taken over, after I had surrendered completely to her and to them… they had marked me.

'No… this can't be happening. I need to get out of here now,' I said inwardly as I stormed out of the bed, my heart racing rapidly as I grabbed my dress on the floor and wore it.

Seeing that they weren't awake yet, I rushed out of the room, trying my best to shut the door slowly so as not to awaken them from their deep sleep.

I let out a heavy breath of relief, seeing it was done—thinking I had escaped. Unbeknownst to me, my doom had just begun.

"I see you had fun last night."

My breath hitched at the vile sound behind me. I spun sharply, my eyes bulging in fear as I caught sight of not just Lilith, but also four guards standing behind her. She had a vile grin on her lips as she stared at me.

"Tell me, Rhea… why are you coming out of the guest chambers so early in the morning?" she asked, a glint of amusement flickering through her eyes.

"I… I…" I couldn't form a coherent word at this point. It made me look silly.

She snickered as she walked closer to me, her hand gripping a handful of my hair as she sniffed it. "Strong, musky scent. I bet you had a man sleep with you last night," Lilith emitted.

I tried to deny it, but immediately, she signaled the guards that were standing behind her. They swiftly marched towards me, grabbed me by each arm, and pinned me to the ground.

My knee hit the cold floor with a heavy thud, the pain piercing through my skin. I struggled against their holds, but it was impossible to free myself.

"What are you doing, Lilith? Let me go!" I demanded, but she didn't.

"A slave trying to command me? What nonsense!" She slapped me right on my face, not minding the consequences.

"I should have known better than to have sent you into that room last night. You are nothing but a whore, just like your mother," she spat.

My eyes raised to glare at her, tears already welling up in my eyes.

"Glaring at me now, I see. Don't worry, Rhea, I'm just starting. By the time I'm done, you'll regret ever getting closer to Alpha Jace."

This was because of him. Because of Jace, who had already chosen her? What more did she want from me?

"Lilith, please let me go," I begged this time, hoping that she'd listen, but it only gave her the zeal to go further.

At that moment, soft chatter and laughter echoed from behind her. Turning around, I couldn't help but catch the sight of not only Alpha Jace but his father, Alpha Reed, and other Elders of the pack.

Lilith turned to look at me with satisfaction in her eyes. "Did I tell you the game has just begun?"

Before I could stop her, she turned in their direction. "Alpha Jace, she's been caught," she called their attention, and as expected, they hurried toward our direction.

The moment Jace saw me, he froze for a split second, his eyes not filled with worry like they used to be. This time, he glared at me with spite and regret.

"What's happening here?" he questioned with a deep voice that sent shivers down my spine.

"Your slave here didn't sleep in her room. We caught her leaving the guest room this morning in a messy state after losing her virginity last night."

Everyone gasped at Lilith's statement. My heart skipped a beat too. I knew what it meant to lose my virginity as a slave in the Shadow Fang pack.

"What nonsense?!" Alpha Reed roared in disbelief.

Jace walked closer to me, his eyes buried deep inside mine, filled with hatred. "Is this true, Rhea? Did you sleep with another man?"

"I…" before I could finish, Lilith walked closer to Jace, her hand on his chest as she spoke softly to him.

"She will lie about it, Jace. Why don't we cut the long process short?" She turned to the guards that stood behind her. "Pull down her sleeve and check her chastity mark."

Oh no, the chastity mark. The mark that indicated I was still a virgin.

"No, please, don't." It was going to be a shame if everyone knew my virginity was gone and given to a stranger.

They got closer, and with rough hands, they pulled down my sleeve. Everyone kept their focus on me.

"It's not there!" Lilith announced, making Alpha Jace more furious.

His fingers clenched by his sides, but he didn't say a single word.

"Do you know what you have done, Rhea? You are a disgrace to the Shadow Fang pack, and you'll have to face the punishment!" Lilith declared like she was the Alpha.

I turned to look at Jace, his eyes still fixed on me. "I… I can explain all of this, Jace," I said out, my voice shaky and unsteady as I tried to explain, but he wouldn't listen.

"You slept with a stranger even as the Alpha's slave, and you claim you can explain?" He snatched my neck in his grip, his eyes glowing with rage. "What explanation do you have to give?" he shouted.

I tried to breathe, his grip tightening at every point.

Lilith stopped him. "Don't kill her, Jace. She can't die yet. Not until she faces her punishment," she smirked before turning to the guards.

"Take her to the dungeons, tie her up, and await the Alpha's command. She doesn't deserve to live!"

Lilith commanded, but just as the guards were going to forcefully drag me up while I struggled to break free from their holds, the heavy doors behind me creaked open with a deep, thick voice resonating through the pack house.

"No one dares lay a single hand on our Luna!"