▪Snow▪
She could not remember the last time she had a whole meal.
Snow pinched the duck bone in her fingers as her lips caught the dangling meat. It was tender slightly bland but the flavor of the rich poultry surfaced. The tiny bit of salt did its part as the duck fat coated her tongue. The herbs gave the meat its scent inhaling it as she chewed. It was woody almost floral complementing the smoky exterior of the charred meat.
She could not get enough of it. The melted fat from the devoured leg dripped down her wrist as she grabbed for another part. She was glad that she was far away from home where breakfast was a bowl of rolled oats and with a side of wild sour berries.
This was the first morning upon her arrival that she was able to stand.
The skin on her thighs touched as she closed the gap between her legs. She could still feel a lull pain between them. Her face flushed recalling the countless times the alpha would bed her despite her aching womanhood. It came to a surprise to her that despite the pain, she did not resist him. Instead, she allowed him to manhandle her all he wanted.
She distracted herself grabbing cubes of potatoes dawned with crushed pepper. Her finger guided the morsel into her lips. She has lost count of the days as she lay sore in the covers. It was only today that she had the strength to walk down the steps guided by the smell of breakfast.
It led her towards a spacious hall where a long table sat quietly. There she was served with roast duck, potatoes and wild greens.
With the spoon and fork still untouched beside her plate, her fingers caught blocks of meat falling apart from its bone and paired it with the crisp greens. Her tongue became a canvas of honey and salt as she licked a stray drop of melted duck lard at the corner of her lips.
"Milady, would you want another fowl feathered for you?"
She jerked with cheeks still full of tender meat as the handmaid spoke. It came a surprise to Snow how the woman stood so close to her. She could make out the gray beneath her eyes and sun burnt cheeks. Her damp hands were red as she rubbed them against an apron hanging from her belly.
"N-o." Snow could only shake her head. With her mouth still full she couldn't even speak. She quickly downed the food.
"No, need." She spoke again, "The meal you have prepared is more than enough."
The woman chuckled as she took the plates in her hands. Snow sat wide eyed as the handmaid moved freely before her. She started conversing about the weather and how she wished the winter would fade. None of the servants in Grimlake house talked to her this way. She was unsure how to respond.
"Pardon me, milady," the girl bowed her head, "I'm blabbering again. I should stop-
"No, it's okay. Please keep talking." Snow responded before the girl could finish.
"Okay, that's the first time no one has shut me up," The woman took empty greased plates in her hands as she started ranting about how busy the kitchen was at this hour. Before she proceeded back to the kitchen, she settled the stack of dishes back on the table and went rubbing her hands again.
"I'm Brida, milady. And I'm delighted to be serving you this morning." She handed the scrubbed hand towards her. Snow's chest felt light and raising her hand to meet Brida's felt the most natural thing to do.
"Please, call me Snow." She shook her hand and smiled.
Her cheeks were unfamiliar with such expression as they stiffened. Snow bit her lip in utter embarrassment and let the handmaid go about her tasks. Two more handmaids lend Brida a hand. The two shyly approached the table as they smiled towards her. Snow bowed her head greeting the two who giggled as they went on emptying her corner of the long table.
Although it scared her, being plucked from her home and placed somewhere so unfamiliar. She was glad that she was granted a chance to start anew, where nobody heard the rumors, where she was treated like she was any other girl.
Indeed, Burnwood house was nothing like her home. One step into the main hallways, her whole body tensed amidst the crowd of people conversing in groups. They were lounged on couches and fur carpets against the fire. Young cubs where running everywhere as their mothers called each of their names.
The sun now shone from the windows studded against the entire length of the wall. It illuminated all the curious eyes catching a glimpse of her. The pause continued until a young cub came running towards her.
"You're awake!" Snow was unsure of what to do. The girl stood few inches from her. She was a young girl about the age of five. "What's your name? Do you really have six sisters? What is your favorite color?"
Snow was unsure where to start as the questions continued to pile up.
"I have four older sisters, now my mama is carrying my baby..." the girl's nose twitched as she puckered her lips to the side of her face. Her eyebrows curved against her forehead, "sister? brother? I don't know actually."
"Your mama is having a little cub?" Snow forced to speak. The little girl nodded her small head several times, Snow's nape ached just looking at her. The little girl's eyes were now wide open as she patiently waited for Snow's reply.
"Brielle, what are you doing bother the Luna?" A tall woman about the age of her sister, Clara came trailing behind the little girl. "I'm sorry if, my little cub startled you, dear. She's been eager to meet you."
"It's okay," Snow smiled down on Brielle who now clung beside her mother. The little cub was hiding half of her face embarrassed by her mother's scolding. Snow bent down and whispered at the young cub.
"I have six sisters and my favorite color is ... hazel."
She froze as she recalled the alpha's eyes.
It's been a few days since she last saw him. She would wake up to find him doing something to her. Whether he was biting the inside of her thighs, pinning her wrists or tugging against her hair. Her cheeks warmed as she suppressed the memory.
"Your eyes are green!" Brielle's small palms hung to Snow's flushed cheeks as the little girl took a closer look. The little cub's strength surprised Snow as she rested her knees on the floor to balance herself. Now she knelt before the girl almost bumping to her mother's swollen belly.
"Yes, they are, young cub." Snow burst in laughter as her cheeks stiffened again. Brielle remained astonished as she surveyed more of Snow's eyes. She brushed a strand of hair aside aiding the little cub's search.
Suddenly, the entire hall became silent. Snow peaked through Brielle's shoulder and found a group of men walking across the hall. The crowds halted their respective chatter to show courtesy as the men passed them.
Her heart stopped as she saw the alpha between the towering men. His expression frozen forcing a smile at the side of his lips as he was greeted. The crowd stiffened as his energy radiated. Snow was several steps away but she could feel his energy take over the entire room. His authority brimmed every edge of his body. There was no questioning his power and its effect on the people around him... on her.
Then, his familiar scent began to fill her lungs sending her heart pounding for dear life. Her breathe quickened as she hid her face behind the little girl.
As the group of men draw near, Brielle ran off tucked behind her mother leaving Snow in plain sight. Snow's legs snapped up and she now stood before the group of men. With her eyes rooted on the marble floor, she could sense the alpha's eyes darted towards her.
The men stopped where she stood as she saw Brielle's mother curtsy before them in her periphery.
Snow filled her lungs with cold air before she looked up at him. There she met his eyes. The light coming from window illuminated his face as Snow found the softness in features against the chiseled edges of his face. Her chest tightened as she collected intricate details of his face. The mole right below is left eye and the scar piercing is lower lip. A hint of green fleks against the earthy brown of his eyes.
It was refreshing to stand before him in broad daylight. He was taller then she remembered and his shoulders wider and fuller. Her eyes were at the level of his shoulders. She had to lift her chin to meet his.
"How are you feeling?" His voice snapped her back into her senses.
Startled, Snow stared blankly at him before she forced an answer.
"Less sore."
She bit her lip as the men started to mumble. She could see from her periphery how Brielle's mother hid a smile in her palm. Snow was certain she wanted the ground to swallow her whole. She was lost for words as she saw the men behind the alpha smirk avoiding her eyes.
She gulped against the building mass in her throat.
"That's good. Being less sore is good." The alpha was suppressing a smile. The look from his eyes sent shivers down her spine. He was nodding his head surveying her top to bottom. A familiar tightness began to form on her chest as the men with their alpha now left.
Brielle's mother released a laugh as the men disappeared in site turning a sharp right into another hall.
***
Snow did not see him again for the rest of the day.
She sat on a stool of the washroom still dripping wet. She has just emerged from her bath as steams of the hot water fogged the mirror before her. Her handmaids excused themselves as she started to dry herself.
They sent her to the washroom earlier today. Tonight, she was about to be introduced to the entire house as well as allied houses along with a small feast of her welcoming. The thought of being surrounded with people made her stomach hurt.
Ignoring the pain, she grabbed the box on the table before her and settled it in her palm.
~~~~~~~
Wear this.
-Torryn
~~~~~~~
"Torryn," a smile crossed her lips as she spoke his name. Her stomach began to tighten in a different kind of pain. She ached for him. How she wished she was back in his chambers where she'd wait patiently to be his prey.
"You called for me?" His voice echoed the dim room. Her damp body stiffened in his presence. Her head turned back against her bare shoulder and met his stomach as he stood behind her. She flinched as she scrambled to cover her naked body.
His strong hands took hold of her wrists as he dropped both limbs to her side.
"I have seen all of you before, little bird." His breath tickled her ear, "Now open my present."
Her fingers trembled against the lock of the wooden box. His lips nibbled against her neck as her fingers weakened. She sighed as she fumbled against the lock. It soon came free and the contents now displayed before her.
Snow's eyes widened as she surveyed the item before her.
It was nothing she has ever seen before. She touched the cold silver spheres in between her fingers. The largest among the three spheres where as big as the size of a quail's egg. The two where a few dimensions smaller. The three spheres dangling against a smooth metal chain. The silversmith surely did a fine work.
Torryn's hands rested on her thighs as he slowly separating it. She closed her eyes feeling her hands weaken. The box nearly fell off her palm. Her breath paced as his fingers slowly made their way to the warmth between her legs. Her wetness was soon cupped by his cold fingers as she grabbed on to his wrist.
"Let me help you wear them." He bit the lobe of her ear. Before she could answer, he dug one finger inside her as a moan escaped her parted lips. She was trembling, begging. His hands sent her so close to the edge when he stopped.
Snow's eyes shot open. She felt something heavy settle in her stomach. She wanted him.
His hands gripped her hips as he propped her against the table knocking down the vials of oils and soap. Her back rested on the cold mirror as she saw him bare chested before her. His lips caught hers in a hungry kiss. She struggled to breath as he pulled her legs apart. His fingers entered her as she screamed from his lips.
"I like how you're always ready for me, little bird," his voice was rough and low, she wanted him to keep speaking. She didn't want him to stop.
His fingers continued to dig deep into her, faster, harder. She squinted her eyes, her lips parted sucking every breathe. She knew she was so close to her release when she felt the cold beads between her wet folds.
The beads were in Torryn's fingers. The largest of the silver spheres pressed against her opening. The cold sent pulsating electricity on her damp skin. She was out of breathe, leaning against the mirror. Her fingers gripped tight on the corners of the table where she sat.
"Ready, little bird?" He whispered.
Without warning, he pushed the cold spheres in her. The walls echoed her cries as she was so close to her release. As the last sphere entered her, he pulled her legs close and with one strong grip he lifted her chin and landed a soft kiss on her lips.
He pulled her up so she could stand. Her knees wobbled against her weight. She leaned on to his arms for support until her limbs regained their strength. She was breathless, damp, and hungry for him. But what on heaven's name was he doing leaving her unfinished like this?
"Now, get dressed."
She obeyed him as she scrambled on to the table where silk robe was. It was crumpled against the mirror. There she saw her flushed cheeks against the reflection that revealed her stiff yearning peaks. She looked away embarrassed to see her own body wanting him.
Before she could wear her robe, his palm landed a slap on one of her buttocks. It put the metal spheres within her in motion. She yelped as waves of pleasure made her body tremble.
She could hear Torryn chuckle behind her as he exited the halls leaving her alone in the washroom.
She could clearly remember the last time she had her last meal. It was high noon when she inhaled two bowls of light broth with freshly baked biscuits as Brida discussed to her all the vegetables it took to produce such hearty broth.
Her cold fingers landed on her stomach where she could still feel the fulness her last meal left.
She stood there out of breathe and trembling, utterly insatiable.