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"Second chance?" Sorayah scoffed inwardly, her expression icy cold as her eyes narrowed. You think this is a gift? You dare call this fate?
No. This wasn’t fate.
This was a curse.
"Sorayah?" Lupien’s voice pierced through her thoughts again, softer this ti. He reached forward and gently took her hands in his. "Stay with , okay?"
Sorayah blinked, disoriented. The warmth of his touch clashed against the ice in her chest.
"Stay with you?" she repeated, her tone distant. She swallowed hard and t his gaze, masking her swirling emotions behind a composed façade. "I don’t understand what you’re saying, Your Highness."
"Don’t go anywhere," Lupien said, his voice low and pleading. "Stay with ... even though Pearl wasn’t able to stay. You have to stay here with ."
His eyes locked with hers, filled with desperation and sothing else she couldn’t quite place....grief, perhaps. Regret.
Before Sorayah could respond, a voice, sharp and commanding as steel, sliced through the garden’s stillness.
"What is going on here, Your Highness?!"
Both Sorayah and Lupien turned in the direction of the voice. A young, strikingly beautiful woman stood beneath the moonlight, adorned in a flowing crimson gown trimd with intricate gold embroidery. Her presence was regal, commanding imdiate attention. Her raven-black curls were styled ticulously and adorned with golden and pearl-encrusted pins. Matching golden earrings and layered necklaces glead against her pale skin. The deep red lipstick she wore only heightened her bold, imperious aura.
Sorayah instinctively tried to pull her hands free from Lupien’s grip, but he tightened his hold instead, refusing to let go. His gaze, however, remained fixed on the newcor, his Luna.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness the Luna," Lupien’s eunuch and the accompanying servants imdiately fell to their knees, their foreheads pressed reverently against the marble floor.
"Greetings, Your Royal Highness, the Luna," Sorayah echoed, her voice even as she offered a deep bow. Only after the Luna nodded did she straighten again, the other servants following suit.
"What are you doing here, Luna?" Lupien asked, one brow raised. A composed smile tugged at his lips, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Finally, he released Sorayah’s hand, his own arms falling loosely to his sides. "You should be in your quarters, resting."
The Luna folded her hands gracefully in front of her and offered a faint, brittle smile. "I couldn’t sleep, Your Highness. So I decided to take a walk through the gardens. I spotted you here with your attendants and thought to keep you company."
"Oh, I see," Lupien replied, tilting his head slightly. His tone was polite, but his words held a cutting edge. "Well, as you can see, I already have enough company. You should return to your chambers and get so rest."
His eyes flickered briefly toward Sorayah, whose head remained bowed. "Sorayah is keeping company."
The Luna’s eyes narrowed. "What are you saying, Your Highness?" she asked, incredulity lacing her voice. "How can a lowly maid keep the Alpha Emperor company? Word had it you once considered making her your concubine, but couldn’t follow through because she was carrying the Beta Lord’s pup."
Her gaze burned into Sorayah, filled with loathing.
"Yes," Lupien said, his voice cold, "and I might still make her one now that she has consud the abortion concoction."
A tense silence fell across the garden. Fury flashed in the Luna’s eyes, though she quickly masked it with a practiced calm.
"You know that’s impossible," she said through clenched teeth. "Unless you intend to beco the laughingstock of the court. I doubt you’d risk your royal throne for a common servant. Regardless, I shall be awaiting you in my quarters tomorrow night. According to the royal schedule, you are due to visit ."
Lupien’s lips curled into a smirk. "Oh, did I forget to ntion? I am the Alpha Emperor. I can change the rules and I will if I want. No one, not even the Luna, has the right to dictate my actions."
The Luna’s expression tightened, but she lowered her head in a bow. "Very well. Goodnight, Your Highness."
She turned sharply, her elegant red robes swirling behind her as she strode away. Her handmaidens followed in silence, their faces blank as masks.
As the Luna disappeared into the darkness, tension still clung to the garden air like a storm cloud refusing to disperse.
"Let’s go," Lupien said firmly. Without waiting for her response, he took Sorayah’s hand and began to pull her along with him.
She resisted, trying to wriggle free from his grip, but he held on tighter, ignoring her protests. The servants followed closely behind, silent and watchful as the group made their way through the grand halls of the palace.
They finally arrived at the Alpha Emperor’s private sleeping chamber. The room glittered with golden furnishings, intricate wall carvings, and luxurious designs that whispered of obscene wealth and royal authority.
Once they entered, Sorayah quickly bowed and stepped back. "Since it is ti for Your Highness to retire, I will take my leave now," she said calmly, trying to mask the unease in her voice. "I must return to the Beta Lord’s mansion before the gates are locked for the night."
Lupien didn’t respond imdiately. She turned, preparing to walk away until his voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Who gave you the authority to leave?" he asked coldly.
She froze mid-step.
"Who had the audacity to grant you permission?" he pressed, his voice like steel wrapped in velvet. "Tell now so I can have them beheaded."
Sorayah’s heart slamd against her ribcage as she turned slowly to face him. Her voice wavered despite her efforts to sound composed. "I assud, Your Highness... I thought since you were ready to sleep, it would be best if I left so as not to disturb you."
Lupien raised his eyes from the scroll he had been reading. His gaze t hers, sharp and unreadable. "You’re not disturbing . Now co here."
Sorayah’s instincts scread at her to run, but her legs betrayed her. Hesitantly, she approached until she stood in front of him.
"I’m here, Your Highness. What would you like to do?" she asked, bowing her head slightly.
Silence.
"Your Highness?" she called again softly after several seconds passed with no response.
Still, there was no answer until suddenly, she felt herself being yanked forward. She gasped as she landed on his lap, her body going rigid in shock.
"Y-Your..."
Before she could finish, Lupien pressed a finger to her lips.
"Shh."
The gesture was gentle, but the fury bubbling inside her threatened to erupt. She gritted her teeth as her fists clenched at her sides.
This arrogant beast! she cursed inwardly.
She tried to stand, but his grip tightened around her waist, keeping her in place.
"Read a story," he said at last, his voice low but commanding.
Sorayah blinked, caught off guard. "A... story?"
"A bedti story," Lupien clarified. "When I fall asleep, you may leave. Until then, you’re staying."
A bedti story? What is he, a spoiled child? she thought bitterly. Her pride scread in protest, but her face remained composed.
Without another word, Lupien reached for a leather-bound book from a gilded shelf near the bed and held it out to her.
Reluctantly, Sorayah took it. She watched as Lupien lay back against the silk pillows, his robe slightly loosened, exposing his collarbone and the faint lines of muscle beneath.
Trying not to focus on him, she moved to the small cushioned chair beside the bed and opened the book.
It was a chronicle of the reigns of forr Alpha Emperors...nothing like the fantasy or romance tales she’d have preferred. It was filled with battles, bloodshed, and ruthless conquests. No humor. No warmth. Just brutality disguised as history.
Still, she read. Her voice was steady, if a bit chanical.
As the night deepened, her eyelids grew heavy. The words on the page blurred together, and her mind drifted. It wasn’t long before she noticed the steady, rhythmic rise and fall of Lupien’s chest. She leaned closer, waving a hand in front of his face. No reaction.
He’s asleep. Finally.
She exhaled in relief, quietly closing the book and returning it to the shelf. She stretched her arms slightly and stood, prepared to make her escape.
But just as she turned, a strong hand seized her wrist, yanking her backward.
"Ah!"
She let out a startled gasp as her back collided with the soft bed, her body splayed across it. And then he was above her.
Lupien lood over her, his eyes half-lidded with sleep, or sothing far more dangerous. His white sleeping robe had co undone, baring a portion of his toned chest and stomach. The golden light of the room danced over his skin.
"W-What are you doing?!" she stamred, her voice breathless and furious.
His eyes t hers.
But he said nothing.
And that silence was more dangerous than any words.
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