De las sombras al trono El amor de Sargis

Hadaeliza Minidramas

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Transcript

00:00:00Yo siempre me sentí que nunca me perdió, no en este pack y definitivamente no en la familia que yo

00:00:04me sentí con.

00:00:06Yo fui enfermo en su vida. Mi madre murió de mi amor, y mi padre pronto después.

00:00:11Alfa Jo handedó mi oferta como un despedido a Amma y Vargos.

00:00:15Por un tiempo, ellos me trataron como su propio.

00:00:19Hasta que yo era 7 y Amma empezó a despegarse con nueva vida.

00:00:23Entonces el mundo cambió.

00:00:26El brazo que me quedó caliente.

00:00:35El brazo que me quedó caliente.

00:00:35Narayan, es 5 de la mañana.

00:00:38Get tu useless self moving.

00:00:42I closed my eyes and breathed deep.

00:00:44Hoy fue diferente.

00:00:46Hoy, under the moonlight, mi dormant wolf jean se despertará y me quedará finalmente a ser un werewolf.

00:00:51Once I shift, I can leave Amma's house and start saving to finally get out of Kragnan.

00:00:55A small, secret smile tugged at my lips.

00:00:58I'd been waiting for this moment my whole life.

00:01:00I rose stiffly from my pile of clothes.

00:01:03There she was, leaning over the railing like a queen surveying her dirty peasant.

00:01:08Sorry.

00:01:10Sorry?

00:01:11You should be.

00:01:12Living off our kindness all these years.

00:01:14The least you could do is pick up more slack.

00:01:17It's the weekend.

00:01:18I swallowed the bitter rage clawing up my throat.

00:01:20More slack?

00:01:22What more could I possibly do that wasn't already dumped on my shoulders?

00:01:25I clenched my fists until my knuckles shook.

00:01:28Just a few more hours, I reminded myself.

00:01:31I woke Levian to get his laundry.

00:01:33He shoved two overflowing baskets into my arms and threw a duvet at the back of my head before slamming

00:01:38the door.

00:01:39Downstairs, Amma was sipping coffee and reading a fashion magazine.

00:01:41The washing machine's broken.

00:01:43Peter can fix it later.

00:01:44Take the laundry down to the river bend and wash it by hand.

00:01:47Oh, and grab your father's and my laundry too.

00:01:50I tripped and grabbed the counter, accidentally knocking a plate to the floor.

00:01:55Amma's palm collided with my face, knocking me backwards into the fridge.

00:01:59I saw stars, and tears spilled from my eyes.

00:02:04You stupid little bitch!

00:02:06That was a vintage plate!

00:02:08Sorry doesn't fix your stupidity!

00:02:11Useless girl!

00:02:12You're nothing but a migraine!

00:02:14I stayed silent, letting the insults rain down until she stormed off.

00:02:19Then I heaved the heavy bags onto my back and stumbled toward the river bend,

00:02:24where there was less chance of anyone seeing me like this.

00:02:30By the time I made it back, the sun was retreating.

00:02:34I heard Alpha Joe's voice inside.

00:02:36I pushed open the door, and every head at the dining table turned toward me.

00:02:39Amma sweetly told a lie, saying that I went to wash clothes by the river

00:02:43because I complained the washing machine hadn't gotten them clean enough.

00:02:46Nareen, I've been waiting for you.

00:02:48It's custom for the Alpha to bless you on your birthday,

00:02:51and pray that Irina's spirit sees you through your transformation from man to beast.

00:02:55I blinked, stunned.

00:02:57I took a single spoonful of pasta at dinner.

00:02:59My parents hadn't.

00:03:01Suddenly, heat exploded under my skin.

00:03:03I doubled over, gasping.

00:03:05Get out.

00:03:06I took a deep breath through the pain and stumbled out the door.

00:03:09The storm howled, and rain pounded down.

00:03:12My bones snapped and elongated painfully slow,

00:03:15my spine twisting at odd angles.

00:03:17I laid there, crying, powerless.

00:03:22After an eternity, the pain faded, and I staggered up panting.

00:03:26I looked down, and my white fur shimmered under the rain,

00:03:30with champagne-hued, burnished golden tips.

00:03:34I howled wildly to the red moon, brimming with happiness, and turned back toward the others.

00:03:39What is that?

00:03:39They froze and stared as if I had two heads, then flinched when I stepped forward.

00:03:44In a puddle, I saw my huge reflection with a third eye on my forehead.

00:03:48Black socket and golden iris, and my main eyes blazing red.

00:03:52Darkness swallowed me whole.

00:03:54Three years later, there were no windows or clocks, no way to tell day from night.

00:03:58Tobias's boots echoed through the rotten corridor.

00:04:00He tossed a tray beside me.

00:04:02Oh, you still ain't dead yet?

00:04:03You're one strong little bitch.

00:04:04It's been three years, can you believe it?

00:04:06This pit stinks worse than a rotting sewer.

00:04:07Last time I'm coming down here, mark my word.

00:04:10Three years.

00:04:10The words slithered into my mind like a poison dagger, but I felt nothing.

00:04:14Had it really been that long?

00:04:16I stared up at the cracked ceiling,

00:04:17tracing the spider web of fractures again and again.

00:04:20Every split had been memorized long ago.

00:04:22I had been rotting in this dungeon long enough for the ceiling to become more familiar than faces I once

00:04:26loved.

00:04:26They tried to get rid of me, but my cursed body healed relentlessly.

00:04:30They turned to silver, searing it into my flesh and leaving a map of scars.

00:04:34Joe was the worst.

00:04:36He peeled my skin back layer by layer, probing for the monster he swore lurked beneath.

00:04:40He would let me shriek until my lips cracked and my stomach twisted,

00:04:44then dangle a single drop of water in front of me.

00:04:47Shift.

00:04:48Show me what you really are.

00:04:49But I was too weak to summon the beast he so feared.

00:04:52I had screamed for death, begged for it in hoary sobs,

00:04:56but even death found me repulsive, leaving me trapped in this decaying shell.

00:05:01When I turned my head and saw the tray, a jolt struck my half-dead nerves.

00:05:05The cell door was in jaw, unlocked.

00:05:08Tobias, lazy, careless.

00:05:11Tobias hadn't locked it.

00:05:13A strange, foreign sensation stirred in my hollow chest.

00:05:16Hope.

00:05:17But I crushed it hard.

00:05:19Even if I escaped, where would I go in this state?

00:05:22Skin stretched over brittle bones, not even remembering my own face.

00:05:26I clenched my jaw.

00:05:28If I must die, then let it be under the sky, with the wind on my skin and the stars

00:05:32bearing witness.

00:05:33Not rotting away nameless in this tomb.

00:05:37I forced my skeletal frame to move and dragged myself across the threshold.

00:05:41I didn't remember how I stumbled through the night.

00:05:44Only the scent, honeysuckle and sun-warmed cedar, cutting through the rot like a blade.

00:05:49Then a pair of warm arms caught my crumbling body.

00:05:51When my eyes fluttered open again, there was no cracked ceiling.

00:05:55Above me were intricate carvings kissed with gold and silver, a chandelier glowing softly.

00:06:00The bed beneath me was impossibly soft, silk curtains swaying at its corners.

00:06:05Was I dead?

00:06:06Was this heaven or hell dressed in beautiful lies?

00:06:08I tried to move, but my limbs trembled violently.

00:06:11My hands were clean and pale, nearly translucent.

00:06:14I was dressed in a large hoodie.

00:06:15The grime I'd worn like a second skin was gone.

00:06:18You're awake.

00:06:19I flinched and snapped my gaze toward the voice.

00:06:23He was the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.

00:06:26He stood at the foot of the bed, arms crossed over a broad chest,

00:06:29warm brown eyes framed by thick, dark lashes.

00:06:33How are you feeling?

00:06:34That voice was like thunder wrapped in silk.

00:06:38I wanted to speak, but only a weak gasp escaped.

00:06:41When he reached out a hand, I threw my arms up to shield my face,

00:06:46bracing for the blow I knew would come.

00:06:49I don't want to hurt you.

00:06:53I would never hurt you, Imsirelli.

00:06:57I peeked through my arms.

00:06:59He had lowered his hand and wore a sad smile.

00:07:03He introduced himself as Sargas, the ruthless, untouchable Lycan king.

00:07:10He said I was in the palace of Karagnyr, that he had found me on snow wolf territory.

00:07:16This had to be a hallucination.

00:07:18How could someone as broken as I am be in the palace?

00:07:21In the king's bed.

00:07:23I tried to pinch myself awake, but there was no flesh to grip.

00:07:27So I scooted toward the edge, intending to fall and wake up.

00:07:31The next second, I crashed into a solid chest.

00:07:35His heartbeat thudded against my ear.

00:07:37I looked up into those warm eyes that could melt the fiercest ice.

00:07:41But warmth was always a lie.

00:07:42I pushed weakly, but he simply laid me back on the bed.

00:07:47Then he pulled out a phone and issued a steady command.

00:07:52Royal physician.

00:07:53My room.

00:07:55He was summoning an entire medical team.

00:07:58This is all my fault.

00:08:00I'm sorry I didn't find you soon.

00:08:03He dropped his head onto my lap,

00:08:05his broad shoulders trembling slightly.

00:08:07I froze.

00:08:09Why would a king grieve over me?

00:08:12A knock sounded,

00:08:13and a group in teal scrubs filed in,

00:08:16bowing in unison.

00:08:17That was what they called him.

00:08:19Supreme Alpha.

00:08:21And I sat there, trembling, utterly bewildered.

00:08:24What the actual fuck was happening?

00:08:26They wanted to examine me.

00:08:28I curled into a ball, pressing my palms over my ears,

00:08:31rocking back and forth.

00:08:32Don't touch me.

00:08:33Please, no.

00:08:34The man called Sarja sat on the edge of the bed,

00:08:36his voice low.

00:08:37I promise you, M'sirelli,

00:08:40nobody here is going to hurt you.

00:08:42They won't touch you in any way you're uncomfortable with.

00:08:45Swear on my title and my life.

00:08:48I looked at him.

00:08:49There was a burning sincerity in those eyes.

00:08:55Slowly, my hands slid down from my ears.

00:08:59I nodded.

00:09:01The physician Maravec approached cautiously,

00:09:04like handling a frightened fawn.

00:09:06He measured my vitals, my height and weight,

00:09:09his brown deepening.

00:09:10When he gestured for me to open my mouth,

00:09:12a foul stretch filled the room,

00:09:14and I saw Sargas' knuckles turn white.

00:09:16They asked questions,

00:09:18and I answered with nods, shakes, or fingers.

00:09:21Three.

00:09:22Three years since I last spoke.

00:09:25Twenty-one.

00:09:26I was twenty-one.

00:09:27Finally, they handed me a notepad and pen to write my name.

00:09:31My hand trembled so badly,

00:09:32the letters came out crooked.

00:09:34Nino?

00:09:35Or maybe Maka?

00:09:37The physician guessed twice,

00:09:39and was wrong both times.

00:09:41Sargas impatiently snatched the note

00:09:43and squinted at it.

00:09:45Noreen.

00:09:46I nodded.

00:09:50Noreen.

00:09:51He pronounced that name like a sacred vow.

00:09:56Everyone left,

00:09:57and the door clicked shut behind them.

00:09:59Silence wrapped around me again.

00:10:01My oldest best friend.

00:10:02I looked around the massive room.

00:10:04High vaulted ceilings.

00:10:06Polished stone walls.

00:10:07A bed big enough for five.

00:10:09It was too surreal.

00:10:10I was in the Lycan King's palace.

00:10:12In his bed.

00:10:13Under his care.

00:10:15Why?

00:10:16What did he want?

00:10:17No one ever gave without wanting something in return.

00:10:19Especially not for someone like me.

00:10:22A knock came,

00:10:23and a dark-haired woman entered,

00:10:25fox-like eyes smiling.

00:10:26She introduced herself as Hazmik,

00:10:28my lady-in-waiting.

00:10:29She brought an iPad and a wireless bell.

00:10:31Would you like to stay resting in bed?

00:10:33Or would you love to watch the sun?

00:10:35It's beautiful from the balcony.

00:10:37The sun.

00:10:38That word struck me like a jolt to the chest.

00:10:41I pointed weakly toward the window.

00:10:44She smiled and helped me up,

00:10:45letting me lean on her as we shuffled step by step

00:10:48towards the large glass doors.

00:10:50The door slid open,

00:10:51and sunlight flood in.

00:10:53The first ray hit my face.

00:10:55I froze.

00:10:56The warmth was so foreigner it almost hurt.

00:10:59I closed my eyes and breathed it in,

00:11:02letting it soak into my bones.

00:11:04I had forgotten.

00:11:06I had forgotten how the sun felt.

00:11:08Hazmik helped me sink into a giant beanbag

00:11:10that swallowed me whole.

00:11:11The sky was a tender blue,

00:11:14clouds drifting slowly.

00:11:15A breeze kissed my matted hair.

00:11:17I don't know how long I sat there.

00:11:19Maybe I fell asleep.

00:11:20When I opened my eyes again,

00:11:22the sky was painted amber and rose gold,

00:11:24a wool blanket wrapped around me.

00:11:27Then I met those warm brown eyes.

00:11:29Sarge standing by the railing,

00:11:31silently watching me.

00:11:32You seem so comfortable sleeping.

00:11:34I didn't have the heart to disturb you.

00:11:36It's getting windy.

00:11:37I should get you inside

00:11:39so you don't catch a cold.

00:11:42Before I could react,

00:11:44I was weightless in his arms.

00:11:47My face pressed against his chest,

00:11:49his steady heartbeat thudding in my ear.

00:11:53I froze,

00:11:54but he just smiled,

00:11:56as if carrying women

00:11:57was part of his daily routine.

00:12:03He laid me back on the bed,

00:12:05tucked the duvet around me,

00:12:06and then turned for the door,

00:12:11leaving my heart hammering like a drum.

00:12:13The door clicked shut behind him.

00:12:16I curled up alone in that too soft bed,

00:12:19my heart still pounding.

00:12:20When he carried me back from the balcony,

00:12:22his arms had been steady as stone,

00:12:24as if I weighed nothing.

00:12:25I burrowed deeper into his hoodie.

00:12:28That scent,

00:12:29cedar and honeysuckle,

00:12:31had soaked into the fabric.

00:12:32I hated to admit it reminded me

00:12:34of something distant called safety.

00:12:37Outside,

00:12:38moonlight silvered the gardens.

00:12:40I stared at it,

00:12:41asking myself over and over,

00:12:44Who was I

00:12:45to be held in a king's hands?

00:12:47The answer came as cold as moonlight.

00:12:50I was not worthy.

00:12:52The physician Maravec's words echoed in my head.

00:12:55Severe malnutrition,

00:12:56dehydration,

00:12:57post-traumatic stress.

00:12:58My teeth had rotted from neglect.

00:13:00If I were human,

00:13:01he had said,

00:13:02I would already be dead.

00:13:04It was the cursed wolf blood

00:13:05that had kept me alive.

00:13:07The blood that made me a monster.

00:13:10I touched the crescent and spheral mark

00:13:12on my forehead.

00:13:13It always throbbed faintly.

00:13:15I closed my eyes,

00:13:16trying to piece together

00:13:17what that man,

00:13:18Sargis,

00:13:18could possibly see in me.

00:13:20A mute ghost.

00:13:21A skeletal wreck.

00:13:23A three-eyed abomination.

00:13:25Sooner or later,

00:13:26he would see the truth

00:13:27and throw me back into the abyss.

00:13:30Thirty sunrises and sunsets passed.

00:13:32I was trapped in this gilded dream,

00:13:34receiving IV drips,

00:13:35dental repairs,

00:13:36nutritional supplements day after day.

00:13:38Flesh slowly returned to my frame

00:13:39and my skin grew less translucent.

00:13:41Hasmak became my shadow.

00:13:42She never pushed,

00:13:43never overstepped,

00:13:44simply offering a hand when needed.

00:13:45She reminded me of something

00:13:46I had never possessed,

00:13:47a sister.

00:13:48And Sargis slept on the sofa

00:13:49every single day.

00:13:51Whenever I woke,

00:13:52he was either reading

00:13:52or watching me like a puzzle

00:13:54he couldn't solve.

00:13:55His gaze was too intense

00:13:56and I could never meet it.

00:13:57I woke earlier than usual today.

00:13:59Dawn had not yet broken

00:14:00and the room was empty.

00:14:00I didn't want to wait for Hasmak

00:14:01to help me with everything

00:14:02like a parasite.

00:14:03I pulled the IV needle out,

00:14:04wincing at the sting,

00:14:05but I didn't stop.

00:14:06The bathroom was gilded magnificence.

00:14:08The mirror showed a face still pale,

00:14:09but no longer hollow-eyed.

00:14:11I stared at the brand on my forehead,

00:14:12trying to recall when it appeared,

00:14:14but memory offered only black holes.

00:14:15I picked up scissors

00:14:16and began cutting away

00:14:17the matted knots.

00:14:18Platinum strands fell around my feet,

00:14:20snip after snip,

00:14:21until my head felt as light

00:14:22as if three years of weight

00:14:23had been lifted.

00:14:24Hot water poured from the shower head,

00:14:25steam billowing.

00:14:26I closed my eyes

00:14:27and let the stream wash over

00:14:28of every inch of skin.

00:14:28It was the first time

00:14:29I truly bathed myself.

00:14:30The scent of soap drowned out

00:14:31the memory of rot.

00:14:32I touched every inch of skin

00:14:33as if getting to know my body

00:14:34for the first time.

00:14:35After the shower wrapped in a blue robe,

00:14:36I found myself standing

00:14:37before the mirror again.

00:14:39I took a deep breath

00:14:39and let the robe fall.

00:14:41Then I saw them scars,

00:14:42covering my body

00:14:43like dried up riverbeds.

00:14:44The most horrifying one

00:14:45snaked from my lower abdomen

00:14:46to just beneath my left breast.

00:14:47The skin was tight and shiny,

00:14:49as if it still had a pulsacy.

00:14:50Joe.

00:14:50He had dragged a silver-coated blade

00:14:52up my stomach,

00:14:53slow as if savoring a delicacy.

00:14:55The sizzle of silver on flesh,

00:14:57the iron tang of blood,

00:14:59his humming,

00:15:00my screams.

00:15:42The door burst open.

00:15:43Sargus rushed in,

00:15:44then froze.

00:15:45His gaze landed on me

00:15:46for only a heartbeat

00:15:47before jerking away

00:15:47as if scolded,

00:15:48the back of his neck

00:15:49flushing red.

00:15:51I saw her body,

00:15:52which made me uncontrollably

00:15:54think of some blush-endearing images.

00:15:56I'm sorry.

00:15:57I didn't think before barging in.

00:15:59Your heartbeat.

00:16:00I thought shit.

00:16:01I'm so sorry.

00:16:02Are you okay?

00:16:03Why are you crying?

00:16:04Only then did I realize

00:16:05I was curled naked on the floor,

00:16:06tears streaming down my face.

00:16:08I scrambled to pull the robe around me,

00:16:10heart-hammering.

00:16:11He kept his back to me,

00:16:12shoulders rigid.

00:16:13Put some clothes on.

00:16:14I'll be outside.

00:16:15He practically fled.

00:16:21I sat there for a moment,

00:16:22then pulled on another

00:16:23of his white shirt

00:16:24and burrowed under the covers.

00:16:25He stood by the window

00:16:26for a long time

00:16:27before slowly returning.

00:16:28I lay in bed

00:16:29with my back to him.

00:16:30His voice came from behind

00:16:31low and careful

00:16:32like taming a deer

00:16:33ready to bolt.

00:16:33You've been cooped up

00:16:34in here for a month.

00:16:35If you want,

00:16:35we can stroll through

00:16:36the palace gardens.

00:16:37The lilies just bloomed.

00:16:38Maravik says you can start

00:16:39on solid foods.

00:16:40I didn't respond.

00:16:40He held out the tablet

00:16:42and asked if there was

00:16:42anything I craved.

00:16:43I stared at the flowing screen

00:16:45as if it were

00:16:45an alien artifact.

00:16:47But eventually,

00:16:48I took it.

00:16:48He showed me how it worked,

00:16:50his fingers careful

00:16:51never to touch mine.

00:16:52I typed,

00:16:53then turned the screen

00:16:53toward him.

00:16:54What do you mean?

00:16:55What do I want?

00:16:55I snatched it back,

00:16:57typed furiously,

00:16:58and flipped it again.

00:16:59I need answers.

00:17:00Why was I brought here?

00:17:01Why am I in your bed?

00:17:02Why all this excessive care?

00:17:03Why waste resources

00:17:04on someone you don't even know?

00:17:06He fell silent.

00:17:07The air grew heavy as red.

00:17:08That's because

00:17:09you're my mate,

00:17:10Cyreli.

00:17:12Mate?

00:17:13Me?

00:17:13His?

00:17:14The eternally bound,

00:17:15soul-deep lichen mate

00:17:16cursed by Irina?

00:17:18Absurd.

00:17:18I was a three-eyed monster.

00:17:20He couldn't be serious.

00:17:22There had to be a mistake.

00:17:23A defective thing

00:17:24cast aside by everyone.

00:17:26He couldn't be serious.

00:17:27This had to be another cruel trap.

00:17:29I couldn't believe him.

00:17:30The moment he saw my true form,

00:17:32he would revile me

00:17:33like everyone else.

00:17:34I had to leave.

00:17:34Before he discovered the truth,

00:17:36before those gentle looks

00:17:37turned to disgust,

00:17:38I had to escape.

00:17:38But I was too weak right now.

00:17:40I needed time to regain my strength,

00:17:41to earn his trust,

00:17:42to find an opening.

00:17:43The garden.

00:17:43He mentioned the garden.

00:17:44There had to be a way out from there.

00:17:46I forced my breathing to steady,

00:17:47picked up the tablet,

00:17:48and typed my reply

00:17:49one letter at a time.

00:17:50Banana.

00:17:50He stared for a full three seconds.

00:17:53Then his handsome face

00:17:54split into a smile

00:17:55I had never seen.

00:17:56Pure.

00:17:57Bright.

00:17:58Utterly relieved.

00:17:59The freshest bananas

00:18:00should be immediately

00:18:00brought to my quarters.

00:18:02Soon,

00:18:02Hazmik rushed in

00:18:03with an armload of bananas,

00:18:05her eyes glistening.

00:18:06She peeled one

00:18:07and offered it to me

00:18:08with a joy

00:18:08as if I had just asked

00:18:10for the crown itself.

00:18:11I took the first bite.

00:18:12The sweetness exploded

00:18:13on my tongue,

00:18:14foreign and overwhelming.

00:18:16I couldn't remember

00:18:17bananas ever tasting this good.

00:18:19One after another,

00:18:20I couldn't stop.

00:18:22I heard his low chuckle.

00:18:24You're going to turn

00:18:25into a banana at this rate.

00:18:26I paused,

00:18:28looked up at him,

00:18:28and gave him

00:18:29the faintest,

00:18:30most unexpected eye roll.

00:18:32His laughter grew louder.

00:18:34In that moment,

00:18:36something cold in my chest

00:18:37seemed to crack.

00:18:41I'm so rarely meant

00:18:42my beloved

00:18:43in old Kragnook.

00:18:44He said it with such tenderness

00:18:46that I had to look away.

00:18:48I didn't deserve

00:18:49to be looked at like that.

00:18:50After the bananas were gone,

00:18:51he sat quietly on the sofa

00:18:53and told me about

00:18:53Irina's curse,

00:18:54how lichens were punished

00:18:56for their arrogance,

00:18:57bound eternally to one person,

00:18:58heart and soul

00:18:59intertwined until death.

00:19:00I don't care about the curse.

00:19:02All I know is that

00:19:03when I found you,

00:19:04here...

00:19:04He pointed to his chest.

00:19:06The place that had been

00:19:07empty for 23 years

00:19:09suddenly felt full.

00:19:10I clutched the sheets.

00:19:13His words were honeyed,

00:19:15but I had tasted

00:19:16too much poison

00:19:17wrapped in honey.

00:19:19I picked up the tablet

00:19:21and typed with trembling fingers.

00:19:23I don't want to be your mate.

00:19:25His smile didn't disappear.

00:19:27It just softened

00:19:28into something sad,

00:19:29like a flame

00:19:30dampened by rain.

00:19:31I know,

00:19:31and I won't force anything

00:19:32on you, Noreen.

00:19:33Ever.

00:19:34But I also won't lie to you.

00:19:36You're not just anyone to me.

00:19:37You're the only one

00:19:38that's ever silenced

00:19:38the monster inside me.

00:19:44He left after those words,

00:19:46leaving me alone

00:19:47with the silence.

00:19:48I looked toward the balcony.

00:19:49The sky was vast

00:19:51and I was in a cage.

00:19:52No,

00:19:53I would be no one's

00:19:54prisoner anymore.

00:19:55I would grow strong,

00:19:57exact my revenge,

00:19:58and then be truly free.

00:19:59I walked to the balcony,

00:20:01slid the door open,

00:20:02and cold wind

00:20:04hit my face.

00:20:05I stared at the abyss

00:20:06beyond the railing.

00:20:08One step,

00:20:09and all the pain

00:20:10would end.

00:20:10I climbed onto the railing

00:20:12and spread my arms.

00:20:15Naryen!

00:20:15Please don't do that!

00:20:17I whipped my head around,

00:20:18my foot slipped,

00:20:19then the world flipped,

00:20:20and I fell into the void.

00:20:22A hand clamped

00:20:23around my wrist.

00:20:24I dangled in midair,

00:20:25looking up to see Sargas

00:20:26half over the railing,

00:20:27one hand gripping the edge,

00:20:28the other holding me

00:20:29with desperate strength.

00:20:30His face was contorted

00:20:30with strain,

00:20:31veins bulging,

00:20:32but what burned in his eyes

00:20:33was not anger.

00:20:34It was pure,

00:20:34unadultated terror.

00:20:35Hold on, Naryen!

00:20:36Just hold on!

00:20:37With a guttural roar,

00:20:38he hauled us both

00:20:39back over the railing

00:20:40inch by agonizing inch.

00:20:41We tumbled onto

00:20:42the cold tiles.

00:20:43I sprawled across his chest,

00:20:45his heart hummering wildly

00:20:47against my ear.

00:20:48He sat up,

00:20:49gripping my shoulders,

00:20:50his voice raw and shaking.

00:20:51Are you okay?

00:20:51I know I'll never fully understand

00:20:52what you've been through,

00:20:53but taking your life

00:20:54is not an option.

00:20:55Do you hear me?

00:20:56If something is too heavy for you,

00:20:57let me carry it.

00:20:58I'll burn this entire world

00:20:59to ashes for you.

00:21:00Just say the word.

00:21:01You have no idea

00:21:02the power you hold over me,

00:21:03Imsirelli.

00:21:04Please,

00:21:05don't ever try to do that again.

00:21:06I froze.

00:21:07I froze.

00:21:08He was kneeling before me,

00:21:09the supreme lichen king,

00:21:11his voice laced with raw pleading.

00:21:13Not anger,

00:21:14not reproach,

00:21:15fear.

00:21:16Fear of losing me.

00:21:18I looked down

00:21:19and saw the wound

00:21:20from the IV

00:21:20still bleeding on my hand.

00:21:23He followed my gaze

00:21:25and then gently lifted my hand.

00:21:27Let me help you clean this.

00:21:29He fetched the first aid kit

00:21:30and knelt on one knee

00:21:31at my feet.

00:21:32His touch was exquisitely careful,

00:21:35as if I were the most

00:21:36fragile porcelain on earth.

00:21:37I watched his profile,

00:21:39which seemed almost reverent.

00:21:46Something hard inside my chest

00:21:48quietly gave way.

00:21:50He applied a bandage,

00:21:51then stood and fetched a steam mop.

00:21:52My eyes widened

00:21:53as the lichen king

00:21:54rolled up his sleeves

00:21:54and began personally cleaning

00:21:56the blood off the floor.

00:21:57His forearms flexed

00:21:58with each movement,

00:21:59veins tracing intricate paths.

00:22:00I tore my gaze away,

00:22:01cheeks burning.

00:22:02Damn it,

00:22:02what was I thinking?

00:22:03This man had just saved my life

00:22:04and I was oogling his arms?

00:22:05I buried myself

00:22:06under the covers

00:22:07and feigned sleep.

00:22:09The hum of the steam mop

00:22:10was an odd lullaby.

00:22:13After a while,

00:22:14I heard him set it down

00:22:15and quietly settle back

00:22:16onto the sofa.

00:22:18I didn't sleep that night.

00:22:20Not from fear,

00:22:22but from a strange,

00:22:23unnameable flutter.

00:22:24He said I had power over him.

00:22:26But what power

00:22:27could a broken, mute wreck

00:22:28like me possibly hold?

00:22:31Two months passed.

00:22:33My body recovered rapidly.

00:22:34I could keep down

00:22:35most solid foods

00:22:36and had even gained

00:22:37a little weight

00:22:38in my cheeks.

00:22:39But my wolf remained dormant.

00:22:41Maravec said it would

00:22:42take a few more months.

00:22:43I didn't plan to wait that long.

00:22:45I had to leave.

00:22:46Sargish's tenderness

00:22:47was a net drawing tighter

00:22:48each day

00:22:48and I feared drowning in it.

00:22:50I couldn't.

00:22:50I had a revenge to fulfill.

00:22:52Today,

00:22:53the opportunity came.

00:22:54I picked up the pablet

00:22:55and typed,

00:22:56I remember you once

00:22:57offered to take me

00:22:58to the garden.

00:22:59Does that offer still stand?

00:23:01He read the screen

00:23:02and his lips curved slowly

00:23:03into a smile

00:23:04that could melt ice.

00:23:06Of course it does.

00:23:09Sargish's smile

00:23:10bloomed like the first

00:23:11breath of spring.

00:23:13He led me through

00:23:14the palace corridors

00:23:15and I stepped into

00:23:17the moving iron box

00:23:18called an elevator

00:23:19for the first time.

00:23:21When the floor trembled,

00:23:22fear gripped my throat.

00:23:23I threw myself

00:23:24into his arms,

00:23:26clinging to his waist.

00:23:27His chest rumbled.

00:23:28He was laughing.

00:23:30This way,

00:23:30Lady Koala.

00:23:32I followed him

00:23:33past towering columns.

00:23:34Two obsidian-carved

00:23:35lichen thrones

00:23:36loomed at the far end.

00:23:37The ceiling stole my breath

00:23:39and guards stood

00:23:40like statues.

00:23:41For the first time,

00:23:42I understood

00:23:43with absolute clarity

00:23:44he was a king.

00:23:46This is the palace ballroom.

00:23:47We host royal events,

00:23:49meetings, celebrations

00:23:50and official matters here.

00:23:51I stared at the thrones,

00:23:52my skin pricking.

00:23:54He could snap my neck

00:23:55with a flick of his wrist.

00:23:56Yet I slept in his bed,

00:23:57wore his clothes,

00:23:58ate his candy.

00:23:59The thought of escape

00:24:00lodged in my mind

00:24:01like a thorn.

00:24:01Guards pushed open

00:24:02a heavy oak and iron door

00:24:04and sunlight spilled in

00:24:05like it had been waiting

00:24:06for centuries.

00:24:06I saw a black luxury car

00:24:08parked in the courtyard.

00:24:10Sargish opened the door

00:24:11for me himself.

00:24:14I got in

00:24:15and he slid in beside me.

00:24:18Here.

00:24:19You can munch on it

00:24:20while we make our way there.

00:24:22I took it,

00:24:23tore it open

00:24:23and shoved a handful

00:24:25into my mouth.

00:24:26The sweetness melted

00:24:27on my tongue.

00:24:29He kept watching me.

00:24:30When I looked up,

00:24:32he quickly averted his eyes

00:24:33and pretended to study

00:24:35the scenery.

00:24:36The garden was called

00:24:37Velaryad,

00:24:38an arched stone gate

00:24:39twilled with vines,

00:24:40the scent thick

00:24:41as a liquid dream.

00:24:42I stepped in

00:24:43and was swallowed by blooms,

00:24:44birds of paradise,

00:24:45bleeding hearts,

00:24:46ghost orchids,

00:24:47and a bush of silver roses.

00:24:48They're called

00:24:49moonlit etel roses.

00:24:50They grow nowhere else

00:24:51in the world.

00:24:52They're used in every

00:24:52major royal event.

00:24:54Mating ceremonies,

00:24:55coronations,

00:24:56presentations of heirs,

00:24:58even funeral rites.

00:24:59I crouched before the roses,

00:25:01afraid to touch them.

00:25:01The petals were true silver,

00:25:04like melted starlight

00:25:05trapped in delicate folds.

00:25:07I didn't know how long

00:25:08I crouched there

00:25:08until my legs cramped.

00:25:09When I stood,

00:25:10I saw Sargis sitting

00:25:11cross-segged on a hanging chair,

00:25:12hand his head,

00:25:13grinning without guard.

00:25:14This has always been

00:25:14my favorite place to escape,

00:25:16even when I was a kid.

00:25:17Whenever I had a fight

00:25:17with my parents

00:25:18or just needed to disappear,

00:25:19I came here.

00:25:20I listened,

00:25:20and the corner of my lips

00:25:21twicked upward

00:25:21against my will.

00:25:22I wiped it away immediately.

00:25:23I had no business

00:25:24smiling at him.

00:25:26You're so beautiful.

00:25:28Has anyone ever told you that?

00:25:30I froze.

00:25:31No one,

00:25:32never.

00:25:33Something warm and dangerous

00:25:34swelled in my chest.

00:25:35I had to crush it.

00:25:37I shot to my feet,

00:25:38desperate to flee

00:25:39this tender trap.

00:25:40My heel caught

00:25:41the fountain's edge,

00:25:42and I tilted backward.

00:25:44Arms banded around my waist

00:25:46and pulled me

00:25:46against a solid chest.

00:25:48I looked up in panic,

00:25:50just as his face

00:25:51angled down.

00:25:53Our lips touched.

00:25:55Then memory surged

00:25:56like black tide.

00:25:57Joe's hands,

00:25:58Joe's laughter,

00:25:59Joe's weight

00:25:59pinning me down.

00:26:00I screamed and

00:26:01shoved him away,

00:26:02collapsing to the ground,

00:26:03scrubbing frantically

00:26:04at my lips.

00:26:05I heard myself

00:26:06begging hoarsely,

00:26:07but the name I cried

00:26:09was Joe's.

00:26:10I finally came to

00:26:11the first thing

00:26:12I registered was pain.

00:26:13A dull, burning throb

00:26:15echoed in my bones

00:26:16as if my entire body

00:26:17remembered every bruise.

00:26:19The second thing

00:26:19I noticed

00:26:20was a warm,

00:26:21solid arm

00:26:21draped over my waist,

00:26:22and another tucked

00:26:23beneath my head,

00:26:24gently pinning both my wrists.

00:26:25The third thing

00:26:26was the heat,

00:26:27a comforting,

00:26:28enveloping warmth

00:26:29that seemed to seep

00:26:30into my skin.

00:26:31How good he smelled,

00:26:33and how perfectly

00:26:33his body molded

00:26:34around mine.

00:26:35And the last thing

00:26:36that made me freeze

00:26:37was a poke,

00:26:37right on my lap.

00:26:39No!

00:26:40No, no, no!

00:26:41I twisted,

00:26:42kicked,

00:26:42and squirmed

00:26:43until I managed

00:26:43to slide out

00:26:44from under him

00:26:45and tumble off the bed.

00:26:46I scrambled backward

00:26:47like a startled deer

00:26:48until my back

00:26:49hit the nightstand.

00:26:51You're finally awake.

00:26:54Why the fuck

00:26:55were you in bed with me?

00:26:56You were having a nightmare,

00:26:57thrashing and clawing

00:26:58at yourself.

00:26:59I tried to wake you up,

00:27:00but you wouldn't stop,

00:27:00so I held you

00:27:01all night.

00:27:02I stared at him.

00:27:04That made sense.

00:27:05But why wasn't I scared?

00:27:06It was like my body

00:27:07knew this alpha

00:27:08wouldn't hurt me,

00:27:08but my brain

00:27:09was struggling

00:27:10to keep up.

00:27:11Are you reading my mind?

00:27:12You're not insane.

00:27:13You were simply

00:27:14thinking out loud.

00:27:15A scream tore

00:27:16from my throat again,

00:27:17and then I heard it,

00:27:18my voice.

00:27:19Trembling,

00:27:20I pressed a hand

00:27:21to my throat,

00:27:22disbelieving.

00:27:22A soft gasp

00:27:23escaped me.

00:27:24Tears welled

00:27:25in my eyes.

00:27:27So this...

00:27:28This is how I sound?

00:27:30I didn't even

00:27:31remember anymore.

00:27:35The memories

00:27:36came crashing into me.

00:27:37The palace,

00:27:38the garden,

00:27:39the kiss,

00:27:39and Joe.

00:27:41My chest caved in.

00:27:42I closed my eyes

00:27:44and inhaled deeply,

00:27:45but the weight

00:27:45of that memory

00:27:46pulled me under.

00:27:47The kiss

00:27:48reminded me of Joe.

00:27:49I couldn't breathe.

00:27:51I dropped my gaze

00:27:52to my hands.

00:27:53There was torn skin

00:27:54beneath my nails.

00:27:55He wasn't lying.

00:27:57Sargus had protected me

00:27:58from myself.

00:27:59Again.

00:28:00Good morning.

00:28:03Do you want to use

00:28:04the bathroom first,

00:28:05or should I?

00:28:06I shuffled toward the

00:28:07walking closet

00:28:08and grabbed one of his

00:28:08black shirts

00:28:09and a pair of shorts.

00:28:10Wearing his clothes

00:28:11felt normal now.

00:28:12I stepped back

00:28:13into the room.

00:28:14He was sitting

00:28:14at the edge of the bed,

00:28:16phone in hand.

00:28:16Inside the bathroom,

00:28:18I caught my reflection,

00:28:19angry red lines

00:28:20across my arms

00:28:20and collarbone.

00:28:21I had done that

00:28:23to myself.

00:28:23I realized

00:28:24I was growing

00:28:25comfortable here

00:28:26with him.

00:28:27That scared me

00:28:27more than anything.

00:28:29I wasn't staying

00:28:29forever.

00:28:30I'd kill Joe.

00:28:32I stepped out

00:28:32of the bathroom,

00:28:33drawn by the scent

00:28:34of heaven.

00:28:36Sargus stood

00:28:36behind the island

00:28:37counter,

00:28:38fussing with a skillet,

00:28:39plating eggs,

00:28:40sausages,

00:28:41bacon,

00:28:42pancakes.

00:28:42He could cook?

00:28:45Come take your seat.

00:28:47I obeyed immediately.

00:28:48He placed a full plate

00:28:49in front of me.

00:28:50I picked up the fork

00:28:51and deg in.

00:28:52A moan slipped out

00:28:53without warning.

00:28:54How is it?

00:28:55I haven't cooked

00:28:56in a while,

00:28:56so I might be

00:28:57a little rusty.

00:28:58I flashed him

00:28:59a thumbs up.

00:29:00He grinned

00:29:00and served himself

00:29:01a plate.

00:29:02We ate in silence.

00:29:04Once the meal

00:29:05was done,

00:29:05I rose to grab

00:29:06the dishes.

00:29:07He intercepted me.

00:29:08I can do it.

00:29:10I absolutely do not

00:29:11doubt your capability.

00:29:13But allow me

00:29:14to do these little things.

00:29:15You don't ever

00:29:16have to lift a finger.

00:29:17I looked away quickly.

00:29:19There was something

00:29:19disarming about

00:29:20the way he spoke.

00:29:21He was gentle

00:29:22and I didn't know

00:29:23how to handle gentle.

00:29:24Thank you.

00:29:25I wandered back

00:29:26to the living space

00:29:27and collapsed

00:29:27onto the sofa.

00:29:29Minutes later,

00:29:30he approached.

00:29:31Here.

00:29:32He held out a bowl

00:29:33filled with brightly colored

00:29:34candies and sour gummies.

00:29:36Thank you.

00:29:36I took it with both hands.

00:29:38You don't ever have to

00:29:39thank me for things

00:29:40like this.

00:29:40It's my pleasure.

00:29:42Then he turned

00:29:43and walked away.

00:29:46I stared after him

00:29:50and didn't know

00:29:51what to think

00:29:51about him anymore.

00:30:08Time had passed.

00:30:10Two and a half months

00:30:11since everything changed.

00:30:12Since I screamed

00:30:13and found my voice.

00:30:14Sargas and I were

00:30:15in a much better place now.

00:30:17Not perfect,

00:30:18but closer.

00:30:18I spoke with him freely

00:30:20when I wanted to,

00:30:21quietly when I didn't.

00:30:22He never pushed.

00:30:23I'd started leaving

00:30:24the palace, too.

00:30:26With Hazmik,

00:30:27she became something

00:30:28close to a friend.

00:30:29She taught me games,

00:30:30painted my nails,

00:30:32let me braid her hair.

00:30:33What kind of man do you like?

00:30:35I had no answer.

00:30:36But she told me

00:30:37she and Lupercus

00:30:38were mated.

00:30:38I couldn't believe it.

00:30:39That tall, brooding

00:30:40wall of muscle?

00:30:41Him?

00:30:41Hazmik burst into laughter,

00:30:42but it was true.

00:30:44Physically,

00:30:44I was changing, too.

00:30:45I'd gained weight,

00:30:47healthy weight.

00:30:47My hips had begun to round,

00:30:49my cheeks filled out,

00:30:50my hair grew thicker and longer,

00:30:51but I hadn't stopped

00:30:52searching for a way out.

00:30:53Notebooks hidden

00:30:54behind the wardrobe

00:30:55were filled with sketches

00:30:56of palace maps,

00:30:57blind spots in guard rotations,

00:30:59tunnel theories,

00:31:00but I still hadn't

00:31:01found a way out.

00:31:02I'm tired of seeing you

00:31:03in his clothes.

00:31:03You're getting thicker now

00:31:04and your boobs are starting

00:31:05to fill out,

00:31:05but you're still dressing

00:31:06like a malnourished librarian.

00:31:07You need your own clothes.

00:31:08Dresses, shoes, undies,

00:31:09sexy ones.

00:31:11The door swung open

00:31:12and in walked Sargas.

00:31:15Good, you're here.

00:31:17Your mate is filling out.

00:31:18It's a crime she doesn't

00:31:19have decent underwear.

00:31:20I'm taking her shopping.

00:31:21You're what?

00:31:22She needs a wardrobe overhaul.

00:31:24Your card, now.

00:31:25Sargas looked between us.

00:31:27Then he groaned.

00:31:29For the goddess' sake,

00:31:32fine.

00:31:32He shoved his black card

00:31:34into her hand.

00:31:35Hazmik kissed his cheek.

00:31:37Good boy.

00:31:39The only person you're allowed

00:31:40to splurge on is Noreen,

00:31:41not yourself.

00:31:43Crystal clear, my king.

00:31:44She looped her arm through mine,

00:31:45practically dragging me

00:31:46toward the door

00:31:46while I stumbled along,

00:31:48half horrified, half terrified.

00:31:49If she comes back

00:31:50with those hideous shades of yours,

00:31:51I'll personally exile you,

00:31:53Hazmik.

00:31:53Hazmik, and I went shopping.

00:31:55She drove.

00:31:55I sat in the passenger seat.

00:31:56The gates creaked shut behind us.

00:31:58Am I sure I should be doing this?

00:31:59Going out like this?

00:32:01Babe, I'm more than sure.

00:32:03And besides,

00:32:04I waited months for this.

00:32:05Don't rob me of my girl's day fantasy.

00:32:07I gave her a small smile,

00:32:11but my insides were knotted with anxiety.

00:32:15The road wound through towering sycamars

00:32:18and golden fields.

00:32:19Thirty minutes later,

00:32:21we reached the main gate.

00:32:22It opened.

00:32:23This was the first time

00:32:25I'd stepped into the outside world.

00:32:26People, no, beings,

00:32:28were everywhere.

00:32:29Furred, scaled, winged.

00:32:31I felt like a ghost.

00:32:34The main city's practically a circus.

00:32:36She parked and dragged me

00:32:38into the first shop.

00:32:39Red lace.

00:32:40The scent of perfume hit me.

00:32:42Lace.

00:32:43Satin.

00:32:44Silk.

00:32:45I froze.

00:32:46It's not your style.

00:32:47That's the point.

00:32:48You've been wearing Sargas's hoodies.

00:32:50This is your awakening arc.

00:32:51My what?

00:32:53She kept handing me sets.

00:32:54Some tame.

00:32:55Some scandalous.

00:32:56I tried on a deep green set.

00:32:58The soft fabric hugged my skin.

00:33:00Not too revealing.

00:33:01That one?

00:33:01That's the one.

00:33:02You look like you could kill a man

00:33:04and then write a love letter on his grave.

00:33:05I smiled faintly.

00:33:06Then my gaze drifted lower

00:33:08and I saw them.

00:33:09The scars.

00:33:09Long, silvery reminders

00:33:11slashed across my hips

00:33:12and the sides of my stomach

00:33:12like brands.

00:33:13The scars.

00:33:14They make it hard to see anything else.

00:33:16Those scars?

00:33:17That's armor, Noreen.

00:33:19That's survival.

00:33:21You don't hide them.

00:33:22You wear them like a goddamn crown.

00:33:24I wanted to believe her.

00:33:26But believing is easy

00:33:27when you're not the one

00:33:28living inside the body

00:33:29that remembers every scream.

00:33:31We moved on after that.

00:33:33Shoes.

00:33:34Jewelry.

00:33:34Dresses.

00:33:35At a street-side cafe

00:33:36I barely touched my food

00:33:38but I nodded along

00:33:39to Hazmic's banter.

00:33:41By the time the sun began to dip

00:33:43our arms were full of bags.

00:33:46Lubricus.

00:33:46She stepped away to answer

00:33:48motioning for me to stay.

00:33:49I stared at the exit.

00:33:51The streets were crowded

00:33:52pulsing with energy.

00:33:54It would be impossible

00:33:54to track someone

00:33:55through that maze.

00:33:56My heart pounded.

00:33:58I hated myself for thinking it

00:34:00but the need for vengeance

00:34:01wouldn't let go.

00:34:01I moved

00:34:02slowly at first

00:34:04pretending to browse

00:34:05a rack near the door.

00:34:07Then I slipped

00:34:07through the crowd

00:34:08like mist.

00:34:10Hazmic was still on the phone

00:34:11turned away.

00:34:13I ran.

00:34:15I moved like smoke

00:34:17weaving through clusters

00:34:18of shoppers

00:34:18ducking into crowds.

00:34:19I looped around the block twice

00:34:21letting bodies mask my scent.

00:34:22My memory flicked back

00:34:23to the turns we'd taken

00:34:24right on Temple Avenue

00:34:25two blocks north.

00:34:26Then a side road

00:34:26called Moon's Hollow

00:34:27past the bakery

00:34:28with the strawberry bread

00:34:29left at the bronze statue

00:34:30of the feathered Shemera.

00:34:31I followed the map

00:34:32I'd stitched into my mind.

00:34:33My lungs burned

00:34:33but I didn't stop.

00:34:35Not until I turned

00:34:36a final corner

00:34:36and found myself

00:34:37on a quieter street.

00:34:38There in the shadow

00:34:39of a crumpling tower

00:34:40I leaned against the wall

00:34:41panting.

00:34:42A weight crushed my chest

00:34:43but vengeance

00:34:44had waited long enough.

00:34:45I didn't know

00:34:45where I was going.

00:34:46I only knew

00:34:47I was going to the

00:34:47Snow Wolf Pack

00:34:48to Joe.

00:34:49The streets of the city

00:34:50felt like a different world.

00:34:51People in clusters

00:34:52merchants yelling

00:34:53neon signs blinking.

00:34:55The Snow Wolf Pack?

00:34:56A woman barely looked up

00:34:57from her phone

00:34:58and pointed south.

00:34:59That's hours away

00:35:00on foot girl.

00:35:00You'll need transport.

00:35:01I nodded and kept walking.

00:35:03I had no money

00:35:03no phone

00:35:04no plant.

00:35:05I ducked into alleyways

00:35:06to breathe.

00:35:07When my legs went numb

00:35:08I found a fountain

00:35:09at the edge of a plaza

00:35:10and collapsed beside it.

00:35:11The water shimmered

00:35:12like crystal

00:35:13under the city lights.

00:35:14I dipped my hands

00:35:15into drink.

00:35:16My reflection

00:35:17stared back wild eyed.

00:35:18What the hell

00:35:19was I doing?

00:35:19I hadn't thought this through.

00:35:21I'd romanticized vengeance

00:35:23but I hadn't considered

00:35:24the logistics.

00:35:25The crowds had started thinning.

00:35:27Daylight had bled out of the sky.

00:35:29Most people had places to go.

00:35:31Homes.

00:35:31Packs.

00:35:32Families.

00:35:33I had nothing.

00:35:35The city suddenly felt like

00:35:36a mouth about to swallow me whole.

00:35:40I curled onto a bench

00:35:41hugging my knees.

00:35:46Maybe I'd made a mistake.

00:35:49I eventually stumbled onto a bench

00:35:51by a bus stop.

00:35:52Half limping and half dragging

00:35:53my body across the concrete.

00:35:55My knees buckled

00:35:56the moment I sat.

00:35:56My legs trembled

00:35:57from hours of walking

00:35:58with no direction.

00:35:59Goddess, what was I thinking?

00:36:01My lungs ached

00:36:02with every breath.

00:36:02My head throbbed.

00:36:03I was utterly spent.

00:36:05I was so stupid.

00:36:06I had made a split second decision

00:36:07based on wanting to be free

00:36:09to take control of my life

00:36:10only to realize

00:36:11it wasn't as easy

00:36:12as I had made it sound

00:36:12in my head.

00:36:13Now I was stuck.

00:36:14Exhausted, cold

00:36:15and lost in a city

00:36:16I barely knew.

00:36:17I missed him.

00:36:18I hated how fast

00:36:18that thought came.

00:36:19How much it hurt.

00:36:20But I missed his gaze.

00:36:21His quiet presence.

00:36:22The way he made me feel

00:36:23seen and safe.

00:36:23I wanted to go back.

00:36:24To the steady hum

00:36:25of the corridors.

00:36:26To the scent of lavender

00:36:27on my pillows.

00:36:28To the quiet safety

00:36:28of knowing Hazmic

00:36:29would always be

00:36:30two steps behind me.

00:36:31But I didn't know how.

00:36:32No.

00:36:32I wanted revenge.

00:36:33That was the truth of it,

00:36:34wasn't it?

00:36:35No matter how much

00:36:35I missed the comfort

00:36:36of the palace

00:36:37I couldn't pretend

00:36:38it would make

00:36:38everything right.

00:36:39It wouldn't undo

00:36:40what happened to me.

00:36:41Wouldn't erase the nights

00:36:42I screamed into my pillow

00:36:43or the way my body

00:36:45still flinched.

00:36:46The palace could offer peace

00:36:47but not justice.

00:36:48And I was starving

00:36:49for justice.

00:36:50But what had I even

00:36:51been thinking?

00:36:51That I could just show up

00:36:52at the snow wolf pack

00:36:53and kill Joe

00:36:54with my bare hands?

00:36:55That vengeance

00:36:55would be waiting for me

00:36:56like a gift

00:36:57wrapped in fury?

00:36:57I had been so blinded

00:36:59by rage and hurt

00:37:00that I forgot

00:37:00I was just one girl

00:37:01with scars still healing

00:37:03and barely enough strength

00:37:04to hold herself upright.

00:37:05But I couldn't let it go.

00:37:06I couldn't move on.

00:37:07Not while he was still out there

00:37:08breathing freely,

00:37:09laughing,

00:37:10living a life untouched

00:37:10by the horror

00:37:11he inflicted on me.

00:37:12He ruined my life.

00:37:13He destroyed pieces of me

00:37:14I would never get back.

00:37:15I needed to look into his eyes

00:37:16and watch him realize

00:37:17I had survived.

00:37:18But right now,

00:37:19I was helpless.

00:37:20I curled on the bench,

00:37:22arms tucked tight

00:37:23into my chest,

00:37:24rocking gently

00:37:25as the night deepened

00:37:26and the city blurred

00:37:26around me.

00:37:28One minute I was asleep.

00:37:29The next I was in the air,

00:37:31hauled,

00:37:32like a sack of grain.

00:37:34Hey!

00:37:35Put me down!

00:37:36The man didn't flinch.

00:37:37His arms were like steel.

00:37:38I was dumped

00:37:39into the back seat of a car.

00:37:40This is kidnapping!

00:37:41He slid into the driver's seat

00:37:43and locked the doors.

00:37:44I'm sorry,

00:37:45your gracious majesty.

00:37:46Please pardon my caveman behavior.

00:37:47I need to get you back

00:37:48to the palace

00:37:48as soon as possible.

00:37:49His majesty is not

00:37:50in a good state of mind.

00:37:51Oh, so I wasn't being kidnapped.

00:37:53They found me so fast.

00:37:54I thought I was clever,

00:37:55blending in.

00:37:56I was being taken back

00:37:57to the palace.

00:37:57I pressed my forehead

00:37:58against the cool window.

00:37:59I hadn't even lasted

00:38:00a full day out here.

00:38:01I was such a fool.

00:38:02But worse,

00:38:03I was ashamed of how relieved

00:38:04I was that they came for me.

00:38:10And soon,

00:38:12to him,

00:38:13to the man whose anger

00:38:15might just burn hotter

00:38:16than the fire

00:38:17I carried in my own soul.

00:38:20As the car drew closer

00:38:21to the palace,

00:38:22anxiety coiled tighter

00:38:23in my chest.

00:38:24He was going to be furious.

00:38:25I deserved it.

00:38:26Sargas had been nothing

00:38:27but kind and patient.

00:38:28He gave me space,

00:38:29shielded me from a world

00:38:29I wasn't ready to face.

00:38:30And what did I do in return?

00:38:32Stop the car.

00:38:33I shouted,

00:38:33Stop the car.

00:38:34I didn't think I could face him.

00:38:35Ma'am?

00:38:36Now.

00:38:38The tire screeched

00:38:39as the vehicle jerked to a halt.

00:38:40Open the door.

00:38:41I can't.

00:38:43His majesty gave strict...

00:38:44Well, from what I've been told,

00:38:45I am her majesty.

00:38:47So doesn't that give me

00:38:47the authority

00:38:48to override a damn door lock?

00:38:49The lock desengaged.

00:38:50I stared at him,

00:38:51stunned that it worked.

00:38:52I threw the door open

00:38:53and the night air

00:38:54slapped me in the face.

00:38:55I didn't care.

00:38:56A deafening roar

00:38:56split the silence.

00:38:57A car came flying into view,

00:38:59tires skidded sideways

00:39:00and slammed to a halt

00:39:01just inches from me.

00:39:02The driver's hang open

00:39:03so hard it slammed

00:39:04against the frame

00:39:04with a metallic crack.

00:39:05And then he was there,

00:39:06Sargas.

00:39:07I'd never seen him

00:39:08so disheveled.

00:39:09His jacket hung off

00:39:10one shoulder,

00:39:10his shirt half unbuttoned.

00:39:12He moved closer.

00:39:13Fuck.

00:39:14The moment his boots

00:39:16hit the pavement,

00:39:17he didn't stop.

00:39:18I was frozen where I stood,

00:39:20wind tugging at my hair,

00:39:22eyes wide with fear.

00:39:24He closed the distance

00:39:26until we were mere

00:39:26inches apart.

00:39:28He wrapped me in his arms.

00:39:29My body went rigid in surprise.

00:39:31Then I sagged against him.

00:39:33He buried his face in my hair,

00:39:35breathed me in.

00:39:36You're okay.

00:39:37Did anyone hurt you?

00:39:39Did you eat?

00:39:40You...

00:39:40His voice cracked.

00:39:41We'll talk when we get home.

00:39:43I nodded slowly.

00:39:45He pulled off his jacket

00:39:46and wrapped it around my shoulders.

00:39:49He guided me to his car.

00:39:53Neither of us spoke

00:39:54during the drive back.

00:39:55He glanced at me

00:39:56more times than he should,

00:39:58just to make sure

00:39:59I was still there.

00:40:00The palace gate

00:40:01loomed under the dark sky.

00:40:02He parked,

00:40:03and we made our way

00:40:04up the steps

00:40:04and into the private elevator.

00:40:06I looked everywhere

00:40:06but at him.

00:40:07The doors opened,

00:40:08and he led me to the room.

00:40:10The door closed behind them

00:40:11with a soft click.

00:40:12I stood in the middle

00:40:13of the room,

00:40:14still wrapped in his jacket.

00:40:18Why, Nareen?

00:40:19Why did you run?

00:40:21Do you have any idea

00:40:22what you put me through?

00:40:26I didn't ask you

00:40:27to worry about me.

00:40:28I'm not a child.

00:40:30You can't keep me

00:40:31locked in here

00:40:32like a prisoner.

00:40:34I wasn't keeping you here.

00:40:37I was protecting you.

00:40:39Protecting me?

00:40:41I didn't ask

00:40:42for your protection.

00:40:44I'm your mate!

00:40:45It's my responsibility

00:40:47to care you go again

00:40:48with that mate bullshit.

00:40:51I don't believe in it.

00:40:54I'm not responsive to it.

00:40:57I've never felt it.

00:40:59The only thing

00:40:59I've ever felt

00:41:00towards you

00:41:01is gratitude.

00:41:06Nareen.

00:41:07No.

00:41:08Let me finish.

00:41:12Lupercus

00:41:13cleared his throat.

00:41:16We shouldn't be here.

00:41:19They quietly stood

00:41:20and left.

00:41:21The door closed

00:41:22behind them.

00:41:32I never asked you

00:41:33to save me.

00:41:34You did all of that

00:41:35on your own.

00:41:36I'm grateful.

00:41:39But that doesn't mean

00:41:40you get to dictate

00:41:41how I live my life.

00:41:47I never did this

00:41:48because I expected

00:41:49something back.

00:41:55Then stop acting

00:41:57like I owe you something!

00:42:01My words hit him.

00:42:02His body locked up.

00:42:04He stared at me

00:42:05in disbelief.

00:42:07You say you're my mate,

00:42:08but I never felt it, Sargus.

00:42:11No strings pulled

00:42:12at my soul.

00:42:13No magic tethered

00:42:15me to you.

00:42:16He nodded slowly,

00:42:17biting the inside

00:42:18of his cheek.

00:42:19His hands trembled

00:42:20at his sides.

00:42:23You've been kind,

00:42:24yes.

00:42:25But caring isn't

00:42:26suffocating someone.

00:42:29Caring isn't making

00:42:31decisions for me

00:42:32and watching me

00:42:33like I'm a ticking bomb.

00:42:41Narian.

00:42:43You know what hurts

00:42:43the most?

00:42:45I almost believed

00:42:46you were different.

00:42:47But all this time,

00:42:48I know you've just

00:42:49been waiting for me

00:42:50to become something

00:42:51I'm not.

00:43:02You think because you gave me

00:43:04a soft bed

00:43:05and fed me

00:43:08and gave me

00:43:09your attention

00:43:10that I owe you

00:43:11my heart?

00:43:13You want to claim me

00:43:14like some prize

00:43:15you've won?

00:43:16He staggered back a step,

00:43:18unable to breathe.

00:43:19All he could do

00:43:20was stare at me

00:43:21like I'd just

00:43:21torn him in half.

00:43:31Fuck!

00:43:32Narian!

00:43:32He grabbed a vase

00:43:33off the table

00:43:34and hurled it

00:43:34across the room.

00:43:42It shattered

00:43:43into a thousand

00:43:44sharp pieces

00:43:44against the wall.

00:43:46But it still

00:43:47didn't quiet

00:43:47the storm

00:43:48in his chest.

00:43:50You're right.

00:43:51I don't have

00:43:52any right

00:43:52to keep you here.

00:43:55I don't have

00:43:56the right

00:43:57to hope

00:43:57for something

00:43:58that clearly

00:43:59isn't there.

00:43:59He swore again,

00:44:01grabbing the edge

00:44:02of the table.

00:44:03You've got no idea

00:44:04what it's like

00:44:05devoting yourself

00:44:06to someone.

00:44:08I stayed up nights

00:44:09wondering if I was

00:44:10doing enough,

00:44:11if I was enough.

00:44:12But none of it

00:44:13mattered to you,

00:44:14did it?

00:44:17I looked away.

00:44:22You want to go?

00:44:23Then go.

00:44:25I won't stop you.

00:44:26You say you're not mine,

00:44:28I hear you.

00:44:30All I wanted

00:44:31was your happiness.

00:44:33If it doesn't lie

00:44:34in me,

00:44:35then so be it.

00:44:36I set you free.

00:44:38You don't owe me

00:44:39anything.

00:44:41Take what you need.

00:44:43Clothes,

00:44:44money,

00:44:45whatever.

00:44:46Just

00:44:48leave before

00:44:49I start begging

00:44:50you to stay.

00:44:51Because if I do,

00:44:53and you still

00:44:54walk away,

00:44:55I don't know

00:44:56if I'll recover

00:44:56from that.

00:44:58He turned away,

00:45:00unable to face me.

00:45:01Just go.

00:45:03I wasn't prepared

00:45:04for the sorrow

00:45:05reflected in his eyes.

00:45:06It wasn't a volatile

00:45:07pain that demanded

00:45:08attention.

00:45:09It was a quiet

00:45:11anguish that seemed

00:45:11to seep from his

00:45:12very soul.

00:45:13I never meant

00:45:14to hurt him.

00:45:15I didn't throw

00:45:16his kindness back

00:45:16in his face

00:45:17because I believed

00:45:18it was insincere.

00:45:19I did it because

00:45:20deep down I feared

00:45:22it might actually

00:45:22be genuine.

00:45:25I was used

00:45:26to striking first,

00:45:28pushing people

00:45:29away before

00:45:29they could draw

00:45:30me too close,

00:45:32striking out

00:45:33before I could

00:45:33be hurt.

00:45:34When he reached

00:45:36for me,

00:45:37when he took

00:45:38off his jacket

00:45:39and draped it

00:45:39over my shoulders

00:45:40and asked softly

00:45:41if I was okay,

00:45:44panic flooded

00:45:45me.

00:45:46How could

00:45:47someone be

00:45:47so kind?

00:45:50it felt like

00:45:51a lie.

00:45:52I pushed him

00:45:53away to protect

00:45:54myself,

00:45:55to cling to the

00:45:56belief that he

00:45:57was just like

00:45:58the others,

00:45:59untrustworthy,

00:46:00indifferent.

00:46:02How could a man

00:46:03like Sargas care

00:46:04this deeply for

00:46:05someone like me?

00:46:07The mate bond?

00:46:08But I didn't

00:46:09feel it.

00:46:11All I felt

00:46:11was gratitude.

00:46:13Should I leave?

00:46:14That had always

00:46:14been the plan.

00:46:15To get out

00:46:16and find joy.

00:46:17To look the

00:46:18monster in the

00:46:18eye and kill him.

00:46:20And yet,

00:46:20I hesitated.

00:46:24The choice

00:46:25was in my hands

00:46:26now.

00:46:26Sargas had

00:46:27given it to me

00:46:28without resistance.

00:46:31I was

00:46:31finally free.

00:46:33So why did

00:46:34my chest ache

00:46:35when I thought

00:46:36of walking away?

00:46:37Maybe it was

00:46:38the way he was

00:46:39retreating.

00:46:40The way his

00:46:41broad shoulders,

00:46:42now slumped

00:46:43like the weight

00:46:44of the world

00:46:44had finally

00:46:45crushed him.

00:46:47Or the way

00:46:47his eyes

00:46:48had dulled.

00:46:50Or the pain

00:46:51radiating off him

00:46:52like a storm,

00:46:53soaking the room.

00:46:55But whatever it was,

00:46:56it did something

00:46:58to me.

00:46:59It reached

00:47:00into that

00:47:00steel vault

00:47:01I'd buried my heart

00:47:02in and twisted.

00:47:04I stood there,

00:47:05frozen.

00:47:07Watching him

00:47:08walk away

00:47:08felt like watching

00:47:09something irreversible

00:47:10happen.

00:47:11and for the first

00:47:12time in a long

00:47:13time,

00:47:14I didn't feel

00:47:15fear.

00:47:17I wanted to

00:47:18comfort him.

00:47:20I opened my

00:47:21mouth to speak.

00:47:23Nothing sharp

00:47:24or guarded

00:47:25or meant to

00:47:25protect me

00:47:26from imagined

00:47:27betrayals.

00:47:29But before I could

00:47:30say a single

00:47:31word,

00:47:31he turned back.

00:47:33If you have

00:47:34any request

00:47:35or anything

00:47:36you want to

00:47:37take along,

00:47:39ask anybody

00:47:40and

00:47:42you'll be

00:47:42given.

00:47:44Then he walked

00:47:45out of the room

00:47:48and I just

00:47:48stood there,

00:47:49staring at the

00:47:50door.

00:47:51I waited for him

00:47:52all through the

00:47:53night.

00:47:55Not a single

00:47:56blink of sleep

00:47:57touched my eyes.

00:48:00I sat on the

00:48:01bed,

00:48:02hugging my knees,

00:48:03staring at the

00:48:04door,

00:48:05but he never

00:48:05came.

00:48:07This was the

00:48:08first time he

00:48:08had stayed away

00:48:09for this long.

00:48:11The first time

00:48:12he didn't sleep

00:48:13in here.

00:48:15Did he deserve

00:48:16what I said?

00:48:17No.

00:48:19No.

00:48:20Especially when

00:48:21I hadn't meant

00:48:22it.

00:48:24I just

00:48:24didn't know

00:48:25how to not

00:48:26lash out

00:48:27when I felt

00:48:27scared.

00:48:29Didn't know

00:48:29how to let

00:48:30good things in

00:48:30without

00:48:31suspecting the

00:48:31worst.

00:48:33I reached

00:48:34for the

00:48:34tablet on

00:48:34the bedside

00:48:35table.

00:48:36I remembered

00:48:37him showing

00:48:38me how to

00:48:38contact him

00:48:39through it,

00:48:39just in

00:48:40case.

00:48:42I opened

00:48:42the message

00:48:43app.

00:48:44My fingers

00:48:45hovered above

00:48:45the keys.

00:48:47I'm sorry.

00:48:48Please come

00:48:49back.

00:48:50That's what

00:48:51every piece

00:48:51of me was

00:48:52screaming.

00:48:54But wouldn't

00:48:55that make me

00:48:55selfish?

00:48:57After everything

00:48:58I said?

00:49:02I dropped the

00:49:03tablet and buried

00:49:04my face in my

00:49:05hands.

00:49:08I didn't know

00:49:09how to fix

00:49:09this.

00:49:12A knock

00:49:13sounded on

00:49:14the door.

00:49:15My heart

00:49:16leaped.

00:49:17It's me,

00:49:18Nareen.

00:49:19Then crashed.

00:49:21Lupercus.

00:49:22I didn't

00:49:23expect him.

00:49:24I slid off

00:49:25the bed and

00:49:26padded to the

00:49:26door.

00:49:29I hesitated,

00:49:30then opened

00:49:31it slowly.

00:49:36Can I

00:49:37come in?

00:49:38I nodded.

00:49:40He stepped

00:49:40inside.

00:49:42I'm here to

00:49:43pick you up.

00:49:44His Royal

00:49:45Highness has

00:49:45made accommodation

00:49:46arrangements for

00:49:47you outside the

00:49:48palace.

00:49:49There's also a

00:49:50sum of money

00:49:51deposited in an

00:49:52account under

00:49:52your name.

00:49:54My heart

00:49:55twisted.

00:49:56He made

00:49:57plans for me

00:49:58already?

00:50:00After I threw

00:50:01his heart to the

00:50:02ground and

00:50:03stomped on it?

00:50:08I'm not going

00:50:09anywhere.

00:50:11You aren't?

00:50:13I don't want to

00:50:14leave anymore.

00:50:21Where's Sargas?

00:50:23I want to

00:50:24talk to him.

00:50:26I'm sorry.

00:50:27I can't reveal

00:50:28his majesty's

00:50:29whereabouts.

00:50:32He's not in a

00:50:34good state of

00:50:34mind at the

00:50:35moment.

00:50:38Please,

00:50:39Lubricus.

00:50:42Let's assume

00:50:43I do take you

00:50:44to him.

00:50:45What would

00:50:46you do?

00:50:47Or say?

00:50:53Do you suddenly

00:50:53believe in the

00:50:54mate bond now?

00:50:55His words hit

00:50:56me.

00:50:57What would I

00:50:58say?

00:50:59I'm sorry?

00:51:00And then

00:51:01what?

00:51:02I don't know.

00:51:03I don't know

00:51:04what I'd say.

00:51:08But I don't want

00:51:09him hurting because

00:51:09of me.

00:51:10You need to make

00:51:11a choice,

00:51:12Noreen.

00:51:13I can't take you

00:51:14to see him if you

00:51:14don't even know

00:51:15what you want.

00:51:16Don't give him

00:51:17hope if you know

00:51:17you'll never be able

00:51:18to see yourself

00:51:19with him.

00:51:21His words

00:51:22pierced through

00:51:23every layer of

00:51:24denial I had

00:51:25built.

00:51:25He wasn't being

00:51:27cruel, just

00:51:28honest.

00:51:29And the truth

00:51:30was, everything

00:51:32he said was

00:51:33right.

00:51:35I know the

00:51:36concept of mate

00:51:36doesn't make sense

00:51:37to you.

00:51:38That's okay.

00:51:43Only Lycans

00:51:44truly understand

00:51:45it.

00:51:47To be

00:51:48tethered to

00:51:48someone.

00:51:50It's like

00:51:51feeling something

00:51:51awaken in your

00:51:52bones and

00:51:53your blood.

00:51:56As though you

00:51:57were incomplete

00:51:57your entire life

00:51:59and never knew

00:52:00it until that

00:52:01moment.

00:52:07I stared at

00:52:08him.

00:52:15Sargas is my

00:52:16cousin.

00:52:17We grew up

00:52:18together.

00:52:20One thing he

00:52:21wouldn't shut up

00:52:22about.

00:52:23The concept of

00:52:24mating.

00:52:25He searched

00:52:26for years.

00:52:29Each time he

00:52:30came back

00:52:31empty-handed,

00:52:32a part of him

00:52:32faded.

00:52:36Five years,

00:52:37Nareen.

00:52:38Five years of

00:52:39quiet misery.

00:52:44until he

00:52:45found you.

00:52:55I have never seen him

00:52:56happier.

00:53:04I have never seen him happier.

00:53:11I have never seen him.

00:53:12If you let yourself be open-minded,

00:53:14even just a little,

00:53:17you'll see that he's

00:53:18gentle

00:53:20and full of love.

00:53:23And everything he's done for you

00:53:25since the day you were brought here.

00:53:29isn't that proof enough

00:53:30that he cares about you?

00:53:38I have never seen him.

00:53:39The seventh day.

00:53:40Seven long,

00:53:41agonizing days,

00:53:42and still no sign of Sargas.

00:53:45The loneliness had crept into me like a slow-acting poison,

00:53:48curling its way through my chest until it sat heavy on my lungs.

00:53:51I never knew loneless could hurt like this.

00:53:54I used to build my world around silence.

00:53:57I used to pride myself on not needing anyone.

00:54:00But now it felt different.

00:54:03The silence didn't feel safe anymore.

00:54:05It felt like a punishment.

00:54:07I curled up tighter on the bed,

00:54:10wrapping his shirt tighter around me.

00:54:17It still smelled like him.

00:54:21Hasmik had left me a book.

00:54:23I finally cracked it open

00:54:25out of sheer desperation for distraction.

00:54:28The cover was spicy,

00:54:30but the story was gripping.

00:54:32The enemies-to-lovers trope

00:54:33was more than just spicy.

00:54:35It was intense, chaotic, and real.

00:54:37The heroine lashed out in fear and distrust,

00:54:40only to realize she was falling in love

00:54:42without even meaning to.

00:54:43It felt so familiar,

00:54:45like Sargius and me.

00:54:46I found a folded-down page

00:54:48with a line.

00:54:51I hated him so much

00:54:52I couldn't breathe.

00:54:54I loved him so much

00:54:56I didn't know how to.

00:54:59Then their first kiss came.

00:55:03That image, lips breezing together

00:55:06like an apology and a promise,

00:55:08dragged my memory back to that night.

00:55:12The fountain.

00:55:14I didn't even realize I was smiling

00:55:18or that I was kicking my feet in the air

00:55:21like some hopeless romantic.

00:55:24And then it got spicier.

00:55:26And as I read...

00:55:31I imagined it was us.

00:55:34Sargius and me.

00:55:37Should I stop?

00:55:38His breath scorched my skin.

00:55:40I shook my head

00:55:41because I didn't want to stop.

00:55:44He kissed my neck

00:55:45as if he wanted to bite it down.

00:55:47My fingers sank into his hair,

00:55:49gripping him like grasping

00:55:50the only driftwood.

00:55:51His fingers unbuttoned my buttons.

00:55:54One.

00:55:54Two.

00:55:55It wasn't him guiding me.

00:55:57It was me.

00:55:58My legs wrapped around his waist.

00:56:00At that moment,

00:56:02I wasn't bearing anything.

00:56:04I was taking something.

00:56:05He held my earlope

00:56:06and I trembled all over.

00:56:07Then I kissed him.

00:56:08It was my own initiative.

00:56:09His mouth has the taste I love.

00:56:10Sweet, hot, and addictive.

00:56:12I crumpled the bedsheet

00:56:13and he held my hand

00:56:14as if he wanted to sink down with me.

00:56:15At that moment,

00:56:16I was no longer a ruin.

00:56:17It was the fire he ignited.

00:56:18The thought was so jarring

00:56:20that I nearly dropped the book.

00:56:24My skin went hot.

00:56:26I snapped it shut

00:56:28like it had bitten me.

00:56:34I threw it across the room

00:56:36and buried my face

00:56:37into the throw pillow,

00:56:38groaning.

00:56:39Why was my brain like this?

00:56:45The silence pressed in again.

00:56:50Slowly, my thoughts faded

00:56:52and I drifted into sleep.

00:56:54I didn't know how long I'd been out,

00:56:57but a shadow fell over me.

00:57:02I stirred gruggily,

00:57:04blinking against the haze of sleep.

00:57:08His figure was retreating.

00:57:10My body moved before I could think.

00:57:15I grabbed his hand.

00:57:22Sargis.

00:57:23He turned.

00:57:25And when his eyes met mine,

00:57:27my heart ached.

00:57:29He looked exhausted.

00:57:32Dark shadows under his eyes,

00:57:34tangled hair,

00:57:35wrinkled shirt,

00:57:36stubble on his jaw.

00:57:40His eyes were guarded,

00:57:42like he'd locked the real Sargis

00:57:44somewhere deep inside himself.

00:57:50I looked away,

00:57:51as shame crawled up my throat

00:57:53like a vine.

00:57:57I looked away.

00:58:08It's fine, Noreen.

00:58:11It's all good.

00:58:12No, it's not all good.

00:58:14You have no idea

00:58:16how guilty I feel

00:58:17for everything I said.

00:58:18I didn't mean all of it,

00:58:20at least not the way I said it.

00:58:23If you're only here because you feel guilty,

00:58:25you don't have to.

00:58:28You were just being honest.

00:58:30That's okay.

00:58:32No.

00:58:33I'm not staying because I feel bad.

00:58:36I'm staying because

00:58:38I want to.

00:58:41But I need you to understand

00:58:42that I'm not an easy person

00:58:44to be with.

00:58:45I had a pretty messed up child.

00:58:47It left scars.

00:58:48Deep ones.

00:58:50That kind of trauma

00:58:51doesn't just go away

00:58:52when someone shows up

00:58:53with kind eyes

00:58:54and good intentions.

00:58:55I lost my parents

00:58:56as soon as I was born.

00:58:58I was raised by PAC members.

00:59:00At first they were kind,

00:59:01until I turned seven.

00:59:03They had a child of their own.

00:59:05And suddenly,

00:59:06I wasn't part of the family anymore.

00:59:08I became a servant in their home.

00:59:11And then,

00:59:13and then,

00:59:16I spent three years in a dungeon.

00:59:18Total darkness.

00:59:19Alone.

00:59:22Tortured beyond imagination.

00:59:31I'm telling you this

00:59:32not so you'll pity me.

00:59:34I hope it helps you understand me.

00:59:38Even just a little.

00:59:40I don't know how to love Sargas.

00:59:42I don't know how to let myself

00:59:44be cared for.

00:59:46Without feeling the need

00:59:47to give something back.

00:59:49All this time I've been here,

00:59:51I felt grateful.

00:59:53But also,

00:59:53like a parasite.

00:59:57Narayan.

01:00:01No, please let me finish.

01:00:03I know everything you've done,

01:00:05you did because you wanted to.

01:00:06You don't expect anything in return.

01:00:08But I can't help how I feel.

01:00:11I feel indebted.

01:00:13Like I'm just taking and taking

01:00:15without ever being able to give

01:00:17anything meaningful back.

01:00:19But the past few months

01:00:20have been the most wonderful of my life.

01:00:22And that safety has made me realize

01:00:24something else.

01:00:24I still have demons.

01:00:26Still have so much pain buried inside me.

01:00:28And that pain

01:00:29has kept me from wanting to accept happiness.

01:00:32From believing I even deserve it.

01:00:36And that's why I ran.

01:00:38Not because of you.

01:00:40Not because I wanted to hurt you.

01:00:44But because I needed to confront my past

01:00:46if I ever wanted to move forward.

01:00:50As for the mate bond,

01:00:51it's true.

01:00:52I don't feel it.

01:00:54At least,

01:00:55not the way I'm supposed to.

01:00:57But Lubricus explained things.

01:01:00I'm sorry for hurting you, Sargas.

01:01:03You didn't deserve that.

01:01:04You're a wonderful man.

01:01:06But I'm not ready to be in something romantic.

01:01:08Not yet.

01:01:09I just...

01:01:10I don't think I'm in a place

01:01:12where I can give someone

01:01:13what they deserve

01:01:14without working on myself.

01:01:15But...

01:01:16If you're willing to wait,

01:01:17to be patient and stay beside me,

01:01:19not because you're hoping I'll change

01:01:21or that I'll fall in love with you overnight,

01:01:23but because you see me

01:01:24and you want to help me figure out

01:01:26who I am and what I want,

01:01:27then I'd like that.

01:01:29I'd really like that.

01:01:30When I finally looked at him again,

01:01:32his expression had completely changed.

01:01:35He was smiling.

01:01:37Not that half-hearted, broken smile.

01:01:41A real one.

01:01:43I understand.

01:01:45And I mean that.

01:01:46Picture two.

01:01:47Thank you for trusting me enough to open up.

01:01:52I know it wasn't easy.

01:01:55I'm going to go take a shower.

01:01:57He smiled,

01:01:57then made his way to the bathroom.

01:02:00The door clicked shut behind him.

01:02:02I stood in the room,

01:02:04my heartbeat steadier.

01:02:06There was still a long way to go between us.

01:02:09But at least,

01:02:10I hadn't lost him.

01:02:11The loud thud of the bedroom door crashing open

01:02:14jolted me out of sleep.

01:02:16I sat up so fast the world spun.

01:02:18Hasmik stood in the doorway

01:02:20like a vengeful goddess of war.

01:02:21Her eyes cut straight through me.

01:02:25Hasmik.

01:02:27You fucking bitch.

01:02:30I winced.

01:02:31I knew I deserved it.

01:02:33What you did was fucked up.

01:02:35Really fucked up.

01:02:37I know.

01:02:38Let me finish.

01:02:39I was so scared.

01:02:41I have never been that terrified in my life.

01:02:42My mind raced through every terrible possibility,

01:02:45but...

01:02:46I'm sorry.

01:02:47I forgive you.

01:02:48Her words hit me hard.

01:02:50Not because I doubted them,

01:02:51but because I knew I didn't deserve them.

01:02:52I don't know what you were thinking,

01:02:54but I hope you found whatever clarity you were chasing.

01:02:56I'm just glad you're safe.

01:02:58I'm truly grateful for you, Hasmik.

01:03:00You're like a real sister I never expected,

01:03:03but truly needed.

01:03:04I missed you too.

01:03:08Oh my god.

01:03:09I didn't miss the way her spine straightened.

01:03:12Or how her pupils dilated slightly in alarm.

01:03:14What?

01:03:15What is it?

01:03:17Anika just arrived at the palace.

01:03:20And who might that be?

01:03:21Sargas and her.

01:03:23They used to fool around.

01:03:25A lot.

01:03:26They were fuckmates.

01:03:27Hearing that Sargas had a fuckmate,

01:03:28who was currently in the palace,

01:03:30scraped something raw inside me.

01:03:32Though I didn't know how to feel.

01:03:33It wasn't as if I'd expected celibity,

01:03:36especially not from a leakin' king.

01:03:38Sex was casual here,

01:03:39almost ritualistic among alphas and warriors.

01:03:42But still.

01:03:43There was this tang in my chest.

01:03:44Like the taste of blood when you've bitten your own tongue

01:03:47but pretend it doesn't sting.

01:03:48I wasn't jealous, I don't think.

01:03:50I had no claim on Sargas.

01:03:51Not truly.

01:03:53Not yet.

01:03:53But something inside me recoiled at the idea of him with another.

01:03:56Was she beautiful?

01:03:57Dominant?

01:03:58Submissive?

01:03:58Did he care?

01:03:59Or was she just another blur in a long line of bodies

01:04:01used to silence the beast inside him?

01:04:03I tried not to care.

01:04:04God, I tried.

01:04:05But I did.

01:04:06And that terrified me.

01:04:07Don't worry, Narain.

01:04:08She might be here on diplomatic matters.

01:04:10Sometimes she represents her brother at summits and visitations.

01:04:13Her words were meant to soothe,

01:04:14but they barely skimmed the surface of the storm inside me.

01:04:16I gave a small nod.

01:04:18Or maybe it was a hum.

01:04:19I couldn't tell.

01:04:20The door burst open.

01:04:21A woman stepped into the room like she owned the palace.

01:04:23She had the kind of beauty that punched the air from one's lungs.

01:04:26Her dark brown hair flowed behind her like a cape.

01:04:28I observed silently.

01:04:30She wore a soft pastel gown that hugged her curves.

01:04:33Why she's on his bed.

01:04:34And more importantly,

01:04:36why she's wearing his clothes.

01:04:38Princess Royal.

01:04:40To what do we owe this unexpected visit?

01:04:42Answer the damn question.

01:04:44I saw the way Hazmic clenched her fists.

01:04:46I half expected her to spit a retorque back,

01:04:49but instead she drew in a sharp breath.

01:04:50Both women turned toward the door.

01:04:52Sargas and Lupercus burst into the room.

01:04:55Sargas looked like he'd run the whole palace down to get here.

01:04:57Onika.

01:04:57She stalked across the room,

01:04:59swaying her hips sexually,

01:05:00her heels clicking like the toll of a bell.

01:05:02She grabbed his face with both hands and kissed him,

01:05:05right on the lip.

01:05:06My heart didn't just sink.

01:05:07It crashed.

01:05:08Like a mirror thrown from a hundred stories high.

01:05:11I closed my eyes and turned my back,

01:05:12not wanting to see anymore.

01:05:14What the fuck was that for, Onika?

01:05:16What?

01:05:16Don't you miss me?

01:05:17He didn't answer,

01:05:18and when his eyes flicked toward me,

01:05:20I had already turned away,

01:05:22retreating into myself again.

01:05:23I missed you and came to surprise you,

01:05:25but instead I found another woman in your bed.

01:05:28So who's the slut?

01:05:29She is not a slut.

01:05:30The woman you're referring to is my mate.

01:05:33Onika stared at me.

01:05:34Then she burst out laughing.

01:05:36You joke too much.

01:05:38I know she's just another body to warm your bed.

01:05:40Sargas stepped toward her,

01:05:42with enough heat in his eyes to melt through steel.

01:05:44Your diplomatic status buys you patience,

01:05:46not the right to disrespect my mate in my home.

01:05:49One more word,

01:05:50and the guards will escort you out.

01:05:53You wouldn't.

01:05:55Try me.

01:05:56Onika huffed and flipped her hair as she stalked out,

01:05:59followed by Lupercus,

01:06:01while Hasmik gave me the faintest smile and slipped away.

01:06:05The room was left with just me and Sargas.

01:06:09Silence settled like thick fog.

01:06:12I didn't know she was coming.

01:06:13I swear it, Noreen.

01:06:15I would have shielded you from this shit if I'd had even a hint.

01:06:18I said nothing.

01:06:20I didn't kiss her back.

01:06:21I hope you trust me enough to know that's not who I am anymore.

01:06:24Not with you in the picture.

01:06:26I'm not mad.

01:06:27You're not?

01:06:28No.

01:06:30I'm just,

01:06:30I don't know what I'm feeling.

01:06:32I just hate how it made me feel,

01:06:35seeing that.

01:06:37Do you want me to ask her to leave?

01:06:40Can you?

01:06:41I'm the supreme alpha of this kingdom.

01:06:43There's not much I can't do.

01:06:44No.

01:06:45That'll just make it worse.

01:06:46Politically.

01:06:47For you.

01:06:48I didn't realize how tightly I'd been holding myself together

01:06:50until I leaned my head against him.

01:06:52And it felt right.

01:06:54His shoulder was broad and warm.

01:06:56I didn't understand it fully, this instinct and pull.

01:06:59But I followed it anyway.

01:07:01It wasn't even about the kiss.

01:07:02Not entirely.

01:07:04It was about how easily she'd touched him.

01:07:07I hadn't earned the right to feel this way.

01:07:10We weren't bound yet.

01:07:12Hadn't exchanged vows or promises.

01:07:16She's really pretty.

01:07:18Noreen.

01:07:19It's not a competition.

01:07:20And even if it was,

01:07:22I wouldn't win.

01:07:24I'm not like her.

01:07:25I'm not loud or sharp or confident.

01:07:26I just exist.

01:07:29Quietly.

01:07:30You don't have to be like her.

01:07:31But you were with her.

01:07:32I fucked her, Noreen.

01:07:34That's not the same as what I have with you.

01:07:36Resting my head against him,

01:07:37I looked at this infuriating, loyal, complex man

01:07:40who wouldn't want him.

01:07:42I was only with her because it was temporary and convenient

01:07:44until we each found what we truly wanted.

01:07:46You don't owe me an explanation.

01:07:48You're an adult.

01:07:48I'm not angry, just surprised.

01:07:50And it reminded me how little I actually know about you.

01:07:53Then ask.

01:07:54I don't know what to ask.

01:07:56When I'm not working, which is rare,

01:07:58I like to travel alone sometimes

01:07:59to see the world without the weight of a crown.

01:08:01I blinked.

01:08:02It was hard to imagine him as anything but the supreme alpha.

01:08:04I dabble in sports like basketball and swimming,

01:08:06and I love to cook.

01:08:07Submerging in water feels peaceful and untouchable,

01:08:09and my three-pointer's pretty good.

01:08:11You?

01:08:12Love to cook?

01:08:13Careful.

01:08:13You're underestimating me.

01:08:15At night, Sargas turned over on the sofa.

01:08:17He thought I was asleep.

01:08:18I wasn't.

01:08:19My eyes were closed,

01:08:20but every sense was tuned to him.

01:08:21The creak of leather,

01:08:22his breathing,

01:08:22and his scent of cedar and honeysuckle

01:08:24soaked into his shirt I was wearing,

01:08:25filling every inch of air.

01:08:26I couldn't escape it and didn't want to.

01:08:28A flash crossed my mind.

01:08:30Him in the kitchen,

01:08:31sleeves rolled up,

01:08:33muscles moving as he chopped vegetables.

01:08:36I imagined those hands on me,

01:08:39fingertips tracing down my collarbone,

01:08:41inch by inch.

01:08:44My breathing changed.

01:08:46I bit my lip and buried my face in the pillow,

01:08:48knowing I shouldn't be thinking this,

01:08:50when my body still remembered the pain.

01:08:52But Sargas wasn't Joe.

01:08:54That thought was a small flame,

01:08:55burning a hole through my chest.

01:08:58The next morning, after I showered,

01:09:00the scent of food drifted from the kitchen.

01:09:02Sargas was cooking.

01:09:03I watched him pull out wagyu tenderloin,

01:09:04garlic, fresh herbs, and truffle butter

01:09:06to prepare an elaborate breakfast.

01:09:08He began with a palate cleanser.

01:09:09Cucumber juice, elderflower, and mint syrup

01:09:11in a tiny ceramic spoon

01:09:12topped with an edible flower petal.

01:09:14The main dish was black truffle wagyu steak

01:09:16with bone marrow glaze,

01:09:18seared in a dry skillet

01:09:19and basted with garlic, herbs, and truffle butter.

01:09:22He turned roasted bone marrow

01:09:23into a creamy glaze

01:09:25and poured it over the steak.

01:09:27Is there a banquet?

01:09:29Thankfully, no.

01:09:29I'm making breakfast.

01:09:31For us.

01:09:32Is there anything I can help with?

01:09:34Yeah.

01:09:34I need you to keep turning this batter.

01:09:36The third course was flaky croissants

01:09:38topped with goat cheese,

01:09:39truffle oil, herbs,

01:09:40pomegranate seeds,

01:09:41candied walnuts,

01:09:42and honey infused with thyme.

01:09:44You know, you do have clothes of your own now.

01:09:46I noticed the closet had been rearranged,

01:09:49but maybe I'm just used to your clothes.

01:09:51They feel comfortable.

01:09:52I felt his gaze travel over me

01:09:55and saw him quickly turn away.

01:09:57But I pretended not to notice.

01:09:59We moved around the kitchen

01:10:01in an unspoken rhythm,

01:10:03handing off utensils,

01:10:05stealing glances.

01:10:06It felt natural.

01:10:08The dining table was a canvas

01:10:10of colors and scents.

01:10:11His eyes lit up.

01:10:13It was our first formal meal together

01:10:15using the dining table.

01:10:20How do you cook this well?

01:10:22I have my secrets.

01:10:23We washed the dishes together.

01:10:25She hummed softly under her breath,

01:10:27and I found myself humming along.

01:10:31I have something to do later,

01:10:32so I'll leave first.

01:10:35But actually, I went to Onika's room.

01:10:37I'd had enough.

01:10:39Explain, Sargis.

01:10:40Your subjects refuse to talk.

01:10:41As I already explained, Onika,

01:10:44the woman you met is my mate,

01:10:45and you will treat her

01:10:46and all my subjects with respect.

01:10:48You say she's your mate,

01:10:50but I smell no mark of claim

01:10:51on either of you,

01:10:52so no, I don't believe that nonsense.

01:10:53Whether or not you believe

01:10:54she's my mate

01:10:55doesn't change the fact that she is.

01:10:56An unmated male

01:10:57is still fair game, Sargis.

01:11:00I didn't come for my brother.

01:11:02I came for you.

01:11:03It's been so long

01:11:04since someone fucked me so hard

01:11:06my legs trembled.

01:11:09You won't dismiss my bond

01:11:10with my mate for your fantasies.

01:11:11Stay away from what's not yours,

01:11:13or you're finished here.

01:11:14Fine.

01:11:14I'll behave for now,

01:11:15but I'm staying for a month.

01:11:16Karagni is beautiful

01:11:17this time of year.

01:11:18Onika,

01:11:19when we agreed to be

01:11:20each other's sexual partners,

01:11:21we made a clear boundary

01:11:22that it was only that,

01:11:23a temporary outlet.

01:11:24We agreed to part ways

01:11:25once we found our mates.

01:11:26I found mine,

01:11:27so you need to move on.

01:11:28I never wanted to be bound

01:11:29to someone I didn't choose,

01:11:30unlike you who worships

01:11:31lifelong belonging,

01:11:32a philosophy I never agreed with.

01:11:33Why should I accept a stranger

01:11:34because of some ancient curse?

01:11:36I'd rather die alone.

01:11:36Look at my brother.

01:11:37His mate has emaculated him

01:11:38into a shadow

01:11:39of his former alpha self.

01:11:40You don't need to tell me

01:11:41any of this.

01:11:41Your opinions on the bond,

01:11:42your brother's mate,

01:11:43your own fears,

01:11:43that's your path to walk.

01:11:44It has nothing to do with me.

01:11:46Well, that's sad.

01:11:47Came here hoping to convince you otherwise,

01:11:48to propose that we become

01:11:49chosen mates,

01:11:50that we take what we had,

01:11:51what we were,

01:11:51and make it permanent.

01:11:52That will never happen,

01:11:53not in this life or the next.

01:11:54I would rather die

01:11:55than leave Noreen.

01:11:56Give me one month.

01:11:57If I can't get you

01:11:57into bed by then,

01:11:58I'll drop it.

01:11:59But if I do,

01:12:01you'll see the bond

01:12:01is just hormones

01:12:02and ancient magic.

01:12:03I'm not playing

01:12:03this game with you.

01:12:04This ends now.

01:12:05You need to leave.

01:12:06You can't do that, Sargis,

01:12:07unless you want to offend

01:12:08my brother

01:12:09and start a diplomatic war.

01:12:10After all,

01:12:11I'm here under his protection

01:12:12as his official assistant.

01:12:14Would be a shame

01:12:14if your kingdom

01:12:15suddenly lost trade privileges

01:12:16with the East,

01:12:17wouldn't it?

01:12:18If you so much

01:12:19as breathe near my mate again,

01:12:20I will take that risk.

01:12:22I will go to war

01:12:23with your brother,

01:12:24burn the treaties,

01:12:24and let the gods

01:12:25bear witness to what I do,

01:12:26if it means getting you

01:12:28the hell out of here.

01:12:29The next morning,

01:12:30Sargis had already left.

01:12:31Matters in the southern borders

01:12:32needed his oversight.

01:12:33He said he'd return by midday.

01:12:35I was alone,

01:12:36the silence pressed in slowly,

01:12:37like fog.

01:12:38I wandered through

01:12:38the sweet barefoot,

01:12:39dragging my fingers

01:12:40along the velvet edges

01:12:41of the furniture,

01:12:42trying to chase away

01:12:43the restlessness

01:12:43creeping into my bones.

01:12:44I tried not to think

01:12:45about his ex,

01:12:46the beautiful,

01:12:46poised woman

01:12:47who still haunted

01:12:48the palace halls

01:12:48like a ghost

01:12:49with a history tied

01:12:50to his body,

01:12:50but I believed him.

01:12:51That was the scary part.

01:12:52I had begun to trust Sargis,

01:12:54tentatively and quietly.

01:12:55He earned my trust

01:12:56by shielding me,

01:12:57sitting with me in silence

01:12:58and never pressuring me

01:12:59to be anything

01:13:00other than myself.

01:13:01I was his mate,

01:13:02no doubt about that,

01:13:04even if I still didn't

01:13:05fully understand

01:13:05what it meant for me.

01:13:06My thoughts turned to Joe

01:13:07and the pack

01:13:08that was called mine.

01:13:10Were they still the same?

01:13:11Had anything changed?

01:13:13Were they building families,

01:13:14laughing in the places

01:13:15where I had once cried,

01:13:16content to forget

01:13:17the girl they left to rot?

01:13:19But maybe I didn't need

01:13:20to pursue Joe,

01:13:21not now.

01:13:22Maybe what I needed

01:13:23more than anything

01:13:23was peace.

01:13:27Peace with myself.

01:13:29Peace with the shattered

01:13:31pieces of my life.

01:13:33I let Hazmut talk me

01:13:34into breakfast,

01:13:35maybe because of her

01:13:36hopeful smile

01:13:36or simply because I was

01:13:37tired of hiding in the dark.

01:13:39At the head of an intimidating

01:13:40obsidian dining table,

01:13:41I felt like prey among lycans,

01:13:43especially with Sargis'

01:13:44mountain of a father

01:13:45sitting at the far end.

01:13:46Annika lounged across from him,

01:13:48faking disinterest,

01:13:49but watching everything.

01:13:50I stood awkwardly,

01:13:51wringing my fingers,

01:13:52unsure whether to sit,

01:13:53wait,

01:13:54or run back to my room.

01:13:55Good morning, sir.

01:13:57And good morning to you too, ma'am.

01:13:58The pressure of their stairs

01:13:59made me want to sink

01:14:00through the marble floor.

01:14:02You don't even know

01:14:02how to act properly

01:14:03like a queen.

01:14:04I lowered my gaze

01:14:05intentionally.

01:14:06Straighten your spine,

01:14:07square your shoulders,

01:14:09lift your chin.

01:14:10My body obeyed

01:14:10without thought,

01:14:11snapping into place

01:14:12like an overtrained puppet.

01:14:14Hazmut wrapped her warm arms

01:14:15around me,

01:14:16guided me to a seat

01:14:17near Onika,

01:14:17and sat beside me

01:14:18like a shield.

01:14:19Give her a break,

01:14:20Auntie.

01:14:21She's still new

01:14:22to all of this.

01:14:23That's all she's done

01:14:24since she arrived.

01:14:26Catch a break.

01:14:28The room grew colder.

01:14:30I could feel

01:14:31Onika's gaze

01:14:32sliding over me

01:14:33like oil.

01:14:35Your Highness,

01:14:36I know I shouldn't interfere

01:14:37in matters of the throne,

01:14:38but looking at her,

01:14:39she's clearly unfit

01:14:40to be queen.

01:14:40She doesn't know

01:14:41proper court etiquette.

01:14:42She doesn't bear the mark

01:14:43of a mate

01:14:43or the crown of a queen,

01:14:44and should a real threat arises,

01:14:46she'd be your greatest liability.

01:14:47Her voice was calm,

01:14:48almost pitying,

01:14:49but the venom beneath it

01:14:50was unmistakable.

01:14:51I swallowed hard

01:14:52and clenched my fingers

01:14:53tightly in my lap.

01:14:54I didn't know what to say.

01:14:55I didn't know

01:14:57how to defend myself

01:14:57in a world

01:14:58that had already decided

01:14:59I didn't belong.

01:15:00Onika,

01:15:01I may be retired,

01:15:02but like you said,

01:15:03you shouldn't interfere

01:15:03in matters that don't concern you.

01:15:05And regardless of your opinion,

01:15:06she is my son's mate.

01:15:07That makes her

01:15:07the future queen

01:15:08of this kingdom.

01:15:09My eyes sting,

01:15:10sharp and unexpected.

01:15:11I hadn't even spoken,

01:15:12and yet someone stood up for me.

01:15:13I felt Hasmik's hand

01:15:14slip into mine

01:15:15under the table.

01:15:16She gave it a squeeze.

01:15:17I quickly blinked

01:15:18the tears away.

01:15:19Of course,

01:15:20Raja Baba.

01:15:21Pardon my intrusion.

01:15:22Looks like Sargas

01:15:23is here to scoop you up

01:15:24and keep you hidden away.

01:15:26The heavy double doors

01:15:27creaked open behind us.

01:15:29I turned just as Sargas

01:15:30and Lupercus

01:15:31entered the vast dining hall.

01:15:33The moment our eyes met,

01:15:35my chest eased.

01:15:37He made his way

01:15:38straight to me,

01:15:39slipped into the seat

01:15:40beside mine,

01:15:41and without a word,

01:15:43draped his arm

01:15:44across the back

01:15:44and the back of my chair.

01:15:51Are you okay?

01:15:54I nodded, barely,

01:15:56but he understood.

01:15:58It is lovely

01:15:59to finally meet you, dear.

01:16:01It's nice to meet you too, sir.

01:16:03Please, call me Hyrik.

01:16:05I've always wanted a daughter.

01:16:07Sargas,

01:16:08I know you think

01:16:08I'm being harsh,

01:16:09but you've seen how

01:16:10restless the court

01:16:11has grown

01:16:11with the Queen's throne

01:16:12empty for nearly

01:16:13seven months.

01:16:16Had it really been

01:16:17seven months

01:16:17since I was brought here?

01:16:19So tell me,

01:16:20is she going to

01:16:21ascend it or not?

01:16:22Suddenly I felt

01:16:23everyone's eyes on me

01:16:24and shrunk back

01:16:25as her words

01:16:25wrapped around

01:16:26my spine like chains.

01:16:27Mother,

01:16:28I told you she's not ready,

01:16:29and this isn't the time

01:16:30for that talk

01:16:31with a diplomat present.

01:16:32Oh, me?

01:16:33Don't mind me.

01:16:34I'm staying out of this.

01:16:35Her smirk said otherwise.

01:16:37We can leave right now

01:16:38if you want to.

01:16:38I glanced around the table.

01:16:40Hasmik smiled.

01:16:41Lupercus seemed detached.

01:16:43Sargas' father

01:16:44stayed neutral

01:16:44and his mother

01:16:45barely hide her disdain.

01:16:46Could I really just

01:16:47stand and leave this mess?

01:16:49I shook my head slowly.

01:16:50I didn't want to

01:16:51give them that satisfaction.

01:16:52Breakfast ended,

01:16:54thankfully.

01:16:54Sargas held my hand

01:16:55the whole time.

01:16:56Even when I barely

01:16:57touched my food,

01:16:58I just pushed things

01:16:59around my plate.

01:17:00I watched his mother.

01:17:02Aveline was brilliant,

01:17:03cunning,

01:17:03respected,

01:17:04but gentle was not her.

01:17:06She didn't know

01:17:06how to soften her words.

01:17:07If Sargas had found me

01:17:09the traditional way,

01:17:10I would have been sent

01:17:11to the Alpha Magus' wing

01:17:12for a month of seclusion.

01:17:13His mother would have

01:17:14trained me in etiquette,

01:17:16politics,

01:17:16and the nuances

01:17:17of being mated to a king.

01:17:19That path was never mine.

01:17:21Tradition stopped mattering

01:17:22the moment he pulled me

01:17:23out of that compound,

01:17:24broken and bleeding.

01:17:25They didn't know me.

01:17:26They didn't see what I saw.

01:17:28They didn't see me

01:17:29flinch at raised voices

01:17:30or curl into myself

01:17:32when the memories came.

01:17:33The breakfast was lovely.

01:17:35He stood and left.

01:17:38Onika,

01:17:39I hope you'll finish

01:17:39whatever you came for

01:17:40because this isn't

01:17:41the right time

01:17:41for you to be here.

01:17:44Of course,

01:17:45Rijibaba.

01:17:46See you later,

01:17:47Dustys.

01:17:48Have a lovely rest

01:17:49of the day.

01:17:50The tension

01:17:51of the morning faded,

01:17:53leaving only

01:17:53a quiet calm.

01:17:54For the first time

01:17:55in a long while,

01:17:56I felt at peace here.

01:17:58After Sargas left,

01:18:00I went back to the room.

01:18:01Breakfast

01:18:01had shocked me awake.

01:18:02I already knew

01:18:03I didn't fit in,

01:18:04but today showed me

01:18:04just how deep

01:18:05the divide really was.

01:18:06I looked in the mirror.

01:18:08Same girl,

01:18:08same curls,

01:18:09same eyes,

01:18:10but I stood differently now.

01:18:11The subtle slump

01:18:12of my shoulders.

01:18:13Hesitancy.

01:18:14Queen.

01:18:14The word rang in my mind

01:18:16like a bell.

01:18:16Could I really do that?

01:18:18Could I be her?

01:18:19A sharp pulse

01:18:20bloomed on my forehead.

01:18:21My hands strut up

01:18:22instinctively,

01:18:23pressing against

01:18:24the familiar spot

01:18:24of the tattoo.

01:18:25The one I thought

01:18:26was nothing more

01:18:27than a mysterious

01:18:28mark of fate.

01:18:29My knees buckled

01:18:30and I grabbed the dresser.

01:18:31This wasn't a hallucination,

01:18:32the glow was real.

01:18:34Brilliant and alive,

01:18:35etched right across

01:18:36my forehead like a band.

01:18:38Something stirred inside me.

01:18:40My eyes fluttered shut.

01:18:41Then the world exploded.

01:18:43I could hear everything.

01:18:44Cutlerware clicking

01:18:45floors away

01:18:46and faint conversations

01:18:47through the thick

01:18:48palace walls.

01:18:49Red.

01:18:50That same red

01:18:51I'd seen once before.

01:18:52The same red

01:18:53that terrified me

01:18:53that night I first shifted.

01:18:54It was back.

01:18:56I stumbled away

01:18:57from the mirror,

01:18:58one hand covering

01:18:58my mouth.

01:18:59My wolf.

01:19:00She was stirring.

01:19:03No.

01:19:05Awakening.

01:19:08It was past midnight

01:19:09when I finally heard

01:19:10the elevator ding

01:19:11and smelled Sargas

01:19:12coming down the hall.

01:19:13But tonight,

01:19:14beneath his primal scent,

01:19:15I caught a sicky sweetness.

01:19:17Annika,

01:19:17and my stomach twisted.

01:19:19His footsteps soft,

01:19:20he eased the door open

01:19:21and slipped into the room,

01:19:22thinking I was asleep.

01:19:23He padded into the closet,

01:19:25clothes rustling,

01:19:26but all I could focus on

01:19:28was her.

01:19:29Her scent lingered

01:19:30in the air between us.

01:19:32He came out of the closet

01:19:33in his soft pajamas

01:19:34and settled onto

01:19:35the leather couch.

01:19:36He picked up the spoon.

01:19:37He liked the food I made,

01:19:39but he still reeked of her.

01:19:40Why had he been with her?

01:19:41Why did her scent

01:19:42cling to him so brazenly

01:19:43and why did it hurt so much?

01:19:45His gaze pulled me

01:19:46from my spiraling thoughts,

01:19:47so I squeezed my eyes shut

01:19:48as he moved closer and closer.

01:19:50You know I know

01:19:50you're awake, right?

01:19:51Shit.

01:19:52Busted.

01:19:52I kept my eyes shut,

01:19:54stubbornly.

01:19:54Noreen,

01:19:55you're a terrible actress.

01:19:56Your eyes are twitching,

01:19:57your breathing is unseavet,

01:19:58and you're clutching the sheet

01:19:59like it insulted your ancestors.

01:20:00I cracked one eye open

01:20:01and our gaze is locked.

01:20:02I saw him,

01:20:03not just as Sargas the Supreme Alpha,

01:20:05but as mine.

01:20:07I wasn't pretending to sleep,

01:20:08I was trying to,

01:20:10until all the noise you made.

01:20:11Noise?

01:20:12Me?

01:20:12I was careful not to wake you.

01:20:14I needed a quick distraction.

01:20:15My wolf was awake

01:20:16and he could never find out.

01:20:18You're a little late today.

01:20:19Yeah.

01:20:20I had a lot of things

01:20:21to take care of.

01:20:23Like her?

01:20:24Was Onika one of those things?

01:20:26Hmm.

01:20:28Something happened, though.

01:20:31Onika came to my office

01:20:34and she tried to force herself on me.

01:20:37What?

01:20:38Nothing happened.

01:20:39I swear, Noreen,

01:20:41I pushed her away.

01:20:42I would never...

01:20:43Why...

01:20:44Why are you telling me that?

01:20:46Because I didn't want there

01:20:47to be any misunderstandings between us.

01:20:50Especially not when it comes to Onika.

01:20:51I stared at him,

01:20:52dazed.

01:20:53Why was he so open and honest

01:20:54when he could have easily lied?

01:20:56Thank you.

01:20:57For dinner.

01:20:58It was delicious.

01:20:59I swallowed hard.

01:21:00He was giving consistently,

01:21:02patiently,

01:21:03vulnerably,

01:21:03and I was still hiding,

01:21:05still keeping secrets.

01:21:07Sargas.

01:21:08The mate bond.

01:21:10What would happen if,

01:21:11eventually,

01:21:12my wolf awakens?

01:21:13How do I know

01:21:14if what I'm feeling

01:21:15is really mine

01:21:16or just something

01:21:17the bond wants me to feel?

01:21:18I will always be here.

01:21:21The morning sunlight

01:21:23spilled across the room.

01:21:25I sat at the edge of the bed.

01:21:26My eyes wandered to the sofa.

01:21:29Empty.

01:21:30The blanket neatly folded,

01:21:32like he hadn't even used it.

01:21:36He never made noise

01:21:37when he left in the mornings.

01:21:39Never woke me on purpose.

01:21:43But today I knew

01:21:44the moment he left.

01:21:46How could I not know?

01:21:49Every shift of his body

01:21:50on that sofa.

01:21:52Every time the leather

01:21:53creaked beneath his weight.

01:21:55Every subtle exhale

01:21:56as he tried and failed

01:21:57to get comfortable.

01:21:59Every little sound

01:22:00stirred me awake.

01:22:02He was a king.

01:22:03And yet,

01:22:04night after night,

01:22:05he surrendered his comfort.

01:22:07Sleeping on a couch

01:22:08far too short

01:22:09for his frame.

01:22:10Curled up

01:22:11like an exile

01:22:12in his own home.

01:22:14All because of me.

01:22:16The tension

01:22:17in his shoulders.

01:22:19The strain

01:22:20in his back.

01:22:22The quiet way

01:22:24he endured it

01:22:25without ever

01:22:26asking for more.

01:22:29The memory of last night

01:22:30tugged at me.

01:22:32How he'd confessed

01:22:33about Onika.

01:22:34How he'd looked

01:22:35so sincere.

01:22:36So careful not to hurt me

01:22:38or spark jealousy.

01:22:40Withers of Frishon.

01:22:41Even though I had

01:22:42no claim over him.

01:22:44This bond.

01:22:45This man.

01:22:46The way he cared

01:22:47so freely

01:22:48without expectation.

01:22:51It shook me.

01:22:59Maybe it would have

01:23:00been easier

01:23:01if he were cruel.

01:23:03If he yelled

01:23:04and demanded.

01:23:06But Sargas

01:23:07didn't do any of that.

01:23:10He

01:23:11was one of a kind.

01:23:14I decided

01:23:15to leave the room.

01:23:18I wanted

01:23:19to know more

01:23:20about the kingdom.

01:23:21About Sargas.

01:23:24About who

01:23:25I was supposed

01:23:25to become.

01:23:29I texted

01:23:30Hazmik.

01:23:31She replied

01:23:32quickly.

01:23:32We met

01:23:33in the hallway.

01:23:34Look who

01:23:35finally decided

01:23:36to come out

01:23:36of her shell.

01:23:40We walked

01:23:41side by side.

01:23:42She sighed.

01:23:44I want to apologize.

01:23:46For the breakfast.

01:23:49You were thrown

01:23:50into something

01:23:50you didn't ask for.

01:23:56It wasn't your fault.

01:23:58Then I smelled her.

01:24:00Onika.

01:24:00My face

01:24:01scrunched

01:24:02in disgust.

01:24:03Hazmik's eyes

01:24:04narrowed.

01:24:05She picked up

01:24:06her pace

01:24:07and opened

01:24:07the door

01:24:07with more force

01:24:08than necessary.

01:24:09My heart

01:24:10jumped into

01:24:11my throat.

01:24:12Onika

01:24:12was in

01:24:12Sargas's study.

01:24:14She turned

01:24:14her head slowly.

01:24:16Her gaze

01:24:17landing on

01:24:17Hazmik first.

01:24:18Then on me.

01:24:20Her eyes

01:24:21narrowed.

01:24:23Oh.

01:24:24Did I

01:24:25interrupt

01:24:25a study date?

01:24:30Noreen,

01:24:31don't leave.

01:24:33I can

01:24:34explain.

01:24:38I wasn't going

01:24:39to leave.

01:24:39The very sight

01:24:40of you sickens

01:24:41me.

01:24:42You don't know

01:24:42him like I do.

01:24:44You never will.

01:24:45He's only doing

01:24:46this because of the

01:24:47bond.

01:24:48It messes with your

01:24:49head.

01:24:49So don't delude

01:24:50yourself.

01:24:51Don't pretend

01:24:52he loves you

01:24:53because he doesn't.

01:24:55Onika lunged

01:24:56at Hazmik.

01:24:59In a second,

01:25:00she had Hazmik

01:25:01pinned against

01:25:02the wall,

01:25:03digging her claws

01:25:04into her throat.

01:25:06Then Sargas

01:25:07was there.

01:25:08He ripped

01:25:09Onika's hand

01:25:09from Hazmik's

01:25:10throat.

01:25:14Hazmik collapsed

01:25:15to the ground,

01:25:16coughing hard.

01:25:18Never in your life

01:25:19lay your hands

01:25:19on any of my

01:25:20subjects again.

01:25:21This is a royal

01:25:22decree.

01:25:23Effective immediately,

01:25:24you will pack

01:25:25your things and

01:25:25leave the palace.

01:25:26You've repeatedly

01:25:27bypassed protocol,

01:25:29insulted my mate,

01:25:30assaulted my subjects,

01:25:31and undermined

01:25:32my authority as

01:25:32king.

01:25:33No.

01:25:35No, no, no.

01:25:37Surely you wouldn't

01:25:38invoke a royal

01:25:39decree just because

01:25:41she disrespected

01:25:42me first?

01:25:43She dared to

01:25:44address me like

01:25:45an equal!

01:25:46But Sargas

01:25:46didn't back down.

01:25:47Onika stared

01:25:48at him.

01:25:49Then she looked

01:25:49at me, and

01:25:50there it was.

01:25:51Hatred.

01:25:52She screamed,

01:25:52and it made

01:25:53my skin crawl.

01:25:54Her voice was

01:25:55so grating,

01:25:55so abrasive,

01:25:56that I found

01:25:57myself wishing

01:25:57she would just

01:25:58stop speaking

01:25:59forever.

01:26:00A pulse throbbed

01:26:01across my forehead.

01:26:02I blinked.

01:26:03She was still

01:26:04ranting, but her

01:26:05mouth was moving.

01:26:06I couldn't hear

01:26:07a thing.

01:26:08Not a single

01:26:09syllable.

01:26:09She paused

01:26:10mid-tirade,

01:26:11blinked in confusion,

01:26:13and brought her

01:26:13hand up to her

01:26:14throat.

01:26:15She opened her

01:26:15mouth again.

01:26:16No sound.

01:26:18She clutched

01:26:19her throat with

01:26:20both hands.

01:26:21Her eyes darted

01:26:22frantically.

01:26:23Sargas thought

01:26:24thought she was

01:26:24acting.

01:26:31But I could

01:26:32feel her.

01:26:33I could feel

01:26:33her behind the

01:26:35door, even

01:26:37though she was no

01:26:38longer in the

01:26:39room.

01:26:41She was no

01:26:41sheltered, or she

01:26:42was no

01:26:43longer in the

01:26:43room.

01:26:43She was no

01:26:43where she was

01:26:43in the

01:26:43room.

01:26:43Gracias.

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