The Lycan Prince's Forbidden Omega

Chapter 4

POV: Ash

The guards' hands were tight around my arms as they tried dragging me to the dungeon.

I didn't fight. I knew better. Fighting only made it worse. Marcus had taught me that whenever I hadn't scrubbed the floors hard enough or for simply just breathing. So I went still, let them pull my hands behind my back, bent my head. The floor was cold against my bare feet.

The guard on my left reached for his restraints.

I whispered it without meaning to. Automatic. Reflexive.

"...I'm sorry."

The throne room went quiet.

"Release him, and get your filthy hands off him before I rip them off."

Kael's voice cut through the silence. Not loud. Not shouted. But the guards froze anyway.

The King's eyes narrowed. "...Why? Isn't he an insignificant wolf you found at borders during patrol.'

Kael didn't answer. He moved. One moment he was standing near the dais. The next he was beside me, his hand closing around my arm. Not hard. Not punishing. Just there.

Then he pulled me behind him.

I stumbled, my shoulder brushing his back. He'd put himself between me and the guards. Between me and the King. Between me and everyone in this room.

The court went silent.

The King noticed. His eyes tracked the movement—the way Kael's body blocked every path toward me, the way his hand stayed on my arm, the way I'd edged closer to him without realizing it.

Something shifted in the King's expression.

"Kael," he said slowly. "What are you doing?"

"He's done nothing wrong. He crossed the border because he was dying."

"He trespassed and you know not all wolfs are welcome here."

"He was bleeding out."

"And?" The King leaned forward. "Since when do you care?"

Kael said nothing.

The silence stretched. The court was watching. Dozens of faces. Dozens of eyes. Nobles in dark silks. Advisors in heavy robes. Guards lining the walls. All of them staring at the Crown Prince, who had never shown interest in anyone, now shielding a wolf like his life depended on it.

The King's eyes narrowed further. "Very well."

He pointed at me.

"Kill him."

I stopped breathing, my body freezing on the spot. Maybe I had not heard him right.

Kael didn't move.

"I said kill him." The King's voice was sharper now as he reapeted the words. "Prove your loyalty. Kill the wolf."

A sound rumbled through the throne room. Low. Deep. It vibrated in my chest before I realized what it was.

A growl.

Not Kael but his Lycan because his eyes were starting to shine now not completely red, but definitely not fully his too.

The guards stepped back instantly and the nobles pressed themselves against the walls as if something was about to happen. Even Rowan, standing at the King's side, went pale.

The King stared at his son. Then at me. Then back at Kael.

His expression changed. Very slowly.

"...No," he whispered.

Rowan frowned. "What is it, Father?"

The King didn't answer. He was still staring at Kael. At the way Kael hadn't moved. At the way his wolf had answered before he could stop it.

"Impossible," the King breathed.

I didn't understand. I didn't know what he was seeing. Why was everyone looking at us like that? Kael was just... standing there. Protecting me. Like he'd promised.

Why?

The question burned in my chest. He didn't know me. I wasn't useful. I wasn't strong. And yet he'd put himself between me and death without hesitation.

It's a trick, the voice in my head whispered. It has to be. Nobody protects you for free.

But his hand was still on my arm. Still warm. Still solid.

The King leaned back on his throne. His face had gone very still. Very careful.

"Fine," he said eventually, his voice was different now. Controlled. Calculating. "Since you insist on keeping the wolf, he is your responsibility. If he causes any trouble—any at all—I will have him executed. No trial. No appeal."

Kael's eyes seemed to return to their normal colour. But my heart had stopped on the executed part. Was I really going to be torn apart by Lycans.

Then the king spoke again, "but you will marry a noble from the Northern Lycan houses."

Kael went rigid.

"Father—"

"You heard me." The King's smile was cold. "You want to keep your pet? Then you will do your duty to this kingdom. House Crimson has been waiting for this alliance for years."

"House Crimson?"

"Lady Roxanne arrives today."

The court stirred. Whispers rippled through the crowd—not scandalized this time, but calculating. Political. The nobles weren't watching a mystery anymore. They were watching a marriage being arranged in real time.

The King raised his hand. "Bring in Lady Roxanne."

The side doors opened.

A woman stepped into the throne room. Crimson silk rustled as she walked. Silver hair woven into an intricate braid. Dark amber eyes that swept across the court like she was already Queen.

She stopped beside Kael. Close. Too close. Her perfume was thick—floral and suffocating.

"So," she said, looking him over. "This is my future husband."

She didn't even acknowledge me. Like I was invisible.

Kael said nothing.

Roxanne smiled. "I look forward to working beside you, Prince Kael. My father speaks highly of your reputation."

"I'm sure he does."

"We'll make a powerful pair."

"We won't make anything."

Her smile didn't waver. "We'll see."

The King looked at me then. His eyes were cold. But beneath the coldness was something else. Something watchful. Like he was trying to figure out a puzzle.

"As for the wolf..."

He paused. The room went silent.

"You have one week."

"One week?" Kael asked.

"To remember where your duty lies. After that..."

He let the silence stretch.

"...my executioners will dispose of the stray."

The words hit me like a physical blow. One week. I had one week before they killed me.

But I barely heard them.

My wolf had stopped crying.

It wasn't afraid anymore.

Somehow... it trusted him.

I didn't understand why.

And somehow... that frightened me more than the King's executioners.