The Rogue King’s Unwanted Bride

Newest Luna in the pack.

*ROSALINE*

I hit the demon in the face, and he made the dungeon my resting room. It had barely been a day since I arrived in his pack, and I already had a thousand reasons to regret being alive.

My back still hurts like hell from being slammed against the cold ground by Damon. That was over ten hours ago, and no one had as much as walked near the gates of this place.

There was barely enough space for a dog, not to talk of a human. I squirmed and tried to stretch, my eyes red and itchy from excessive crying. I could barely hear my own voice.

Crying didn't help me. My arms were bruised, and the pungent smell of this enclosure choked me to death. It smelled like sin and sweat of old men, and there I was— reveling in it.

Becoming no different from a pile of trash as minutes ticked by. A heavy weight settled upon my chest like something was grabbing at me, scratching me relentlessly in the process.

I guess Damon wasn't wrong when he said I was being taken to hell. This was an embodiment of every letter in that word— I was in my own automatic hell, and for some reason, time seemed to be moving slower, like my torture was its pleasure.

Wiping my sweaty forehead with my hand, I stealthily got to my feet, feeling faint as my legs tried to even against the wet, sticky ground. My best dress smelled like pig food, and I smelled like feet.

I stood on my toes, watching the ray of sun permeate through a hole at the top left of the small cage-like prison. It was far too tall, and I'd never reach it if I tried all day.

"You are so stupid, Rosa. . ." I muttered to myself, tears filling my voice as it came out shakier than expected, barely louder than a whisper. "Y-you're so stupid!"

Why did I think hitting him would help me? Submitting to his rogueness wasn't an option either. I'd been treated like an object all my life, and that was about to continue.

I winced in pain, feeling the ache settle on my limbs. A small moment passed, and I heard footsteps approaching. I started back and hit against the wall again.

The impact had me sinking to the ground as a loud Yelp escaped my pursed lips. Let it not be him. Let it not be him! I frantically prayed as I squeezed my eyes shut.

The moon goddess listened, and two women appeared instead of the bane of my existence. I released a breath I didn't know I'd been holding.

As they drew closer, I could see their prying eyes pinch into my skin. The intensity of their stares was to take note of. There was so much curiosity in those pairs of eyes.

"Luna Rosaline. . ." The one who seemed to be in her late fifties called out in a cool tone. It wasn't until they were completely close that I realized they were accompanied by a guard.

Luna? Luna. That word couldn't ever sound right to me. Reluctantly, I nodded, and a smile grew on both their faces. The younger one, my age, if not older, looked at me like I was a treasure.

That made me feel queasy. I didn't know what their next sick plan was. It seemed all of the members of the pack had a certain amount of madness they nursed individually.

"I'm Indila," She continued, then pointed to her companion, "And that's Faith. We're your personal maids. The Alpha has asked for you to be. . .” Indila's eyes scanned my dirty appearance. ". . .made decent for the announcement this morning."

Just open the damn gate and let me out! I forced a smile, feeling my face stiffen from having so much dirt glued to it.

May your Alpha trip over a brick and die! But I didn't dare to say that out loud. "Yes, thank you." I didn't ask what announcement.

I didn't care. I might die if I spent any more time in this hole. The guard thrust the key into the hole, and the door clanged open. I rushed out, startling Indila and the other girl.

Faith? Was it?

"Come with us, Luna Rosa. . .”

"Just Rosaline," I corrected, and they both exchanged confused glances without saying a word.

They bowed slightly before, and I bowed too. What should I have done? Faith giggled as she led the way. I could tell there was still a good amount of youthfulness in her.

I was led back to my chamber, the same one Damon had taken me yesterday. My heart pounded with every step I took and my vision became hazy.

I felt like I'd die if I ever set eyes on him today, or ever. I didn't want to have anything to do with him in my entire life! Just thinking about his beastly reaction yesterday made my stomach flip.

My hands began to tremble, and I hid them behind me to hide it. Fear had taken every single part of me. Breathing felt like a chore. It was seeming to get clearer that I might not get out of this hell hole.

"I've prepared your bath," Faith's voice pulled me out of my thoughts. "Please, go in. . .”

I followed her, and she led me into the luxurious bathroom, a bathtub big enough for four, if not more. It was filled with rosy water and petals that made it tantalizing to the sight and nostrils.

Finally, something good. I took off my clothes and dived in. If they'd leave, I might never get out of the bathtub willingly.

I finished and got dressed, sitting by the mirror while Indila did my hair. Then, it floated into my mind what she said at the beginning.

An announcement? I locked eyes with Indila through the mirror. "Indila, you said it's an announcement this morning. . ." My voice still remained full of fear, no matter how I tried to hide it.

"Yes, you'd be announced as the newest Luna!" Faith chimed from the corner of the room. She was sorting out the ridiculously heavy dresses that the monster had gotten me.

Newest? They'd been others?? Just how many Lunas do I have to compete with? I watched Indila shoot Faith a glare to shut her up. They knew something. Of course, they did!

My eyes widened. "They'd been other Lunas?!"

Indila paused her lips, hesitant to talk. "You'd be introduced as the new Luna," She responded softly, emphasizing on the word 'new' as she broke her gaze away from mine.

I turned my neck to her, a plea in my eyes, and I looked at both of them. Tears had already begun to stream down my face.

"I. . ." I began in a low tone, trying not to burst into tears. "I need to know what kind of person your Alpha is, Indila, Faith. If there's any chance I'm going to survive in this pack. The rumors. . .”

"...are true," Indila completed, bringing her voice lower. "It's been said that anyone who encounters the devil's seed battles a lifetime of misfortune."

"The devil's seed?"

Faith nodded, crouching closer. "That's what the Alpha is called. The seed of the devil, everywhere he stays, only doom germinates. Sporós tou diavólou," She completed in a Greek accent. "He's to be feared. A man who's no longer one. A man who's greater than ten thousand beasts."

Another round of vibration skittered down my spine. This man they spoke of was whom I was mated with. What did I do to become this unlucky!?

"Run, child," Indila enunciated. "If ever you get the chance to, run. Do not look back. ‘Tis your family who made him the way he is”

“What? What are you talking about?”

"You know. . .his horrible childhood made him the monster he is today. . ." Faith added again as if she didn't hear what Indila had just said. Maybe I heard wrong?

"W-what. . .happened to him?" I hastily asked, fear flashing in my eyes.

Right before either of them could begin talking, the door swung open with a loud bang, and the devil's voice caught me off guard, ringing in my ears.

"How long does it take to prepare a doll!?"