The heavy knock at the door made Aurora jump.
She'd barely fallen asleep on the straw bed when the bolt scraped open. A guard stood there—tall, armored, unreadable.
"The Alpha summons you."
Her throat tightened.
Already?
She nodded and rose, clutching the rough shawl tighter around her shoulders. Her fingers shook, but she walked steady down the torch-lit halls, firelight casting twisted shadows on the stone.
They stopped before a door.
The guard opened it and shoved her gently inside.
The door clicked shut.
And she was alone.
With him.
Zev stood near the window, shirtless, shadows dancing across his sculpted back. His silver hair shimmered under the moonlight like a halo—but nothing about him felt holy.
He didn't turn.
"You came quickly," he said, amused. "Good girl."
Aurora swallowed. "I was told to."
He finally turned.
His eyes met hers—icy and hungry.
Still, she didn't drop her gaze.
He walked toward her slowly, every step deliberate. "You cleaned up," he noted.
"You told me to serve."
He stopped just inches away. Close enough for her skin to prickle.
"I don't recall asking for words."
Her lips parted. Then shut.
His gaze darkened.
"Are you afraid now?"
"Yes."
Silence stretched.
Then—he smiled. Slight. Dangerous.
"You learn fast. That might keep you alive."
His fingers brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. Light, but electric.
"You'll stay here tonight," he said. "That bed. Not mine."
She nodded.
Zev reached for a black robe and slid it over his shoulders.
"And Aurora…"
She turned.
"Don't try to run. I always find what's mine."
Then he disappeared into a side chamber.
Aurora sat on the edge of the bed, heart hammering.
Mine.
She hugged her knees and whispered into the quiet:
"I'm not yours."
But something inside her already doubted that.
---
Later That Night
The fire burned low.
Aurora hadn't moved.
The door creaked open.
Bare footsteps.
He was back.
Zev.
She lifted her head slowly.
He stood before her again—shirtless, silver pendant hanging low. His pale hair framed those glowing eyes like a trap.
"You're still here."
She stood quickly, hands clutching her bundle.
"Drop it."
She obeyed.
He circled her like a predator.
"I was told your purpose was to seduce me."
Her heart stuttered. She didn't speak.
"That's your value, isn't it? Temptation?"
Her voice was small. "What do you want me to do?"
Zev smirked. "I don't tell slaves how to seduce me. That would ruin the fun."
He sank into a velvet chair. One leg over the other. Relaxed. Dangerous.
"Impress me. If I enjoy it, you stay. If I don't… the guards will be back."
Aurora stood frozen.
"Tick tock, little slave."
She stepped closer.
Her hands, unsure, reached for his shoulders. She began to massage him—slow, nervous.
He didn't flinch.
"So you're going with touch. Interesting."
Her hands moved down his back, fingers steadying.
Then—
He stood.
Aurora stepped back fast.
"You failed."
Her chest ached. She moved without thinking—unlacing her dress.
"Wait—please—"
The fabric slid down her shoulders and pooled at her feet.
She stood bare. Shaking.
"My mistress said… to make you want me. It's the only way I could stay."
Zev stepped forward, gaze slow and cold.
"This is what you think I want? A trembling girl dressed in shame?"
"I'm not ashamed…"
"Then why are you crying?"
She hadn't realized.
But the wetness on her cheeks betrayed her.
He leaned in.
"Pick up your dress."
"W-what?"
"Pick. It. Up."
She gathered it quickly, covering herself.
Zev didn't praise. Didn't speak.
He just stared.
Then turned to leave.
"You failed tonight."
"Please… I can try again—"
He paused in the doorway. But didn't look back.
"I'll decide tomorrow if you're worth keeping."
The door shut like a sentence.
Aurora stood there.
Then curled beside the fire.
"I'll do better," she whispered.
Because she had to.
Because tomorrow might be her last chance…
…or her first win.