Bound to the Cold Billionaire Alpha

Chapter Nine — The Night He Chose Me

The palace felt different that night—quieter, heavier, almost as if the walls themselves were holding their breath. Servants hurried past me with lowered eyes, guards stood stiffer than usual, and every corridor hummed with whispers I couldn’t hear.

But I did not stop walking.

Prince Khalid had sent for me.

Again.

My heart hammered as I reached his private wing. Two tall guards bowed and opened the door without a word. The air inside was warm, scented with burning wood and that same intoxicating spice that always clung to him.

He stood by the window, his back to me, broad shoulders outlined against the moonlight.

And even without seeing his face, my entire body reacted.

“Your Highness…” I breathed.

He didn’t turn immediately. Instead, he spoke in a low, dangerous voice—one that curled around my spine like smoke.

“You kept me waiting, Adanna.”

My breath caught. “I— I came as fast as I could.”

He turned then, slow and deliberate, eyes locking onto mine with that same intense hunger that always made me forget how to breathe.

In two strides, he was in front of me.

“Come here,” he commanded softly.

I obeyed before my mind even processed the words.

He lifted my chin with one finger, forcing my eyes up to his.

“You look scared,” he said.

“I’m not scared,” I whispered.

He smirked. “Then you’re trembling because of me?”

Heat rushed through me. I hated how easily he read me, how deeply he affected me… yet I couldn’t look away.

“Adanna,” he murmured, lowering his forehead to mine, “do you know why I sent for you?”

I swallowed hard. “No, Your Highness.”

His voice dropped lower.

“I chose you.”

My heart stopped.

“What… what do you mean?”

He wrapped his hand around the back of my neck, pulling me closer until there was barely any space left between us.

“I’ve made my decision,” he said. “And I don’t care who tries to stop me. I want you beside me. In my chambers. In my life. In everything.”

My breath broke into a shaky gasp.

“But… Prince Khalid… the council—”

“I said I don’t care.”

His voice was fierce, protective, possessive.

He brushed his thumb across my lower lip, and my entire body went weak.

“You will stay with me tonight,” he whispered.

“Not as a servant. Not as a girl who caught my attention.

But as the woman I’ve chosen.”

My chest tightened with shock… and something dangerously close to longing.

“Is that an order?” I whispered.

His gaze darkened.

“That’s a promise.”

The room seemed to pulse. My heartbeat drowned out everything else.

He leaned closer, breath brushing my ear.

“Adanna… don’t run from me tonight.”

And for the first time…

I didn’t want to.