River’s room was a cozy little place. There was a small four poster bed in the center. Cupboards and wardrobes lined the brick wall on the other side. There was a small fireplace. The bathroom door opened in the corner.
Faria helped her take a bath as though she was a mutt who was supposed to be present in a breeding show. She brushed her with hard bristles till her skin started burning. Then after helping drying, she applied a lot of body lotion on her and blew dry her hair roughly.
River felt… miserable. What had her destiny brought her into? She had one chance to run away and that was ruined. The maid made her wear a simple deep blue polyester dress that fell till her knees and had a round neckline. The full length sleeves added to its drabness.
“We have already gotten very late, murmured Faria as she brushed her hair. “I was supposed to take you to his room, but let us go to meet Alpha Hunter in the dining hall itself. I hope he doesn’t get angry. He needs to go to train the warriors now.” She tossed the comb on the dresser and dragged River with her to the dining hall. While going there she said, “Be polite. Keep your head low and be submissive. If Lady Rosalie asks you questions, you are supposed to answer them, okay? But don’t show your aggressiveness. We wouldn’t want to be on Lady Rosalie’s bad side.”
River nodded, not liking it one bit. But did she have a choice? She was just an omega who was treated far worse in her own home.
When they reached the dining hall, River noticed how big and plush it was. A large dining table that could seat at least sixteen people was set in the center. Lavish food and flower vases decorated the top. A chandelier with a gold chain was hung right in the center, illuminating the whole place brightly. There was exquisite deep mahogany polished furniture. Servants buzzed around, carrying trays of food or other things.
Her gaze went to Hunter who was sitting at the head of the table. He looked refreshingly young and handsome. When their gazes locked, she forgot to breathe. With difficulty, she dragged her gaze away from his piercing one.
Right next to him on the left was Mia who beamed to see her. And on his right sat a blond woman in pink. Rosalie. Her beautifully brushed hair cascaded over her shoulders. She was wearing a pink silk dress. Her lipstick was pink and even the pins in her hair were pink.
Rosalie gave her a condescending look and in a very soft voice said, “Oh, so she is the breeder?”
“Yes, Lady Rosalie,” said Faria.
Rosalie narrowed her eyes and said, “Take her to the servants’ quarters. She can eat food over there.”
River’s eyes filled with tears at this blatant insult. She was being treated so terribly. It was like falling from the pan into the fire.
“Sit here, River,” Hunter growled, giving Rosalie a withering look as he pointed to a chair next to Mia.
Rosalie jerked her head back, stunned. She stuttered, “B- but Alpha Hunter, breeders don’t sit with the royals,” she pointed.
Hunter placed his spoon on the plate. He wiped his ***and said, “When was the last time you saw or encountered a breeder, Rosalie?”
Rosalie was flustered. “I-I haven’t met any breeders before this one, but-.”
Hunter continued, “The last breeder who came to the Veil was some fifty years back. How would you know how they are treated?”
Now Rosalie was completely flabbergasted. Rage bubbled inside her at obvious humiliation. How could Hunter speak with her so rudely? She was going to be his future wife. She gulped down her humiliation, feeling extremely awkward. Then she lifted her eyes and gave a murderous glance to River and said, “I have read about them in the library.” But she only read what their purpose was. There was nothing about how they were treated. But according to her, the breeder was a lowly being. Like groveling in the hierarchy The Alpha had to use her womb to have his pups and then she would be thrown. Maybe she would spend the rest of the days in a dungeon.
“Go read more,” he said. Ignoring Rosalie he pointed with his chin to River to sit. Faria nudged her and River walked to sit next to Mia, loosing a tight breath.
The servants served her breakfast, and River noticed how Rosalie was still glaring at her without eating food, while Hunter’s gaze was caressing her.
After a few minutes, Hunter said, “We have a charity ball tonight. The money will be going to the orphaned pups. Would you like to join it, River?”
“What?” Rosalie snapped. “How can she join? It is only for the elite Lycans. She is an omega werewolf and that too your breeder! People will gossip about us. It can become a full blown scandal!” It was her idea to organize the charity bail.
Rosalie had prepared the guest list tediously. Having River in the ball was going to be scandalous. She wanted to impress Hunter and show him her capabilities as a hostess by organizing such a huge and important party. She had called only the royals and elite Lycans. Hunter wasn’t even ready to host it but then she got an idea of making it a charity ball. And Hunter couldn’t refuse it.
Hunter took a deep breath and pinned her with a glare. “No one will gossip.”
Rosalie winced. She couldn’t believe that the Lycan king was giving so much importance to an omega breeder rather than her. She clenched her teeth as her fists curled tightly.
There was no point in saying anything more now. Hunter was probably feeling pity for the breeder. She would dig the thorns of pity slowly out of him. As for the breeder-she would show her, her right place.
Hunter dug his hands in his pocket and took his wallet. He picked up a gold card from it and placed it on the table. “Take it and go to the market to buy evening wear for you.”
Seeing the card, Rosalie was feeling extremely furious. Hunter was going out of the way for a mere breeder. He had never given his card to her.
Mia squealed. “Yay! Can I also go?”
“You already have way too many dresses, Mia,” Rosalie corrected her, and Mia’s lips downturned.
“You can go, Mia,” Hunter chuckled. He glanced at River who was sitting quiet during the whole conversation. A pale blush had come to her cheeks and he sensed her nervousness. He wanted to trace it fondly, slowly, and calm down her heartbeat, but in time. He didn’t want to scare her off.
Seeing him staring at River, Rosalie fumed. She interjected, “You must be getting late for warrior training, Alpha.”
Hunter’s reverie broke. He wiped his ***with the napkin and got up to leave. Before leaving, he slid the card to River. “Don’t lose it,” he said and then left. River picked it up with some reluctance.
As soon as he was out of the earshot, Rosalie rose to her feet. Rounding the corner table she reached River. “Give that Gold card to me, breeder,” she growled. “You are not qualified to take that card.”
River looked at her with surprise and fear. Eyes wide, she said, “But I can’t.”
“What did you say?” Rosalie growled.
