Marked By One, And Tasted By The Other!: Read Chapters 1-5

Anna’s POV

"Maybe she needs two cocks. One isn't enough for this whore, right?"

My hair was grasped by the grim-looking Beta. The pain shooting through my skull. I cried out and fell out of my bed with his constant pushing. I shouted, crying for help, “ No! Please..”

As the wolf-less and even the weakest omega in the whole Black Moon Pack, I was burdened with more labor than anyone else in the pack. Today was no different, I finished today's cleaning work and, as usual, I was bullied by the other omegas. The punishment today was changed, it wasn't slaps or sticks but dirty mop water from the toilet I had just cleaned.

I was soaked and filthy, yet even in this state, I couldn't escape the lecherous gazes.

Dragging my exhausted body back to my cold, damp basement, I endured the pain all over my body and cleaned myself up. Just when I decided to lie on the bed, the door of my room flung open, and two men appeared in my sight.

"Let me go!!! Please!! Noo!!!"

Beta heard nothing as he dragged me all the way. My screams remained unheard by the pack members as they never pitied this poor Omega. He dragged me by my hair and threw it at the feet of Benny, the son of our alpha. He was a man of scandal. The number of girls he violated was countless.

He pulled me up by my hair, asking with a malicious grin on his lips, "Bitch! You went to great lengths to seduce me, even getting yourself all wet. Now you're pretending to be pure!"

Beta held my hands above me, leaving me helpless against Beny. My screams louder as they are going to lift my dress and bra.

"Join us my beta! Shove your dick in her mouth!"

Just as he was about to touch me, the door burst open, causing him to flinch. I quickly closed my legs and stood up as Beta released me.

" Benny! What the fuck are you doing?"

Benny’s mother, our pack's Luna stepped in, her eyes glaring down at me. I crawled to her feet as soon as her son released me,

"Luna! Help! I beg of you. Please save me!!"

Benny replied with a shrug, not bothered by his mother's presence,

"She asked for it."

I shook my head repeatedly, putting my last bit of hope on her,

" No...No..I never asked..."

PAK!!!

A slap landed on my cheeks before I could finish it. Luna grabbed my head, muttering with a hateful sneer,

"You bitch! How dare you seduce my son? I will kill you today!"

I waited for the harsher punishment numbly. Someone appeared with the chain and passed it to Luna.

She lifted her hand and paused abruptly, her eyes lingering on me more than usual. She pinched my chin and said with a smirk,

"We are loyal to the Huntington Lycan royal family, now they are about to hold a mating ceremony for the second prince. Our Alpha has decided to select a group of Omega slaves to present as gifts. Why don't we choose her?"

I fell to my knees and burst into tears. Hearing Luna's words, I felt a wave of panic.

Being offered to the royal family as a slave—would it be better than staying here?

She kicked me out of her way, roaring at Beta who was already smiling maliciously,

" Send her away! This bitch doesn't deserve a place in my pack. Humph!"

I was quickly dragged out of the basement. Just as I felt the moonlight, my vision went black as a cloth bag completely covered my head. I felt utterly hopeless and soon lost consciousness, falling into an endless abyss.

I didn't know how long I had been unconscious. When I woke up again, I heard endless noise outside. Suddenly, someone approached and pulled open the curtain. The glaring sunlight made me instinctively close my eyes. When I opened them again, I realized it wasn't a curtain at all, but a large black cloth covering an iron cage. I was locked in the cage with many other omegas.

Like me, most of them were weak, young, and beautiful.

The rattles on the iron cage woke me up from my shock.

The shrilling voice of a Gamma drove my attention from them,

" Shut the fuck up, girls. I am the logistics manager of the palace. You can call me Andrew. Consider itself an honor to serve the princes. Now... It's time to check your fate, girls."

Gamma's words confused me. Why do we have to draw cards? Isn't everyone supposed to serve the Queen?

A tall man in a long black coat stood waiting, a box in his hand. He approached the cages, pulling out something from the box.

“Before you lay a box filled with cards that would determine your fates. There are three types of cards in this box- the ‘Queen’ card, which would lead you to serving in the queen's palace as a maid, and the ‘Eldest Prince’ card and the ‘Third Prince’ card, which meant being sent to the eldest or third prince as a sex slaves.”

As the man explained this, a wave of fear washed over me, and I felt my heart sink.

No, no, Moon Goddess, why? I barely escaped from hell, and I don't want to be a sex slave for the prince again!

As panic set in, I looked around at the others, searching for some sign of hope or reassurance. Everyone seemed frightened of what their fate would hold.

A murmur had already spread around. I could see the panic on their faces. 'If we get chosen by the crown prince or the third prince, we’re as good as dead,' they whispered anxiously, and some even began to sob quietly.

I knew of the lycan brothers and their reputations. The second prince was getting married, and packs from all over were sending gifts to secure alliances.

I didn't want to be chosen as a sex slave, especially not to the brutal eldest prince or the ruthlesss third prince.

As the tension in the air mounted, I realized that our fates were truly in the hands of the cards. All I could do was hope and pray that luck would be on my side.

We were instructed to choose a card, and I nervously selected one, my hands trembling as I held it, my eyes fixed on the back of the card. The slaves around me began to reveal their cards, and the atmosphere was filled with anticipation.

“I got a queen’s card,” The first girl exclaimed in joy, tears of relief streaming down her face as she revealed a queen card. I couldn't help but smile at her happiness, grateful that she would be spared from suffering. The second girl also revealed a queen card, her face lighting up with a smile.

As more and more queen cards were revealed, my initial happiness for the others turned into a sinking feeling of dread. What if all the queen cards were taken, leaving me with a different fate? The thought gnawed at me, filling me with anxiety.

Until a painful scream pierced the air—

“You drew the Prince’s card. Take her away.” The next girl who drew the Prince’s card collapsed to the ground like a broken doll. “No...Please...” She tried to crawl towards Gamma, begging him for another chance, but Gamma ignored her. Two guards quickly dragged her away. The girls who drew the Prince’s card after her were also swiftly taken away.

Afterwards, several more Omegas drew the prince cards, and they all met the same fate—being ruthlessly and swiftly dragged away by the guards.

I clenched my fists tightly, my nails digging into my flesh, but I couldn’t feel the pain.

When the man in charge of assigning roles to the slaves approached me, my heart sank.

“You haven’t announced your card yet,” he frowned, watching me fill with dread. There was no need to check the card now. There were only a few slaves left, so I was definitely going to be a sex slave like them.

With a sense of resignation, I handed him the card, watching as he turned it over.

“Which prince do you think she got?" a girl from a distant cage inquired of another girl, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

"I'm not sure," they both whispered, their voices tinged with nervousness. "She's beautiful, but if she's sent to the prince, she'll be tortured to ..."

Their voices grew weaker and weaker, just like my hope for survival.

The man lifted his head and fixed his gaze on my hand to return me my card.

It wasn't just his stare that made my heart race, but his next words that sent a shiver down my spine.

Lucas’ POV

"You've drawn Prince Lucas' card!"

As I was about to round a corner, I heard Gamma Andrew's voice. Then I saw a group of trembling women and a few palace guards with their backs to me.

This is my girlfriend and my brother's mating ceremony. Packs affiliated with the Huntington royal family have all come to present their gifts. They must have been slaves offered by the packs to the royal house.

The main entrance was crowded and chaotic. I didn't want to hear anything related to my brothers or my ex-girlfriends, so I chose a secluded path.

I heard my name in Andrew's mouth, and then they fell silent. Clearly, my cold and ruthless reputation had taken root in their minds. They must have thought I was a cruel beast who enjoyed torturing slaves and killed without a second thought. If they drew my card, they probably thought they were doomed.

And as it turned out, this unlucky Omega slave had drawn my card.

Gamma Andrew sensed my presence and quickly circled around the wall to greet me.

"Your Highness, we are distributing this batch of slaves. One Omega has happened to draw your card. The Moon Goddess has sent her to your side. Perhaps you would like to see her? You can take her with you directly."

Drawing cards? It seems this damned tradition is still being carried on. They love exploiting people, all while disguising it under the guise of "freedom" and the "will of the Moon Goddess."

I knew exactly what drawing my card meant—they would be sent to serve as my sex slaves.

Ridiculous. Only the eldest prince enjoys sex slaves.

The Lycan King sent them to me as compensation, a way to make up for the crime of mating my girlfriend with my brother. He knows I have never been interested in sex slaves.

I hate the Lycan King, and I loathe the so-called will of the Moon Goddess even more.

“I don't want anyone who draws my card,” I declared loudly, infusing my words with the command of a Lycan Prince. "Your Highness..." Andrew tried to persuade me, "Are you going to defy the prince's orders?" the look in my eyes made him lower his head.

“Your Highness, I will send another batch of those who didn’t draw your card,” he obediently responded.

I scoffed and turned away without another word. As I walked away, I could still hear Andrew's voice, "All Omegas who draw Prince Lucas' card will be sent to the Queen's palace..."

I don’t care about slaves. I don’t care where they come from or where they’re going.

Right now, what I need most is alcohol—I need to numb myself with it.

I hide away in my room, refusing to see anyone.

"Cheers to my stepbrother and my ex-girlfriend."

I stretched my legs out, holding a bottle of alcohol in my hand, adjusting it on my thigh.

"Huh!" I took a big sip, anger surging through me again. Life has been quite unfair to me. I suppose the Moon Goddess enjoys watching me suffer as she throws obstacles in my path.

First, my mother was taken from me too soon, and now my girlfriend as well. My mother was the chosen queen of the lycan king. After she gave birth to me, she found out my father had found and accepted his fated mate.

By the time my poor mother discovered this, my father had already fathered two sons with his fated mate. It's quite ironic—I'm the first son of the first queen, yet I already have two older step-brothers.

It killed my mother. It was true, she died of heartbreak.

And now, my girlfriend has chosen to mate with my brother, because they believe my brother has a better chance of becoming the next Lycan King than I do.

My father has agreed, as this is exactly what he wants to see as a way to solidify the Huntington royal family's prestige since my girlfriend is a great Gamma warrior.

My father told me that she has the right to choose the one with more potential to become the Alpha King. Yeah, even though she's still dating me. Screw that!

There he was, the typical Lycan king, loving his other sons more because their mother was his fated mate.

"I fucking hate fated mates. They think they're above everyone, so whatever rules they break seem justified to them," I hissed under my breath, rubbing my face in my hands.

I would never pick a fated mate. I would go for a chosen mate and show everyone that once hearts are connected, titles don't matter.

It was quiet outside, the annoying noise had finally disappeared. They all went to the front hall to set up my brother’s mating ceremony. I picked up an empty bottle and smashed it against the window. The once slightly open window now swung wide open, revealing the round moon hanging in the sky.

Tsk! Tonight is a full moon night.

"Damn moon goddess!" I cursed, pointing at the moon. The room was pitch black. I staggered up from the floor, starting to feel my way towards the bed.

"Ugh!" A groan heaved across my lips, and I began to walk toward my bed when a sudden intoxicating scent hit me against my will.

"What the—" I scrunched my nose, wondering what smelled so good.

I couldn't help but walk towards the smell. I closed my eyes, letting the gentle breeze carry the scent inside to me. It was a fragrance that seemed to capture the very essence of grace and beauty.

I followed the scent and unknowingly walked outside. Something soft bumped into my chest. I raised my hand to touch what it was and felt something warm and soft. "So... sorry, I got lost."

I realized I had bumped into an unknown passerby, but soon I became aware of the seriousness of the situation. Damn, she exuded a captivating scent that I couldn't resist. Each whiff was a delicate symphony of blooming jasmine and soft vanilla, interwoven with a hint of fresh rain. It reminded me of moonlit gardens and serene, starry nights.

There was only one thought in my mind: She is mine! Take her!

There was no time to think about what this meant.

I instantly grabbed the passerby and pulled them into my room, locking the door after us.

"Ah!" I gasped when I saw a young woman standing before me. I couldn't make out her features due to the darkness, but her silhouette told me she had to be majestic. I felt my wolf stir up even after being so intoxicated. There was this urge to absorb this scent or the majestic beauty to whom it belonged.

"I was just—" she began in her beautiful voice but didn't get to finish her sentence as I cupped her face and crashed my lips against hers.

“No...Please...” She begged.

Her body shuddered under my touch, and a little resistance made me pull away. She had her tiny hands on my chest, her breathing erratic.

As she stood before me, her body close to mine, I made another attempt to kiss her.

My tongue longed for entry into her mouth, she tried to resist, but it was useless.

My hand cupped her cheek, my thumb tracing the curve of her jawline. My lips moved hungrily against hers, exploring and claiming with deep intensity. The kiss was a blend of urgency and tenderness, our tongues dancing in a rhythm.

My hands groped her ass, kneading it firmly and eliciting little yelps into my mouth from her. My hard dick was pressed against her vagina, with our clothes as the only barrier.

Her body leaned back desperately, causing her neck to arch backward, allowing me to lick and kiss her skin. I didn't know how it was possible, but she tasted better than any wine and more delectable than any fruit. My lips traveled to her cleavage, exciting me even more. I pulled her dress off her shoulders, exposing her breasts, and didn't wait before taking her nipple into my mouth.

"Uhmmm! No!" Her moan was so electric that my hand slipped under her dress without my knowledge. Her body's little shudders made me crave her more.

My tongue danced around her areola, savoring a cherry-like taste. I reached a point where I could no longer resist the urge to take things further with her.

I rose and carried her, tossing her onto my bed and crawling on top of her. Her body bounced against mine, my hands exploring between her legs. Her dress kept getting in the way, becoming a shield against my affection. I grabbed her dress from her cleavage with my teeth and then the hem with my hand and tore it apart, leaving her naked. Her skin was soft like a cloud.

Spreading her legs, I quickly unzipped my pants and laid on top of her.

“No, no, no! You can't!” she cried out loudly, and a sliver of my sanity returned.

Because of her resistance, I stopped and didn’t slip into her, but then her scent hit me hard.

I buried my face in her neck and, without realizing it, started to lick her skin.

Her taste was impeccable, her scent like a fruit—a fruit I would love to bite into.

“Mate!” It was me who said that word, and then my canines popped out.

The next thing I knew, my teeth were deep within her neck.

Anna’s POV

“My mate...”

His hot breath brushed against my ear, and his words echoed endlessly in my mind.

"My mate... My mate..."

What does that mean? I don't have a wolf, I can't possibly have a mate.

After being assigned to the Queen's Palace, I just wanted to take a walk and get some fresh air while everyone was busy with the mating ceremony. I never imagined I would get lost and end up in a situation like this.

Just a short while ago, Gamma Andrew announced that I had drawn Prince Lucas' card. Just as I thought my fate was doom, he left in a hurry and returned with a shocking announcement: Omegas who drew the queen's card would be exchanged with those who drew Prince Lucas' card.

I felt a wave of relief because this change meant I wouldn’t have to become a sex slave.

Has the Moon Goddess finally shown me some mercy?

I had no idea how big a surprise she had in store for me on this full moon night.

Now my fate changed again, I don’t know where I am, it's pitch black here.

A man on top of me, his body reeking of a mix of cologne and alcohol.

"Please... Please... No..." Despite my throat being hoarse, I kept calling for help. It was eerily quiet, everyone was preparing for the second prince's mating ceremony.

And then he didn’t just stop there, he marked me.

The pain I felt when he penetrated my skin with his canines caused me to bite my bottom lip and subdue my screams. I feared that if I made noise and anyone heard me, they would treat me the same way Black Moon Pack’s Luna did when she found me in her son's bed.

Tears sprang from my eyes when his teeth sank into my skin. That kind of pain was unbearable. I didn't know a simple marking could cause that much agony.

“You are mine!” he finally took his teeth out of my neck and whispered in my ear, causing my body to tremble miserably.

He raised his face and stared into my eyes. This was the first time I was seeing a part of him. His eyes! They were sapphire blue and shining under the light coming from the window. He must be extremely good-looking to have such eyes.

And then, his body dropped on top of me, his face steadily resting and his breathing returning to normal. He had dozed off now.

I was in disbelief at the encounter I had with this stranger. I had just wanted to get some fresh air at night but ended up lost in the vast palace and even being marked by a stranger.

I shakily pushed him off me once, but it was so hard to move him. He was tall and broad, muscular to the point that I felt like a butterfly under him. I took a deep breath and applied more pressure this time, rolling him over and quickly getting out of the bed. My dress was torn down from the middle, so I wore it and held it in my fist, racing for the door to escape.

Once I was running through the hallway, I didn't stop for anything. Thankfully, no one was lurking around, so I managed to get out of the palace. I didn’t feel like going back to the maid quarters. I was devastated with myself and how I let him touch me and mark me. Now I was realizing what could happen because of this mark.

I didn’t notice how far I had come until my feet started giving up on me. A little farther, and I found my body slowing down as I reached a lake.

“Ugh!” Dropping to my knees, I closed my eyes and whimpered.

“This is going to ruin me,” I hissed at myself. Touching the mark burned my skin. It would heal eventually, but it would stay.

“I should have stayed in my quarters,” I cursed the fact that I had wanted fresh air.

Moon goddess, why? I thought I could quietly be the queen's maid.

When have I ever been able to have a peaceful moment for myself?

I know I need to rid myself of the man’s scent because when I returned, others would smell it on me. No matter who that man is, I must hide myself well. Fortunately, I don't have a wolf. As long as I cover the mark, he won't be able to find me by scent.

Carefully scanning my surroundings to ensure I was alone by the lake, I discarded my dress and stepped into the water. Its surface shimmered under the moonlight, and fireflies danced around, creating a perfect ambiance. But my heart was heavy, so everything seemed a bit dull.

Dunking my head underwater, I held my breath for a few seconds before coming up again. I swam around, struggling through the water to take my mind off my troubled life. As I paused and gazed into the still reflection of the lake, tears filled my eyes at the sight of the mark.

I sighed, but then another shock hit me when I heard rustling from behind the trees. My eyes widened in shock, and I quickly ducked underwater, trying to hide. I waited for whoever had arrived to leave before coming up.

I could hold my breath for a while, so I stayed submerged, then surfaced slowly to listen for any noises.

It was quiet again, so I was alone once more. I acknowledged that I needed to return home, it wasn’t safe for me to roam around such a dangerous land filled with Lycans.

I rushed out of the lake after making sure I had cleansed myself properly. Water dripped down my curves, and I hurriedly wrapped my arms around my breasts. I noticed how sore my nipples were from being played with so roughly.

My body shuddered at the reminder of his lips against my skin. He had been passionate yet very gentle with me. His tongue had licked my breasts as though drinking from them. The memory made my nipples erect again.

Standing under the clear sky, I reached for my torn dress when I felt a strange sensation from behind me.

Through the shadows cast on the tree by the moonlight, I knew what it was—there was someone behind me. From the silhouette, it was a man, significantly taller than me, his broad frame completely enveloping me.

My body instantly froze, and my eyes remained fixed in space. Fear enveloped me so completely that I couldn’t even turn around to see who was behind me.

I stood frozen, unable to move, standing there stark naked. Then something gentle wrapped around my waist and finally rested on my shoulder. I looked down and saw it was a slender, well-defined hand belonging to a man.

The sense of danger made me shiver slightly. I used all my strength to keep myself from collapsing. Soon, I felt something burning against my back and the bulge in his pants pressing against my naked thighs..

I turned around and met a pair of dark and dangerous emerald green eyes, different from the man who had marked me.

Then his tall and muscular figure appeared fully before me, snapping me out of my shock. He had curly black hair and chiseled features on an oval-shaped face. His cat-like green eyes and naturally dark lips were framed by thick eyebrows, with a hint of a smirk playing on them. If it weren't for the menacing expression he wore, this man would be unbelievably handsome.

As I looked at him, his eyes locked onto mine, and my body froze under the scrutiny of those narrow green slits.

After being marked by a stranger, I encountered another man who looked at me with the gaze of a predator.

His aggressive gaze locked directly onto me, one hand rested on my waist, while the other held a cigar between his fingers.

Seeing the panic in my eyes, he seemed quite satisfied. He took a drag from the cigar, exhaled the smoke, and then looked down at me with a smirk.

"A brave little pup, aren't you?"

He exuded an aura of nobility, wildness, and danger.

"You've barged into my territory and still want to run?"

Oh, Moon Goddess.

Who marked me? And now, who has trapped me?

Ford’s POV

"You've barged into my territory and still want to run?"

I gazed at the woman in front of me, her body bare and trembling like a frightened rabbit. She seemed to be the only surprise in my weary and numb day.

Today was my mating ceremony. A sigh escaped my lips as I made my way to the exit, sneaking out unnoticed.

I had grown weary of interactions today. Smiling at everyone and responding in a gentle tone had been a considerable act. But it was necessary to appear perfect, at least until I was on the throne.

The title of Lycan King meant everything to me.

I was the second son of Lycan King Charles and deserved the crown more than my other brothers.

My mother, Queen Karida and the Lycan King have three biological sons.

My half-brother, the third Prince Lucas, he was the son of the former queen and he was a mess, by all accounts, he should be the crown prince. But he was cold and heartless, not fit for the throne.

My mother was the fated mate of the Lycan King, and he clearly favored the three of us brothers, but...my eldest full brother Jack was cruel and lecherous, doing whatever suited his desires. My youngest brother Julian has been away for years, undergoing combat training and is not in the palace.

So, I had to appear perfect and kind—qualities that would be ideal for the Lycan King. But now, I was growing exhausted with this facade of kindness. Sometimes, I wanted to be myself, to do whatever I pleased.

That’s when someone tried to link me, and my soon-to-be wife and mate’s voice appeared on the link.

“Molly!” I rolled my eyes.

After waiting for my fated mate for years, I had to settle for a chosen mate when my father planned to strengthen the relationship between our kingdom and the Red Moon Pack by marrying me to the alpha’s daughter and greatest warrior, Molly.

“My dress got delivered. I am so excited to wear it,” she said on the other end of the call, making me look up at the sky and wonder if my fated mate might be somewhere waiting for me.

“Hmm, that’s great. I’m sure you’ll look like the most beautiful bride ever,” I responded with a feigned soft and calming tone, pretending to care about her dress or this wedding.

“I can’t wait to wear it and show it to you—” I had to interrupt her chatter, or she would waste my time.

“Actually, I am in the middle of something important. I’ll speak to you when I’m free, okay? Bye!” I ended our link.

I had only seen her around when she was dating my brother Lucas. I never quite liked her, but once again, I bowed my head to my father just for the crown.

As I reached the lake where I usually spent my time, I realized I wasn’t alone that night.

The water splashed, and my curiosity was piqued. I heard a splash, followed by the sound of water dripping. My heart raced as I realized that someone was in the lake.

I hid behind a nearby tree, my curiosity piqued. I peeked out cautiously, and to my astonishment, a completely naked woman emerged from the water.

“Oh!” The moment her upper body emerged from the water, I felt my throat dry up. It was a stunningly beautiful naked woman. Her crimson hair shimmered under the moonlight, and her deep blue eyes stared at her own reflection.

I hid behind a tree when she noticed my presence. It puzzled me that I hadn’t detected her scent upon arriving at the lake.

After a few minutes, she emerged from the water, completely naked. Her full breasts and rosy nipples were mesmerizing, making me ache to taste them. Her perfectly shaped ass and thighs drove me to distraction.

As she stood facing away, I stepped out from behind the tree and approached her. The moment my proximity made her uncomfortable, I realized she was shy.

I couldn’t control myself as I moved closer to her. By the time I came to my senses, I was already standing behind her.

She seemed very frightened, standing still and unmoving. Her alluring curves lured me closer until my hand reached her waist, eventually moving up to her shoulder. I felt her trembling, and as my hand roamed, she held her breath.

It wasn’t until my hard 9-inch member pressed against her that she turned around with a look of sheer terror.

She was a woman unlike anyone I had ever seen. She was breathtaking, with a beauty that could mesmerize anyone.

“Who are you? What are you doing here?” I snapped back to reality and questioned her. I was still holding her wrists, feeling the little shivers running through her.

She remained silent, her large blue eyes fixed on my face, driving me mad. My arousal became evident, pressing against her thigh, and I knew she noticed because she inched closer to herself.

“I need to know which careless little bunny accidentally stumbled into my secret lair.” I said, now using my most charming and seductive tone.

My hands held her wrists firmly, ensuring she couldn’t cover herself and obstruct my view of the majestic beauty before me.

Pinning her hands behind her back with one hand, I pulled her closer, and a yelp escaped her lips. She seemed timid and scared.

With my free hand, I decided to explore her body. Gently caressing her arm, I reached for her neck and pushed her hair back.

My eyes fell upon a mark, and it took me by surprise. This woman had no scent, yet she was marked? And why did the mark make me uneasy?

Then I remembered what was significant about this mark. I could smell the scent of my own brother on this mark, Prince Lucas.

A smirk crept onto my lips as I realized I was holding my poor brother's woman naked.

How did this always end up happening? I wanted to laugh because the Moon Goddess must be enjoying giving me my brother’s woman time and again.

But there was something special about this one.

I released her hands and traced my fingers down her stomach, then across her waist, holding her close. To prevent our bodies from getting too close, she had to place her hands on my chest, and the warmth I felt from that touch was undeniable.

I lowered my head to her neck and licked her mark, causing her to take a deep breath. Her breasts lifted as she inhaled, intensifying my hunger.

“Sweet woman, what were you doing here?” I asked, my voice low.

She gulped before answering, “I came here—for a swim—”

“You know this place is dangerous for a delicate and beautiful woman like you. And on top of that, you’re not even wearing any clothes,” I said, my face just an inch from hers. My hands traced her back and then down to her ass.

“I didn’t know—” She flinched at the feel of my hands on her gentle rear.

“Now you know. But how come I’ve never seen you in my kingdom before?” I watched her bite her bottom lip as my finger traced down her ass crack, reaching for her perfect hole.

Her lack of resistance and shivering confirmed that she wouldn’t dare to fight back, but why? What was she so afraid of?

One would think a woman so beautiful would go to great lengths to protect herself from a stranger’s touch. Who was she? Why was she so meek?

"Are you my brother's mistress? Or some sort of bed partner?" I stared at her, thoroughly enjoying her panicked expression.

"Your brother? I don't know who your brother is. Please... let me go," she pleaded, her doe-like eyes wide and confused as she looked at me.

"You don’t know that the one who marked you is our..."

My words were interrupted by another woman’s loud, sharp voice.

“Anna! Anna, where did you go?”

The girl before me quickly glanced around, and it was then I understood her name was Anna.

“I need to go,” she said, almost pleading. Of course, I couldn’t make her stay with people looking for her. It would look bad for me to be this close to a naked, distressed woman when I was getting married to an alpha’s daughter the next day.

“Go!” I shrugged and withdrew my hands. But the moment she attempted to flee, I grabbed her wrist and pulled her back, her body pressing hard against mine.

“Sweet Little Anna, you are free for now. But I will come to collect what you owe me later.”

With that, I released her.

It seems she doesn't know that it was my brother who marked her. This situation is turning out to be quite interesting.

My brother Lucas... how could he make such a rookie mistake...

Of course, I meant every word I said.

I would not let her go easily, not when she was this stunning and marked by my brother.

Anna’s POV

Thankfully, he let me go, and I was able to gather the remains of my clothes and slip them on. I ran like a madwoman until I bumped into Bella, the maid I had befriended when I arrived.

“Where were you—ahhh! What happened to your dress?” she gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. I quickly covered my hair to hide the mark.

“I was wandering around when my dress got caught in a tree branch and tore apart,” I lied, not ready to share the night’s events.

“But why are you so wet?” she frowned, touching my hair.

“Oh, this! When my dress tore, I slipped into the lake,” I said. She stared at me for a moment before nodding her head, accepting my explanation.

“Let’s go back and try not to sneak out by yourself again,” Bella said kindly. Since I arrived, we have bonded well. It was surprising to have found a friend in my life.

"I told you not to wander around. What if this is the secret lair of the Lycan Prince or someone like that? If they find you here, you could get bitten to death," Bella said anxiously.

Her words made me pause for a moment. The man I encountered by the lake claimed this was his secret lair. Could he be a prince or something? Fear overwhelmed me, and I couldn’t bear to think any further. I just hoped he was only an ordinary guard, even though his presence did seem quite regal.

“We must rest well because tomorrow will be a big and hectic day for us,” she added as we began to walk hand in hand.

“The Lycan King’s second son has a mating ceremony tomorrow. There will be food, entertainment, and so much to enjoy, but of course, we will be the servers,” she pouted sadly. We shared the same sentiment. All the maids carried fading hopes in their eyes, realizing this was the way of our lives.

We walked together to the quarters when my eyes landed on Kathy, with her black hair and stern face, standing in the hallway, blocking our path.

“You go clean the bathroom,” Kathy yelled at Bella, who quickly scurried past her. Kathy then turned her attention to me.

“Where the hell were you?” she demanded, her face contorted with anger. Her tone was harsh.

Just because she was the head maid, she thought she was better than the rest of us.

“Didn’t I ask you to clean my room?” Kathy placed her hands on her waist, glaring at me. She had been on my back ever since I arrived, and I didn’t understand why.

“You didn’t,” I replied, not lying. She hadn’t asked me to clean her room.

“I did. You must have not been paying attention,” she insisted, coming closer and making me step back and gulp.

“Wait! What is this scent?” Kathy suddenly pushed me against the wall and started sniffing me.

“Ahh! That is so odd,” she grimaced, pulling back from me. “Did you seduce someone? How could you have a man’s scent on you?”

Her questions came like a fire, causing my mouth to dry up.

“Listen! You bitch—” Kathy hissed and cussed at me, grabbing my ear and pulling it.

“You got to seduce someone else, but if you dare seduce Prince Lucas, I will become your fucking nightmare.”

With that threat, she shoved me back, and my back hit the wall.

I didn’t understand what she was talking about. Who was she smelling on me? I hadn’t even met Prince Lucas yet.

Then I remembered that one of the men I encountered today had licked my mark. Kathy must have smelled his scent on me while the other scent was washed off in the lake.

“You will stay in the basement tonight and receive no food,” she said, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward the basement.

I was surprised by her reaction. Was she in love with Prince Lucas and afraid that, because I had another man’s scent on me, I might eventually seduce him too?

But how could a maid have a crush on a royal?

The delusional Kathy shoved me into the basement room and locked the door behind me.

Since the other night, I had been starving, and falling asleep was extremely difficult. Even when I dozed off, I kept dreaming about my encounters and the mark on my neck. Who was he? Why did he mark me?

I woke up sore with Bella opening the door for me.

“Oh my, I am so sorry she trapped you here. It’s late, and everyone is ready. Just please freshen up and wear this off-white dress for the ceremony,” she said hurriedly, likely having been searching for me everywhere.

The mark on my neck still throbs faintly, reminding me that what happened last night was not a dream.

I would be in grave trouble if anyone found out a maid had been marked. We maids had no lives of our own and weren’t allowed to have mates or any romantic interests. I must hide the mark!

Thinking this, I quickly ran to the drawer and grabbed some foundation. I tried desperately to cover the mark, but unfortunately, it was so deep that the foundation barely had any effect. On closer inspection, the large mark was still clearly visible.

"Anna, hurry up!" Bella was still anxiously urging from the door.

Damn, there’s no time left!

I dragged myself to the bathroom and showered quickly. If I delayed any longer and the queen found out a maid missed the ceremony, I would be in serious trouble.

After dressing in the off-white dress like every other maid, Bella and I rushed to the royal hall where the ceremony was about to take place.

I sighed and approached Kathy, who did not seem pleased to see me. She would have preferred if I missed the ceremony and got punished. Silently but reluctantly, she handed me a tray of starters.

I took the tray and walked away with Bella, who was also carrying a tray full of wine glasses.

“That is Prince Ford! Isn’t he handsome?” Bella’s comment drew my attention to the prince standing with his bride in a gray suit.

I turned to look at him, and my heart skipped a beat.

He had a chiseled face, dark and dangerous green eyes, and an aura of nobility mixed with danger.

He was the male lead of today's mating ceremony, and the mysterious man I had encountered by the lake last night.

“I will come to collect what you owe me later.”

His words echoed in my mind as I recalled his touch. It turns out he is Prince Ford, and it’s clear I’ve stumbled into his secret hideout. But why would he say that when he’s getting married today?

As I continued to stare at him, I unintentionally caught his attention. He looked directly at me, and the green in his eyes sparkled.

His fiery gaze looked at me aggressively, just like how his magnetic voice from last night whispered "little bunny" in my ear.

My heart pounded in my chest, causing me to gulp and feel shy. The prince had touched me, licked my mark, and— As I was lost in thought, I noticed his bride following his gaze.

Her eyes landed on me, and I quickly looked away. I couldn’t afford to get myself in trouble. She was an alpha’s daughter, a warrior, and the future wife of the Lycan King. It would be foolish to get entangled with her.

In a panic, I stumbled backward, only to be pushed by someone I couldn't see. I fell hard to the ground, and a chorus of murmurs and laughter erupted around me. This is a disaster. I looked up to see Kathy storming toward me, her imposing presence signaling a grim fate for me.

I watched as she raised her hand in front of me, but the anticipated slap never came. Suddenly, the banquet hall fell into silence.

Kathy, abandoning her usual arrogant demeanor, now bowed low and softly said, “Your Highness,” addressing someone behind me.

I stared in confusion and looked back in the direction Kathy was facing.

First, I saw a pair of expensive black leather shoes. Then, as my gaze traveled upward, I held my breath in shock.

A tall, handsome man standing behind me in an all-black suit.

My heart sank further when I recognized his sapphire-blue eyes.

I will never forget those eyes. When they were on me, they were filled with desire, but now they are clear and calm.

Then I heard someone call him, "Prince Lucas."

This stunning, god-like man was the same one who had marked me.

A lump formed in my chest, and my head buzzed with a lingering shock from my discovery.

What’s happening now?

I drew Prince Lucas’s card first and was supposed to become his sex slave. However, because of his words, I was moved to Queen Karida’s palace.

He pushed me away and then made me his.

Moon Goddess, am I destined to be with him?

Now, his gem-like eyes were fixed on me. Would he discover me?