THE LYCAN KING’S FATED OBSESSION

A DANGEROUS DEAL

The room reeked of smoke, blood, and rain.

Shattered glass glittered across the floor.

The assassins’ bodies were gone, but their presence lingered. Ghosts don’t need flesh to haunt a place.

I couldn’t shake the dying man’s last words.

You should have died years ago.

That played on a loop in my head.

Who wanted me dead? And why couldn’t I remember anything before my mother died?

A knock broke the static in my mind.

One of Kael’s royal guards stepped in, bowing low.

“Your Majesty. The perimeter is secured.”

Kael stood by the broken window, staring out into the night storm.

“Any survivors?”

The guard looked down. “None.”

Kael’s jaw clenched. “They planned to die before talking.”

The guard nodded. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Kael waved him off. “Keep searching.”

“At once.” The guard vanished.

Silence crept right back in.

I wrapped my arms around myself, trying to quiet the sick twist of fear in my gut.

Kael finally turned to me. “The roads will be clear by morning.”

I met his eyes. “And?”

“I want you to come with me.”

Direct as ever. No order, just a simple ask.

“To your kingdom?” I pressed.

He nodded once. “Yes.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t even know me.”

He didn’t miss a beat. “I know enough.”

“You know I was rejected.”

“I know you were wronged.”

“You know someone tried to kill me.”

“And that’s exactly why you can’t stay here.”

I shook my head. “This is still my home.”

His eyes swept the ruined room.

“The place where your family ignored you. Where your mate rejected you.” He hesitated. “Where assassins nearly finished the job.”

He looked at me. “Call it what it is.”

I didn’t answer. Every word cut too close.

Still…

“I can’t go.”

“Why?”

“I don’t belong in a palace.”

Kael smiled, just a flicker. “You don’t belong in a cage, either.”

Footsteps thundered from outside. The front door flew open.

Alpha Damon crashed in with half a dozen warriors.

His golden eyes locked on Kael. “So it’s true.”

Kael folded his arms. “What’s true?”

“You plan to steal another Alpha’s mate.”

The temperature dropped.

I looked between them.

Kael chuckled—quiet, amused.

Damon bristled. “You think this is funny?”

“I do.” Kael stepped forward. “Remind me… who rejected Aria in front of everyone?”

Damon’s jaw tightened. “I rejected an Omega.”

“So she isn’t your mate anymore.”

Damon stayed silent.

Kael pressed on. “You cut the bond yourself. That was your choice. So don’t stand here crying over something you threw away.”

A few of Damon’s warriors dropped their gaze, clearly uncomfortable.

Even I felt a small thrill. For once, someone stood up for me.

Damon glared at me. “She’s still under my pack’s protection.”

I couldn’t stop myself. “Protection?”

They both turned to me.

I laughed, cold and empty. “Where was that protection yesterday?” I took a step closer to Damon. “When your pack laughed at me—when I collapsed after your rejection—when I bled on the altar… Where exactly were you then?”

Damon’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Kael’s face stayed unreadable, but I caught him loosening his fists. He’d wanted me to speak up.

And I had.

Damon drew a sharp breath. “Aria—”

“For once in your life,” I said, voice quiet, “you don’t get to decide what happens to me.”

You could feel the tension after that. Thick and painful.

Finally, Damon turned to Kael. “Take her and our alliance ends.”

Kael shrugged. “I didn’t plan to attend your wedding anyway.”

“This could start a war.”

Kael’s voice was steady. “War already started the moment innocent blood spilled.”

The air nearly crackled. Warriors braced, hands inching toward weapons.

One wrong move, and it would all explode.

Kael raised a hand. His guards instantly lowered theirs.

“No one draws steel.”

Then he faced Damon. “I’m not here to take your territory. The Moon Goddess put someone under my protection.”

Damon sneered. “You want me to believe this is kindness?”

Kael glanced at me. “No,” he said honestly. “I’m here to earn something.”

I frowned. “What?”

He held my gaze. “Your trust.”

Those words stopped my breath.

He wasn’t asking for loyalty, or obedience, or anything else. Just… trust.

No one had ever asked that from me.

Kael moved closer, stopping just a step away.

“If you come with me, I’ll protect you with my life. If you choose to stay, I’ll leave enough guards to make sure no one touches you.” His voice softened. “This is your decision.”

I stared at him. “You’re not going to force me?”

“Never.”

“You could.”

“I could,” he agreed. “But I won’t.”

Something twisted deep in my chest.

For twenty years, everyone else decided things for me. My father. Miranda. The pack. Damon.

Now, this feared Lycan King was handing me something I’d never had: a choice. Real freedom.

Before I answered, someone knocked again.

A nervous servant slipped in with a silver tray.

“Your Majesty,” she murmured, bowing. “Dinner is ready.”

Suddenly, I noticed the smell of warm soup. My stomach actually ached with hunger.

She set the tray on the table and hurried away.

Kael gestured to the food. “You should eat.”

I hesitated, but hunger won out. I walked over.

The soup smelled amazing—fresh herbs, roasted meat, warm bread. My stomach growled.

Kael hung back, giving me space.

I picked up the spoon, about to taste, when a bitter scent stung my nose. Faint. Almost nothing. But after years working with the pack healer, I recognized it.

Nightshade.

My heart nearly stopped.

I lowered the spoon, hands shaking.

Kael noticed instantly. “What’s wrong?”

I peered into the bowl. Tiny dark drops floated on the surface.

My voice shook. “Don’t… don’t let anyone eat this.”

His face hardened. “Why?”

My hands trembled again. I looked up at him.

“Because… someone tried to poison me.”