(Zorya)
The world ceased to exist for a while, even Caliath’s invasive hand on my shoulder as I stared at this virile male standing in front.
The room melted away; the powerful Alphas and their slaves disappeared too.
Everyone vanished for me, except him.
Xalik seemed angry, pissed, and almost mad.
He didn’t seem to know that I was Alpha Caliath’s slave.
I gulped; he appeared even more terrifying than Caliath at that moment.
Rage rigidly contorted his face.
His eyes slowly wavered from me to the man holding me.
The trance between us broke.
A murderous intent seemed to have settled in Xalik’s eyes.
I realised that he wasn’t mad at me; he was gutted to know that I was Caliath’s slave.
“So you found yourself a silver head.
I heard they bring good luck,” someone teased beside Caliath.
Caliath’s death grip wrapped around my forearm, and he pulled me up and into his lap.
His long fingers grazed my open hair.
I didn’t understand his obsession with my hair.
“Exactly why I bought her,” he smugly answered.
His gaze had been on the Alpha beside him, so he didn’t know Xalik was eyeing him with maddening rage.
My saddened eyes slowly drifted to Xalik.
Agitation made his jaw clench tight.
Caliath’s fingers gripped the base of my hair, jerking my head towards himself.
The devilish smile that resided on his razor-thin lips sent bouts of terror running through me.
“And she is such a good girl too.
Takes me so well…”
His lips grazed against mine, making me want to retch.
Revulsion and anxiety rose inside me like a beast; my hands trembled to push him away.
His lips were cold and cruel, almost punishing; there was no warmth there.
A loud crash had Caliath breaking the revolting kiss.
Every eye in the room turned in the direction of the noise.
My heart almost jumped into my mouth.
Xalik had toppled over a table that seemed to contain champagne bottles and flutes.
Now, he was holding another warrior by the throat, squeezing his neck.
“You think you are so tough?
I will show you,” he hissed at him.
“Shade, let’s leave the fighting for the pit.
This is a before party.
Loosen up.” Canara left her seat and approached him, placing her well-manicured hand on his bare shoulder.
Xalik side-glanced at me.
Seeing that Caliath was no longer kissing me, he jerked the warrior away.
He had done this on purpose, to distract Caliath.
The warrior growled, but the sentries pulled him back, putting distance between Xalik and him.
“Have a drink.” Canara handed him her glass, curling up to him, rubbing her curvy body against his naked torso.
His glaring and upset eyes remained on me as she leaned in to kiss him.
Xalik held the glass with one hand, but his other crawled into her hair while he returned her kiss.
I had to look away….I couldn’t keep up with the intensity of his gaze.
“Always drama.
I love the drama.” The Alpha sitting beside Caliath laughed.
His greying hair and wrinkles revealed he was in his seventies.
Yet he held a young woman in his arms who appeared barely 18.
The sheer blue gown she wore barely covered her breasts and lower region.
Bruises littered her ivory skin on her face and arms.
She shivered every time his hand touched her, and I could only imagine the abuse he put her through.
“That’s what we ought to deliver.
What’s fun without drama.” Caliath raised his glass to him.
Both clinked their glasses together before taking sips of their bubbly champagne.
Caliath let me slide off his lap and stood up, pushing me back on the floor.
I knelt with my hands on my folded thighs.
How different the two worlds collided here.
The slaves sold and held against their will, constantly abused, raped and tortured.
Some were even being forced to perform oral on their masters.
A girl forcefully had an Alpha’s dick down her throat.
Another Alpha had his slave riding him.
It was bizarre, heart-wrenching, and repulsive all at the same time.
These elite, rich Alphas had all the authority and power.
Will there ever be retribution?
There had to be.
Caliath raised his glass to the audience.
“Let the 57th Pit of Brawls begin.
May the best warrior win and bring you all a ton of money.
For me, the NightViper Pack has to be this year.” The NightViper was the pack Caliath and Canara belonged to.
Cheers and clinking of the glasses followed his words.
“Bring forth the dancers,” he announced before retaining his seat.
More cheers and excitement ran through the crowd.
The lights completely went off except for spotlights.
The sofa on his right was empty.
I heard Canara’s voice as she occupied the place beside her brother.
“I love belly dancers.
Can’t wait to see them?” She excitedly rubbed her hands together.
Caliath nudged me on the shoulder with his index finger.
“Be a darling and go stand behind me.
Make room for the dancers.”
I obeyed without hesitation.
I would love to stay as far away from him as possible.
Carefully walking so I wouldn’t trip on someone, I went behind the sofa.
My feet came to a halt when I felt his imposing presence before I could even lift my gaze and find him.
I bit my lower lip, and slowly my eyes drifted towards him.
He stood behind his mistress, arms tightly folded over his heaving chest.
He gestured with his eyes for me to come stand beside him.
Willing myself to move, I obeyed.
His rich masculine scent was nothing but soothing to my senses.
Both of us stood side by side.
Slaves to the rich, callous and depraved.
His arm brushed against mine, casual and yet his way to communicate.
I kept my gaze straight.
Belly dancers had filed in, donning captivating sequined and jewel-covered costumes.
Sheer black veils added mystery while the hip belts jingled with their movements.
Their arms flowed in the air like serpents while their bodies gracefully rippled at every beat of the music, completely in sync.
Everyone was completely enthralled by the dancers and the music.
No one was paying heed to us.
“You alright?” his whisper was so low that I barely heard him.
I simply nodded, keeping my head straight.
The terror of getting caught gripped me, and I dared not speak or even glance in his direction.
My hands fidgeted at my sides.
He lowered his arms, and his knuckles subtly rubbed against the back of my hand as if by accident.
Moving closer, he blocked the view from the back by his broad stature.
His rough but fevered fingers slid against mine.
My hand automatically opened, inviting him in, and his fingers snugly fit within mine.
A relief so deep fell over me that I closed my eyes and simply breathed in peace.
This man brought me peace.
Will it last though and how many times could he protect me?