When Jace told we were heading to the capital, I couldn’t shake the worry gnawing at .
At least within Cayden’s pack, I knew I was safe. I had my routine, my place. The capital, though, felt like a whole different world, and I had a bad feeling about interacting with the Poldesse pack. That alone made my stomach twist.
I sighed, zipping up the third bag that Kas had practically forced to pack. Turning, I caught her tossing more of my clothes into yet another duffle bag.
“Is all this really necessary?” I asked, my voice low, as I watched her. “I an, they’re not going to want around. I’m... no one.”
I was once again being coerced into sothing I had no desire to do. I was a breeder, not so obedient, disposable sex slave.
Kas didn’t even pause. “Yes, Tori. It’s all necessary,” she said, clearly in her own world, organizing my clothes.
I flopped back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. “Maybe you can talk him out of this. I don’t want to go, Kas. It’s not safe for there.”
Kas sighed, tossing one more shirt into the bag before glancing at . “Tori, you’ve been given orders. I can’t change his mind—and honestly, his temper hasn’t been great lately. I’m not about to upset him,” she muttered.
I looked at her, but we both ended up chuckling softly.
“When is he ever in a good mood?” I muttered. “He always looks like he’s just chewed on a lemon.”
“Well, when he’s... bedding you, I guess,” Kas teased, winking.
I stared at her, a blush creeping up my neck. “Don’t say it like that! It sounds so bad when you say it like that!”
There was a soft knock on the door before Jace’s head poked in, grinning. “Ready, Tori?”
Kas smirked. “Not going to ask about ?” she teased.
“Oh, I have no doubt that you are ready. You love the capital. You probably packed as soon as I told you yesterday,” Jace chuckled, causing Kas to roll her eyes.
“Yes, I think we are ready,” I responded. “Although I don’t know why I need so much.”
Jace gestured for two warriors to enter. They grabbed the bags and carried them out of the room, preparing to load them into the vehicles.
“Well, it’s ti to go.” He clapped his hands. “Kas, you’ll ride with . Tori, Alpha requested you ride with him.”
I froze. I had expected it, but the idea of being alone with Alpha for the entire ride made my nerves spike.
I forced a smile. “Guess that ans no conversation for the entire ride,” I quipped. “Better grab my book.”
Jace’s expression faltered.
“Jace?” I said, confused.
“Was that sarcasm?” he asked, clearly surprised.
“Yep, she’s coming out of her shell more,” Kas laughed.
Even I was surprised at myself. When had I gotten so comfortable with them, the mbers of the fearso Black Shadow pack?
We headed down to the main hall, where we saw Sophia and Lucas, her father’s beta, waiting near the stairs. Sophia’s eyes locked on , and I could see the sneer spread across her face as Cayden and Marcus walked from the office.
“She’s coming?” Sophia quickly asked. “I had hoped to ride with you, Alpha Cayden.”
Her whiney voice made cringe, and I stopped with Kas, turning to look at her before I let out a very subtle sigh.
I caught the curious look Cayden gave , his brow raised as he noticed my annoyance.
I quickly dropped my gaze. Kas barely contained a snicker, covering her mouth with her hand.
Marcus, sensing the tension, quickly spoke up. “If you want, Tori can ride with , so you and Sophia can get better acquainted.”
Cayden didn’t hesitate. “No, Tori rides with .” He gestured for to follow, his tone decisive.
I stepped toward him, and as I did, Cayden took my hand without a word, leading toward the door.
He got in the car and took his seat. I was hesitant at first, but quickly followed after him into the car, sitting across from him. The door clicked shut behind , and I couldn’t help but hold my breath as his scent filled the air around . His scent surrounded , and my intoxicating desire to bare myself to him beca sothing surreal.
I knew that wasn’t going to happen, though, and I was ashad of myself for even thinking about it.
He didn’t seem thrilled about the situation either. The mont the car started, he beca distant, his focus entirely on the paperwork he was shuffling through and his phone screen.
*****
After an hour of trying—and failing—to read, I finally gave up. It was too hard to concentrate with him so close, his presence like a heavy weight in the air.
“I’ve never been to the capital,” I muttered under my breath, staring out the window.
Not a word ca from him. He didn’t even look up from his phone.
’What did I expect?’ I scolded myself inwardly. The truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about him, no matter how hard I tried. Every word, every movent of his—he affected in ways I couldn’t understand. But what was I to him?
Last night, he’d been... different. He was sleeping on top of and having sex with , being overly passionate. But today, he was as cold and distant as always.
I could never have what I wanted from him. After all, even if he was passionate and hot as fire last night– even if he acted differently when he was in bed with – and even if I was more than a breeder to him... so what?
I was, at most, soone there to fill his physical needs. When his mind was clear, he was again as cold as ice.
And honestly, the greater the contrast in his attitude, the more my heart ached.
I sighed, letting the feeling of hopelessness wash over . The realization stung, but there was no escaping it.
The silence stretched on until the driver spoke up.
“Alpha,” the driver’s voice was flat, no trace of happiness in his voice. “The concierge at the capital called ahead to schedule a tour for your entourage.”
Cayden sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose. “No. This isn’t a pleasure trip.”
“Yes, Alpha,” the driver replied, not hesitating to follow his order.
’Of course, it’s not,’ I thought bitterly. This wasn’t about fun. It was about business, just like everything else in my life.
A groan left Cayden’s lips, drawing my attention. I quickly looked up and t his icy gaze.
“Is there a problem?” he asked, voice sharper than usual.
I raised an eyebrow and shook my head. “No.”
“Good, because I have business, and the only reason I brought you with was to make sure you didn’t try to pull a fast one. I don’t have ti to entertain you,” he explained flatly.
His words cut deep. His gaze snapped back to his phone, and he went silent again, leaving alone with my swirling thoughts.
I picked up my book again, curling up against the leather seat, trying my best to hide the emotions threatening to spill over. I had to shut them down. The last thing I needed was to cry in front of him.
Looking out the window at the trees passing by, the sudden realization that I was nothing killed . I was what I was, and I had to learn to accept my position.
‘Tori, you’re just a breeder,’ I told myself. ‘Get it together.’
We passed the ti in uncomfortable silence, and soon enough, the driver spoke again. “Alpha, we’re ten minutes from downtown Mirage.”
Sitting up, I decided to ignore anything else Cayden would possibly have to say. He made it clear where we stood with each other, and I needed to remind myself of my own place.
I closed my book and glanced out the window. A gasp left my lips.
A towering white stone building lood in the distance, its gold and marble accents gleaming in the sunlight. It was a symbol of power. Of fear. Of the King.
I’d never t him, but I knew his reputation. He was more ruthless than Cayden, and he had used his power to keep war at bay for years. But that was all changing now.
The King didn’t have an heir, and without one, the kingdom’s future was uncertain.
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