Autumn looked around, confused, spitting out the grass and dirt. "What... What the hell was that? "
Mango sighed, leaning forward to help her sit up. " Apparently, Kieran’s wolf has ’ opinions’ about you leaving his pack... ! "
" Wait what? " Autumn groaned as her body ached, her head throbbed, and worst of all...it was just a small, tiny fall.
A warm, citrusy scent filled her nose, and she whipped her head to see Mango hovering over her back, swirling an orange orb of healing energy over her bruises.
"Ugh... stop," Autumn muttered, weakly swatting at Mango’s hands."I don’t need your help.I just...I just want to leave. "
Mango rolled her eyes and pressed the orb harder against Autumn’s side, making her yelp. "Oh, hush. You’re lucky Kieran didn’t break more than your pride."
Autumn tried to stand up, but Mango’s grip on her shoulder was like iron. With a firm shove, she pinned Autumn back down.
"Let me go, please!I beg you!!!"Autumn snapped about to thrash.
"No can do, sweetheart," Mango said cheerfully."You are not going anywhere until Kieran decides so."
"Like hell I am not!" Autumn growled, twisting against her hold."I am not staying here to be some psycho Alpha’s plaything!"
Mango sighed, as if explaining basic math to a toddler. "Autumn, listen. Kieran isn’t just any Alpha. His wolf is...well...different. Stronger. And now that you are bound to him, he has control over you. You can’t run. He will always find you...you just saw a small glimpse of what can happen."
Autumn’s stomach dropped. " What kind of a sick joke is this? Are you trying to say I am leash trained now?"
"Oh, it is something like that," Mango said, patting her cheek. "So save yourself the trouble and stop fighting it."
Autumn’s eyes burned."I didn’t ask for this."
"None of us do...Did we ask to be born? Will we ever want to die,if we could help?," Mango said with a shrug. "But here we are...boundated by fate. "
Before Autumn could retort, Mango stood up, smoothing her dress. "Now...if you know what’s best, you would come along with me and get ready. Kieran’s probably going to want to see you."
"WHAT?!" Autumn shot up so fast her vision almost spun. " See me as in? "
But Mango was already out of there.
Two maids slipped in place of Mango and almost hoisted Autumn on their backs and carried her inside as she thrashed and kicked her legs....their faces were as blank as if this were just another Tuesday.
Once inside, they dumped her on a very soft bed... but like a sack of potatoes.
"Whoa, hey..." Autumn scrambled back as they advanced. "Back off!"
They didn’t even blink.
One grabbed her arms while the other yanked her dress over her head.
"HEY! STOP! I CAN UNDRESS MYSELF...But whoa...why do I need to undress?? Hey...hey..."
They ignored her, stripping her down like she was a mannequin.
"This is assault!" Autumn shrieked, trying to cover herself as they dragged her towards a steaming bath.
"Please cooperate with us, rogue. It’s beyond flattery that the Alpha even wants to see someone like you. Let us at least groom you somewhat to his liking,you would be grateful to us later, " one said flatly, reaching for some bottles.
"I highly doubt that bitch...argh...(gurgles) !" Autumn’s voice got lost in more gurgles.
They dumped her into the water. Autumn yelped...it was scalding.
"Are you trying to boil me alive?!" she gasped, flailing.
The maids scrubbed her mercilessly, paying no mind to her protests. She definitely felt the plight of an average fish being prepped...about to be cooked.
One even sniffed her hair and wrinkled her nose.
"You smell like dirt and rotten...like something died in your hair."
"Gee, thanks," Autumn snapped. "I was arrested for stealing food. I haven’t seen luxury in a while, you know! "
They hauled her out, wrapped her in a towel, and then...horror of horrors...brought out a lingerie.
Very little to no fabric.
"Oh, hell no," Autumn said, backing up. "I am not wearing that.Most definitely!"
The maids exchanged a look.
Then they actually pounced.
"GET OFF ME...I SWEAR TO THE MOON..."
Autumn fought valiantly but it was a losing battle.
By the time they were done, Autumn was trussed up like a present, her hair curled, her skin shimmering with some ridiculous oil, and her dignity ? In shreds.
She stood in front of the mirror, gaping at her reflection. "I look like a slut... "
"That’s the point," one maid said.
"Sorry?" Autumn crossed her arms. "This is degrading."
The other maid smirked. "Wait till the Alpha gets here. Then you will really know what actually degradation feels like. "
Autumn’s face burned. "You are enjoying this?! Huh!! How many times have you slept with the Alpha... you seem quite experienced... "
The maids exchanged glances... " You don’t know, do you?"
" Know what? " Autumn snapped.
" Alpha Kieran never sees a woman, twice in his bed... "
Autumn gulped...A moment of pause. And then Autumn reached for her sleeve, trying to pull it down. " No! Fucking no! I am not seeing that playboy Alpha in these. Hell no! "
The other maid added, "The Alpha will be pleased."
Autumn crossed her arms over her chest, cheeks blazing. "Well, the Alpha can choke on his pleasure."
A knock came at the door.
The maids turned in perfect unison.
"He is here," one whispered.
Autumn’s heart thudded in her chest like a war drum. She spun towards the door in panic. "Wait! I am not ready!"
But the door handle turned slowly
And then the door creaked open.
A deep, amused voice rumbled from the doorway.
" Yes, Alpha. We will now take our leave! " And before she could blink, it was just the two of them, in that room.
Autumn’s blood turned to ice.
She didn’t want to turn around.
But she didn’t have a choice.
Slowly, she faced him...and instantly regretted it.
Because Kieran standing there, leaning against the doorframe with a predatory grin, looked at her like she was his next meal.
"Hello, little thief," he purred. " Heard you wanted to run?"
Autumn swallowed hard.
"Oh, I am so screwed."