03

Back in my chambers, I barely had time to process the conversation in the hall when another knock on the door pulled me back to reality.

"Come in," I said, trying to hide the tremor in my voice.

The door opened, revealing one of Kaelor's guards. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with an expression as blank as if he had no will of his own.

"The king wishes to see you in his quarters," he announced, his voice as cold as Kaelor himself.

My heart raced. What? Why did he want to see me in his room? My stomach churned with a mix of fear and something I refused to name.

"The king doesn't like to be kept waiting," the guard added impatiently.

With no other choice, I stood and followed him through the corridors. The path was different this time, more ornate, with walls decorated by tapestries and carvings that seemed as ancient as the castle itself. My footsteps echoed on the stone floor as I struggled to steady my breathing.

Finally, we stopped in front of a tall, ornate door. The guard knocked once and, without waiting for a response, opened it for me.

"Enter," he said, stepping aside before leaving me alone.

Hesitant, I crossed the threshold. Kaelor's quarters were immense, decorated with a dark luxury that perfectly reflected his personality. The walls were lined with shelves of ancient books, and a fire burned in the corner, casting flickering shadows around the room. But the centerpiece was the massive bed in the center, with dark sheets and heavy curtains that seemed to swallow the dim light.

Kaelor stood by the fireplace, the flames reflecting in his dark eyes. He didn’t turn immediately, but I knew he was aware of my presence.

"You summoned me?" I asked, my voice sounding steadier than I felt.

He turned slowly, his eyes locking onto mine with that intensity that always made me uneasy.

"Yes," he said simply, as if it were obvious. "I want to understand something."

I frowned, confused. "Understand what?"

Kaelor took a few steps toward me, his overwhelming presence filling the space between us. "You challenged me today. You stood against me in a way no one else would dare. Why?"

My hands trembled, but I didn’t back down. "Because I’m not like the people here. I wasn’t raised to follow blindly."

His gaze grew sharper, studying every word I said. Then, something unexpected happened. For a moment, his expression softened—not with warmth, but with curiosity.

"You’re not afraid of me," he said, not as a question, but as a statement.

I took a deep breath. "I’m afraid of many things, but I won’t let you control me."

The silence that followed was heavy, thick with tension. I didn’t know what he would do, but then he surprised me again. He laughed.

It wasn’t a kind laugh. It was cold, sharp, like the crack of ice.

"You have spirit," he said, his tone almost amused. "Good. You’ll need it to survive here."

The amusement faded as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by his usual cold demeanor. "But don’t mistake that spirit for power. You are here because I allow it. Remember that."

His words were final, cutting off any further argument. He turned away, dismissing me as though I were nothing more than an afterthought.

"You’ll stay here tonight," he said over his shoulder.

My heart stopped. "What? Why?"

Kaelor turned back to me, his expression cold and calculating. "Don’t question my orders. The bed is large enough, and you’ll have your space. I’m curious to observe you more closely."

“Observe me?” The word sent a chill down my spine. But before I could protest, he had already taken a seat in a chair by the fire, as though the matter was settled.

I wanted to refuse, wanted to scream, but I knew it would be useless. He was Kaelor, the Alpha King. And in that moment, I was just another piece in his game.

As I hesitated near the bed, I could feel his eyes on me, watching my every move. The air between us felt charged, thick with unspoken tension. I didn’t trust him—not his intentions, not his motives, and certainly not the way he seemed to take pleasure in unsettling me.

Slowly, I sat down on the edge of the bed, my back stiff and my hands resting awkwardly on my lap. I kept my gaze on the fire, avoiding his piercing stare.

"Why do you resist so much?" Kaelor’s voice broke the silence. It was calm, almost conversational, but there was an edge to it that made my skin prickle.

I glanced at him, unsure how to answer. "Wouldn’t you resist if you were in my position?"

His lips twitched, though it wasn’t quite a smile. "Perhaps. But that’s not your concern."

"Of course it’s my concern," I shot back, surprising even myself with the sharpness in my tone. "You’ve taken everything from me—my freedom, my future, even my right to choose. How can I not resist?"

Kaelor leaned back in his chair, studying me with an intensity that made my stomach tighten. For a moment, I thought he might lash out, but instead, he seemed... intrigued.

"You speak as though you have a choice," he said, his tone almost amused. "But you don’t. Not here. Not with me."

The words stung, even though I’d expected them. I turned my gaze back to the fire, my jaw clenched to keep from saying something I’d regret.

The hours dragged on, and the silence between us grew heavier. Kaelor didn’t speak again, nor did he leave. He simply stayed in his chair, watching me with a focus that felt invasive, as though he were peeling back layers of my defenses with every passing second.

Eventually, exhaustion began to creep in. My body ached from the tension, and my mind was fogged with fatigue. I lay down cautiously, keeping as much distance as possible between myself and where I imagined Kaelor would sleep. The bed was soft, but it offered no comfort.

I closed my eyes, but sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts were a chaotic storm, swirling with questions and fears I couldn’t quiet. What did he want from me? Was this just another way to assert his control, to remind me that I was at his mercy?

When I finally drifted off, my dreams were restless. Images of the castle, the ritual, and Kaelor’s piercing gaze haunted me, blending into a nightmare I couldn’t escape.

I woke with a start, my heart racing. The room was quiet except for the soft crackle of the fire, but I felt an unsettling awareness that I wasn’t alone. Turning my head slightly, I saw Kaelor standing by the window, his silhouette outlined by the faint light of the moon.

He didn’t turn when I stirred, but his voice broke the silence. "You’re not what I expected."

The statement caught me off guard. I sat up slowly, pulling the blanket tighter around me. "What did you expect?"

Kaelor didn’t answer right away. When he finally spoke, his tone was quieter, almost thoughtful. "Someone compliant. Someone... predictable."

I frowned, unsure if his words were meant as a compliment or a warning. "I’m not here by choice. You can’t expect me to act like I am."

He turned then, his dark eyes meeting mine across the room. For a brief moment, I thought I saw something in his gaze—something softer, almost human. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the cold, unyielding demeanor I’d come to associate with him.

"Get some rest," he said, his voice curt. "Tomorrow will be a long day."

Without another word, he left the room, the door clicking softly behind him. I sat there for a long time, staring at the empty space where he’d stood.

Kaelor was a mystery, one I couldn’t begin to unravel. But one thing was clear: whatever game he was playing, I needed to be ready. Because the moment I found an opportunity to escape, I wouldn’t hesitate.

Not for him. Not for anyone.