"I heard that the King has brought a new wife to the pack and even threw a feast on her behalf." One of the women in the harem teased as Anya tried to pretend as if it didn’t bother her.
The Lycan King bringing a wife home usually meant one thing, that her position in his life might change. That he might eventually favour the new bride.
But Anya knew better than to worry. She knew that this marriage was nothing but a political union. He also married his late wife under these circumstance and he never loved her.
She died a lonely, miserable woman so the case of his new bride is just as similar and it doesn’t mean a thing.
Although Anya knew that was the case, she also knew to make sure to mark her territory and guard what’s hers.
She would not be complacent and let this woman take her place In Cullen’s life. She was willing to do anything to achieve that.
She has long heard about Cullen’s marriage from the sentinels days ago and even though she had expected it, she wasn’t hurt about it.
What actually hurt her most was the fact that Cullen didn’t even bother to tell her about it.
She had thought that she had grown close to him and that he would at least share these little things with her but she was wrong. He didn’t care enough to do that.
To him, she was nothing but his mistress after all. She had no other status to her name. The only reason she so much as came this close to the King was because he had granted her that permission.
Years before he had rescued her and taken her as his mistress, she was nothing but a mere slave that was binded by chains and locked up in cages like an animal.
She was beaten and tortured by her masters. When she eventually fell sick, they discarded her and left her to die.
Cullen was the one who found her during one of his hunting games and had brought her to his pack and she in return chose to serve him but despite that, he still doesn’t see her as anything but his mistress.
"Looks like Anya is about to get replaced by the new Luna." Maya, another mistress said as they laughed amongst themselves.
"I heard that his new wife is a beauty to behold and that she has smitten the hearts of everyone who has met her." They ranted on but she only remained silent.
"All the men of the pack are taken in by her beauty and has likened her to a work of art too beautiful to gaze upon." Another chimed in. "The king does have exotic taste in women if you ask me."
Anya looked away. She didn’t know about the new Luna in question and she doesn’t care either.
She had purposely stayed away when the entire pack had gone out to welcome her because seeing her will only upset her and remind her of what she has lost.
The right to be Cullen’s Luna and his wife. She was supposed to bear his child and not someone else.
"Our dearest Anya will not be the fairest in the land anymore." They mocked. "You are about to have another competition. A very strong one if I should add."
"You said the same thing about the last Luna, Eileen and the one before that but guess what?" She asked and the room fell silent.
"Cullen never even bothered to look at them and they all died a miserable death in a loveless marriage."
"You had also told me back then to be very careful as well but in the end, Cullen only chose me to share his bed because I am the only one he lets come close to him." She walked towards the nearest couch and lowered herself on it.
"I know that you all are simply jealous of me because you cannot be half the woman I am and couldn’t pleasure the King without passing out at the mere sight of him." She chuckled at the thought of it as their faces tightened in a deep frown.
"But that is not my fault. It is all yours and it is also not my fault that I rule Cullen’s mind and body because he’s mine and will always be mine." She declared proudly.
"You all should be worried about yourselves rotting in this place because he will never choose you to stand close to him let alone warm his bed. You’re all as invisible as the air he breathes." She insulted with a smile.
"Well, we’ll have to see about that. Tonight is his wedding night after all and Cullen might choose to spend the night with his wife and not you." Eileen stood by her words.
"Who knows, she might even end up replacing you." She taunted her further with scornful sneers that did nothing but fuel the anger in her heart which she tried to ignore.
Anya laughed at their foolishness. "Alright then, let’s see who will gets to share his bed tonight and who gets to be replaced. And if I win, you all owe me two piece of gold each. Deal?"
"Agreed!" They chimed in unison after giving it some thought.
Just then, a guard announced himself in the harem with a message from the Lycan King.
"Mistress Anya, the King requests your presence in his sleeping chambers." He informed her before storming away.
"Do you hear that?" She turned to face them as she noted the look of disappointment on their faces. "Whether marriage or not, I am the Lycan King’s special mistress and that will never change. The King is mine and he will always be mine."
*.*.*.*
Cullen didn’t have to wait long before he heard the hesitant but firm knock on his door.
"Come in!" He ordered and the door immediately opens ajar to reveal Anya, who was clad in nothing but a sultry and exposed outfit.
Anya had always looked beautiful but he had never been impressed or allured by her.
He had made it clear that she was only in his life to pass the time and satisfy him whenever he was bored. She was his mistress, his plaything that he had acquired for himself.
"You sent for me, My Lord." Her voice threaded with need and pure arousal.
"Strip!" A single command that resonated with authority. She immediately pulled off her clothing one after the other till she was left stark naked in front of him.
"Where would it be tonight, My Lord? On the bed or on the table as usual?" She questioned while she waited patiently for him to give her a favorable answer.