CHAPTER 6: Read Or Leave

***AURORA***

"Do we have a deal, Luna?” The way he said those words knocked the air out of my lungs, and my head moved in quick nods before I could even stop it.

“Yes,” I whimpered, jaws lifting to meet his oppressing gaze.

“Good,” he muttered as he slowly withdrew his frame from me, allowing me to breathe finally. “You should have breakfast… After that, come meet me in my study.”

He turned without saying another word and started moving towards his study. Then he glanced back and stared at me for a brief moment with a smirk on his face before finally disappearing out of my sight.

“What the fuck…” I mumbled, my hands grabbing tightly to the edge of the table. “What the fuck have I gotten myself into?”

I pulled the chair nearest to me and crashed on it, then I placed my elbows on the table and buried my head in my palms. Several thoughts spiraled in my mind in that moment, but only one stood out the most—how do I safely get out of this?

I was just about to have a mental breakdown when a gentle voice suddenly pulled me back.

“What would you like to have for breakfast, Mrs Blackthorne?”

My head jerked up instantly, and when I traced my eyes towards the direction of the voice, I saw her—a girl in her early twenties in a maid's gown, and a bright smile spreading across her lips.

I was still trying to figure out what to say to her when she spoke again—

“My name is Alicia, and I'm the head chef of the Blackthorne House. I'd like to know what you prefer to eat.”

She spoke with so much confidence and elegance that it instantly made me realize that to survive here, I cannot afford to appear weak. I must be able to hold my shit together pending the time that I get a way out of here.

“A cup of tea, and two slices of bread will do just fine…” I responded, forcing out every ounce of confidence in me.

A small smile spread across her lips, as if reading my thoughts. Then she bowed and just left.

She came back almost immediately with what I requested and placed them before me with absolute precision and professionalism. She stepped back a few paces and asked in a gentle tone—

“Is there anything else you need?”

“No, thank you…” I responded, forcing out a smile despite how tight my stomach was pulling. “I'll be sure to call for you if I need anything else.”

She bowed once again. “Alright ma'am,” she said, then left.

***

I took as much time as possible in the dining room, eating slowly and just thinking about what my life would be from now on, and how I would even be able to hold my head up in the outside world. I was still in thought when a deep baritone voice came behind me.

“The Alpha has requested your presence in his private study.”

My head snapped back towards the voice, heart slamming against my chest. When I finally met his face, I realized where that dread actually came from. The man who stood in front of me had a massive scar on the left side of his face, and everything about the aura emanating from him informed me of how dangerous it is to cross him.

I jumped to my feet before even realizing it, then as I walked past him towards the study, the man suddenly pulled me back, and grabbed both my shoulders. 

“What are you doing?” I shuddered, as I stared into his scarred face.

“Well…” he muttered in a croaked tone. “Enjoy this while it lasts, because the Alpha’s curiosity about you would end soon, and then you'd be back into the dirty alley he picked you from.”

I swallowed hard as he said those words and his grip became harder against my shoulders. At that point, I really realized how powerless I was, and the things I'd have to endure. I was about to plead to let me go when a familiar face from earlier interrupted me.

“Let go of her, Gareth…”

My head tilted towards the voice, and I saw Alicia.

“What did you just say?” Gareth growled in a low tone, eyes fixed on Alicia. 

“I said let go of her, or would you rather I inform the alpha of your insubordination?”

That seemed to do it as he let go of me. He glanced at me once again, then kissed his teeth and left.

My knees buckled the moment he disappeared from my sight, and as I was about to hit the ground, Alicia rushed towards me, helping me to stay up.

“Don't mind him,” she muttered, patting my back. “He's just bitter that he has to bow to an outsider from now on.”

“Is this what I have to go through from now on?” I threw the question in the air, without ever intending for it to be answered. 

“Of course not,” Alicia responded with a smile. “With time, you'll learn how to survive here.”

Her response confirmed my worries. And instead of just staying down in fear, I picked myself up and started darting towards Ronan’s private study.

“Thank you, Alicia…” I muttered without even glancing back at her.”

I didn't hear a response, and my heart was racing so fast I didn't even think to look back.

Finally, I was in front of the door to Ronan’s private study. I let out a deep breath as I pushed the door open.

“Finally, you're here…” Ronan muttered in a tired tone, setting down the massive newspaper covering his face, and staring right at me.

“Yes…” I swallowed hard, my vision blurring due to the massive aura emanating from him.

“Good,” he continued, gesturing towards the chair opposite him. “Sit.”

I slowly took my seat, eyes fixed on him. Then he stood up and grabbed a pile of books from his table, and dumped them right in front of me.

“You shouldn’t get out of here until you've read every last one of these books,” he muttered in a cold tone, then he left, the door closing with a soft click behind him.

I stared at the massive pile of books before me, and a ball of sweat suddenly formed all over my face. “HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO READ ALL OF THESE?”

I was wondering about that, when my phone buzzed with a notification. I picked my phone up from my pocket, and as I stared at the lit screen, my body froze. It was a text from Cassian, and it read—

HOW COULD YOU DO THIS? I'M WILLING TO FORGIVE YOU AND LET US START AFRESH. JUST BREAK THINGS UP WITH HIM AND COME BACK TO ME.

My stomach pulled tightly as I stared at those texts. “I'd rather read a hundred more of these books than to go back to your fucked up self.”