Matilda Anderson's pov
I woke up to soft knocks on the door. For a moment, I forgot where I was.
The bed beneath me was too soft, the sheets too warm, and the air carried a faint scent of pine and something earthy a reminder that I was far from home.
Then it all rushed back.
The kidnapping. Marco. The deal.
My chest tightened as fear crept in, but before I could dwell on it, the door opened, and Elera walked in, holding a bundle of clothes.
"Good morning, Matilda," she said with a small smile. "You're coming with me today."
I frowned. "Where?"
"To the kitchen. You'll eat with the other mates and pets."
The word pets made me uneasy. I didn't understand the dynamic of this place yet, and I wasn't sure I wanted to.
"I don't want to," I muttered, gripping the blanket tighter.
Elera sighed and placed the clothes at the foot of my bed. "I know you're scared, but no one will hurt you. You need to eat, and being around others might help."
I wanted to refuse again, but my stomach betrayed me with a loud growl. I hadn't eaten properly in days.
With reluctance, I got up and let her hand me the clothes. They were soft and comfortable, but I still felt like I was dressing for a prison sentence.
When we reached the kitchen doors, I hesitated. My palms felt sweaty as I stared at the scene inside.
Six petite people were sitting at a long wooden table, chatting softly.
I wasn't used to anyone besides Ana. This was too many. Too much.
I stepped back instinctively, but Elera placed a gentle hand on my back. "They won't hurt you," she assured me.
Still unsure, I whispered, "What if they jump at me?"
Elera turned to them and asked, "Will any of you jump at her?"
The six heads turned toward me, then shook simultaneously.
"No."
"Never."
"She's new. We wouldn't do that."
Their soft voices held no malice, just curiosity.
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding.
Maybe, just maybe… this wouldn't be so bad.
I hesitated before taking a seat, my body stiff with unease. The others continued their quiet chatter, occasionally glancing at me, but none of them made a move to approach except one.
A girl with curly brown hair and bright green eyes scooted closer, giving me a friendly smile. "Hey, I'm Rita," she introduced herself, offering her hand.
I stared at it for a moment before reluctantly shaking it."So, you're the girl Marco brought in?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity.
I tensed. "He kidnapped me."
Rita winced but didn't argue. "Yeah, that tracks… but you're his mate, right?"
I bit my lip, unsure how to respond. I barely understood what that even meant, and the thought of being tied to someone like him made me sick. and confused.
Rita didn't wait for an answer. "Where are you from?"
I hesitated before mumbling, "Nowhere important."
Rita leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand as she studied me with open curiosity. "So. you're human?"
I frowned. "Aren't we all?"
The moment the words left my mouth, a strange tension settled over the table. The other girls exchanged glances, and Rita's lips parted as if she wanted to say something but thought better of it.
I looked around at them. Their features were normal too normal. But there was something off about them, something I couldn't quite place.
Rita gave a small laugh, waving her hand. "Yeah, of course. I just meant, you know, human-human."
That only confused me more. What the hell does that even mean?
Before I could press further, she kept talking. "It must be weird, being here. The kingdom, Marco, everything."
At the mention of Marco, I stiffened, my appetite disappearing.
"Yeah, weird is one way to put it," I muttered, shoving my spoon through the untouched food on my plate.
Rita nodded like she understood completely. "Trust me, I get it. When I first came here" She suddenly stopped, eyes widening like she'd said too much.
I caught it immediately. "When you first came here.?" I prompted.
Rita forced a laugh. "Oh, I just meant before I got really busy here."
The kitchen doors suddenly burst open, making me jump.
Marco walked in, flanked by his warriors, towering over everyone.
The room instantly fell into a heavy silence. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly. The quiet chatter died, and every girl at the table straightened in submission, heads slightly bowed.
I hadn't seen him since last night, and I told myself I didn't care. But as he strode in, his presence commanding and intimidating, something deep inside me twisted.
I swallowed hard, keeping my head down as if that would somehow make me invisible.
But my damn curiosity betrayed me. I risked a glance at him.
And immediately regretted it.
He was,hot.
There was no denying it. The way he walked with such effortless power, the sharp angles of his face, the way his muscles shifted beneath his black shirt it was infuriating.
No. No, no, no.
I quickly snapped my head down, but not fast enough.
Elera was watching me.
A knowing smirk curled on her lips.
My stomach twisted in frustration. What the hell is wrong with me?
After Marco left the kitchen, Rita linked her arm with mine and led me down a hallway. "Come on," she said cheerfully. "I want to show you something."
I hesitated but followed. At this point, I figured exploring was better than sulking in my room.
We stopped at a small sitting area with plush chairs, a large TV mounted on the wall, and shelves filled with games and books. It was cozy, surprisingly modern compared to the rest of this strange kingdom.
"This," Rita said, grinning, "is the one place Marco allows no one else to be in. Well, except you now."
I raised a brow. "Me?"
She nodded. "I mean, you're his mate. So technically, whatever is his is yours."
I scowled. "Yeah, I don't see it that way."
Rita just shrugged. "Suit yourself."
I sighed and plopped onto the couch, grabbing one of the game controllers. "So. what? We're just going to play?"
"Yup."
It was weird being here, laughing, playing games.
For a short while, I almost felt… normal.
At some point, Rita asked, "What did you like to do before, you know, all this?"
I hesitated before answering. "Painting."
Her eyes lit up. "Really? That's awesome! You should paint something here."
I snorted. "With what?"
She smirked. "I'll get you the supplies."
I looked at her suspiciously. "Why are you being so nice?"
Rita shrugged. "I like you."
It was a simple answer, but somehow, it made me feel a little less alone.
When the day ended, she walked me back to my room.
As soon as I was alone, the heaviness settled in again.
I sighed, crawling under the covers, staring at the ceiling.
A part of me wished this was all some nightmare. That I'd wake up in my tiny apartment, late for work, worrying about tips and college applications.
But I wasn't.
I was here.
With him.
And no matter how much I fought it… a small part of me wondered if I'd ever get out.