Chapter Eight: The Royal Chambers
833 Words
Katerina had never entered the royal wing before.
The further she walked beside Ethan, the quieter the pack house became.
Luxurious silver lanterns illuminated the long hallways while royal guards stood watch near every corner. The air itself felt different here—
Heavier.
Colder.
More dangerous.
Katerina kept her gaze lowered nervously.
Beside her, Ethan walked calmly as though nothing unusual had happened tonight.
As though he had not just turned her entire life upside down.
Behind them followed Damian and Kai.
Meanwhile Lena had been escorted away by the servants despite her dramatic attempts to “protect Katerina emotionally.”
Damian still looked amused about that.
“She threatened to stab me with a serving fork if I made her friend cry,” Damian commented casually.
Kai rubbed his forehead tiredly.
“That sounds like Lena.”
Katerina nearly smiled despite her panic.
Ethan suddenly stopped walking.
Everyone immediately became silent.
The large doors before them slowly opened, revealing enormous royal chambers decorated in dark silver and black.
Katerina froze.
The room was larger than the entire omega servant quarters combined.
A fireplace burned softly near the far wall while moonlight poured through massive glass windows.
“This will be your room,” Ethan said calmly.
Katerina’s eyes widened.
“My room?”
“You are my mate.”
The words still felt unreal every time he said them.
“I-I can’t stay here.”
Ethan looked at her quietly.
“Why?”
Because this place belongs to powerful people.
Because omegas like me don’t belong here.
Because everyone will hate me more.
Because I’m afraid of you.
But Katerina could not say any of those things aloud.
So instead she whispered—
“I’m only an omega servant.”
The room instantly became silent.
Kai frowned.
Damian’s playful smile disappeared slightly.
And Ethan…
Ethan’s expression darkened dangerously.
“You will stop saying that.”
Katerina blinked nervously.
“What?”
“You speak of yourself as if your existence is beneath others.”
His cold voice filled the room quietly.
“I dislike it.”
Katerina looked down immediately.
But that was all she had ever known.
Omega.
Weak.
Worthless.
Disposable.
Those words had shaped her entire life.
How could she suddenly think differently now?
Ethan studied her silently for a moment.
Then he spoke again.
“Leave us.”
Kai immediately hesitated.
“Your Majesty—”
“That was not a request.”
Kai’s jaw tightened slightly.
Katerina noticed immediately.
He did not want to leave her alone.
Damian placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder.
“Relax,” Damian said lightly. “The king isn’t going to eat her.”
Katerina wasn’t completely sure about that.
Kai looked toward her one last time.
“If you need anything,” he said quietly, “send for me.”
Something warm touched Katerina’s chest again.
“Thank you.”
Ethan watched the exchange silently.
Too silently.
The moment the doors closed behind Kai and Damian—
The atmosphere changed.
Katerina suddenly became very aware that she was alone with the Immortal Wolf King.
Her mate.
The most feared wolf alive.
Ethan stepped closer slowly.
Katerina’s heartbeat quickened immediately.
“You fear me,” he observed calmly.
She froze.
“No…”
“You’re trembling again.”
Katerina looked away quickly.
How could she not fear him?
His presence alone overwhelmed entire rooms.
Even powerful Alphas bowed before him.
And now he kept looking at her like she belonged to him.
Ethan lifted one hand slowly.
Katerina instinctively flinched again.
The movement was small—
But Ethan noticed.
Something dangerous flashed through his blue eyes.
“Who taught you to fear touch?” he asked quietly.
Katerina’s breath caught.
Nobody had ever asked her something like that before.
In Moonlight Pack, harsh treatment toward omegas was normal.
Nobody questioned it.
Nobody cared.
“I…” she whispered softly. “It’s nothing.”
Ethan stared at her for several long seconds.
Then unexpectedly—
He removed his royal coat and draped it gently over her shoulders.
Warmth surrounded her instantly.
Katerina looked up in shock.
The coat carried his scent.
Cold forest rain.
Moonlight.
Power.
Mine.
Her wolf purred happily inside her mind.
Katerina nearly panicked again.
Why was her wolf so comfortable around him already?
“You’re cold,” Ethan said simply.
Katerina stared at him speechlessly.
This terrifying immortal king—
The man feared across the kingdom—
Was looking at her with concern.
It made no sense.
Then suddenly a knock interrupted the silence.
Damian entered without waiting for permission.
“Your Majesty,” he said carefully, “the nobles are already spreading rumors.”
Ethan looked annoyed immediately.
“Let them.”
Damian hesitated briefly before continuing.
“Seraphina requested a private audience.”
Katerina noticed the slight change in atmosphere instantly.
Ethan’s expression became colder.
“I’m busy.”
Damian’s golden eyes shifted briefly toward Katerina.
Then he sighed dramatically.
“Well… this should become chaotic soon.”
- Writer
