ALPHA'S DARK PAYMENT. HE REJECTED HER. HIS WOLF CHOSE HER.

ALPHA KANE'S CHAMBER - NIGHT

Elara woke with a sharp, panicked gasp.

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as air burned in her lungs, and for a terrifying second, she didn't know where she was-or who she was.

Then the cold bit into her palms.

Smooth marble.

She was on the floor.

Not lying down.

Not kneeling.

Her head throbbed violently, a dull ache pulsing behind her eyes as she swallowed and lifted her gaze slowly.

Alpha Kane stood across the room.

Still. Silent. Watching.

He hadn't moved an inch.

Elara swallowed, gasping for air.

She stood up immediately, ignoring her lingering dizziness, and bowed her head so fast her forehead nearly touched the floor.

"I-I'm sorry," she stuttered, her voice shaking. "Please forgive me, my lord."

The silence pressed down on her like a physical weight.

"You fainted," Kane said at last.

His voice was calm. Too calm.

"I didn't give you permission to faint, Elara."

Elara flinched at her mention of her own name.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, her hands trembling where they rested against her thighs. "It won't happen again."

"Look at me."

Her heart skipped.

Slowly, painfully, she raised her head.

Their eyes met.

Kane's gaze was sharp, like he was looking through her rather than at her. Not in desire. Not in anger.

Ownership.

"You're awake now," he said. "That means you're bound to obedience."

"Yes," Elara breathed.

"Stand."

Her legs protested as she pushed herself up; her knees felt like rubber, but she didn't hesitate. She stood on her feet and stood straight, shoulders back, eyes lowered to the floor, exactly as she had been taught.

Kane stepped closer.

The air shifted with each step he took, his presence swallowing the space between them until she could smell his cologne.

"You know why you're here," he asked.

"Yes."

"Say it."

Her throat tightened.

"I belong to you," Elara whispered. "I am your slave."

Kane's eyes darkened slightly.

"And?"

"I am... your sex slave."

The words tasted bitter and humiliating, but she uttered them anyway, this was her life now. Denial would only make it worse.

"Good," Kane said softly.

He touched her gently, his boots echoing faintly against the marble floor. Elara stayed perfectly still, her hands clenched at the hem of her clothes, her breathing shallow.

"You are not a pack member," he continued. "You do not have rights. You do not have protection."

She nodded.

"You are not to expect kindness."

"Yes, my Lord."

"You are not to expect affection."

Her chest tightened.

"Yes, my Lord."

"You exist to obey my every command."

"Yes, my Lord."

He stopped in front of her again.

"If I give an order," Kane said, "you follow it immediately. You do not hesitate. You do not argue. You do not faint."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Strip, Elara."

The word fell like a blade.

Elara swallowed.

Fear surged through her, choking and suffocating, but it didn't paralyze her this time.

She had already crossed the point of no return. Resistance would only humiliate and endanger her.

She bowed her head once in acceptance.

"Yes."

Her fingers shook as she reached for the hem of her uniform.

She moved slowly... She had been taught to undress with care, not desperation-to show submission, not panic.

The fabric slid down her shoulders.

She folded the uniform neatly, her movements swift and respectful, and placed it carefully on the nearby chair.

She stood still.

Naked.

Exposed.

Her skin prickled under Kane's intense gaze, drowning in shame. She pushed the urge to cover herself away, resisting the instinct to curl inward.

She stood exactly where she was.

"I'm ready, my Lord," she said softly.

Kane didn't answer right away.

He simply looked at her.

"Good," he said eventually.

He turned away from her without another glance.

"Climb the bed," he ordered. "Kneel."

Elara obeyed instantly.

She approached the bed and immediately climbed onto the edge of the large bed and knelt as instructed-her back straight, her hands resting lightly on her thighs, her eyes lowered.

Behind her, she heard the faint sounds of buttons being undone.

He was undressing.

Was that why he wanted her to back him? Was she not supposed to see him just the way he saw her?...

Not rushed. Not aggressive.

Controlled.

"This does not make you important," Kane said from behind her. "And it does not make you loved."

"I understand."

"This is not a reward."

"Yes."

"You are not here to be comforted."

Her fingers curled slightly.

"Yes, my lord."

A long pause followed.

Then Kane spoke again.

"You will learn discipline."

"Yes."

"You will learn silence."

"Yes."

"You will learn what is expected of you-and you will meet those expectations."

"I will," she promised.

"Failure has consequences."

Her heart thudded painfully.

"I understand."

He stepped closer.

"Raise your head."

She did.

Their eyes met once more.

Kane's expression was unreadable-cold, composed, unyielding.

"This is your first night," he said. "Do not embarrass yourself again."

"Yes, Alpha."

"My Lord, Elara," he corrected coldly. "I am not your Alpha."

Elara nodded.

Kane turned away.

"You will remain here until I touch you," he said. "You will not leave this room unless instructed."

"Yes."

"You will speak only when spoken to."

"Yes."

"You will sleep when I allow it."

"Yes, my lord."

He nodded once, as if satisfied.

Then he walked toward his inner chamber, the door closing behind him.

Elara remained kneeling.

Her knees ached. Her body trembled faintly. Her mind raced with fear, confusion, and humiliation-but beneath it all was something worse.

Acceptance.

Tears burned her eyes, but she didn't let them fall.

She stayed exactly where she was.

Waiting...

To be touched by him.