The car pulled up in a magnificent compound. A gasp escaped her lips and she gaped around like a fool.
"My goodness!"
"We're here, Ma'am." The chauffeur muttered with a stoic face.
'Why's he so unfriendly?' Valeigh murmured under her breath as she got off the car.
A handsome man stood outside with his arms crossed behind his back. She quickly recognized him as the man from the wood—the one with Alpha Ezekiel.
"Good day to you." A bright smile spread on her face.
He flashed her a faint smile—so faint that she assumed smiling was a taboo here.
"Let's get you dressed up for the Alpha."
"Dressed up? But I'm dressed already."
"Dressed in that?," He gave her a lopsided smirk, "You can't even get past the guards in that."
Her face fell and he chuckled, beckoning on her to follow him.
She moved her legs and watched him stroll ahead of her. They got to a building and he stopped abruptly.
"Walk straight. Take the left turn when you get to the end of the hallway. Stop by the first door and enter. The ladies-in-waiting will make you ready."
Valeigh stared at him stupified, "How do I remember all those things?"
"Straight, left turn, first door, enter. How's that difficult? Geez!"
"Stop being mean to me. Not everyone has a retentive memory."
Ian scoffed, "Whatever, but I won't come with you because I have no reason to be in the maids quarters."
"Why?"
"It's the maid's quarters."
She blinked her eyes and shook her head. Was that a definite reason? Well, it wasn't her business—or was it?
Her feet stepped on the marble floor and she walked towards the hallway, taking the direction.
"This place is gorgeous, but-" she froze and looked around, "why is the atmosphere so hostile?"
She knocked on the door and a pair of slender hands dragged her inside.
"Arrrrrrrrrrrrrgh!"
"Hush, My Lady. We aren't taking you hostage." A voice filled with the wear and tear of age cooed.
Valeigh blinked her eyes repeatedly in the darkness.
The lights were turned on. She stared at the women in the room. Four young ladies and an elderly woman were gaping at her.
She's the one?
She doesn't look like it!
She's actually pretty!
Pretty? Valeigh couldn't believe her ears.
"Please, take off your clothes."
"M-M-My…clothes? What for?"
They gave her an incredulous stare.
"We have to prepare you to meet the Alpha. You can't see him dressed like this."
"Oh!"
Valeigh held the tip of her robe and loosened it slightly.
"Please, take off all your clothes and step into the bath pool."
Valeigh watched as the ladies added scented oils, leaves and perfumes into the pool. Her eyes rested on the elderly woman's face and she took off the robe, the fabric falling at her feet to the floor. She was left in her undergarments. She unhooked her bra and her fingers traced the tip of her panties. She removed it from her waist to her hips, to her legs, taking it off completely.
A red hue rushed into her cheeks—she was standing gloriously naked before five prying eyes. She sauntered towards the pool and slowly, she dipped her feet into it.
A loud yelp escaped her lips.
"Arrrgh!"
She fell deep into the water, her head bobbling out of the water.
"Help Her Lady out."
A strong hand pulled her out of the water.
"Haven't you used this before, My Lady?" The older woman asked with a tinge of surprise.
"I use a bathtub, not a pool."
Valeigh sat up in the water and the young ladies scrubbed her body, hair and face.
"Geez, take it easy on me."
----
Valeigh came out of the water and watched as a lady wiped her body dry.
"My Lady, do you want a full body massage or a face massage?"
"I-I-I—"
"Give her both. Please," the elderly woman cut her off, gesturing at the massage bed, "get on the bed."
She nodded and laid down on the bed. Different liquid dropped on her back and a pair of hands pressed her back softly, massaging scented oils into her body.
"Uh…" She moaned softly.
One…two…three…
Valeigh counted numbers to kill time, her eyes closed and she drifted off to sleep.
"My Lady?"
"Hmmm?" Valeigh drawled, her eyeballs expanding.
"Please come with me. "
She got up from the bed and walked to the life-size mirror. She stared at her reflection in the mirror and staggered slightly. A gasp escaped her throat and she covered her mouth with her palms.
"Gawd!"
Her face was dolled up with a mild make-up and her high neck was adorned with a silver necklace, having a wolf's pendant. She was wearing a black gown that hugged her tight, showing her curves. A silver chain was on her exposed waist and her feet.
"You look breathtaking, My Lady!" The ladies chorused in unison.
A smile curled up on her face and she blushed. "Thank you for making me beautiful."
"You already are."
She turned to the elderly woman, "How do I look?"
"The Alpha will decide that." She handed a flowery mask to her, "Please put on this mask and come with me."
"Mask, why?"
"Other than us, the Alpha ought to be the first one who sets his eyes on you."
----
Valeigh walked behind her, the maids-in-waiting trailing behind them.
A pair of dozen eyes were on them as they walked through the hallway.
"The way everyone is staring at me, it means that this mask looks stupid." She scoffed.
They got to a hall and the guards gave her a light bow and opened the door.
Valeigh's mouth fell open and she gaped at the hall.
The place was simply breathtaking!
The walls had golden inscriptions of strange things, the roof was high above the ground and the chandeliers shone brightly. The room was cold and almost freezing. The men in the hall bowed their heads—none moved—not even an inch.
"Come." A rasped voice ordered and her head snapped towards the throne.
Alpha Ezekiel was sprawled on it lazily, his gaze fixed on her body. Valeigh prodded to the throne, her hands shaking beside her. She climbed up and walked to him slowly, his fingers rested on the mask and he ripped it off.
"My Luna." He muttered, staring at her face.
"Luna…what do you mean?" Valeigh whispered, her eyes widened.
"You're the Luna I chose."
"You don't get to choose. The Moon Goddess gives."
He chuckled and traced his fingers on her face, "The Moon Goddess knows I'm an exception."
"Whatever you say," Valeigh huffed, "but I am not here because of that, so tell me what this is all about."
He ignored her and stood up, pulling her closely to him.
"Raise your heads and listen up."
The Ministers obeyed and fixed their eyes on him.
"This is Lady Leigh. She is my mate and the future Luna of this pack. Disrespect her at your own peril."
"Greetings to the Luna." Ian bellowed.
"Greetings to the Luna!" The Ministers shouted, their heads bowed.
Valeigh's eyes widened and she glanced at him. A sick smirk bounced on his face,
"Be my fake mate."