My Most Precious Human

"W-what?" I mumbled, terrified.

"I heard those wolves were standing at the castle gates for several hours demanding an audience. They said that they were coming in peace, and only because the Duke has something that belongs to them…" Martha explained.

"And those wolves were let inside the castle?!" I called out anxiously.

She replied hesitantly, "They must have said something that finally convinced the Duke to let them in."

My heart started to pound erratically. I wondered how werewolves knew that I was in the Duke's castle. Was there a spy working for my father that lived here? Or perhaps there was someone at the auction who saw me and notified the wolves? I was in a complete panic. I had no time to tell Sariel the truth about where I came from and who my parents were. Now, things could get drastically complicated.

I had no idea what those wolves could have said to convince the Duke to give them an audience. I was terrified at the mere thought that they were really able to talk to Sariel and tell him something about me.

"What if Sariel thinks that I intentionally deceived him?! What if he thinks that I had some ulterior motive to get close to him?!" My mind had already created all sorts of conspiracy theories, increasing my level of anxiety.

I was still wearing my nightgown when Martha came. I hectically ran to the closet and tried to pick something from the new clothes that were brought for me there. My hands trembled so much I could barely hold anything without dropping it to the floor.

"Here. You should wear this." Martha handed me a no-sleeve, white fitted dress with a stand-up collar.

"This? Isn't it too elegant? I don't feel too comfortable wearing something as fitted as this…" I grimaced awkwardly, completely unconvinced.

"Clothes are a woman's best weapon. This will make you look sexy and innocent at the same time," Martha claimed confidently.

"But… how do I even walk in something this tight?" I tried to find any possible reason not to wear the dress.

"Don't worry, it has slits on both thighs. They don't go very high up, but they are enough to help you walk," she stated, forcingly putting the dress over my head.

I couldn't argue with her anymore. Furthermore, I had no more time. I wore the dress in a hurry and ran out of my chamber. I walked fast. I still prayed that when I walked inside the room, I would only find Sariel there. I opened the door while holding my breath.

I walked through the left-side entrance. At the end of the hall, on my right side, was a platform with a throne on it. Sariel was sitting there. As soon as I entered, he turned his head my way and glared at me coldly. Chills ran down my spine. I started to wonder in a panic whether he was angry at me for some reason. I couldn't recall that he had ever looked at me that way before. I took a deep breath trying to calm down, but then I turned my eyes to the left and saw something I had feared the most…

"Princess! It's so good that you have finally shown up! Do you know how long we have been looking for you?" I heard a harsh voice filled with vicious venom.

his team of wolves ten years ago. Now, he

but none of the wolves dared to move unless they received Duke's permission.

here and stand beside me,"

feverishly pounding. I looked at him with hopeful eyes, seeking his protection only to meet his gaze frightfully indifferent. I couldn't understand his change of attitude towards me. I bet it must have been something that Declan or the others said. I wanted to shout that whatever it was that Sariel heard was a lie, but before I could even open

dearest princess in our pack. She is also soon to be married to the Northern Alpha. She rebelled and caused us a lot of trouble over the years, but we wish for nothing else than her happy return," he spat his words full of

my eyes with a cold

You can't believe them!" I

at me, clenching

was staring at me with eyes full of hostility. Perhaps he really believed that I used to live happily among the pack, and now he felt deceived.

I mumbled

grabbed my hand and forcefully pulled me closer to his throne. Then he used his strength,

them, don't say a word and don't even

do whatever it took to gain his protection. He chuckled maliciously, let go of my hand, and then gazed at Declan

belongs to the pack… yet she is a human," Sariel

Alpha treasures his daughter very much…" Declan kept assuring him,

despite knowing that she was marked by

that there couldn't be anything as insulting to the werewolves as having something that belonged to them corrupted by a vampire. The wolves snarled furiously and almost rushed towards the throne. Their frowning faces began to shift, but Declan stopped them from

respect, I don't believe

trust my words?" Sariel

proof,"

to put my arms around him to keep myself from falling. He

Not that it would help much. I bet that the ones on her neck are already healed…"

clearly enjoyed teasing them. He ran his fingers through my neck and began drawing a line down

blood is?" He challenged the wolves' endurance. "It tastes even sweeter when

along its inner side. I tried to

will give you to them," he hissed into my

how my body responded to his slightest touch. They were all watching as my body shivered at Sariel's mercy. I gazed at him with pleading eyes, hoping