Ariella's POV
My fingers tightened on the doorknob until the brass bit into my palm. King Edric’s words hung in the air like smoke…
‘I would like to see your injured back.’
Think. Think fast, Ariella. How can you get out of this?
I didn’t turn around. Instead I let my shoulders slump even more, exaggerating the pain, and scribbled on the notepad with shaking hands. I held it up without facing him fully, like the effort of turning was too much.
‘Alpha Rion said he would check on me tonight. If he finds me gone… or sees me here… he’ll suspect everything. Please, Your Majesty. I can’t be caught or found to be suspicious before the assignment you gave me begins.’
I added a little wince for effect, shifting my weight like my back was screaming.
The King went quiet. I could feel his eyes
