Chapter 9
1029 Words
Selene's POV
It had been three long, torturous weeks since my world crumbled. Each day bled into the next—endless chores, cruel taunts, and aching muscles. But through it all, one thought kept me alive.
Escape.
I had studied every hallway, every shift rotation, every blind spot the guards foolishly trusted. I’d memorized the patterns, the locked doors, the weak spots in the wall. I had nothing to lose and everything to reclaim.
I refused to die here and need to save my people.
Tonight, the moonlight was dim—perfect cover. I tightened the stolen cloak around my shoulders, tucking my hair beneath the hood. My breath came out in short, quiet puffs as I crept through the lower corridors.
Each footstep felt like thunder in my ears, but I moved quickly, quietly. I passed the servants’ quarters, slipped past the wine cellar, and found the broken grate I had loosened days ago. It led to a narrow passage that stretched beneath the palace grounds.
Freedom was just beyond it.
My heart pounded, a rhythm of hope and desperation. I crawled through, dirt smearing my face and knees. When I emerged on the other side of the gate, I could smell the forest. Fresh. Wild. Free.
One step… two…
“Stop.”
The voice that shattered my escape was one I knew too well.
Kairo.
I turned slowly, the shadows melting away to reveal him standing there in dark robes. His golden eyes glowed under the moonlight, his jaw clenched tight.
Behind him, two guards approached swiftly, weapons drawn.
I didn’t run. What was the point now?
“Alpha,” one of the guards said, bowing. “She was trying to escape. Shall we—”
“No.”
The word struck the air like a whip. The guards froze.
“But—”
“I said no.” His voice was sharp, authoritative.
He walked toward me, his eyes locked on mine.
“You were trying to run .”
I didn’t answer. I simply stood there, breathing hard, every inch of me trembling.
Kairo took another step closer.
“You know the punishment for runaways.”
I lifted my chin, forcing myself not to flinch. “Then do it. Finish what you started.”
His jaw ticked. For a moment, I thought he might strike me—or worse.
Instead, he turned to the guards. "Take her back to my quarters. From now on, she is my personal maid and make sure there is chain in her legs."
The guards hesitated.
“But, Alpha—”
"She obeys only me. She does everything I ask, everything I command."
My stomach dropped.
He wasn’t going to kill me. He was going to chain me tighter.
I didn’t resist when the guards grabbed my arms and dragged me back into the palace. My brief taste of freedom vanished like smoke.
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Liana's POV
I was halfway through brushing my hair when the news hit me like a storm.
“She what?” I growled, nearly snapping the brush in half.
“Selene tried to escape, my lady,” one of the maids said timidly. “But Alpha Kairo caught her.”
I smiled wickedly. “Good. So she’s dead then?”
The maid hesitated. That pause told me everything.
“Speak,” I snapped.
“He... made her his personal maid. Said she answers to him now.”
The room spun.
“What?”
“She’s in his quarters now.”
Rage bubbled in my chest. I stood so fast my chair toppled. I stormed toward the hall, my robe flowing behind me like fire.
How dare he.
She was supposed to be gone. Erased. She tried to flee. That was punishable by death. Everyone knew that. Everyone.
But not her.
Not Selene.
No, she gets protected. Again.
When I reached Kairo’s door, the guards didn’t stop me. I didn’t even knock. I stormed in, fury blazing.
He sat by the fire, staring into the flames.
“You made her your maid?”
He didn’t look at me. “Yes.”
“She tried to escape. That’s a death sentence.”
“She’s mine to deal with.”
“You’re going to keep her in your room? After everything?”
Kairo finally looked at me. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes—those damned eyes—held something I didn’t want to see.
Guilt. Pity. Conflict.
“I’m the Alpha,” he said firmly. “You don’t question my decisions.”
I clenched my fists. “You’re letting your emotions cloud your judgment.”
He stood. “Leave, Liana.”
“She’s using you.”
“I said leave.”
His voice was hard, final.
I swallowed the scream building in my throat. I turned on my heel and stormed out, my heels echoing like war drums.
This wasn’t over. Not by a long shot.
---
Selene's POV
I sat silently in the corner of Kairo’s chambers, dressed in a clean gown. The fire crackled nearby, warm against my skin.
I should’ve been grateful I was still alive. I should’ve been relieved.
But all I felt was numb.
He hadn’t even looked at me since I was brought back. He sat in silence for hours, brooding, drinking wine like he was trying to drown his thoughts.
He hadn’t touched me. Hadn’t spoken to me.
But I knew it was coming.
I was his now.
Not his bride. Not his equal.
His maid. His slave.
I had tried to escape, and I failed. And now, I had to live with the consequences.
What scared me most...
Was that a part of me still wanted to understand him. Still wanted answers. Still wanted to believe that the man I fell for wasn't a complete lie.
But maybe it was all a fantasy.
A fantasy that had just caged me tighter.
Here’s a short, engaging author’s note you can add at the end of Chapter 9:
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Author’s Note:
Thank you for reading! 💖 If you're enjoying Caged by the alpha King , don’t forget to follow me to stay updated on new chapters. Your support means everything! 🐺🔥
- Writer
