Chapter 2: The King's Interest
747 Words
The room felt too quiet.
Too heavy.
Alina stood where the guards had left her, her heart pounding as the Lycan King stared at her like she was something he couldn’t figure out.
“You’re human,” he said.
It wasn’t a question.
“Yes,” she answered softly.
His golden eyes didn’t leave hers.
“You don’t belong here.”
“I didn’t choose to come here.”
For a moment, silence stretched between them.
Then a faint smirk touched his lips.
“No… I suppose you didn’t.”
He stepped closer.
Alina’s breath caught.
Every instinct told her to step back—but she didn’t.
“Your family sold you willingly,” he said.
The words hit harder than she expected.
“They had no choice.”
His gaze sharpened.
“Explain.”
“They owed a debt,” she said quietly.
His expression darkened.
“So they paid it with you.”
Alina said nothing.
There was nothing left to say.
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
Then he moved again.
Closer.
Too close.
Alina felt her pulse race as he leaned slightly toward her.
“You don’t smell like a normal human,” he murmured.
Her stomach tightened.
“I don’t understand.”
His eyes narrowed, studying her more carefully now.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then—
“Leave us.”
The command was calm but absolute.
The guards bowed and left immediately.
The doors shut.
Now they were alone.
Alina felt the tension rise instantly.
The Lycan King walked toward the window, moonlight falling across him.
“Do you know why you’re here?” he asked.
“You bought me.”
“That’s the simple answer.”
She frowned. “There’s more?”
He turned.
“Politics.”
Alina blinked.
“Your family’s land borders mine,” he continued. “And my enemies are getting closer.”
Understanding hit her.
“So… I’m a peace offering.”
“Something like that.”
The humiliation burned.
“You’re angry,” he said.
“Wouldn’t you be?”
“Anger is useless.”
Easy for him to say.
“You’re not a prisoner here,” he added.
Alina gave him a look.
“I can’t leave.”
“No.”
She exhaled. “Then I am a prisoner.”
For a brief moment—
He laughed.
Low. Unexpected.
“I like you.”
Her eyes widened. “You do?”
“Yes.”
His gaze held hers again, more focused now.
“Most humans would be terrified.”
“I am,” she admitted. “I’m just not showing it.”
That seemed to interest him.
“Then tell me,” she said, “what are you going to do with me?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On you.”
He stepped closer again.
The air shifted.
“You’re not what I expected,” he said.
“And what did you expect?”
“A weak girl.”
“I am weak.”
“No,” he said quietly. “You’re not.”
Before she could respond, he leaned closer again.
Inhaled.
Slowly.
Alina froze.
“There it is again…” he murmured.
“What?” she asked.
“That scent.”
Her heart skipped. “What scent?”
His eyes locked onto hers.
“You.”
A strange tension filled the space between them.
Then—
A faint warmth spread beneath Alina’s skin.
She gasped softly, her hand rising to her neck.
The Lycan King noticed immediately.
His expression darkened.
“Interesting,” he said.
Alina looked at him, confused.
“What’s happening to me?”
For a moment, he didn’t answer.
He just stared at her like she was something rare.
Something dangerous.
Finally, he spoke.
“Something that shouldn’t be possible.”
A chill ran down her spine.
“What does that mean?”
He didn’t respond.
Instead, he turned away.
“Get some rest.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“No,” he said calmly. “It isn’t.”
Alina hesitated, then turned to leave.
“Alina.”
She froze.
Slowly, she looked back.
His golden eyes held hers.
Sharp.
Unreadable.
“Stay alive,” he said quietly.
Her breath caught.
Before she could ask why—
He added,
“You’re far more important than you realize.”
Alina’s heart pounded.
Because something told her—
That wasn’t just a warning.
It was the beginning of something much worse.
- Writer
