BREED&QUEEN

PREPARE

The after-party was just what I needed to help me relax. I was still unhappy about being marked but I couldn't change it. My little sister ran into my arms, and I embraced her tightly. I could see the excitement in her eyes. She was happy to be here, and she enjoyed everything that they had to offer. The food table was full of all types of food and sweets. These were things that we only dreamed of when we were back home in our village. I wanted to provide for my sister. It was my responsibility, and I wouldn't fail, no matter what.

"This is so cool, Eden. Can I really eat as much as I want?"

I giggled, "yes."

She smiled, "I never would have thought that you would marry the Alpha. He's so cool! He told me that he would take me horseback riding. Can you believe it? I've never been on a horse ever. I'm looking forward to exploring the village more."

I laughed, "it seems you have my exploring spirit."

"I learned from the best."

I rolled my eyes, how old are you again."

She held up six fingers, "six."

"More like six going on sixteen."

She laughed, "I can't wait to grow up. Hopefully, I'll marry an alpha king just like you."

I stopped laughing and pulled her into a hug. I didn't even want to think about her being forced to do this. She struggled against me, and I smiled a little.

"Eden, you're crushing me," she gasped.

"Sorry, I mumbled pulling away. "I love you."

"I love you too. Is it okay if I go play with Jennie? I told her that I would be right back."

"Yes, go have fun. Be careful and I'll see you tomorrow."

I watched as she ran away leaving me standing there alone. My sister was so innocent, and she had no idea what her life would be.

"You want some cake?" I smiled turning around to face Elizabeth.

"Thank you," I smiled taking the plate from her and taking a huge bite out of the cake. I moaned in delight and laughed. Cake, something so simple but I barely had it. I looked at the river to see Zayn and Tristian talking and I wondered what they were talking about.

Elizabeth snapped her fingers, bringing me back to reality. "Are you nervous about tonight?"

I nodded my head slowly, "I don't know what to do. A part of me feels so nervous."

"It's okay to be nervous, Eden. It's your first time so you're going to feel that way."

"I feel angry that I have to give it to him. I have denied him so many times and now he is getting what he wants." I placed the plate down on a table nearby. I had suddenly lost my appetite.

"I know the feeling; I lost my virginity to someone that I didn't want to."

I frowned, "but I thought you said that you were a virgin."

"I lied," she said looking down at her feet. "Three years ago, I sold my virginity."

I placed my hand on my heart, "to who?" I whispered.

"Zayn."

"Zayn? Tristian's brother?"

She nodded her head slowly, "yes. It was the only way that I would be able to work here in the castle. He loves virgins and when he found out that I was one...well you know the offer. I didn't want to, but I knew there was no other way. I needed to make money to take care of my brother. So, I gave it to him in exchange for a job here. He made me the head of the maids and I make the most money. It was a good deal because now my brother doesn't have to go hungry."

"It takes a lot to put your family before yourself. You are a strong girl to do something like that."

She patted me on the shoulder, "at least you are losing it to your mate. I know it's not what you wanted but be grateful."

I pulled her into a hug, "thank you for sharing that with me."

She hugged me back tightly, "you're the only one who knows. It's not going to be easy, but you will get through it."

"How did you? I have no experience at all. I don't know what to expect."

"Well, I let him take the lead. At first, I started trying to back out of it, but I knew what I had to do. I was scared and nervous, but I thought about my brother. Zayn likes the fact that virgins are inexperienced. It brings him joy to teach women how to please him personally but not all men are the same. Alphas are different, so I can't help you there. But he is a man and there are things that they have in common. Try to get him to take it slow and just go at your pace but keep his pace in mind too. I know that it's confusing, but it will make sense. Make sure you're communicating to him how you feel. He shouldn't ignore you completely."

"How did you feel afterward? Did you hate Zayn?"

She shook her head, "no. He gave me an opportunity and I took it. I didn't want to sleep with him, but it was the only way."

I smiled a little, I understand. Thank you for all of this information, it's helpful."

"Aww, your husband is coming this way." She giggled pushing me playfully.

I took a deep breath, there was no going back now. He smiled and grabbed my hand, "It's time. Elizabeth, I need her prepared, you have one hour."

"Yes alpha, I will make sure that she is ready."

We watched him walk away and I could fill my stomach knot up in disgust. I wanted answers and I knew that he wouldn't give them to me until after he got what he wanted.

The walk to my new house was silent, my heart was pounding in my chest. I glanced over to see Elizabeth deep in thought as well. I knew that she was probably nervous, but not nearly as nervous as I was. She was a perfectionist, and an hour was not enough time to prepare me the way she wanted to. I wanted to run into the woods and disappear, as the house appeared in sight. I knew that running wouldn't save me from what needed to be done.

We walked up the front porch steps, every step I took I dreaded. I was starting to feel nauseous; I didn't know if I could go through with this. The thought of having a man that I barely knew taking a part of me, made me feel sad. It wasn't like I was giving it to him willingly, I was forced into this. We walked inside and locked the door behind us. Elizabeth grabbed my hand, and we ran up the stairs quickly. I knew that she was eager to get me ready. We walked into the guest bedroom, and she started to dig through her suitcase.

"I will give you some time to shower but don't take too long. We have forty minutes to get you ready."

I walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind me, I couldn't shake this feeling. I was terrified but I had no choice, I was trembling uncontrollably, I stared down at my hands watching them shake. I felt like my heart was pounding so hard, that I might cause myself a panic attack. I grabbed the zipper of my dress and slowly glided it down my back. I slid the dress down my body and let it pool around my feet. I reached to turn on the shower and noticed a sheer white gown with a white pair of panties on the toilet. Ugh, she would give me barely anything to wear. I turned on the shower, checking the water with my hand to make sure it was the right temperature. I stepped in and relaxed, I can do this I kept telling myself as I washed my body. I can do this for my sister. Just thinking about the look on her face earlier made me feel bad. I buried my face in my hands and cried silently, I was afraid no matter how hard I tried. I wanted to just stay in here forever, hide from my responsibilities and duty. I sat down bringing my knees up to my chest, I just needed to cry, and I would feel better.

The water soon turned cold, and I stood up knowing that I had to face my fears. I stepped out of the shower and dried off, slowly putting the lingerie on. I leaned into the mirror and stared at the mark he gave me. It was hideous and I hated it. Looking at it made me even more upset. Why was he doing all of this? I gave myself one more glance in the mirror before walking out of the bathroom.

Lily sighed in relief, "did you not hear me banging on the door? You were in there for twenty minutes."

"Sorry," I said taking a deep breath.

"Sit down," she motioned to the chair that I was sitting in earlier. I didn't want to upset her any further, so I sat down quickly. She started to brush my hair and I closed my eyes.

"Calm down and relax, the tenser you are...the worse it will be."

"Easier said than done, "I sighed.

She rolled her eyes, "trust me...you'll be glad you took that advice from me."

"I want it to be over," I whispered. "I want him to take what he wants from me. But I will not give him a child."

She gasped, "EDEN! You can't say stuff like that. You can't deny him a child, do you know what would happen to you? I don't even want to think about it. Ugh, I thought that we already had this conversation. Please, I'm begging you. Don't do anything stupid. The alpha is just as ruthless as his father."

"Would that be possible? Could I stop myself from becoming pregnant?"

She hit me with the brush, and I gasped, "stop talking like that. You can't do that, Eden. Did you hear a word I said? You would be punished severely if he even heard you say something like that."

I sighed, "yeah. Sorry, it was just a thought."

She placed her hand in her chest and closed her eyes. "Get rid of that thought. You're starting to scare me."

"Sorry, I'll stop thinking crazy things and get adjusted to my new life."

She took one last look at me before we heard a knock on the door. I looked at her and she nodded at me. It was him and I knew what he was here for. The door opened and he stepped inside. Elizabeth bowed to him and left quickly. He waited for a second before walking towards me slowly.

"Why me?" I asked standing up slowly.

"Don't ruin our wedding night with stupid questions. You are mine now and you have something that I want. Come now, we need to start."

I crossed my arms over my chest and held my head up high. "No, I want answers and I want them now." I knew that I would make him angry by denying him, but I didn't care. There was nothing that I could do now that we were married, and I knew that. But he wouldn't get the satisfaction of getting what he wanted when he wanted it.

"Eden, I'm not in the mood for your disobedience. If it was any other woman, they would be in my bed waiting for me."

"Well, go get another woman. Leave me alone and let me be a maid in your castle."

He chuckled, "you have my mark on your neck already."

"So does Danielle. What makes me so different?"

He walked towards me and yanked me towards his body roughly. "Because I'm going to take you tonight. Tonight, we become one."

I tried to break free of his grip, but he wouldn'tlet me. Now it was making sense to me. There were two parts to the matingprocess. The marking, which is what he did to me at the wedding ceremony. Themating is the second part and that is what he was trying to do now. It wasn't toolate for me as long as we didn't have s*x tonight.