BREED&QUEEN

PUNISHMENT

It was my first night being away from home. Growing up, I was never able to spend the night at a friend's house. My mother never let me out of her sight. She protected my virginity as if it was her own. It was important to her and it was important to me. I kept asking myself why it was important. At first, I realized that it was important because it would ensure that I married a worthy man. But over time, I started to learn that it was a piece of me. When I met with the king earlier today, I felt so ashamed. I felt bad that I didn't have any experience to offer him. I couldn't even begin to explain to him simple things about pleasure. But when it came down to it, what did I really know? I was a sheltered girl and this was my first time seeing the world. Or I mean, at least a piece of it. As I lay in the bed that was provided to me, I kept tossing and turning. I was restless and I knew that a nice walk would help me. As I walked around the dark  garden, my mind was restless with questions.

What would I do now that I offended the king? I would go home and what would I tell my mom? Would I tell her the truth or would I lie and say he wasn't interested in me? I didn't know what to do. I was here to provide a life for my family and I failed. Alpha Tristian would spend a little bit more time with us. When night fell upon us again in two weeks, he would claim his mate. I didn't even know if I wanted to stick around for that. I knew that he wasn't going to choose me. Why would he? Besides, I didn't want him to choose me anyway. I didn't want to be married to a king and be his breeder. I wanted a free life but that was not the duty of women. One way or another, I would have to birth a child for a man. It didn't matter if I loved him or not. It was part of our survival as women and we didn't have any choice. I knew that since I failed to please the king, I would be married off. I could only hope that I would be married off to an ordinary man. It was easier to please a normal man than it was to please a king. I was so deep in thought that I didn't notice someone approaching me. I turned around at the last minute when I heard footsteps right behind me. I gasped and placed my hand on my chest. It was the Alpha and he stood before me shirtless. He was wearing a pair of gray sweatpants that hung loosely on his hips. He looked as though he just came from working out. Could he have been working out this late?

"What are you doing wandering around at night?"

I took a step back from him. His voice held so much authority and anger. "I couldn't sleep, so I decided to take a walk."

He smirked, "Is that so? Do you take walks in the middle of the night often?"

I shook my head staring down at my feet. It was too hard for me to look into his eyes. "No, not this late. I take walks often but usually during the day."

"Look at me."

My head snapped up instantly. I stared into his dark grey eyes and tried to control my breathing. He made me nervous and I hated it. He made me feel things that I've never felt before.

"You look pale, are you okay?"

"Yes, my king. I'm fine, thank you so much for asking. I... I better get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow, good night." My body felt like it was on fire and I knew that I needed to get back to my room. Being alone with him was not okay. My mother taught me that from an early age.

Before I could walk away, he had my wrist in his hand. I blinked and my back was pushed against the white fence. I was frozen in place as I felt his breath on my neck.

"Eden, was that your name?"

"Yes," I whispered almost too afraid to speak.

"At first, I thought that you were lying about being a virgin. It didn't make sense to me at all. What woman at your age would still be a virgin? I knew that it was a game that you were playing to try to get me to choose you. But now I see, you were not lying."

"And how can you tell?" I asked tilting my head to the side when I felt his lips getting closer to my face.

He chuckled, "this long white nightgown tells me enough. You're completely covered and not an ounce of skin is showing. I can tell from your complexion. Your skin is hot, your heart is pounding, and your cheeks are red with embarrassment."

I took a deep breath trying to control the butterflies in my stomach. "I would never lie to you. Lying to an Alpha is f*******n. My innocence is true, but I can please you. I did not mean to insult you earlier."

"Please me how? How can you please me when you don't know how to please yourself?"

"I can learn."

He laughed a little, "cute. Eden, I don't have time for a queen that needs to learn how to please me. I need one that is educated and ready."

I knew that I had to fix this. My mother's words kept ringing in my ear. I had to do this for my family even if that meant seducing him. I didn't know the first thing about seducing a man. I didn't even know what men liked. I had to try; this was my last shot.

I stared into his eyes l*****g my lips slowly. "Show me, I'm willing to learn. I would love to learn how you want to be pleased. How would it benefit me if I don't know what you desire? A woman can please any man, but I don't want to do that. I want to please you and only you."

I could see the l**t in his eyes as he looked me up and down. I could hear the little growls that were trapped deep in his throat. He was not only an Alpha, but he was also a king. He was a man and within that man lay a beast.

He smirked, "tempting. You know how to tempt me and I like that. But I fear that the wolf in me is something that you can't handle. Your fragile little body would not last the night with me. You have to learn your body and learn what you want before you can ever think about being with a man."

"Is s*x the only thing you desire? Other things matter too. I don't want to be a body that is silenced only when you desire to create a child."

He growled, "that is exactly why you aren't a good fit for me. You're not a good fit for any man in your condition. I don't want an equal, I want a breeder."

His words cut deep, and they made me angry. "I hope you find that equal," I said with disgust. I tried to walk away from him, but he pinned me to the wall.

"Lose the distaste in your voice, little human. I am still your king despite our conversation right now. You will respect me regardless of if you are my queen or not."

I smirked, "well I'm lucky that I never have to see you again. We won't have to worry about such a thing. It's not like you come to visit the other villages that surround the territory you rule. We have to abide by your laws but suffer."

"Don't make the mistake of pissing me off. Kneel to your Alpha and apologize for your rude actions."

I frowned, "I will do no such thing."

His eyes slowly started to turn emerald green and I gulped. The beast inside him was creeping forward and I didn't know what to do. "Kneel...now."

I didn't want to give in, but I knew that I pushed him past his breaking point. I closed my eyes and dropped to my knees quickly. "I apologize, Alpha. I was rude and I should have never used that tone of voice with you. I will not make the same mistake again."

He grabbed my face roughly forcing me to look at him. "If you weren't a virgin, I would make you show me how sorry you were. I wouldn't want to breed you anyway. The last thing I need is untamed, disobedient, savage children like you. As if you would ever be worthy enough."

"I'm glad to know that my virginity is saving me. I'm honored that you feel that way. I wouldn't want to taint your bloodline with savages. I'm not worthy of your children. That's what your family says about us humans. Were you just inviting us to be nice?"

"It can only save you for so long. I will give you what you're asking for, Eden. I won't make the mistake of choosing you as my mate. But you will be a maid in my castle. You start first thing tomorrow morning."

My eyes widened in surprise. Was he serious? Why would he do this after I disrespected him? "Thank you," I whispered.

"There is no need to thank me yet. Your punishment is not over. Eden, it's just beginning. If you think that working for me is going to be a pleasure for you, you're wrong."

I frowned watching his eyes slowly change back to their normal light grey color. "What does that mean?"

"You will be so busy that you won't ever get to experience the pleasure of creating a child. The last thing that I need is a bunch of savages running around here. You will learn your place, Eden."

"That makes two of us. I don't want to be used by a man. I want to be my own woman and I will do that. Your punishment is not a punishment that I have a problem with. I know my place; how could I forget it?"

He backed away from me and I stood there watching as he undressed me with his eyes. I had this feeling in the pit of my stomach that drove me crazy. It was an unbearable ache that craved him. What was happening to me? I should hate him for what he said, and I did. But there was not fighting a king in his kingdom. I knew my place and I respected it.

"It's not safe for you to roam around the garden at night. You need to go back to your room and get some rest."

"I understand, good night."

I needed to get away from him as fast as I could. I didn't think twice as I turned my back to him and raced down the pathway. There was nothing more that I could do to make him see me any differently. My mother said my virginity would help me but it hindered me. The king did not want me and it was because of my innocence. I was upset with myself but another part of me was happy. I was happy that I wouldn't have to be with him. I could make money and provide for my family while working. I didn't mind cooking and cleaning, I loved it. I was happy about being a maid in the castle, but I knew that she wouldn't be. She would be angry with me that I managed to get punished within the first day of being here.