Phoebe’s POV
I had expected the room to be large, but nothing could have prepared for this. Above , a magnificent chandelier cast light across every corner, the space itself a declaration of wealth and authority.
The bed alone dwarfed the one I’d slept in back at the beta house—hell, it was even larger than the alpha’s.
This single room stretched at least three tis the size of the alpha’s bedroom, maybe four. It was divided into separate areas: the first resembled a luxurious living space, complete with plush sofas, a television, and all the anities I could imagine.
The design blended modern convenience with classic elegance, honoring tradition without sacrificing comfort.
The second section housed a study, where floor-to-ceiling bookshelves lined an entire wall beside an imposing desk. Beyond that lay my sleeping quarters, complete with a bathroom featuring a tub that could easily accommodate five people.
The sheer magnitude of it all left breathless. Everything felt too precious to touch, too grand for soone like . Flynn’s warning echoed in my mind—don’t cause trouble.
I clutched my backpack tighter as I explored further, discovering a walk-in closet larger than my entire room in the oga quarters.
It stood completely empty, and when I tried arranging my ager collection of clothes inside, they looked pathetic—like scraps of fabric scattered across a banquet table.
Embarrassed, I shoved everything back into my backpack and tucked it into the closet’s farthest corner, out of sight.
At least if the king decided he didn’t want and threw out, I could grab my bag and disappear without the hassle of packing.
I wandered into the bathroom next, marveling at the intricate wall decorations. As a beta’s daughter, I’d lived comfortably in my early years—as comfortable as any beta’s family could manage.
But this palace made everything I’d known seem modest.
It took several minutes to figure out the shower controls. I peeled off my grimy dress and stepped under the spray, sighing as warm water cascaded over my skin.
Living in the oga quarters had ant cold water only, even during the harshest winters. This felt like pure luxury—a small slice of heaven I could claim for myself.
Expensive shampoo and soap sat waiting for , and I lingered under the warmth longer than usual, reluctant to end this perfect mont.
When I finally erged, a tray of food waited on the table in my sleeping area. The aroma made my mouth water, and for the first ti in ages, I felt my lips curve into a genuine smile.
That night marked the first ti in months I’d fallen asleep on clean sheets, with a full stomach, after bathing in warm water.
Sleep claid the mont my head hit the pillow. I barely rembered anything else, except for a strange dream where soone watched sleep—though the mory faded completely by morning.
I’d trained myself to wake before dawn—an oga couldn’t afford to be lazy unless she wanted a beating or worse. Even when Kevin used for his pleasure, Kira and Isabella showed no rcy.
They didn’t care when I appeared with bruises circling my neck or a broken arm. Kevin could be brutal, forgetting I couldn’t heal like other shifters. I wasn’t normal.
Despite my exhaustion, I woke in the pre-dawn darkness, checking the clock to find it was still two hours before sunrise—exactly when my day usually began.
My body went rigid when I realized soone lay beside .
The discovery threw back to those nights with Kevin, and for one terrifying mont, I thought it was him sharing my bed.
Panic wrapped around like a constrictor, squeezing until I couldn’t breathe. I forced my eyes shut, searching for calm in the mory of the swing in our old garden.
My father had built it when I was small, and I’d loved the gentle push of his hands as I soared through the air.
I kept my focus narrow—just the swing, nothing else. Thinking about my father would only bring fresh pain.
Whenever Kevin forced himself on and reality beca unbearable, my mind would flee to that swing in the garden. It was my escape, my sanctuary from cruelty.
The technique worked now, steadying my nerves enough to notice that the man beside wasn’t Kevin. Their scents were completely different.
I forced myself to move, turning my head slowly to find the king sleeping peacefully next to .
His face was inches from mine, his cheek resting against my shoulder while his short black hair tickled my skin.
He looked so serene, almost innocent—nothing like the Mad King from the stories. In sleep, he seed almost... vulnerable.
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