The throbbing of the slap vibrates throughout my skin. A migraine forming from the harsh impact that feels like a rock was forcefully thrown at me.

He could have raped me, he already has, there is nothing stopping him from taking what he wants so why bother to care. I get up from the floor to enter a room where it seems to be where we bathe. Not knowing where to get a bucket, I look in the mirror to fix myself and not show any mark that Midas left behind.

To my amazement, there was nothing there. My skin was clear from any marking from Midas. It was if he didn't touch me.

I leave his home to search for anyone who can help me, anyone but Midas. The land was enormous, I felt so small compared in the scenery I took in.

The further I walked away from his home, the deeper I made my way into a makeshift market filled with goods being traded for other goods, services being sold it seemed, foreigners that didn't smell like the members of this pack were here. Midas did say only those who don't wish hard are allowed in so I suppose they are allowed.

As I walk further, many people seemed to gawk at me for no apparent reason, some I recognize from the moment I entered. I felt a slight tap to the side of my and I turn to see it was the same little girl who gifted me a flower.

"Oh hello, what's your name?" I ask, so small and innocent.

"Lucy."

"Why that's a pretty name." Lucy smiles at me with a missing tooth in the front. She holds out her hand for me to take, with that she sprints forward taking me along with her. I had no idea where she was taking me. I was merely searching for a way to get water but somehow I managed my way into a little girls journey of who knows where.

Zipping past many members, they gasp as we run past them almost pushing them over. I apologize profusely for bumping into them. It seems Lucy doesn't have a lot of manners when it comes to running in the middle of a market.

We past everyone and everything behind only to come across a huge forest of large willow trees that seem to give privacy; I believe Lucy may want to play hide and seek.

"Where are we Lucy?" I ask, curious and enchanted by the beauty of these magnificent trees.

"I want to show you something." Is all she says and I follow behind her to where she's leading me.

"Hold on, I can barely catch up." I say, feeling a slight irritation. This feels longer than I thought, the deeper we run into these willow trees, the farther away I feel from civilization.

I come to sudden halt almost bumping into Lucy. Her little finger points into the direction I must look at. It was a Sakura tree, one I've never seen in real life but only ever hear of in books, the old alpha would read bedtime stories of how magical a Sakura tree is, granting wishes of those with a pure heart. I was in awe by its beauty, nothing I've ever seen. I thought the fire trees were beautiful when entering Midas's pack, but this... this indescribably week of a wondrous beauty. No specific words can describe what I feel inside when staring at this tree.

"It's beautiful..." I whisper to Lucy but when I turn around, she's gone. No where to be found, I'm all alone and I question my sanity if the girl truly exist.

*

*

I walk towards the beautiful Sakura tree, the small petals fall from its stems. My hands reach to touch the petal. Upon closer inspection, when the petals hit the light it almost seems as if they shine like tiny stars.

For once, in a long while since meeting Midas, my whole being just feels... at peace.

I take this moment to myself and lay down against the tree. The flowers, the grass, the earth and wind all whispering like little hymns to appease my mood. For once, I embrace the beauty and revel in the relaxed atmosphere.

I wonder if Midas knows about this tree?

"What are you doing here?" Speak of the devil, I look up to see Midas standing across from me. I glared at him, my mood sour as soon as I lay my eyes on him. How can this monster be my mate, of all people, him.

"I could ask the same." I reply rolling my eyes looking towards anything else but him. The sight of him makes me want to gag.

"How did you find yourself here?" He asks, it seems he can't seem to stay quiet or even let the quit atmosphere take over. His whole presence just demands to be heard, everything wants to be heard but never listen.

"Would you believe me if I said a little girl brought me here?" I reply, he nods, I think he may know whom I'm speaking of.

"Her name is Lucy, lives with a mother who happens to be one of the handmaidens."

"The father?"

"Dead."

I didn't know what to say to that, at least she has a parent. I never knew mine to begin with. They abandoned me without a second thought.
I sit another moment before I return to the reality with Midas. I know once I get up, things will happen... that I'm not ready for anytime soon.

"Let's go." I whisper, it has to end now or else I might not ever want to leave. The minute I get up from the Sakura tree walking past Midas, he stops me by the forearm and brings my body towards his.

He's warm, hot even, but it does nothing to cool me down. I can feel his heat but I can never attain it.

"I... I requested the fabrics for you. If you need anything else, let me know." I could have sworn he was going to say something else. It felt like he wanted to, I know it, the look in his eyes said so. But I guess his brain won over his heart and stuck with being safe.

"Thank you." He doesn't let me go, his eyes still looking down at me. It's as if he's searching, I don't know what he would search for but it's not like I have any answers he need. I try to move away but a low warning from him stops me from making any sudden movement.

"Don't move." I don't, I'm not going to give him any reason to take advantage of me if I can help it. His other hand reaches over to the side of my face tracing the contours of my cheeks to my nose until it lands on my lips. His eyes fixated on my lips, for once since I have met him, I feel warm.

My face feels as if I'm on fire, as if my body is next to furnace and I have no way in running away from it. The way Midas looks at me... it's different, this isn't the same that I'm used to. His usual cold stare and cruel demeanor is no where apparent. The way his fingers touch my face feels as if he's imprinting the image of me in his mind. As if he's trying his best to remover what I look like.

Both of his hands are now around my neck bringing my face close to his. He leans down, just above my lips, so close... I can feel the air heating up between us. Nothing I ever felt, nothing that I can ever compare. I just feel... heated, so damn hot it's close to excruciating if it weren't for the feelings of tingles that spark throughout my skin every time he traces his touch on top of my skin.

Closer and closer, his lips so close to mine I can almost feel him. Realization dawns on me that our lips have yet to make contact. This would be it, my first kiss with my mate. I should be disgusted, I want to, but my body betrays me. I close my eyes waiting for it to occur. What I think would be my first kiss, nothing happens. I open my eyes to see Midas concentrating hard, someone has spoken and it seems to be urgent because the bridges of his eyebrows crease into a glare. Possibly annoyed by the outcome.

I should be relived that he didn't kiss me, that this didn't go further than what it needs to be. I am merely the woman who will carry his pup. So why the hell am I so disappointed by the loss of his touch the minute he lets me go.

"I have to go, I'll see you home." He leaves me behind and I feel breathless, for once I have nothing else to say and I stand there dumbfounded. He leaves me behind to deal
With my own thoughts and insecurities and the one thing I could say out loud... well.

"What the fuck just happened?"