Bound To The Alpha King

CHAPTER 13

Katherine’s POV

Stephen didn’t react right away, he just stared at me like he was trying to measure every word I said. His jaw shifted a little and a frown pulled at his eyebrows.

“What exactly are you trying to say,” he asked.

I smiled because I liked that he didn’t like my tone. “I’m saying maybe Magnus pack wasn’t as perfect as the books claim,” I said, “maybe your father had secrets too.”

His eyes darkened. He stepped closer and I stayed exactly where I was. I didn’t look away and it annoyed him.

“You think you know something,” he said.

“I think you’re scared someone will look into your history one day,” I said. “Maybe they’ll find out the great Alpha King isn’t a hero but just a spoiled tyrant who stole power.”

That did it.

He grabbed me and shoved me back against the wall. His hand clamped around my jaw and his body pressed against mine, not close like earlier when he almost kissed me, but close like he was threatening me.

“Watch your mouth,” he said.

I laughed a little because his anger made me feel like I was finally hitting the truth. “You don’t like when someone questions your story,” I said. “You’re used to everyone kneeling and praising you.”

He squeezed harder. “You don’t know anything about me.”

“I know you’re a fool,” I said. “You act strong but you’re only strong when everyone is beneath you. That isn’t strength, Stephen. That’s fear.”

He shoved me harder against the wall and the air rushed out of my chest. His eyes were very cold and dangerous.

“You think you’re brave,” he said quietly.

“I think you’re afraid,” I said back. “Afraid someone like my father was smarter than you.”

He grabbed my shoulders and threw me across the room before I even finished speaking. My body hit the floor and pain spread across my side and elbow but I still laughed because his actions told me everything.

“You’re proving me right,” I said while pushing myself up. “Even if my father did kill your father, it was too quick for a man who raised a monster like you.”

His rage finally snapped.

Stephen moved fast, too fast, and I didn’t have time to react before he was on top of me, his claws half-formed and pressed against my stomach. One small drag and I would bleed out.

Ronan and Victor didn’t move. They knew better.

I froze but not because I was scared of dying. I was scared because I actually didn’t care if he killed me. My anger was much more than my fear.

“Do it,” I whispered. “Kill the last surviving heir of Silverveil and see how long your authority lasts without a mate. The Elders will eat you alive.”

He stopped.

His chest rose and fell like he was holding himself back from tearing me apart. His claws didn’t move but his hand shook a little from the force it took to control his wolf.

I smiled again, slower this time. “I’m not your s*x toy,” I said. “I’m your weapon. You need me, Stephen. You hate it but you need me.”

He dragged me up, slamming me against the wall again. His face was close and his breath hit my lips.

“I have never needed anyone,” he said. “I built an empire alone. I destroyed fifty-five packs alone. I don’t need you to keep control. I don’t need you to survive.”

“And I’m going to prove it.”

His hand left my jaw and he turned to the guards.

“Shadowhold,” he said.

Victor blinked. “Your Majesty….”

“Now,” Stephen said, and his tone left no room for question.

Ronan grabbed my arm. I didn’t fight him. I held Stephen’s eyes as they dragged me out. He stared back like he wanted to burn me into dust.

If he wanted to destroy me, he would have to try harder.

The guards walked me down narrow staircases and deeper halls, the air getting colder the further we went. I recognized the direction. I had been in this part of the palace before. Not this deep but close.

They opened large doors and we went into an underground wing. The air smelled old and wet. The stone walls looked ancient, older than the palace itself.

Then we reached a gate.

Victor unlocked it and it creaked loudly. They pushed me inside without touching me too roughly. They wanted to show respect and obedience to Stephen even while punishing me. It was pathetic.

“Good luck,” Victor said, but he didn’t sound mocking. He sounded like he meant it.

The gate slammed shut behind me and their footsteps faded.

I stood still for a moment, allowing my eyes to adjust. The cell was wide with rusty bars lining the sides like a maze. The ground was cold and slick with something I didn’t want to touch. There was barely any light, just a dim torch flickering near the entrance.

It was quiet except for the drops of water falling somewhere in the distance.

This place was deeper than the regular cells. Hidden and forgotten.

Shadowhold.

I walked slowly, trying not to slip. My heart beat steady. I didn’t want to show weakness even though no one was here to see.

I found a corner and sat down. The cold bit into my legs and arms. I wrapped my arms around myself but only because the air here was freezing.

I thought about the first time I was thrown in a Magnus prison. I was thirteen. I had run away from the ruins of Silverveil and soldiers dragged me in like I was nothing. I was in that cell for weeks before I escaped.

I had survived that. I would survive this too.

Stephen would calm down eventually. He always came back. He always wanted control. He always needed to remind me that he owned my life.

He didn’t understand that I didn’t fear him the way he wanted. I hated him more than I feared him, and hate was stronger than fear.

I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to ignore the throbbing pain in my side from where I had hit the floor.

But then I heard something.

A low growl coming from the darkness ahead.

My eyes opened.

Another growl, louder this time, echoing through the cell halls. It sounded close but not visible yet. The hair on my arms lifted and I stood up slowly, staring into the dark.

The sound came again, deeper, and the floor vibrated a little from the force of it. Something moved. Heavy footsteps dragged closer.

I backed up toward the bars behind me. My breathing sped up even though I tried to control it.

The growls kept getting louder and then a shape appeared, black fur blending into the dark stone. It stepped out of the shadows, huge and towering, eyes glowing faintly.

An enormous black wolf stood in front of me.