Erald walked down the west corridor of the estate, her boots echoing on the polished stone. Frustration bubbled inside her, but she kept it under control—for now.
Just as she rounded the corner, Darius stepped out from one of the side rooms, arms full of papers. He nearly collided with her.
"Erald," he said, startled. "Perfect timing. I was just about to co find you."
She arched a brow. "What is it now? Another threat?"
"Worse," he muttered. "The annual Alpha Summit is in a few days."
Erald groaned. "You’re joking."
"I wish I were."
She leaned against the wall. "And it’s here?"
"I’m confirming the pack that will be hosting," Darius replied. "But you’ll definitely be travelling."
Erald’s jaw ticked. "Fantastic. So I’ll be locked in the sa space as my three mates, council politics... and Rick... for days."
"And every other major Alpha from the continent."
Erald rubbed at her temple. "This just keeps getting better."
Darius gave her a look. "It’s mandatory. You’re Alpha now. They’ll expect you to speak."
"I’ll speak," she muttered. "Probably in flas."
He almost smiled, but it faded quickly. "I’ll keep you posted, but start preparing."
"Any updates?" she asked. "On the assassin? On Havel?"
Darius shook his head. "Nothing solid. Whoever’s behind this has covered their tracks well."
Erald nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on him. He was still holding things back. She could feel it like pressure behind her ribs. Every ti she looked at him now, she saw walls, high, wide, and thick, all built to keep sothing from her.
The Rogue King’s voice echoed in her head, followed by the little knowledge she’s gotten about him.
Darius was lying. Or if not lying, hiding the truth. And that, sohow, hurt even worse.
Still, she said nothing. Not yet.
"Thanks," she said finally. "I’ll be ready."
And without another word, she brushed past him.
—
That night, the wind blew fiercely outside. Erald tossed and turned in her sheets, her dreams filled with flashes of shadows and golden eyes. A feeling kept nudging at her consciousness, soft at first, but then it grew stronger.
She blinked awake.
Her room was still, the moonlight bathing her floor in silver. She sat up slowly, trying to shake off the dream, and then she froze.
Her balcony door was wide open.
She had locked it. She was certain.
Erald pushed off the covers and stood slowly, her bare feet brushing against the cold stone as she crossed to the door.
The wind tugged at the curtains, whispering through the room.
She stepped forward and looked out. Nothing.
A trick of the wind, she tried to convince herself, as she reached for the handle. But before her fingers could close around it, she turned and almost scread.
He was right behind her.
The Rogue King.
Erald’s breath caught, her heart leaping into her throat. "Fuck! How... how the hell did you get in here?!"
He didn’t answer.
Instead, his eyes... those impossible golden eyes were locked on her. His gaze dropped to her throat, to the curve of her collarbone beneath her tank top, then lower. He stepped closer, slowly, deliberately.
"I asked you a question," she said, voice trembling. "How did you get in—"
He reached out, catching a lock of her hair, letting it slip through his fingers.
"Your scent," he murmured. "It drives mad."
Erald shoved him back with both hands. "Don’t touch ."
His eyes darkened. Not with anger, but with want. With hunger. "You’ll crave soon. As much as I crave you."
"Keep dreaming, you arrogant son of a... what makes you think you have any claim on ?"
His lips curved into a knowing smile. "You really don’t know... do you?"
She stepped back. "If I did, I wouldn’t be asking."
He watched her for a long mont before speaking again.
"Years ago, your father, Vale, was in a tough spot. He was losing a war, and everything was falling apart. His lands were crumbling, his allies were turning their backs on him, and his enemies were closing in fast. In that desperate mont, he ca to for help."
Erald’s stomach twisted. "Lies."
"In exchange for my help, he promised sothing." His gaze never wavered. "You."
She took a step back. "That’s not possible," she whispered. "He wouldn’t. My father wouldn’t do that."
"He did," the Rogue King said softly. "Because when you were just a child... before your wolf had even awakened, I knew. I felt the pull. The bond. I told him what you were to ."
"No," she said again, louder this ti.
"But when you grew older, he and your uncle tried to erase it. They had your aura sealed. Your scent muted. They tried to hide you from ."
Her knees felt weak. "You’re lying."
"I never lie," he said.
Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away. "My father wouldn’t do that to . He wouldn’t promise away like a piece of land."
He stepped closer again. "He did. Because he knew I would protect you. Better than anyone. He just didn’t expect to die before I returned to claim you."
"You’re insane," she whispered. But even as she looked into his eyes... she saw no lie.
"Maybe," he murmured. "But I’ve waited long enough."
She backed up, heart hamring. "Don’t co any closer."
But he did.
He walked toward her slowly and intentionally, his aura washing over her like a gentle wave.
Erald stumbled back until her back hit the wall, breath catching. Her body trembled. "Get away from ."
But he didn’t move.
"You’re mine, Erald."
"I’m not," she said, voice breaking. "You can’t just show up and—"
He leaned in. "You already feel it. Your body does."
"I don’t care what my body feels. I said get away..."
Her voice faltered as he pressed closer. She could feel his heat. His power. His scent clouded her mind. The pull that made her want to touch him, even as she hated herself for feeling that way.
Viola’s voice was a desperate whisper. "He’s too close..."
Erald’s body was on fire.
His lips brushed her ear.
"You fight because you know," he whispered. "You feel it, too."
"Stop it..."
He caught her wrist, gently, but firmly. "Soon, you’ll stop fighting. You’ll beg for it," he said. "And when you do..."
His fangs flashed.
Her heart pounded like a war drum.
Then he leaned in.
And before she could move, he bit into her neck.
Erald’s cry filled the room.
Pain shot through her neck, white-hot and blinding. She struggled against him, but then the pain changed, becoming softer. A strange warmth spread through her body, bringing a dizzying rush of pleasure that felt both confusing and wrong.
"Ah... ahh..." she gasped, gripping his coat.
She whimpered as her legs buckled, her head falling back against the wall. Her skin burned where his mouth had touched her.
Then he pulled away.
Blood painted his lips.
"You’re mine," he said, voice thick with satisfaction. "You always have been mine."
Erald’s body trembled in the aftermath, her mind spinning out of control. She collapsed to her knees, her vision swimming.
She could barely breathe. "You... you marked ."
"I claid you," he said, moving towards the balcony. "And I’ll return to finish it."
"No..." her voice cracked.
But he was already moving. He stepped onto the railing as if it were solid ground, his dark coat billowing behind him. Then, he turned around. "I’ll be back, little wolf."
And with that, he jumped, vanishing into the night.
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