Five

~Adinah~

After Margaret's warning, I decided to explore my new surroundings within the expansive palace. A guide led me on a tour, showcasing the grandeur, and the air carried a different scent compared to the werewolf packhouse, a mix of earthiness and subtle musk.

Eventually, we reached the guest quarters, and my assigned room was conveniently placed next to Killian's. The tour guide gestured to my room and left me to settle in.

Curiosity gnawed at me as I unpacked my belongings. I couldn't shake the desire to know more about Killian, the mysterious Lycan King. Was he truly as indifferent as he seemed?

With stealth that only Luna could muster, I found myself standing outside his door. The temptation proved too strong, and I couldn't resist the urge to take a peek inside. Slowly turning the doorknob, I slipped into his room.

The room reflected his status—spacious, adorned with regal furnishings, and with an air of authority that echoed his position as a powerful leader. My eyes wandered, absorbing the details of the private space.

However, my intrusion was cut short when I heard footsteps approaching the door. Panic seized me as I darted behind a heavy curtain, concealing myself just as the door swung open.

There he was, shirtless and exuding a raw, primal energy that filled the room. His presence commanded attention, and for a moment, I forgot the purpose of my visit.

Our eyes locked, and time seemed to freeze. The realisation of my intrusion dawned on me, and his expression morphed from casual indifference to a stern warning.

"What are you doing in my room?" His voice, low and authoritative, sliced through the air.

I stammered, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. "I...I was just curious. I wanted to see what your room looked like."

His gaze bore into mine, assessing whether my excuse held any merit. Without a word, he closed the door behind him, the atmosphere thickening with tension.

"Curiosity killed the cat, Adinah," he remarked, a faint smirk playing on his lips.

Before I could respond, he advanced, slowly backing me into the nearest wall. The proximity heightened my awareness, and I could feel the solid wall against my back.

"Let this be a lesson. Stay out of my personal space," he warned, his eyes piercing through mine.

I was overcome by his imposing presence and silently nodded in agreement.

His gaze lingered, a silent intensity enveloping the room. The chemistry between us crackled in the air, and I felt an electric charge pulsating through every nerve.

"Or else, your punishment will come off easy," he mused aloud, his voice a husky undertone that sent shivers down my spine.

A blush crept onto my cheeks as his words hung in the charged silence. The implications of his remark lingered, the unsaid tension between us becoming more and more apparent as time went on.

Without breaking eye contact, he closed the distance between us, like a predator closing in on its prey. His hand gently traced the curve of my neck, sending a cascade of shivers through me. I was caught in a mesmerising dance of desire and trepidation.

In a bold move, he pressed his lips against my neck, a fleeting kiss that left a burning imprint. The sensation was both exhilarating and unsettling. As quickly as it happened, he pulled away, leaving me breathless and disoriented.

His voice, a low whisper, penetrated the charged air. "Remember your duties as my wife, princess."

I nodded, unable to find my voice, and he seized the opportunity to assert control.

"Get out of my room," he commanded, his tone firm.

The spell was broken, and I stumbled backward, rushing out of his room without uttering another word. The door closed behind me, leaving me in the corridor, my heart pounding in my chest.

I pressed my back against the cool stone wall, attempting to steady my breathing. The encounter had been unexpected—a feeling of pleasure and resentment that left me reeling.

As I composed myself, I heard laughter from inside the room. It wasn't mocking laughter, but one filled with amusement. Killian found humour in my reaction, and the realisation stung.

****

The day unfolded with Margaret's relentless disdain. Every passing comment about my appearance felt like a jab, but I stood my ground, refusing to let her words break me.

“There are so many she wolves out there, but he chose this one. Why?”

“You used dark magic on my son, didn’t you? You gave him a love portion.” She accused me.

“Not at all, my lady; if it were within my power, I'd gladly not be here, but my father imposed this on me.” I tried to explain it like it mattered to her.

“And what makes you think I don’t have a feeling that you cast a spell on your family so you can bend him to your wishes?"

Now she was crossing the line.

“I’d never do that.”

“I don’t care; what I want now is for my son to get back to his senses so the wedding can be postponed, or rather, cancelled.” She stated.

Someone had to snap her back to reality, and it was definitely not going to be me, so I would just let her be in her own perfect world till she grew tired of hating me.

“Excuse me."

As I dodged the imposing King and his intimidating mother, the corridors of the palace became both my refuge and my prison. I roamed the majestic halls, lost in thought, replaying the electrifying moments from the night before.

However, my internal struggle took a backseat when a guard interrupted the day's torment. An unexpected visitor awaited at the door, a revelation that snapped me back to reality.

I approached the entrance, uncertainty gnawing at me. The sight that met my eyes left me frozen. Sienna and Jeremy stood on the threshold, their expressions a strange mix of surprise and feigned innocence.

Sienna rushed forward, enveloping me in a tight hug, while Jeremy lingered behind, a calculating gleam in his eyes.

What the hell were they doing here?!