chapter 4
1987 Words
The tension in the meeting hall hung thick like a storm cloud, threatening to burst at any moment. Leo’s expression was unreadable, his cold eyes darting between the Lycan King and me. Leo straightened his posture, his voice sharp and deliberate as he spoke.
"Your Majesty, I'm sorry you had to witness this. She's mute and cannot—"
The Lycan King raised his hand, cutting Leo off mid-sentence. From where I stood, I could see the sweat glistening on Leo’s forehead. The elders had gone pale, their faces as white as though they had encountered a demon of high caliber. Who would have thought it possible for these men to be silenced so easily?
Shakily, I placed my hand on the King’s outstretched palm. His musclestensed beneath his flawless skin as he closed his eyes and exhaled deeply. His lips curled into a seductive smile. Then like a whisper from the void, his deep, velvet voice echo in my head.
"Gorgeous!" A rush of heat shot through me, leaving me breathless, I clamped my legs together as I felt a sudden dampness in my core.
My breath caught as my thoughts spiraled into a panic. What if he rejects me? I didn’t know if I could survive another rejection.
He raised his massive palm in the air, and I instinctively covered my face, shielding myself from what I thought was an incoming strike. Tears streamed freely down my cheeks blurring my vision as I braced myself.
Instead, his hand landed gently on my veil, wiping away the tears lingering on my exposed skin. His touch was unlike anything I had ever experienced, leaving behind a tingling warmth that lingered even after he pulled his hand away.
When his hand retreated he took mine in his own, holding it firmly yet tenderly.
"Gosh, Princess," he murmured, his voice in my head a seductive growl. ‘’I can smell your arousal. Does my presence affect you that much?"
His icy blue eyes which were locked on mine since he entered the hall, flared a golden-red.
My heart pounded in my chest.
He felt it too. That electrifying, burning spark that coursed through me. But if he felt it, why wasn’t he showing it? Was he toying with me? Worse, was he planning to reject me after this meeting?
Before i could dwell further, He pulled me closer, his intoxicating scent wiping out my worries instantly. My chest collided with his firm body, sending shock waves through my already heightened senses.
"Alpha Drake," a voice called out, breaking the spell. Turning, I saw a man in dark sunglasses and a black suit. His clean shaved head gleamed under the halls light, and his presence radiate authority, he was no member of my brother’s court, that much was clear. this man’s aura resonated with the Lycan King’s, powerful and foreboding.
"Why don’t you take your seat?" Benson spatted. His voice was cold and commanding. His dark aura cutting through the tension, from the dark corners of the room his eyes boring into us, filled with barely restrained fury.his teeth were clenched and his body trembled as if struggling to maintain control.
The Lycan King’s gaze shifted to Benson, then back to me. A slow, knowing smirk spread across his lips.
"Very interesting," he drawled, savoring each word.
The hall fell into a stunned silence. No one had ever dared to speak to the Lycan King without addressing him by his title, yet Benson had done so—and the King only smirked in response.
Was the rumor of his psychotic strictness merely a façade? Or was his amusement masking something far more dangerous?
And what was Benson’s deal? He had rejected me, but now that he saw the Lycan King close to me, he was pouting like a spoiled child, he reek of absolute jealousy.
My thoughts were all over the place as Drake led me toward the massive chair I had noticed earlier. Leo’s men trailed behind him like flies, their expressions unreadable. The elders’ glaring eyes followed my every step, their silent judgment heavy in the air.
Fear of Leo’s wrath after my encounter with Drake made me hesitate, but the Lycan King’s grip on my hand only tightened the more I tried to resist.
The Lycan King sat on the grand throne, but instead of releasing my hand, he beckoned me toward the slightly smaller seat beside his. I dared not defy him and obediently took my place.
"Your Majesty," Leo interjected through gritted teeth, "I fear that seat is meant for your Beta," Leo said, his teeth clenched in barely concealed frustration.
Drake's eyes glimmer with dangerous light as he turned to Leo.
"Well, the seat is mine to give to whomever I choose. Isn’t that correct?" the Lycan King responded, his eyes glinting with a dangerous edge as he glared at Leo.
The moment he had entered the hall, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically. It was as if everyone had been forced to their feet by his presence. The silence was deafening, the air thick and suffocating. I wished desperately to run away, and I could sense that others felt the same.
Leo forced a wide smile, hiding his discontent behind a mask of feigned composure.
"Of course, Your Majesty. You own everything and anything. Shall we begin?"
Drake leaned back in his chair, his smirk widening into something almost predatory. My pulse quicken as his gaze slide to me once more, burning with an intensity i couldn’t place.
"Begin." Drake's command echoed, his voice low and menacing.
What was he planning?
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I sat in the chair beside Drake, my heart pounding in rhythm with the unsettling silence of the room. The murmurs of the council had faded, and now all eyes were fixed on me—or rather, on us.
Drake leaned back in his seat, exuding a commanding yet casual presence. His icy blue eyes flickered toward me occasionally, the ghost of a smirk curling his lips. Despite his calm demeanor, his energy was powerful—an unyielding force that held everyone captive.
"Your Majesty," Leo began cautiously, his voice trembling. "Regarding the alliance treaty, we would like to offer you one of our maidens as a token of acceptance and submission to your will."
Leo gestured to the shadows, and Lily emerged with her gaze fixed on the ground.
"The first daughter of our pack, Azure," Leo said, parading Lily like a prized trophy. "She descends from a lineage of prominent pack healers."
I abruptly stood up from my seat, my body trembling. All eyes turned to me as tears streamed down my cheeks.
No. No—not her. Not Lily.
I tried to speak, but no sound escaped, only the labored rise and fall of my chest. My heart clenched with pain as I rushed to my brother and collapsed at his feet, bowing my head low.
If I could speak, I would scream. I didn’t care if Leo punished me later—I couldn’t let them sell her out again, even if it meant sacrificing myself.
"What are you doing?" I felt Lily’s gentle hand landed on my shoulder, attempting to pull me up.
I shrugged her off, clutching Leo’s knees, soaking his pants with my tears.
"Get off me, you wimp," Leo hissed, his teeth clenched as he raised his hand to strike me.
I braced myself for the blow, squeezing my eyes shut—but it never came.
I looked up to see Drake gripping Leo’s wrist, his eyes glowing golden-red. Leo winced in pain as Drake’s gaze locked onto mine.
"Get up," Drake commanded, his voice resonating through the room.
I shook my head stubbornly, quickly making a sign with my hands before wrapping my arms around Leo’s knees once more.
"I’m not getting up, even if you bring a bulldozer to force me," Lily translated softly, her voice angelic...my own angelic Lily.
You don’t have to go through this alone, Lily. I’ll protect you.
I met her gaze and knew she understood my silent vow.
"You’re making this harder for me," Lily responded, her voice trembling as a tear slipped down her cheek.
Suddenly, a dangerous aura descended over the room. The sound of bones cracking echoed, and Leo let out a strangled wheeze, his pain visible in every strained line of his face.
"If you don’t get up, miss," a voice from the shadows announced coldly"Alpha Drake will break every bone in your brother’s body." His Beta stepped forward, arms folded, watching the scene as though it were a show he had witnessed countless times.
"You’ve always been a selfish brat," Annastasia spat, rushing toward me with the intent to yank me away. "How could you let your brother suffer like this?"
But one sharp glance from Drake froze her in her tracks. She recoiled, retreating behind Benson, who stood brimming with suppressed rage.
I looked up at Leo. His face was flushed, veins bulging, while his men growled low, their teeth bared. The tension was thick enough to choke anyone.
"Please, Your Majesty," one of the elders finally dared to speak, his voice quivering. "Perhaps we can resolve this without violence." He was ignored by Drake.
Leo’s agonized scream filled the air as another crack reverberated through the hall.
My gaze darted to Drake, his expression unyielding. He could do this all night without breaking a sweat.
Reluctantly, I released my grip on Leo but remained kneeling, defiant. I made a sign again, determination burning in my eyes.
"Translator," Drake barked.
Lily stepped forward with a shaky bow. "Your Majesty, she says she won’t rise until she is assured that you won’t take me with you."
The room fell into a suffocating silence as every gaze turned to Drake, waiting for his response.
He regarded me intently, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Why would I take her," he began, his voice low, "when I already have you, silly kitty?"
Gasps rippled through the room. Elders exchanged shocked glances, while Leo’s face deepen in rage.
"What are you saying, Your Majesty?" Benson’s sharp voice cut through the murmurs. He stepped forward, his dark aura swirling ominously. "You can’t mean—"
Drake silenced him with a glare. "I mean exactly what I said," he replied coldly. "The token of your submission?" He paused, his gaze sweeping over the room with disdain. "I don’t need such petty gifts. But her—" He pointed at me, his eyes flickering golden-red. "She is mine."
My mind raced, replaying every moment since his touch. The electric spark, the warmth, the undeniable pull between us. Did this mean he had accepted me?
"But she’s—" Leo began, only to be cut off once more.
"I know what she is," Drake snapped, his voice thunderous. "And it changes nothing. She will come to the Wolves’ Capital with me, and I will kill anyone who dares to question it."
Drake’s fiery gaze landed on Benson, his unspoken threat hanging in the air.
The room descended into an uneasy silence. No one dared challenge him further.
Lily pulled me to my feet, sobbing as she hugged me tightly.
"I’m sorry," she whispered through her tears. "This is all because of me."
I stroked her back gently, trying to soothe her.
Drake’s attention returned to me, his gaze softening. He reached out, his hand brushing against mine, sending a familiar jolt of warmth coursing through me.
"You don’t need to be afraid anymore," he murmured, his voice low and soothing which was meant only for me. "You’ll be safe with me."
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust the promise in his words, but years of doubt gnawed at the edges of my heart. I had never believed anyone could make me feel safe. Why now? Why me?
"We leave at dawn," Drake announced firmly, his words final.
- Writer
