Bred by the King (Breeding Season 4)
Page 2
Ashley pulled her hand away from the woman, hiding it behind her back. “I said I’ve got to go.”
“Wait. It’s too dangerous for someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”
“I don’t mean it as a negative. I mean that you’re precious. What you can do is precious.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She just wanted to run away right now. Ashley wanted to be safe, invisible, not some precious breeding vessel.
“You’re not going to make it,” the woman said. “My name is Luanna. Look, I’m not going to hurt you. You think that’s the first man that’s tried to rape me?”
“I’m sorry about that.”
“No, he’s the first one that hasn’t succeeded. He’s not the first one to actually try and do it.”
She saw Luanna’s pain, and it scared her. Tears pricked at Ashley’s eyes for the injustice of it all.
“I’m trying to get to Draven’s Kingdom.”
“Draven’s Kingdom?” Ashley asked.
“Draven’s this guy. Some people believe he’s ex-military. I don’t know what he is, but I know he’s been able to make something out of this shithole. This world isn’t safe for women, but I’ve heard he takes care of men, women, and children.”
“Children? I thought they all died.”
“Not all of them. Whatever the virus was, it preyed on the weak and vulnerable. Some kids, they’re strong. I don’t know what happened, but I know there are children living. Please, let me try to help you.”
“You want to help me?” Ashley asked.
Luanna grabbed her wrist. “This, it makes you invaluable, but it also means that men will fight for you. They’ll fight to keep you, and some may even use you.”
“What makes you think this Draven will be any different?”
“I don’t know, but I have hope. Don’t you have hope?” Luanna asked. “What have you got to lose?”
Ashley rubbed the back of her head, thinking about the men who’d tried to rape her. There really was nothing to fight for anymore. She had no one. Nothing. The life she once knew was a thing of the past.
“Can you at least tell me your name?” Luanna asked.
“Ashley. My name’s Ashley.” She held her arm close to her chest. “I don’t know what to do.”
“Then let’s go together. I don’t know about you, but I’m out of friends right about now. We can take care of each other. It’s better than going alone.”
“You don’t have one of these bands?”
“No. Only fertile women get those. I was tested and thrown out on the same day. Like trash.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be. I imagine it’s not good for you either.” Luanna held her hand out, and they locked their fingers together. They started to walk.
Ashley had learned that trust had to be earned but, right now, she’d never felt so lost. She was going to take a leap of faith and hope Luanna didn’t turn out like all the others.
It was the best thing she could do right now.
****
Draven drove his blade into the rapist that had tried to attack one of the females under his care. What he’d created wasn’t much yet, but he had vowed to protect anyone within his walls.