Episode 11
789 Words
Raina’s hands trembled.
The bowl of soup nearly slipped from her grasp.
Axel was back! Her supposed mate was back!!
Hearing this news made a chill rushed through Raina’s veins.
Axel.
The man who had made her life a living nightmare during the last palace turmoil. The man who had looked at her like a plaything, who had humiliated her without hesitation.
She had thought he might not trouble her again or perhaps reject her after she was thrown into this isolated part of the palace. But the past days had been silent.
Now, she knew why.
He had been away leading a war.
And now, he had returned.
A shudder ran through her.
Mira frowned. "Raina, what's wrong? You're sweating."
Raina swallowed hard, forcing a smile.
"Nothing. Just… the heat."
She steadied her grip on the bowl and changed the subject. "You should drink this, then rest."
Mira studied her for a moment but said nothing. She obediently took the soup, eating in silence.
After helping her lie down, Raina stepped out into the cool night air.
The courtyard was quiet, with stars shining brightly in the sky. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the sweet scent of jasmine through the air. Crickets chirped softly, and the sound of footsteps crunched on the gravel path nearby.
She let out a slow breath, calming her racing heart.
Now that his father had took over and made him a prince.
He had the world at his feet. Women of the highest birth vied for his attention.
Why would he bother with someone like her? A forgotten servant in the abandoned palace?
She was probably overthinking things. He would probably reject her soon.
She let the thought settle, allowing herself to breathe again.
Then she turned and noticed a warm glow from Kai’s room.
Even in this place, despite all the hardships, he never stopped studying.
Raina had done everything she could to support him, taking on extra work, appeasing the caretakers, even humbling herself before cruel palace staff in exchange for books.
And now, he was in there, still fighting for something.
A soft smile touched her lips.
She picked up a pot of tea and made her way to his small study.
As soon as she opened the door, Kai hurriedly stuffed away a piece of paper.
Raina caught the flash of panic on his face before he quickly masked it with a smile.
"RiRi, you're here."
She raised an eyebrow. "What were you writing just now?"
"Nothing." His smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
Instead, he quickly shifted his gaze to the tea in her hands. His eyes lit up.
"Is that honey fang tea?"
Before she could say anything, he rushed over, grabbed the pot, and took a big sip.
Raina watched him, her chest tightening at the sight.
For just a moment… he looked like the carefree prince he once was.
Her lips curved upward, and the corners of her mouth twitched slightly as she gazed at Kai, her eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Slow down," she said softly. "You'll choke."
Kai grinned and suddenly lifted the cup to her lips.
"You drink, too."
Raina shook her head, gently pushing it back.
He stared at the floating Honey in the tea, and his smile suddenly turned bitter.
"Can you believe it?" His voice was quiet. "I was once the crown prince of this pack… and now, I have to share a single bowl of tea with you."
His fingers tightened around the cup.
"Raina, you don't deserve this kind of life."
His words startled her.
"Don’t say that," she whispered.
But then Kai suddenly grabbed her hand.
His grip was warm, firm, unshaking.
And when he spoke next, his voice was lace with determination.
"I promise you." His golden eyes locked onto hers. "I won’t let this last forever. I will find a way out of this. And when I do, I will make sure you never have to suffer again."
His words was so strong, so strong, that for a moment, Raina almost believed him.
But she knew better.
They were trapped in this prison of stone and silence. They lived at the mercy of an Alpha who delighted in their suffering.
There was no escape.
And yet…
The way he looked at her.
The way his fingers wrapped around hers as if swearing an unbreakable vow.
For just a second, she wanted to believe him.
So she smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Okay," she whispered.
Just as the words left her lips, a loud sound sounded outside the window.
Both of them froze.
It sounded like something or someone had just hit the window frame.
Raina’s heart leaped into her throat.
Kai’s eyes darkened instantly.
- Writer
