Riya Lesnar
The tall and imposing doors of the grand hall went open and Keegan led the way in with Madeleine, his pride and joy, clinging to his side, looking more beautiful than ever.
"Here comes the High priest and his holy maidens!" Emory Rhode, a gregarious man plunged forward to welcome us.
I instantly recognized him. The slightly balding man was a regular at the strip club. A pervert to the core. Although I performed every night with my face concealed, I still hid my face with my shawl, afraid of getting recognized.
A few pack nobles came forward to welcome us, treating us like we were daughters of the moon goddess.
Alpha Ethan was a recluse, none of my sisters and I knew what the ruler looked like yet, my sisters were already wedded to him mentally.
I chuckled.
Just then, the babbles and cackles in the hall ebbed and this made my soft chuckles ring loudly.
"Excuse me?" Emory asked, "Is something funny?"
His condescending tone and cold eyes made it plain he already knew I was Keegan's runt.
Keegan shot me a death stare. I didn't mean to laugh so loudly. If things escalated then I'd be whipped afterwards for sure.
"My apologies," I spluttered, "I'm just overwhelmed to be here." I lied.
The lecherous Sir. Ferren, one of the pack Elders, the sickening old man who had demanded and got denied on several occasions at the club for a private session, shook hands with father, appearing more holy today than he did every other night in the strip club.
He repulsed me more than anything. These two-faced men in the hall tonight repulsed me just to think of their solemn appearances compared to their boisterous and leering remarks at the bar.
More Elders came forward to greet and welcome us, the more faces I recognized from the club. Was there any decent man in this pack?
Could Emory at least conceal his lustful gaze as they wandered my body? To think I was adequately covered from head to toes.
His perverted features stirred up a wave of disgust in me. How could I escape this? How long was it going to take to save up enough money to leave this all behind?
He shook hands with my sisters in total respect welcoming them but when it reached my turn, instead of a handshake he leaned into me with his hand grazing the small of my back. My guards instantly skyrocketed.
I didn't appreciate people touching me so I swatted off his hand from me with a deadly scowl on my face.
Father's face fell in disapproval of my attitude. We were bound to put on a show if this man kept on with this attitude. It didn't matter if Keegan ordered I get whipped afterwards with a silver whip.
"A pretty feisty one!" Emory made light of the situation.
The other men including father roared into laughter as though this man didn't just touch me in a way that made me feel violated. Even in the strip club, the manager went all out to protect his girls from men like Emory but father couldn't protect me from his subtle assault.
Not like I had any faith in Keegan to protect me.
The smiles instantly dropped off their faces, fear suddenly seized their features at the sudden aura in the hall. Emory snapped from my side and bowed his head stiffly at the man who just entered the scene in gallant strides exuding an air of dominance with his broad shoulders pulled back, haunted gaze scanning the scene before him.
My face dropped, the anger abruptly snuck out of me. Someone else from the strip club.
I quickly pulled my shawl to conceal my face.
The man I kissed. No, the man who kissed me.
His dark exterior clamped and jaws clenched as though grinding rocks with his teeth, my eyes dropped on the perfect set of green eyes that were oddly familiar.
Oh no!
A shrill rose and died in the hollow pit of my soul. This felt like an attack on me. My sins were catching up to me.
"Emory," His steely tone resonated off the now quiet hall.
Emory stood as though he'd been placed on death row. Shaky to the core.
"My alpha!" The older man nearly faltered.
"Clear your desk and vacate the treasurer position, your action towards a maiden is quite inappropriate."
"I apologize, Alpha Ethan." Emory spewed, frightfully.
All the air left my vision.
He was Alpha Ethan?
Our gazes snagged and I instantly averted mine, pulled the shawl to cover my face the more, afraid to get recognized by the man who had ignited a fiery flame that was burning ravenously on my inside from just a kiss.
"My apologies, my holy maiden." Emory redirected his apology to me.
For the first time I was actually getting apologized to. The first time anyone ever stood up for me. But my fear of getting recognized by this handsome pack ruler made it hard to react to Emory's apology.
"We are most honored to be here, Our Alpha!" Father stiffly bowed, Tilting everyone's attention to himself. Easing the tension in the air. Looking somewhat nervous.
How could father be nervous? Why was everyone acting like they were scared to breathe?
But Alpha Ethan's amused gaze was pinned on my face. No, he couldn't have recognized me as black swan from the strip club last night. My shawl covered most of my face. I'd be killed if he did for sinning against my body.
My face grew white and my gaze dared
not leave the floor beneath my feet.
A nightmare was unfolding before my eyes.