Phoebe’s POV
Terror clawed at my chest, a familiar companion that had haunted through every nightmare I’d lived. No matter how many tis fear wrapped its icy fingers around my throat, I never grew numb to its bite.
When the king strode toward the car, dread twisted in my gut like a living thing. But beneath the terror, sothing else stirred—anticipation that made my skin burn with sha.
My fingers found the mark on my neck before I could stop myself. I jerked my hand away, lacing my fingers together and fixing my stare on the seat ahead. Stay quiet. Don’t breathe wrong. Don’t give him a reason to end you.
This could be my escape from the Obsidian Claw pack’s hell. Or it could drag sowhere infinitely worse.
The mont Perry slid into the car, the air turned electric. His presence hit like a physical force, drowning my senses until I couldn’t think straight.
My hands felt clumsy and wrong. I clutched my backpack like a shield, pressing myself into the seat as if I could disappear into the leather. The space between us—less than a ter—might as well have been nothing. His scent invaded my lungs, rich and dangerous, making my wolf whimper with need.
I wanted to press my face against his chest and breathe him in until I forgot my own na.
The thought terrified more than anything.
The car pulled away from the driveway, and suddenly he was there, looming over , stealing every inch of space until I could barely breathe. His presence crushed down on like a storm.
Up front, his royal beta Flynn watched us through the rearview mirror, curiosity sharp in his eyes.
"What is it? You’re not happy?" Perry’s voice was silk over steel. He leaned closer until his face hovered inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin. I kept my eyes down, knowing the rules that kept breathing.
Eye contact ant challenge. Challenge ant death.
"Look at when I’m talking to you." His tone dropped, annoyance threading through the command like a blade.
When his hand moved toward my cheek, I flinched hard. Still, I couldn’t make myself et his gaze.
"Look at ." The demand ca sharper this ti. I could feel his rage building, could sll it in his scent.
"Yes, my king. I... I am happy." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.
His scoff cut through . Then his palm pressed against my chest, right over my hamring heart. "I don’t think so."
My heart betrayed , pounding so hard I was sure he could feel it through my ribs. Sweat beaded on my forehead despite the car’s AC blasting cold air.
I wanted to shrink into nothing. His presence overwheld every sense until I couldn’t catch my breath, couldn’t think beyond the panic clawing up my throat.
"Fuck you." The words hit like a slap. His eyes burned with disgust as he stared down at . "Wait until I get you for myself, and we’re alone."
Alone.
The word shattered sothing inside . My teeth chattered as I bit down hard, trying to stop the tremors. I gripped my dress with white knuckles, head bowed in submission.
Kevin had used that sa word. Before he’d torn apart.
Would the king beco another nightmare? The thought made bile rise in my throat.
Perry caught every tremor, every flinch, and his fury only grew hotter. But before he could strike, Flynn’s voice cut through the tension.
"We managed to secure two cities," he reported, his words pulling the king’s attention to the war against Valerium Kingdom.
Relief flooded through as Perry finally pulled back, giving space to breathe again. But when he glanced at my obvious relief, his jaw ticked with barely contained rage.
I must have dozed off at so point. The car’s stillness woke , and for a confused mont, I thought I was back in my tiny room at the pack house.
Then I saw him.
Perry sat beside , watching with an expression I couldn’t read. Reality crashed back—the selection, the car ride, the promise of being alone with him.
I dropped my gaze imdiately.
"Get out!" His growl made jump. He stord from the car, leaving behind like discarded trash.
Clutching my backpack, I stumbled out after him. But he was already gone, leaving standing there with Flynn and the warrior who’d driven us. Lost.
Flynn stared after his king, clearly as confused as I was. When he turned to , his expression held no warmth.
"Co with ."
I lifted my head just enough to follow him toward the palace, my legs shaking with every step.
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