Claimed By The Alpha King

Chapter Eight: Learn to knock

I just stepped out of the bathroom, wrapping the towel tightly around my body.

Steam still filled the room.

My hair was wet, dripping slightly on my shoulders.

Then I saw him.

Lucien.

Standing inside my room.

Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

I froze.

My eyes widened immediately.

"What are you doing here?!"

Lucien looked at me slowly.

Then at the towel.

Then back at my face.

Not even embarrassed.

Not even shocked.

Just calm.

"Do you always walk around like that?"

My face burned instantly.

"That’s not the point!"

I tightened the towel around me.

"Did you just… enter my room without knocking?"

Lucien walked further inside.

Like he owned the place.

Which, honestly, he did.

"It’s my mansion," he said simply.

I stared at him.

"That doesn’t mean you can just walk into my room!"

He stopped near the table.

Turned slightly.

His eyes finally met mine properly.

Cold.

Controlled.

Dangerous in a quiet way.

"If I wanted privacy, I wouldn’t have brought you here."

I opened my mouth.

Then closed it.

Because somehow…

That logic annoyed me.

"You’re impossible," I muttered.

Lucien ignored that.

As usual.

He sat down on the chair like he belonged there.

Like everything belonged to him.

I sighed.

"What do you want?"

He looked at me.

"Tomorrow is a banquet."

I blinked.

"A banquet?"

Lucien nodded once.

"Guests from other packs will be here."

I frowned.

"Why are you telling me this?"

His eyes didn’t leave mine.

"Because you are attending."

I scoffed.

"No, I’m not."

Silence.

The air changed slightly.

Not louder.

Not darker.

Just heavier.

Lucien tilted his head slightly.

"You think that was a suggestion?"

I crossed my arms tightly.

"I think I’m allowed to say no."

That made him pause.

Just for a second.

Then he stood up.

Slowly.

Too calmly.

I suddenly became aware of the distance between us.

Too small.

He walked closer.

One step.

Then another.

Until he was in front of me.

Too close.

I could smell him now.

Dark scent.

Woody.

Sharp.

It made my chest tighten for no reason.

My voice lowered.

"Lucien…"

He didn’t answer.

Instead, he looked down at me.

Like he was studying me again.

Then he spoke.

"You don’t say no here."

I frowned.

"What does that even mean?"

"It means," he said calmly, "you don’t get a choice in matters concerning this estate."

My heart tightened.

"I’m not your prisoner."

Lucien’s eyes darkened slightly.

"No," he said.

Then he leaned closer.

Just slightly.

"But you are under my protection."

That word again.

Protection.

It sounded more like ownership.

I hated how my breathing changed slightly.

I hated it even more that he noticed.

His eyes flickered to my lips for a second.

Then back to my eyes.

"You will attend the banquet," he repeated.

I swallowed.

"And if I refuse?"

A pause.

Then his voice dropped lower.

Dangerously calm.

"Then I will carry you there myself."

My eyes widened.

"You wouldn’t."

A faint smirk appeared.

Barely there.

But I saw it.

"Try me."

Silence.

The room felt too small suddenly.

Too quiet.

I stepped back slightly.

Trying to regain control.

"Why do you even care if I go?"

Lucien straightened.

The distance returned slightly.

But not fully.

"You ask too many questions."

I groaned.

"You avoid too many answers."

That earned me a look.

Sharp.

But not angry.

Something else.

Something I couldn’t name.

After a moment, he turned away.

"You need to be seen tomorrow."

I frowned.

"Seen? By who?"

Lucien didn’t answer immediately.

Then finally.

"Everyone."

That made no sense.

But before I could push further, he walked toward the door.

I followed him quickly.

"Wait, Lucien."

He stopped.

Didn’t turn.

"Why me?"

Silence.

Longer this time.

Then he spoke.

"Because you are already involved."

My chest tightened slightly.

"Involved in what?"

No answer.

Of course.

He opened the door.

Before leaving, he paused again.

Without looking back, he said:

"Prepare yourself."

Then he left.

The door closed.

And I stood there alone again.

My heart still slightly racing.

Not from fear this time.

But from him.

From the way he looked at me.

From how close he stood.

From how easily he took control of every situation.

I hated it.

I really did.

But somehow…

I couldn’t stop thinking about it either.