Rejected By My Mate, Claimed By The Lycan king

CHAPTER 7

ZARIA'S POV

"Drink it," Helen said, pressing a cold glass vial into my palm. "All of it."

"I'm fine," I said, trying to pull my hands back. "The physical pain is manageable."

"It’s not an option, Zaria. Your body just underwent a massive, unnatural trauma," Helen said, her grip tightening on my fingers until I took the bottle. "You don't have a wolf to heal you anymore. This medicine is for the residual burning in your veins. Take exactly three drops every single morning. Do not skip a dose, and don't even think about any strenuous physical activity. Your body needs to adjust to being completely human."

"I get it," I muttered, staring down at the dark liquid. "Can I leave this room now?"

"Yes, you are officially discharged," Helen sighed, her stern professional expression softening into something that looked dangerously like pity. "But listen to me carefully. The world outside this medical suite is entirely different for you now. You must be cautious. You must be smart. Don't trust easily."

"I don't trust anyone at all," I said, swinging my legs off the bed. "Not anymore."

"Good. Keep it that way," Helen said, opening the heavy oak doors. "Your guide is waiting outside."

As soon as I stepped out into the sweeping, polished black marble corridor, a bright, energetic voice cut through the silence.

"Right this way, Lady Zaria! Watch your step, the floors can be a bit slippery if you're not used to them," a young maid with wide, curious eyes said, bowing slightly. “I am Camilla.“

"I can walk perfectly fine," I said, keeping my posture rigid.

"Oh, I know! It's just that King Cassian specifically told me to make sure you didn't strain yourself. He was very clear about that," Camilla prattled on, leading me down the grand hallway. Camilla stopped at the very end of the royal wing and threw open a pair of massive double doors. "Look! This is your new bedroom. Do you like it?"

I stepped inside, my eyes instantly darting around the perimeter. "It's huge."

"It's the best room in the entire royal wing!" Camilla laughed, completely missing the tension in my voice as she rushed over to a large velvet-canopied bed and began fluffing the pillows. "The King personally ordered this specific room to be prepared for you. He wanted you to have the absolute best view of the estate."

"Why does he care about my view?" I asked, walking slowly toward a polished vanity table, my fingers tracing the cold wood.

"Because he cares about everyone in his territory!" Camilla said, her voice filled with genuine, unshakeable admiration. "You don't need to be so stiff, you know. You're entirely safe here with the Shadowpelt pack. Our people absolutely adore His Majesty. He looks out for every single one of us."

"Does he?" I muttered, keeping my back to her. "That's not exactly the reputation he has in the south."

"Oh, I know what they say about him in the southern territories!" Camilla scoffed, folding a blanket. "They call him a bloodthirsty monster. They say he's a ruthless tyrant who tears his enemies to shreds without a second thought. But they don't know him at all. He’s just fierce when it comes to loyalty. He protects his people. He’d tear down the entire world before he let anyone bring harm to us."

"People change when they get a taste of power, Camilla," I said, my voice hardening as memories of Garrick and Cynthia flashed through my mind. "They smile in your face, they promise to protect you, and then they pour poison in your cup the second it benefits them."

"Not King Cassian," Camilla said softly, stopping her work to look at me. "He isn't like the Alphas you're used to. He doesn't play those types of games."

"Everyone plays games," I replied, turning around to face her. "Some people are just better at hiding their motives. I need some fresh air. This room feels suffocating."

"Of course! The balcony has a wonderful breeze this afternoon," Camilla said, smiling warmly as she pointed toward a set of massive glass doors. "Let me open them for you."

"I can do it myself," I said, walking past her before she could move.

I pushed the heavy glass doors open and stepped out onto the massive stone balcony. The cool mountain wind whipped my long raven hair straight across my face, stinging my cheeks. I gripped the cold stone railing tightly, taking a deep breath, trying to clear the paranoia from my mind.

Then, I looked down into the courtyard.

My breath hitched sharply in my throat. My silver-gray eyes narrowed instantly as I scanned the grounds directly below my room.

"Camilla," I called out, my voice dropping to a low, dangerous whisper. "Come here."

"Yes, Lady Zaria? Is everything alright?" Camilla asked, stepping out onto the balcony beside me.

"Who are they?" I asked, pointing a trembling finger toward the courtyard paths.

"Oh, those are the King's guards," Camilla said proudly. "They wear the heavy dark armor. They're the strongest fighters in the entire pack."

"Why are they stationed at every single exit, archway, and path leading directly from

"Well...," Camilla stammered, her cheerful demeanor finally faltering slightly.

"They're standing completely still," I said, the cold reality crashing down on me. "Their eyes are fixed directly upward. They're watching my balcony. They're watching my doors. They're watching me."

"I'm sure it's just for your safety, Lady Zaria!" Camilla said quickly, her hands fluttering nervously. "He wants to make sure nothing happens to you while you're recovering. You're a human now, and—"

"To make sure nothing happens to me, or to make sure I don't leave?" I snapped, turning to glare at her.

"I... I don't think His Majesty means any harm," Camilla whispered, stepping back toward the glass doors, unable to meet my gaze. "He's just being thorough."

"Leave me, Camilla," I interrupted, staring back down at the heavily armed soldiers who were tracking my every movement from below. "Get out."

"But the King said—"

"I said leave!" I yelled, the raw authority of an Alpha's daughter tearing from my throat.

Camilla flinched, nodding quickly before rushing back inside and shutting the bedroom doors behind her.

I turned back to the railing, my knuckles turning completely white as I gripped the stone.

Whether Cassian was my savior or my ultimate executioner didn't matter. The truth was staring me right in the face. I wasn't an honored guest in a sanctuary. I was a helpless prisoner trapped inside a beautifully gilded cage, completely at the mercy of the midnight king.