Bound To The Ruthless Alpha King

It's just a dream

That night, I had a dream. I was terrified, running for my dear life as something dark chased me with the single motive to kill. I couldn’t see it, but I felt its presence: angry, relentless, hungry. My heart slammed violently against my ribs as I ran faster, my breath ragged, legs burning with every desperate step. Branches clawed at my skin, tearing at my dress and leaving thin, stinging trails across my arms.

Then the ground vanished beneath me. I stumbled to a halt at the edge of a cliff, breath hitching. It was close now. Too close. I could feel it right behind me, its hot breath promising violence. I had only one choice. If I stayed, I would become prey. So I jumped.

A scream ripped from my throat as I plunged into the void. For a fleeting moment, I felt weightless, suspended between life and death. Then the river swallowed me whole.

Cold. So cold it felt like my body shut down instantly. The shock ripped the air from my lungs as I sank beneath the surface, the current dragging me deeper into darkness. Panic exploded inside me. I thrashed wildly, fighting the pull, my chest tightening as the need for air became unbearable.

I can’t breathe.

Water rushed into my mouth. My vision blurred. No… no… I’m going to die.

And then… an arm, strong and unyielding, wrapped around me and pulled me upward. My head broke through the surface, and I gasped violently, coughing as air finally filled my lungs. My body clung weakly to whoever held me, trembling and desperate.

At first, I thought he was just a man. But it didn’t feel like the body of a man. I forced my eyes open.

It wasn’t a man but a beast towering over me. It stood on its hind legs, massive and powerful, a towering mass of wet fur and rippling muscle larger than any man I had ever seen. Golden eyes burned with terrifying, unnatural intelligence as they locked onto mine. But it didn’t hurt me. It only watched me. I couldn’t move, frozen beneath it, trapped in its gaze.

Slowly… it lowered its head. Closer. I could feel its breath… Hot and uneven against my skin. It inhaled deeply, as if memorizing my scent. Its lips pulled back slightly, revealing sharp, lethal teeth. At that moment, I knew: if it wanted to kill me, I wouldn’t survive. Terror crashed over me completely, and I screamed.

I jolted awake, the sound of my alarm echoing through the room. My body still felt heavy, as though I hadn’t rested at all. Pale morning light filtered through the tall arched windows of my chamber, casting faint golden patterns across the polished marble floor. Rich velvet curtains hung unmoving in the still air. The alarm kept ringing and ringing.

The door slammed open.

“Are you still sleeping?”

Before I could respond, cold water hit my face. I gasped, jolting upright as shock rushed through me.

My stepmother, Queen Selene, stood at the foot of my bed, holding an empty bowl, her expression filled with irritation. Her long red hair framed her sharp features, green eyes cold and calculating.

“Unbelievable!” she snapped. “You sleep like you have no responsibilities.”

“I… I’m sorry…” I stammered, wiping water from my face, my porcelain skin stinging.

“Sorry?” She scoffed. “Is that supposed to be useful? This is what happens when you’re treated too softly. You become lazy and useless.”

“Get up,” she ordered sharply. “Go to the kitchen and prepare breakfast. Or have you forgotten your place in this house?”

My place. The words sank deep, heavy and unavoidable. I lowered my gaze.

“Yes, ma’am,” I replied quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

She left without another word, the door slamming shut behind her. The sound echoed through the room and through me. For a moment, I didn’t move. I just sat there, still and silent.

I am Princess Senara Windsor, First Daughter of King Roland Windsor II, Sovereign of Aurelia. By blood, I carry a name that makes kingdoms bow.

I was born into silk and gold, raised beneath these towering palace walls. From the cradle, I was taught that a princess must be grace incarnate, dignity wrapped in poise, honor sharpened like a blade. The world believes my life is an endless tapestry of luxury, adoration, and unearned privilege.

They are wrong.

I was born into royalty.

Raised to embody a kingdom.

And yet…

I am treated no better than a lowly servant in my father’s palace. I serve instead of being served. I am ordered instead of being respected. My title is nothing more than a beautiful cage, and the crown I was born to wear feels heavier than chains.

To the world, I am a princess.

But within these walls, I am simply the girl everyone forgets to love.

A bitter breath escaped me. Like I was nothing. Like I’ve always been nothing. My gaze drifted toward the towering windows, beyond them to the distant courtyard far below where the palace gardens stretched in quiet beauty. I used to love that place… before everything changed.

If only my mother, Queen Elara, was still alive. My chest tightened at the thought. I wouldn’t be like this. I wouldn’t feel so alone. She was rumoured to be killed by werewolves during the war but there was no concrete evidence to prove the werewolves were responsible.

A lump formed in my throat, and before I could stop it, tears gathered in my eyes. One slipped down my cheek… then another. I quickly wiped them away. Crying won’t change anything. It never does.

Taking a steady breath, I pushed myself to my feet and made my way out of my chamber. The long corridor stretched endlessly before me, lined with towering stone pillars and narrow windows that allowed thin streams of morning light to spill across the floor. My footsteps echoed softly against the marble, the sound too loud in the quiet stillness.

This path… I had walked it countless times. Not as a princess. But as a servant.

The moment I stepped inside the kitchen, my hands moved automatically, cutting, stirring, preparing the meal while my mind drifted far away. This isn’t how a princess is meant to live. But it’s the only life I know now.

The soft sound of footsteps pulled me from my thoughts.

“Good morning, my princess,” a gentle voice said.

I turned slightly, and relief washed over me. “Lily…”

She smiled warmly as she stepped closer, her presence easing some of the weight in my chest. Her simple maid’s uniform didn’t hide her kind eyes or the loyalty that had kept her by my side through years of neglect.

“You shouldn’t be here doing all this,” she said quietly, glancing toward the door. “If the Queen isn’t around, you should go and rest. I’ll finish everything and serve them.”

I hesitated. “What if she finds out?”

Lily’s expression hardened. “Then I’ll handle it.”

I shook my head. “I don’t want you getting in trouble because of me.”

“You won’t,” she said firmly, placing a gentle hand on my arm. “Please… just go. You look exhausted.”

For a moment, I just looked at her. Lily has always been like this. Kind and always protective of me. The only person in this palace who treats me like I matter.

“Thank you,” I replied quietly.

She smiled again. “Always.”

Reluctantly, I stepped away from the counter, wiping my hands as I moved toward the door.

“Wait!” Lily called softly.

I turned back.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “I overheard something.”

My brows knit slightly. “What is it?”

“This morning… the Queen was speaking with the King,” she said carefully. “He’s returning to the palace today.”

My heart skipped. “He is?”

Lily nodded. “And… she said he has a big announcement to make.”

A strange feeling settled in my chest. Heavy. Uncertain. “What kind of announcement?” I asked, though I wasn’t sure I wanted the answer.

Lily shook her head. “I don’t know.”

Silence fell between us.

My father was coming back. After all this time. And he had something important to say. A quiet unease crept in, settling deep in my chest.

“I wonder what it is…” I murmured. But for some reason… I didn’t feel hopeful.

That evening, I was summoned. “His Majesty requests your presence, the maiden said.”

My stomach tightened. I followed the guard silently, each step heavier than the last, like something unseen was pressing down on me. When I entered the throne room, he was already there. Standing. Waiting. My father.

“Father,” I said softly.

He turned to face me, his tall, strongly built frame rigid in royal crimson and gold, white-grey hair neatly styled, deep-set brown eyes stern and unreadable.

“Senara, I called you here to tell you it is time,” he said.

A small frown formed on my face. “Time for what, your majesty?”

His gaze hardened at first then he continued. “For your marriage.”